"Just Checking"

"I am reminded that God is my Father still, that he does have a purpose for me, and that nothing, absolutely nothing, is useless in the fulfillment of that purpose if I'll trust him for it and submit to the lessons." (Elisabeth Elliot)

This resonated with me tonight. It would have been good earlier in my week, when I had intense headaches and was fighting off the cough and cold the children gave me. I looked around me and saw my failures, saw all the things that I didn't think I was doing well enough: a messy house, no bread to eat, skipped reading lessons, lack of exercise. . . These things really aren't that consequential, but they remind me that I'm trying to attain my own standards, ultimately so at I will be deemed "okay" enough and therefore will not need God. Will not need grace. How pitiful! And it is in those times of stuggle that it is SO good to be reminded that GOd has a purpose for me. He is sovereign and I'm His child. And even these minor irritations and bumps in the road have purpose for His glory.

Reminds me, too, of Rhyle.

Twice today I heard him ask, "Dad?"
Braden responded, "Yes?"
To which Rhyle contentedly answered, "I was just checking."

End of conversation. All he needed was for Braden to respond. All he needed was to know that he had his Dad's ear if he needed it. That was enough. It should be enough for me, too.