Day 43

I learned a tough lesson this week... and it's taken me until today to see that it was a blessing in disguise.  Now, I wish it wouldn't have gone down as it did, but now I can see that God knew best.  Let me start from the beginning...

I've written about how mornings can be stressful at the Snider house.  And Monday, it was no different... frantically rushing to get everyone out the door and to school on time.  We left a few minutes later than normal, but not enough to result in a tardy... or so I thought.  We get into the morning carpool line and I end up being the front car that's not allowed to proceed into the school parking lot.  You know, you never want to be the car that's stopped, especially when the clock is ticking.  When I finally was allowed to pull into the school, it was 9:04... one minute before school starts.  As I pull up to let my son out, I'm mortified.  There apparently is a policy change that I wasn't aware of and the doors were locked.  A few administrators were collecting the "tardy" students outside.  I was already late to drop off son #2 and they were encouraging everyone to keep moving because there were about 20 cars behind me, so I didn't stop.  However, as I'm pulling out of the parking lot, I call the school and discover that starting that Monday, they were actually implementing the 9:05 door locking policy (which was not previously in effect).  Needless to say, 40 kids were marked tardy that day.  It was not a fun experience for my son or me. 

I was pretty mad about the whole event.  But something has changed since Monday.  I'm committed to getting my son to school without a tardy now... and he's committed too because it was such a painful process.  So the boys are getting up better... they are moving through the morning routine more quickly... and since Tuesday, we've arrived at school well before the tardy bell.  Mornings have been so much more pleasant... all because of a painful learning experience.

Before Monday's experience, no one was super committed to getting out the door.  I could have easily started this getting up a bit earlier process weeks ago, but I didn't have anything to motivate me to make the changes.  But now that we've experienced the consequences of being late, we are working together and the change has been good for us.

It's taken me three days to get to this perspective.  I'm so glad God is giving me a glimpse into the positive outcomes that resulted from the painful experience on Monday.  And in reality, doesn't it sometimes take pain for us to make a change?  Oh, how I wish I would get the message before the pain... but I'm also thankful that God will do whatever it takes to get my attention and get me on His track for my life.  Our God loves us so much... and He promises to work all things for good (Romans 8:28), so even painful events can turn into something we can give thanks for.  Thank you, God, that our consequences are not in vain and You use them to draw us closer to you. 

I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy.  Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.  The cords of death entangle me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.  Then I called on the name of the Lord: "O Lord, save me!"  The Lord is gracious and righteous, our God is full of compassion.  The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, He saved me.  Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.  Psalm 116:1-7

Tonight, I am thankful for...

1.  Morning snuggles with the boys
2.  James 1:5
3.  Finding silly things in pictures with my three year old
4.  Celebration plans made
5.  Watching It's a Meaningful Life with the boys
6.  My hubby making it home safely from his business trip
7.  Getting our Christmas cards designed today and off to the printer
8.  Chatting with a dear friend
9.  Getting some rest today
10.  Getting the blog posted before 11 PM tonight!
11.  Having breakfast for dinner
12.  Laughter
13.  Boys who help clean up
14.  First time obedience
15.  Each of you who participate in the blog

Here's to 10,000 reasons... Only 5,286 to go...