Have you seen that act in the circus, where the person in a jazzy jumpsuit (with sequins up the side) spins plates on 8 foot sticks and manages to do flips and cartwheels in addition to NOT breaking any of plates. Minus the sequined ensemble, I find myself juggling my life in much this same fashion!! Unfortunately-I am not a pro. I often break plates and I have yet to land a cartwheel in the process!
Case in Point: It’s Thanksgiving week-I am in full Thanksgiving mode. The Turkey is thawing in the fridge, and I still need to grab noodles and dressing ingredients at the store. First, I have to make it through this workweek. My Tuesday begins by confirming that my sitter’s kids (better known as my niece and nephew) still have a stomach virus-so I have to adjust-I’ll take the kids directly to the bus and go into work late. I have a bit of extra time-it’s already been a hectic week, so I let the kids sleep in, while I try to manage a few chores and pack lunches. I get the kids up, get everyone dressed and prepped for the day and race out the door. Two minutes into the ride, my son meekly asks, “Mama, is it ok if I eat breakfast at school today?” and it is at that moment I realize, oh my word, I forgot to feed my children!! Yes in my attempt to cram more into my already pressed day, I had forgotten one of my primary morning tasks, feeding my kids!! I would like to say that this was a first time offence, but I’d be lying. So immediately I go into panic mode and remembering that there is a tube of yogurt in both kid’s lunch boxes, I instruct them to eat those. Now crumbling under the guilt overload I make a desperate decision. Reaching into my purse, I pull out a tattered plastic baggy containing two chocolate chip cookies that have survived two weeks in my oversized bag. I give each child a cookie and again express how sorry I am that I forgot breakfast! We arrive at the bus stop only to discover that we are ten minutes early for the bus, go figure! I make a quick dash to the corner gas station and snag two packages of mini donuts and two juices and manage to get the kids, although not the healthiest option, at least a breakfast that won’t leave them starving until lunch rolls around. Back at the bus stop the kids reassure me that I have not scarred them for life. They tell me it’s ok, that they are ok and that they never thought I would EVER give them cookies for breakfast! We giggle and I am humbled at the ease of their forgiveness.
This Thanksgiving I find myself especially thankful for grace! Grace: the undeserved pardon of my children when I overbook, over schedule and overlook even their necessities; and the undeserved pardon from my heavenly father when I fall short in ministry, parenting and in life-when Jesus stands in the gap and allows me to dust myself off and try again. Thank you Lord for Grace!
I will never master spinning all my plates. And in fact I need to do better about not having so many plates in the air at once. So, I will happily continue to be in awe of the circus plate spinner and just really glad I don’t have to wear that jumpsuit!!
“But because of his great love for us,
God, who is rich in mercy,
made us alive with Christ even when we were
dead in transgressions-
it is by grace you have been saved.”
Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)
