God’s Mercy Amidst Suffering

Mother & Child (Photo credit: Andy Magee)

 

Today, I advocated for my daughter. I educated. I informed. I explained. I defended. I took her to get medical attention, during which I did more explaining and educating and ended up getting exactly the care she needed at the right time. Most of all, I was her voice, because no one believes a 12 year old child who is missing so much classroom time because of these issues. No one but Mama. And by the grace and sovereignty of God, He saw fit to allow me to have this same illness so that I could know what she is going through-so that I could understand. I could believe her. I could be her place of refuge when no one else would believe her. And, He knew that without me suffering from this disorder myself, I, too, would be one of those saying “This can’t be real. She must not want to go to school. She must be exaggerating or just avoiding class.” Oh, thank God He saw fit to allow me to suffer with this so that I could understand, know, FEEL, what she feels, and be her voice, not the 12 year old voice that no one hears but the Mama voice that speaks loud and dares anyone to doubt her. Thank you, God, for allowing your mercies to be seen amidst suffering. For it is through your mercies that we feel your love and embrace even in the midst of trials and suffering and pain.

 

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

 

Superhero Stain Remover

S-32 SPOT AND STAIN REMOVER

S-32 Spot and Stain Remover safely removes spots and stains from garments, upholstery, draperies, carpets, and vinyl materials.

Use S-32 to safely remove:   Grease Baby Formula Oil Blood Perspiration Medicines Tar Lipsticks Shoe Polish Cosmetics Most inks Crayons Pencil Smoke Film Pet Stains Beverages Food Juices Glue Adhesives Tobacco Mildew Stains

Note: The above photo and information were taken from http://resourceonefl.com/112/products-and-services/s-32-spot-and-stain-remover

I cannot believe that I have not posted about this product before now-almost seems sinful not to share it with the world. Being a Mom and a pet owner, stains are just part of everyday life around here, and I was tired of spending money on stuff like Resolve (sorry Resolve) and other stain removers that barely even faded the stain. So, I set out a mission to find a good, reliable stain remover. My approach was this: Buy one stain remover each week until try every stain remover on the market until I find a “the one.” It just so happened that the very first one I tried was IT! I purchased S-32 Spot and Stain Remover from Publix for just a couple of bucks. Yes, it works, and it is cheap! Even bigger score!! They normally have it on the laundry aisle near the other stain removers (top shelf). I remember the first thing I tried it on-grape juice. It was like magic-the stain disappeared-not faded-disappeared. Grape juice, ya’ll! Mom bliss! Now, it gets better than that…I have also used it on those old, dried up, ground-in stains, and it has worked very well. If you’re like me, and you like cheap and effective when it comes to cleaning products, you oughtta give this one a try.

It really is all that

Mamá (Photo credit: RebelCallejeros)

I was at one of those end-of-year events today for one of my children, one of those that goes almost all day and involves some sweating, some boredom, some super cute moments, and some laughs, you know, a little of everything. As I drove away from the school to run a few errands prior to the afternoon pick-up, I actually started to cry thinking, I am so incredibly blessed to have had that time with my son. There were children there without their parents, and I would just guess that their parents would have given anything to have been there. People have to work, and yes, I know there are those parents that “don’t care.” But, I believe that most parents are “good” and want to be there. INot only did I feel happy for myself that I was able to experience it, but I also felt so thankful for my son, for the fact that he had his Mama there.He never doubted I would come. He just assumed. I like that. I liked how he constantly looked over at me and smiled, checking to make sure I was watching him while he sang “Goin’ on a Bear Hunt” and the “Number Song” and several other tunes with his class. I liked how he wanted to sit right beside me at lunch. These years go by far too quickly, and I will treasure every moment.

Club Eifel disc jockey DJ Blaze plays music at the 2009 Air Force Ball. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nick Wilson Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In other precious moments, last night, one of my daughters attended her first dance. We (the parents) were only allowed to stay for the first 15 minutes of the dance, and then we had to leave. Why? Because they needed “to get their groove on” and they couldn’t do it with us there. Pshhhhh! Well, I was very offended (not really). BUT, when I went to pick her up, the DJ was playing some pretty hot tunes, and the next thing I knew I was out on the dance floor “shaking that thang” with about 50 5th graders (along with a few other moms, teachers, and the Assistant Principal). Pure, absolute crazy-fun for a Mama who don’t get out much, you know what I’m sayin?! By this time, my daughter was having a blast and was no longer against the idea of me getting my boogie on at her dance!! Oh yeahhhhhh!!! More moments to treasure. AND, I must say, I did get several compliments on my moves <insert booty shake music>…Anyway, there is no gift more precious, no thing in this world of which I feel  less deserving (ok, salvation, for sure), but these are the moments that remind me, time and time again, that motherhood really is ALL THAT.