Grumpy Town (Next Exit: Grace)

I still need to upload pics from last week, so I thought that I'd go down an entirely different trail until then.

You might want to pack some granola, because this trail is kinda long. And tiresome. And potentially dangerous. You'll need your energy.

I haven't been very nice today. In fact, I've been downright grumpy from the moment I woke up. Naturally, while in this state of grumpiness, things conspired against me. Naturally.

RUDE. 

Things piled up, creating a sludge of opportunities called "Choices".

To grump, or not to grump?

I chose to be grumpy. I picked up the phone & called one of my closest friends, who is shouldering WAY more than any poor momma should right now, and unleashed my tour of Crabby Town in full detail. In fact, I even had a ticket to take her with me, but she doesn't roll like that. Nope. She always extends patience and understanding. She might have chugged an entire pot of coffee after our chat (pretty sure I wore her out), but she'll never tell. ;)

*Side note: My kiddos weren't in my line of fire, but I'm sure they received a few souvenirs from Crabby Town's gift shop. They overheard the ranting, raving, griping, complaining, accusing, etc. I'm sure it was a nice stress-free environment for them to flourish in.

>Insert Mom of the Year Award Here<

*sigh*

Then came the text. 

A blessing.

A reminder that God loves me and cares about my concerns (though mine are petty in the sight of what so many are facing). 

Grace,
 which is only bestowed to those who don't deserve it, 
was my exit outta Grumpy Town.

 Grace begets conviction. Conviction bestows restoration. Restoration brings healing. Healing extends grace. Yeah, I'm liking this cycle a whole lot better than the eternal spiral of grumpiness.

Who really wants to be friends with this person anyway?

Not so much.

Yesterday, I was in a pretty good mood. That would have been the logical day for God to bless me by blessing my children with a tangible gift. Something they've been dreaming about since we moved. They've patiently waited for it, because they know finances are tight right now.

You should have seen the smiles on their faces when I told them what was coming! 

That's how grace works. That's how God works. He uses these moments to remind me that when I least deserve Him, He is pursuing me with the most passion. I can see Him panting and yelling after me! His love is not dependent upon my performance or attitude. When I finally tire of sucking in dust, skinning my knees, and taking a million wrong turns, I find my way home by heeding His call. There's nothing better than knowing your Father came for you. Ran to you. Called you by name.

There's nothing better than Grace.

Ephesians 2:4-9 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Cheering you on & checking the fuel gauge,

Layla