glad

Today, I am glad.

Glad to be living in this land of the free, home of the brave. Glad that my true citizenship is in Heaven. Glad to be a believer, to be guided by God's sovereign hand and plan. Glad He directs and leads, and provides.

I'm glad to have a whining little 17 month old, cutting two molars the week after two others have come through, crabby, and striking naps. I'm grateful for the gift of Aaron.

Do you ever feel like you wish you had a checklist for your life? There's really nothing more helpful when you're going on a trip to the store or packing for a vacation than your checklist. If it's on the list, you remember to get it done. As a teacher, a checklist was vital for me.

Since Aaron was born, I've had this nagging sensation - like I'm missing something major. I have that feeling that I'm forgetting something. Oh, I've got the obvious ones, like food, clothing, hygiene, etc. But sometimes, I honestly wrack my brain, trying to come up with that elusive "something" that I've forgotten to teach him, some major truth or skill or character building block that I'm going to forget. I know, you're rolling your eyes and saying "He's only 17 months for Pete's sake" but it's there. So a checklist would be really handy, don't you think?

I know, I know - I'm going to make mistakes. I'm going to forget something. With God's grace, Aaron (and any future Muth children) will turn out just fine. And I'm pretty sure there's a really great reason God did not include checklists for childrearing. I'm pretty sure it has to do with trusting Him, resting in His Sovereignty, and obeying what He's already told us to do. With all my sniveling, I really am glad to not have a checklist. That way, any success in childrearing will be totally of God, and not because I followed my checklist of "Vital Truths To Impart To Children - Guaranteed Success"