Sunday Stress

Have you ever had a Sunday where you sloshed your coffee on yourself 6 times by the time you got to your Sunday School class?  Or where your kids were so wiggly in the sanctuary you almost got up and moved to the empty pew in front of you?  Or where the sanctuary was so loud you didn't even try to hear the sermon?  Or where you got up to go to the bathroom and almost didn't come back in?  Or where your earrings kept sticking to your sweater and your hair wouldn't stay in place?

Have you ever had a Sunday where all you could think about was how your pants were too tight and your forehead was a train wreck of pimples, both evidence of ingesting too much sugar lately?  Or had someone stop you in the lobby, wanting to write you a check for the money they owe you but you can't stand being in church for one more second so you say "Just stick it in my mailbox!"?  Or where you came home and didn't put enough flour in the biscuits so they were super crumbly?  And you burned one pan? 

Have you ever had a Sunday where you thought your head might explode because of all the talking, fighting, whining?  Or where you set the timer for one hour and ordered firmly suggested that no one talk to you until the timer goes off?

You have?  Great, then you know exactly how I feel right now.

There are some days where you just have to throw up your hands and say "Jesus, I'm not enough for this day.  Help me!".

And you know?  In the midst of the chaos, the wiggling, the burned biscuits, the coffee stained clothes, He's there.  Are you looking for Him?

He met me in a few songs this morning.  The hauntingly beautiful melody and hope filled words of O Come, O Come Emmanuel always stir my soul.  Shine On Us and Jesus Be The Centre are the cry of my heart.

Jesus was there in the pat on the back from my husband and the sideways smile of a friend.  Both gestures said "We know you are close to losing it.  Hang in there.  You can do it!".

I couldn't help but smile as I watched one son drawing this picture or as I listened to one husband suggest the son add Christmas tree decorations.

When my Granmda's recipe box caught my eye I was reminded that she survived raising three boys without killing any of them and I felt hope.

Are you with me?  Are you looking for the gifts amid the chaos?  I'd love to hear what brought you joy today.