EquippedMama

A few days ago it rained it Texas. As a state perpetually in some form of drought, this was noteworthy. My children and I watched as the dark clouds rolled in, and then relished the sound of pelting rain against our metal roof. You could almost feel the grass and trees sigh in relief.

Of course the only drawback from a wonderful earth-drenching rain like that is that since Thursday our house has been filled with a steady stream of muddy footprints, as eager little ones rush outside to enjoy the cooler weather and the fresh mud. It’s a meager trade off, knowing how much we needed the rain, but I still found myself ruing the sticky sand I found near a doorway, caking bath mats and covering my white shower floor.

We share our ranch with a menagerie of livestock, currently including 2 dogs, 2 cats, 9 chickens and 11 longhorn cows. As happens not infrequently, multiple times this week I found our entire herd of longhorns in my backyard making a snack out of our lawn. Again, truly not a big deal, but I grumbled to myself as I shooed them out of my yard, complaining about all the time I was wasting running after our cows.

In James chapter 1 the writer says:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4 New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Often its easy to read passages like this and think that trials is term relevant to catastrophes, like a terminal diagnosis or religious persecution. It can be tempting to think that God will give us strength for these situations and that we will just “be able” to have a joy-filled countenance while walking through difficult seasons. But this week I was reminded that in the little inconveniences of life we have the challenge (and the privilege) of responding with joy to whatever the Lord allows in our life. Muddy footprints are an opportunity to thank the Lord for much-needed rain, and for the precious little lives making those tracks.Misplaced bovine are a great reminder of how we have been blessed to care for these gentle animals, and how God provides some of our physical needs through their grazing (even in our yard).

What a kind God we have that gives us these opportunities to grow in Christlikeness through daily simple choices. Our daily challenge is to make the choice to consider what we see as inconvenience as a chance to grow.

Will you make that choice?