Confession in the Chaos

So…am I complaining when I say I was a little miffed when my 15 year old daughter—who has a school permit and who drove to school for BAND CAMP—called me after she got there and said she forgot her instrument?  Come on, folks, it is band camp!  If you can’t remember the only thing you need to bring, write it on a sticky note and wear it on your shirt!  And is it wrong of me to be upset when I had to leave another child at Middle School Orientation by himself so I could go and get the forgotten instrument and deliver it because the unnamed child’s car wouldn’t start?  And am I crazy when I say that after I got to the high school and delivered the instrument, I tried out the “broken” car and it started just fine?  Well, call me a complainer and a crazy woman then, because that was my afternoon!  Good thing this unnamed 15 year old girl is cute and sweet and repentant because that was not what I wanted to do with my day. 

Ok.  Now that I got that off my chest, and now that I remembered that I want to be a willing, humble servant, I am amazed how much my circumstances can make me focus on myself and my perceived inconveniences.  Throughout all of the driving back and forth across town during this fiasco, I chose to be angry and feel rushed.  I didn’t have to be like this. I chose myself today, but I wish I had chosen Jesus. When I respond like Jesus, I see difficulties as opportunities to show the sweetness of his nature, not mine.  When I choose calmness rather than chaos, I show that I know God is in control of all things.  When I see drudgery and inconvenience as an opportunity to serve, I overflow with gladness—not madness.  When I think of where my natural human responses and attitudes will lead me, I can remember that I have chosen to be a servant of Christ—not myself—and I can think with truth instead of lies.

Instead of complaints, I want to give thanksgiving.

Instead of venting, I want to praise.

Instead of craziness, I want holiness.

Instead of bitterness, I want forgiveness.

Lead on, Lord Jesus.  Lead on.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.

Ephesians 5:8-10