Comforted, So We Can Comfort, Kinda?

Monday was a very trying day for me. I began the day with a long “to do” list, including some errands I agreed to run for Hubby. I planned on dropping BigGuy off at school and then completing the items staring at me on my list.

First stop, grocery store. After picking out my cart and grabbing the list out of my purse, I heard below me, “Carry me, Mommy. I don’t want to walk.” I quickly offered Bird a luxurious ride in the store's “truck” carts. He would have nothing of it. He only insisted, “Carry me.”

Well, if you happened to see me that day, you saw a frustrated mom, holding a forty-three pound five-year old, wearily pushing a cart full of groceries. Quite a funny sight to others, I’m sure. To me, it was a well-planned morning heading for “can’t get anything done quickly” land. However, I kept on going.

Bird kept sadly looking in my eyes. Rather than taking a moment to talk with him, I simply kept telling him, “You’re okay. You can make it.” After all, I believed he just wanted to thwart my efforts in an attempt to go home and play instead.

I have to applaud Bird because he completed the rest of the errands with me in spite of my lack of compassion, (like he really had a choice in the matter). He stuck it out and we finally arrived home.

Only then, did I begin to feel guilty as I saw Bird lying on the couch, not even playing.

I went over to him, (after putting the groceries away, of course) and asked him why he was so grumpy. He sadly looked up at me and simply said, “My throat and head really hurt.”

Ugh! The guilt monster arrives again.

Please tell me that I am not the only one who can become so focused on what I perceive my needs are that I forget that those around me have needs, too?

I am so thankful that my Father God forgives me each time I put my needs and plans in front of His and others'.  He is so good to comfort me with His unconditional love.

I also asked Bird for forgiveness that day and promptly found some Tylenol, a blanket, and a book to read to him. Thankfully, he forgave me and was doing much better, too.

The funny thing is…guess who woke up yesterday morning with a headache and a sore throat?

You guessed it!

Well, I better get going now. I hear someone yelling, “Come on Mom, we have things to do!”  So much for the headache and sore throat!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Comments

[Tracey]

Of course you are not the only one!!!!! Feel comforted that there are so many others in the same boat, feeling the same guilt. Thank you, God, for your forgiveness and help us to forgive ourselves. Hope you're feeling better soon!

[Laura]

Oh my gosh, how many times have I done that!! Thank goodness that God forgives us.

[Bonita]

This has happened to me more than once. I remember when my daughter was just under two. My husband worked all the time and I lived for the few times a month I could be with other moms. One of those times was at a Proverbs 31 Ministry encouragement group. My kids went with me, but my daughter was clingy and just wanted me to hold her the whole time. I got so frustrated and it took the other moms mentioning that she looked as though she didn't feel well and she felt hot for me to realize that something was wrong. Talk about feeling like a total heel! I was too busy being Miss Proverbs 31 to notice the sick child sitting in my lap! And I was the only nurse in the bunch! Ugh! Thank God kids are both forgiving and resilient! Hope this makes you feel better.

[pinkshoelady]

Hey Girl,
Been there done that got the award!

I am praying for you today.
I felt a strong need to check out your blog this morn. So know that you are covered today.
I check out your blog most days...I don't always comment.
You are one gifted lady!
I'm so glad we are friends
Pamela