Interrupted by Grace {Day 2}: That's Why it's Called Grace

For an intro to this series, click here.

On Monday, we had a super-duper fun day.  It was the last school day of the month, which we always reserve for a field trip, and the good Lord had given us prefect weather for a zoo visit with a bunch of friends.  It was also Opening Day of the baseball season, a big deal around here, because baseball is our family's sport.  I was happy from head to toe, decked out in my Pirates gear.  We had a great day seeing friends, being outside and observing the animals.

That evening, after the exhilarating day, I couldn't bring myself to do any chores.  So, Tuesday morning I woke up to dishes that needed washing and a to-do list too long for the day.  In my quiet time I talked with the Lord about my desire to use the day well, honor Him, enjoy the time with the kids learning, etc.  After that, my impatience mounted throughout the morning as I kept making that list the focus of my attention, Elizabeth took an eternity to complete a math page that she knew how to do quickly and I moved from messy room to messy room in my house feeling like a failure.

On top of all that, I knew that by the end of the day I had to write a blog post to start off a month of being on the look out for where God was interrupting me by grace.  The accuser started saying to my mind, Honestly, if those nice people who read your writing knew what you were really like, they'd think twice about taking your word on anything!  I started believing him.  He had a very good point.

But the evil one, as true as his accusations may be, does not have the final say.  In obedience, at lunchtime I asked my kids to forgive me for my impatient and unloving attitude toward them.  (I really, really hate when I have to apologize.  My pride is a beast, friends.)  Those precious little ones forgave this undeserving mom, and the rest of the day went of without a hitch - much of the list was completed and we got to the park to play for a little while.  Praise God!

Another thing happened throughout the afternoon, as I wondered how in the world I was going to get a blost* in before midnight!  My Father, the Good Shepherd, said to my heart, Dear one, you're about to embark on a month of writing about being interrupted by grace.  If you deserved it, it wouldn't be grace.

Gosh.  He was right.  I believed Him.  He had a better point than the accuser who was right about my guilt, but has no right to condemn a child of the King.  Be still my soul.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  ~ Colossians 3:1-3

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For the sake of getting enough sleep this month, I'll be writing about the previous day.  I hope you don't mind.  :)  Do you have any good interrupted by grace stories to share from the beginning of your April?

Have a great day!  (We're in the throws of a stomach bug over here, but more on that tomorrow.  ha!)

*This is my condensed word for blog post.