One of those days

Yesterday I had planned to take the kids to the zoo. Tim was working so I thought we might as well get out for the day. I had got the changing bag ready, pack lunch made, water bottles filled, kids all dressed - ready to go. As soon as I said its time to go lots of things happened I asked Harry to get his blue peter badge as this gets him in for free but he couldn’t find it. While we were hunting Lucy and Sophie had a big fight over some cars, as Sophie was having some thinking time (or shouting time would be more accurate) Connie coughed so much that she was sick on our new rug which was covered in toys not just once but several times while walking along trying to get to me. Here's evidence of the carnage!

I could feel the tears coming, the frustration. I had already lost it with Sophie and I knew I had a choice – to despair or to ask God for help. So I prayed out loud so the kids could hear for peace, saying sorry for losing my temper. Amazingly the atmosphere changed I was able to make a joke while cleaning up the sick (and now I can stop being precious about the rug!) Connie clearly wasn’t fit for a day out but the others took the disappointment of not going well and Harry prayed we would still have a good day.

Harry also prayed we would find the blue peter badge so we could try for the zoo again next week. Harry’s prayer wasn’t answered immediately but a bit later he suddenly said he knew where it was and God had answered his prayer! Tim was able to use this story in his sermon he was doing the next day on Matthew 7V7

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

He got Harry up front in church to tell the story and I must say I was really proud of Harry. It was such a joy to see him speaking really confidently and sharing his conversation with God and how God spoke to him.

Despite not getting to the zoo we still managed a little cycle down to costa. When we got the bikes out Harry’s chain had come off – I said this is a day of mishaps willing myself not to get frustrated! Thankfully after a few attempts we managed to get it back on again and I very much enjoyed my chocolate orange hot chocolate!

Earlier in the week I’d got the girls to nursery, got back in the car turned the key and it wouldn’t start. I’m pretty hopeless when it comes to cars and so I rang Tim to ask what I should do and we made a plan. Tim later said that his work colleague who he lift shares with had been impressed at how calm I had been on the call. I was very encouraged by this as often it doesn’t feel like it but knowing Jesus means we carry his peace and sometimes it shows.

I think this week has taught me that the important thing is not that everything goes well or right but actually how we react when things don’t go well or right. And we can recover from losing our temper or causing bad atmosphere – the key is prayer!