I was having a little pity party for myself this evening. Just me. Party of one. Feeling sorry for myself.

My day was actually pretty good. The first part of my evening wasn’t too shabby either, but it quickly went downhill after that. The kids had their brakes on this evening and going to bed was not on their agenda. By the time they were all tucked in bed, I came downstairs to survey the damage. Yup! Pile of dishes, old syrup cemented to the table, strategically placed princess barbies on the floor, their little plastic arms sticking in the air waiting to impale my feet as I wandered by. My house is a mess and I’m tired. So I retreated into a show on Netflix while I straightened my kitchen and started the dishwasher. I will battle the barbies another day.

Then I got online and I quickly noticed that I wasn’t the only one having a rough day. In fact, quite a few people I know are having a much worse day than me!  Some of them are sick. Some of them are in pain. Some of them are hurting for reasons well beyond their control. And as I side-eye the two barbies closest to me, I realize this pity party of mine is just not going to cut it. It isn’t accomplishing anything.

So instead of sulking, I’m going to thank God for those little ones upstairs and the wrestling match it was getting them to bed this evening. I’m going to thank God for my husband walking in just now, hours before I actually expected him. I’m going to thank God for the sound of the dishwasher in the other room.  I will even thank him for those silly barbies, proof that God has blessed us relationally, financially, and emotionally far beyond what we deserve.

And I’m going to pray for the people that are actually hurting tonight. For the ones that are trying to swallow devastating news. For the ones that are fighting hard struggles of loneliness and fear. And for the ones that are smiling, yet hiding their hurt behind a fragile facade. Life can be tough. And it is certainly messy. But what is reassuring is that it isn’t at all surprising to our Father in heaven. So tonight I’m trading pity for prayer and let’s see what happens!

This little one has a lot of catch up to do with her verses for Awanas. She joined super late and then with sickness and vacations she just got her book last week. But she says she can’t wait to catch up, so tonight she worked on her next verse.

Big E flat out refused to eat the dinner I set in front of him tonight, and ended up eating a grand total of four cherry tomatoes, so I imagine he will be starving in the morning.

Baby E was pretty awesome tonight. He gave me lots of kisses and cuddles, and was all around a pretty sweet fellow!