Today I was listening...

I have discovered something...My life is just a series of potty breaks. Here is how I came to that decision. Today I taught the 1st-5th graders at church, and I promise almost every single one of them asked me if they could go to the bathroom, at least once. It was strange, these kinds of bathroom emergency incidents are usually isolated. Maybe someone was giving away money in there today. Then this afternoon at workshops, classes for our church members, the same bathroom emergency incidents struck again. There must have been 12 kids who needed to go in the first 20 minutes and if you have ever been around more than one child, you know that the little darlings NEVER need to go at the same time. After 2 hours of the bathroom emergency game, I was walking 2 four year old boys down the long, quiet, high school hallway. Their little feet were echoing as they ran, and that's when it hit me, "My life is just a series of potty breaks." I repeat the same 6 sentences every time, "Walk quietly in the hallway. Go in, do your business, and come out, no playing around. Wash your hands. Use soap. Throw the towel in the trash. Quietly walk back to the classroom."

I learned a few things about life today as I walked to little boys back from the restroom. #1 When you gotta go, you gotta go. There is no convenient time to go potty. Not if you are 4 and have to miss a game and not if you are 44 and have to stop the car on your way to your favorite place. God moves in my heart like that sometimes, He calls for immediate obedience, "no playing around in there." #2 As inconvenient as it was to go on so many trips to the bathroom, they were all necessary. In life there are so many inconvenient yet necessary tasks. God desires those tasks to be moments of learning, not routine and mindless. Speaking of inconvenient, as Jesus was facing death on the Cross he asked "Is there any other way?" How "convenient" was it for Christ to pay for my sin so the I may live in God's presence forever? #3 Patience is a prerequisite for potty breaks. No matter how inpatient I get, God never feels impatient or annoyed. #4 There are thankless jobs in the world. I need to remember that people need affirmation about what they do. And no matter what anyone tells you being a mom must be the hardest. I am only with these children for a few hours a week and it seems like they have endless needs. (To all the moms: Thank you for all you do for your children; washing them and their clothes, feeding them, comforting their cries, healing their hurts, loving them, giving them toys and books, tying their shoes, teaching them about Jesus, setting a good example when it is hard, taking the time to listen, crying and laughing with them, playing imaginary games with them and their friends, and taking them on ENDLESS potty breaks!)#5 I will have to go potty for the rest of my life. The job is never completed until I die. My job will not be done as long as I am alive, just as Glorifying God will not end on Earth until I die. So maybe God was using the children in my life today to teach me some incredible lessons, maybe God uses them in my life everyday, but today I was listening.

God would you please help me remember today. I love that you have used the most simple act of humans to teach me about You, about me, and about others. I ask that you would help my to do all I do for your glory. I want to go on potty breaks for the glory of God. I ask that you teach me to listen to your still small voice in all situations so that I may hear the lessons that you have for me each day. God I thank you that you still speak and that you love me enough to use me. I need your help and guidance as I face this week. Remind me that my job of glorifying you is never completed. God I thank you for your job! I live for you and love you Jesus!