Starbucks poke-n-slap debacle

It's Sunday morning.

The beds are made.

Teeth are brushed.

Clothes look cute. 

We got a nice Starbucks drive-thru breakfast & got to church on time.

But we're all miserable and I'm in tears.

All morning long it was "mommy says" and whiny "I don't want to's."

In the car, after Allyson poked Christopher in the eye and slapped his face right before we ordered at the drive thru, I let both of them verbally have it. After threats of "no breakfast," everyone calmed down and was deathly quiet for the long 45 minute drive to church.

But between the Starbucks poke & slap debacle & the deathly silence, we actually pulled out of the drive thru, into a parking lot, stopped and prayed.

We asked God for forgiveness. I asked Him that we didn't want our family to live in the sinful nature (arguing, fighting, bickering, anger & rage.) We want our family, our apartment, our home to be filled with His fruit: love, joy, peace ... nice conversations & fun.

Then we turned on the radio, and the song that played had to do with how God's mercies are new every morning. Every day when we mess up, sister hits brother; he argues with sister; we all whine and complain; IF we confess and ask God to forgive us, He does. Every morning, every day.

We all said our apologies and "I love you's," and reluctantly went in to church.

"If we ever needed You, Lord its now."

As a frazzled mom, before I stand in front of people to lead them in worship to God in church this morning, I needed that reminder of God's mercy. Thank You, Lord.

~Coppelia

Everybody "can" except you

Oh, my poor allergic daughter.

I'm thankful that, of all the things she could "suffer", my four-year-old daughter is simply dealing with a dairy-allergy.

On most days, we barely notice it. There are so many dairy-free alternatives & vegan-friendly food that we have found it downright easy to "cope". 

Then there are days like today. :(

We enjoy going to church on certain Saturday nights. My hubby Adam & I both serve on Sunday mornings, so it's nice, whenever we can, to sit and enjoy a church service without worrying about production cues and set list order and rembering all the announcements I have to share on stage.

But tonight there was a sign on the preschool kids' room: Allergy Alert! The snack today is ice cream, whipped cream, fudge and sprinkles. :(

That meant everybody would have some, except my daughter.

Granted, there might have been other kids with health issues that I didn't know of who also would not be able to eat the snack.

But I didn't know. And I felt bad for her.

Before leaving, I told her that she couldn't have the ice cream, but we could get a sweet treat later. :) 

She happily darted off to play. And when I picked her up, she announced that she had made a new friend! Yay!

What a relief.

She wasn't crying, feeling left out or limited. 

She had fun!

And I felt relief. 

Even though there was a part during the church service when I couldn't help but think that she might be feeling left out during snack time, my worry and fear were mostly unnecessary.

Sometimes it feels as though everybody "can" but you. It feels like a big deal. A HUGE hurdle. A night-ruiner. 

But I'm glad (and relieved) that tonight wasn't ruined. We didn't have to jump a huge hurdle. It wasn't a big deal. 

Everybody could, my daughter didn't, and it was ok.

(She had a birthday cake pop & enjoyed it, too!)

~Coppe