On any given morning as I get ready to load the kids into the car, I will find piles of both mentionables and unmentionables. Remnants of a summer road trip, various errand running and all of the little odds and ends that follow them into the car as we get ready to do whatever, seem to get stumbled over on a daily basis. Today, I’m unsettled as I see gifts, some new and some not so brand new being trappled underfoot … again. For the millionth time, despite every request to get them off of the car floor, there they lay, waiting to get stepped on … again.
It was only yesterday afternoon that Caleb was begging me for that “Planet Earth” book that he stomped all over this morning in the car. It drove me crazy to see him twisting the pages, crumpling the cover, bending the binding of something once longed for, something of worth and value … And yet, I have to ask, is that me? What have I pleaded with God for, only to tire of it so quickly and, likewise, stomp all over it like something I found in the bargain bin at Michael’s?
It upsets me, but maybe it shouldn’t. I have to ask myself, is this the same type of irritation, ire, weariness, and frustration that God experiences when we treat His gifts the same way? What about homes, cars, clothes, friends, children, spiritual gifts, the very air we breathe … all of the innumerable blessings bestowed upon us everyday treated as if they were no big deal, of no importance, and insignificantly replaceable. Is our attitude and penchant towards disposability the problem, or the result of a greater, deeper, more innate deficit? Is it a material, or a character flaw? Is it immoral, sinful, or something other? How deeply does this river of ingratitude really run within me. I am swimming in gifts, yet drowning in unappreciation.
The question that plagues me even more, is what blessings am I treading underfoot that I am completely unaware of? What gifts am I blind to? What treasures are flying under my radar, therefore going unused, unshared, unappreciated,and without thanks properly or duefully being offered to the Giver of all good gifts? I shudder to think of how much I’m missing out on being thankful for.
How can I fully and better absorb all of the time, love, effort, and personal planning that God went out of His way to construct for me? Am I treating the gifts found in others, as well as the gift of others, as valuable and irreplaceably enlightening as they really are? Just some reflections I’m chewing on today … Any thoughts?
I think you are not alone in your frustration. This business of buying and regretting is experienced daily all across this country. The question I used to ask myself was: how could we, as parents, provide all the mental stimulation, and not put a price tag on it. I think impulse buys often are disappointments because our heartstrings are being tugged and we want to respond; but deep down inside, wonder whether this gift is going to go the way of many others. Also, it is difficult to know what is going on in that little head of Caleb’s as he is asking for the book. Life is full of wonders! Yes?
It reminds me more and more everyday that my children are a reflection, a mirror of me in oh so many ways … Some good, some not so good. Their selfishness, unkindness, greediness, ingratitude, immaturity must bring God great pain Yet, I find much comfort and reveleation in the thought that their warmth, joy, exuberance, wonder, sincere naivete, and excitement for life are all things our Father enjoys seeing in us, as well …We can learn so much from our kids if we’re only willing to see ourselves.
I can so relate! I have lost count of how many times that I have yelled at my kids about something, and immediately rolled my eyes and shook my head and said to myself, “seriously, God could say the same thing to me right now!”……..and yet i’m still such a slow learner…
… But we’re learning … Thanks God for His patience, mercy, and grace