Ruined For Good

Thursday nights, have been for the last year, our Grace Group night. This is a time when Jamey and Michelle go to share life with a wonderful group of people. We have a meal and a time of Bible Study and fellowship. It really is the highlight of our week! When we are gone all the kids stay at our house. All 7 of them! The poor babysitter tries to maintain order, but spends most of her time running behind 6 boys. Well, last night was quite the exception, it seems as the boys prevailed.

Michelle's business has really taken off and has allowed her to do some speaking engagements. She teaches about the importance of family traditions, values and having a strong family life. Last night she went to speak to a group of women that God has rescued from the sex industry. It was a true privilege to see these amazing women and quite humbling to share with them. Jamey went to Grace Group as normal. But, the scene when we returned was far from normal.

It seems as though while the babysitter was putting John Mark to sleep, the kids thought it would be fun to make a "potion". This potion consisted of water, birdseed, and .... food coloring! Somehow the food coloring ended up all over the carpet of the playroom and most all of the children's extremities. When something like this happens you just sort of become speechless. But not for long! After a good lecture Ethan looked up at us and said, "It was a good plan, but it just didn't work out the way I planned in my mind." REALLY? So, Jamey spent some considerable time last night trying to get food coloring out of my tan carpet. Needless to say, most of it didn't come out.

We were left thinking about what we should do. Then God answered through a devotion sent out by Proverbs 31 ministry. The devotion TODAY was about a little girl who took a permanent marker to her mother freshly painted walls. PERFECT! It was based on the scripture Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Easier said than done. The devotion went on to remind us that these blemishes that our home suffer in the raising of children are reminders of the blessings they are to us. If the size of the blemish is equal to the blessing, we are very blessed! So, maybe my carpet is Ruined for Good. The good of practicing to speak gently.