By now, you know that I have two little ones – Lilah and Aiden. A few weeks back, I was in for an unexpected treat of spilled juice + sweet reminders.
We were in the dash between work and soccer, stretching to fit dinner in the mix. Have you found yourself in that place before?!
We happened to be watching my niece and nephew as well. We piled them all at the table, having Lilah and my niece (both 4 years old) sit themselves at the table, as we were lifting the boys, one after the other to their spots. I had a brief moment in the midst of my rushing to grab some juice to be “more fun” for our special guests. Juice always makes things more fun – of course!
I had my niece to the right of me and my daughter kidi-corner across the table from me, and just as Lilah went to pick up her juice excitedly for her first sip – S P L A T. All. Over. She spilt. I wish in hindsight, I could have told you I handled it differenty. Or possibly even tell myself, “Julie, it is not that big of a deal”.
But, I didn’t. Instead, I let out the biggest sigh I knew how to in the moment, and let the words, “every time” come out of my mouth. I quickly turned to my left for my husband to double down and affirm me in my frustration, and he of course did with his response, “EVERY time”. Phew! We mutually agreed in our frustration.
Friends, it doesn’t end here. If anything, this is where it starts..
As quick as 10 seconds later, my niece mutters out, “it is okay auntie, everyone makes mistakes”, with a smile. She continued, “the only person who didn’t make mistakes was Jesus”.
Stopped dead in my tracks, I looked to her, “yes, yes we do all make mistakes”.
Seconds later, Lilah perks up, “AND, God sent Jesus to die for our mistakes”.
Humbled by this moment, my posture changed. From frustration and a rushed spirit, to a small side smile as I realized just what God was teaching me in that moment.
I took away two things that night around the dinner table. Although, I am sure there were more sweet reminders within.
First was that I never want to be so busy focusing on the to-do’s or the mess that is in front of me to instead pick my head up in the right posture to see the ways in which God is working in and around me, even in those I love – in this very instance, it was my sweet daughter and niece.
Second, was the realization that so often I over complicate my faith. I strive to find the right words or sometimes choose not explain at all in fear that I get it wrong or will look silly. But then, I replayed those sweet voices in my head over and over again..
“every one makes mistakes”.
“only Jesus did not make mistakes”
“AND, God sent Jesus to die for our mistakes”.
Because of this we can be saved by God’s grace. It is that simple. This moment left me with the reminder that I want to wake up each day, with a childlike faith that doesn’t over complicate what God wants us to know and recognize easily with confidence.
Maybe you need those reminders today too.
Friends, we don’t always get it right, but even when we don’t, God does. He can gently remind us of what is important and who is important. In the midst of the spilt juice and all. I am thankful today for spilled juice + sweet reminders.
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