Officer Mommy

This was one of those mornings...

One of those horrible, frustrating, attitude-wrangling, Spirit-grieving, despondent, tear-filled episodic mornings.

And it was one of those afternoons....

Needy, seeking, humbling, vulnerable, hearing, learning, remembering, marveling, thanking, great-is-His-faithfulness kind of afternoons.

I love days like this -- not because they are whimsical fun or so very pleasant, but because my weakness was so profound today that His strength showed up all the more.

I love that He proved Himself a faithful God that hears even my most pathetic prayers.

I am awed that He proved Himself the perfect Parent...again.

I am giddy to recognize His ways -- the good friend He used as an instrument of His instruction and peace.

I was having trouble with one of the girls today. One of my darlings was not coming to the work that the Lord had ordained for her with cheerfulness or submissive joy. At least, one of them was not hiding her disdain very well today. Or yesterday. Maybe on and off for the past couple of days...or months.

I think maybe I've become so overwhelmed by "school," that I've left off education. And in doing so...I've let myself be satisfied with mere cooperation, and forgot the enduring promise behind "training them up."

And...I've begun to reap what I've sown. My people are stressed. Snippy. Joyless.

But my Savior is so good. So kind. So much better to me than I deserve -- every minute of every day. Today, He made available to me a dear friend with wise words and a true testimony. This Sister helped me remember some of what I had forgotten, and the Spirit of God reminded me the rest as I put one foot in front of the other on today's ordained path.

I had forgotten that foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child.

I had forgotten that the rod of reproof will drive it far from them.

I had forgotten that God's ways are above our ways.

I forgot that an angry spirit is a rebellious spirit.

I forgot that out of the mouth (or on the face) bubbles up whatever is in the heart.

I forgot that I am called to shepherd this child's heart, but that only God can change this child's heart.

I forgot that I am the law enforcement officer.

I needn't get emotionally involved; I needn't implore, convince or warn.

I need only to recognize that a crime has been committed, approach the offender with the confidence of my authority, and write her a ticket!

If the offender becomes belligerent or otherwise contemptuous, I need only hold her for the judge (Daddy).

And nobody wants that. Not Daddy. Not me. And most certainly not any one of his three princesses.

There was so very much learned today by this on-the-job-mother/teacher/shepherdess.

I pray it is still with me tomorrow.