Thursday, January 27, 2011

Caught Red Handed


This past week, my 9 month old, Noah, had his well baby check-up at the local Army clinic.

I sort of dread going there. The clinic is almost always a zoo.

 Don't get me wrong, I love my military health care benefit. But I don't always find the place the most accomodating for 3 little boys and their young mother (yes, I still call myself young).


There are too few chairs in the waiting rooms
Too few bathrooms for mild bladdered two year olds
Too few TV screens with cartoons playing
Too few quiet nooks for breastfeeding mothers
And too many minutes spent waiting to see a physician.



The zooishness of the clinic often spills outside the facility's walls and into the parking lot as well:

Too few parking spaces for minivans.



However, when I pulled up to the clinic yesterday, a car was just pulling out

Right. In front. Of the clinic.

Just. As I. Drove by.


SCORE!!!!!!!



AND I didn't have to wait for the single soldier to buckle 3 children in their car seats, load the stroller in the back, pick up the cracker that fell on the floor, while shouting "I'll get you a snack in a minute!" (which is sometimes the case when cars are waiting for my parking spot. But only sometimes, of course. The rest of the time, I snap my fingers and kaa-zam, everyone is smiling cheerfully at me in the rear view mirror).


Anyway. I was jubilant. The perfect parking spot. No walk. No wait. It was just right there waiting for me. I shouted, "WOOHOO!!" to my kids as I pulled in. And continued to marvel out loud at the greatness of this parking spot, and my brilliance in being delayed at the stop light just enough time for this spot to come available.


My 2 year old, Joshua, piped up in the back seat, "Mommy, what are you saying?" In my personal-parking-spot euphoria, I understood his question to mean, what does "YayYayYay!" and "Woohooooooooo!" mean?

So I quickly explained that I was cheering because I was so excited about the great parking spot.

He frowned.

And said with urgency, "But, Mommy! You should say, '"Thank you, Lord!!"'


Caught red handed and guilty as charged.

Nothing like your 2 year old reminding you of God's perfect providence in landing you the perfect parking spot, right? 

Wasn't I just marveling at how I was delayed at the stop light just previous to turning into the parking lot? How the young soldier got into his car without delay? And was pulling out of the parking spot JUST as I drove up?

And did I really think that it was all MY doing?

Nuts.

Forgive me, Lord, for failing to thank you for your sweet providences.

And thank you, Lord, for Joshua! For his uncanny ability to catch me red handed. For the precious reminder of my need for sanctification. And for giving him a heart that is sensitive to You and Your ways.


So yes, I was caught red handed... and I'm thankful for it.





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16 comments:

Anonymous said...

oh so precious how God can use that cute lil man to remind us to be thankful always

GodsOwn/Bernice said...

Good reminder.....!!
Lifting up with you our THANKFUL heart
Blessings
Bernice

bp said...

:) Great story! And a great reminder too. God is so good.

Have a blessed day!

Sgt Zapple said...

Such a sweet story. How much they can learn at such a young age. Teaching them scripture has that effect too. I was reminded of Proverbs 15:1 at the appropriate moment by Ian a few years ago.

Susan Evans said...

Out of the mouth of babes... How wonderful that your young son wanted to give God the glory. It just shows that you're doing something right!

Trish said...

It really is wonderful how God always provides for our needs - and yes, even a great parking spot comes from Him. I loved reading your TT today!

Calling yourself still young - now, that't the spirit! I should do that, too. :)

kristy said...

We had a season with a 10 year old on crutches (the oldest, with youngers 8, 6, 4 & 4) during a Nebraska winter, and I often prayed for a parking spot close up. He blessed me very specifically that winter. And I'm thankful even now. Isn't it a comfort that the Lord knows us so well? (and therefore, He knows when I am perfectly capable of walking, too!)
Blessings today!

Jessica Kramasz said...

Oh he is so precious!

Karen said...

Priceless!!

Nana Jul said...

CUTE!! Just like our kids to teach us...stay on the lookout, because they will Grow you like no one else can!! Praise the LORD for our precious children!!
Happy TT
Julie

Anonymous said...

Brings home the scripture from Isaiah, "A little child shall lead them." Thanks for sharing this precious story with us.

Nancie said...

Hi Kathryn,

It is so wonderful of God to use little Joshua. He is such a sweetie :) Indeed God works in many wonderful ways for us daily. It is encouraging to read of how He leads you and work things out for you. Praise God! Thanks for your visit and encouragements. To God be the glory!

Warm regards,
Nancie

Rach said...

Love how children remind us of things like this. :)

Stacey said...

So sweet! Leave it to the little ones to remind us what is really important!

Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet said...

Too cute! :) You could even say "God saved a spot just for me!" :)

Mama Duck said...

Oh how great is that!!! I so look forward to when my son can talk and interact with me like that. How wonderful. You have obviously imparted a heart of love toward God to him. How proud you should be!!!

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