Seriously Not Potty Training

Ouch. Tuesday, my back was strained. I can always tell when it’s going to happen I get little foreshadowing pains and if I pay attention to those pains I can stop the major quake from happening…but I didn’t pay attention. I don’t like to admit that I can’t do something, so I keep doing things that aggravate my back. Whenever this happens, stress is a factor. I think I’m thinking about too many things and I need to just step back and remember who’s in charge for a little while. Sometimes I relate busyness with stress but in reality there are times I’m extremely busy and very happy. I think it is more related to the way I think. Pastor Davis used Philippians 4:8 last night and it is a reminder to me that my thinking has got to be controlled. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” You can’t get stressed thinking like that. 2 Corinthians 10:5 “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” Yes being busy does often cause me to think differently so it does relate to stress but busyness in itself is not stress it is busyness with wrong thinking. Matthew 11:30 “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Doing, is not my downfall, it is doing without being called to do it, or doing without the proper attitude. The funny thing is last night I was feeling so much better. We were on our way to church discussing our upcoming schedules, and suddenly both realized that we had nursery duty. We laughed and as it was too late to get out of it I went with my sore back and just told them that I wouldn’t be picking up kids…I’ll sit and rock them, but I can’t pick them up. Well, you can imagine how well I did at that. I couldn’t just sit there of course and as soon as I’d see the little helpless things get caught somewhere or cry without any hands available to console, I’d go get them. By the time we got to the car after church, my back hurt worse than ever. I couldn’t stand up straight and all I could think about was all the things I wanted to accomplish.

I’ve been praying this morning and though I don’t feel better yet, I know that I can accept the gift of healing that God has for me. He doesn’t desire me to be unable to lift my children or clean my house properly, so He has provided a source of strength and power for me. I thought about healing a lot this morning and realized that I have often, somewhat unconsiously, considered it something mysterious that if I could somehow believe for, would come and take over my aches and pains and cause me to be whole. I realized how wrong that is. God doesn’t give us gifts that take over our bodies, He gives us gifts to put on, gifts to take in, gifts that we choose to accept or reject. Just like salvation, it is not something that overtakes us, it is something we permit and then submit to. So, where does that leave me? Well, I’m going to keep praying and find out. I’ll let you know what happens with this BEAUTIFUL day. The lawn needs to be cut but I’m not one to test God and put myself in traction so it may just remain a little long for a while. The sewing party may be a little less prepared for and my kids may be a little less potty trained but I’m determined I will at least learn something good.