Black tights, Spit-up, and Peanut butter stains...The Lord Gives Strength

"Lord, give me strength." This is the prayer I say many times a day. Sometimes it's muttered under my breath, said in my head, or shouted out loud. Let's face it. I don't leave the house very much with three kids by myself. This means that our home is definitely the biggest source of influence in our children's lives. Knowing this we try to promote a gospel-centered atmosphere. I love playing praise and worship music and hearing my daughter sing along. We pray before meals together and read the Bible often. Another piece to this puzzle is prayer. I know that our kids will learn to pray from us. Now, prayer has always been a struggle of mine. I don't do quiet and still very well. But, prayer doesn't always have to be this way. I've started just praying out loud in front of my children throughout the day. "Lord, give me strength" has seemed to be a favorite. This has also become a good parenting tool. I can already see it in my daughters eyes, "Oh no! Mom's praying for strength again! Better straighten up!"

A few weeks ago, we were headed out the house for a MOPS meeting. I love going to MOPS because everyone there understands if you walk in late without having had a shower. This particular morning my children chose to sleep until 8:30 (of course!). As they woke up I quickly dressed each one and hurried them downstairs. I fed the two little ones breakfast while my daughter decided that black tights would go well with her sundress and attempted to put them on by herself. This ended up with her screaming and flailing around on the floor.
"Lord, give me strength."
So, I trucked the the others up the stairs to help her and change myself. (I can't change until the moment I walk out the door because my baby spits-up like it's her job.) After 20 minutes I finally calmed the tights situation and went to put my clothes on. As I was carrying two children down the stairs, (Yes, my almost two-year old is capable of doing it himself, but if I'm there, he stands at the top and screams until I carry him down.) the baby spits-up all down my arm.
"Lord, give me strength."
After careful consideration I decided to wipe it up and not change my shirt. In comparison to what she's capable of, it wasn't that bad. The really bad ones require a complete outfit change of her and me. You know it's bad when you have to change your underwear too! I herded everyone into the car, strapped in three carseats and we were off! Always a successful feeling! After a minute or two my daughter says, "Mommy, I didn't have any breakfast."
"Lord, give me strength."
 Yikes! I forgot to feed one of my kids! Thank goodness she isn't much a breakfast eater, and in our car there's always a snack bowl of something laying around. As I pulled into the church parking lot I caught a whiff of a familiar smell. Sure enough when I carried my son down the stairs he had put his little dirty hand on my shoulder  and there was peanut butter smeared all over my shirt.
"Lord, give me strength."
Nothing a wet wipe can't fix! I dropped all three kids off, and felt particularly anxious to have some time with other moms this morning.

Now it just so happened that this particular day when we got home, all three kids fell asleep for 2 hours. Whether it's a longer nap, a hug and kiss, a giggling match, or daddy coming home early, there's always something for me to be thankful for. With three little kids every day has it's hard moments, but there's always a one-lined prayer and a God who promises to hear.