Bathtime: What's the point?
Her tears were real. Her confusion totally understandable.Last night's bath-time was short. A quick bath to get clean. Different from the normal. As the water drained away, she cried."I didn't have time to play!" She cried out the sad words with sobs."A bath is for getting clean. That's why we have baths." Explained her patient Daddy."No, baths are for PLAYING!" She was so sure she was right."Well, yes, baths are a time when we can play. But the reason we have baths is to get clean." He spoke revelation and vision for our sweet daughter.God's voice flooded my heart: A child thinks a bath is for playing but maturity knows baths are for getting clean. Sometimes you cry out like your child is crying now: "Things aren't happening the way I expected! I'm confused. I am sad." But I have a deeper plan.Today I have been texting with one of my best friends about my current emotional state. I'm confused. I'm sad. Bills have increased but income has decreased.I message her: "I am trying hard to chase after peace but today I am failing."Her replies reminded me of last night's bath-time.She said, "Remember this is probably about [your husband]."She said, "And you just did a retreat so a little warfare too."Hmmmm. Yes. Perspective. God is working in my husband's life. Everything I walk through isn't going to be ALL about me. Duh. And, I led worship for a women's retreat last weekend. I saw God do beautiful things in the hearts of the women there. And in my own heart too. I need to be aware of the battle. The enemy comes to steal, kill & destroy. (John 10:10)Thinking about my childish bath-time expectations. Remembering that when confusion and sadness sweep over my heart, I need to choose to chase after peace and hold on with both hands. Our Father God is working His kingdom plan in my life. Even if the bath water drains out before I am ready, I need to recognize His presence and listen for His voice.
I am the Good Shepherd; and I know and recognize My own, and My own know and recognize Me... the sheep listen to his voice and heed it; and he calls his own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out. (John 10:14 & 3 Amplified)"My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts... You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where briers grew, myrtles will sprout up. This miracle will bring great honor to the LORD's name; it will be an everlasting sign of his power and love. (Isaiah 55:8-9, 12-13 NLT)