Sneaky little sins...

Okay, the boys are on a mission in the last two days. I am not sure why they want me to go to the mental institute, but I am pretty sure it is coming. When I had my first, he never got in to stuff. I am talking about magazines, drawers, the pantry, or anything else. He really had me spoiled. Well, now I am getting my payback. Two days ago, I caught Ben in the pantry with the Costco size Country Time Lemonade having the biggest time decorating the floor by taking the scoop and pouring it all over. Luckily, I caught him in time and the damage wasn't too bad. But, I have to share with you about yesterday. The twins are funny little things. If you don't watch them every second, they will find something to get in to. Well, yesterday we were busy pulling a tooth for my oldest when I thought, "Huh, I wonder where the twins are..." Although the caution flags should have been flying high at this point, I was taking the laid back approach that day. A few minutes later, after doing a little laundry, I realized that I did not ever see them. When I walked by the pantry, the door opened very slowly and here is what I found.

My hubby and I laughed so hard that we didn't even get on to them. They had snuck in to the pantry and had eaten and entire box of powdered doughnuts. You can see that Ben is so proud of himself. Will on the other hand, never quit eating. He stuffed his face while I proceded to take several snapshots. They sure are funny little boys.

I am sure that you are use to me trying to relate my stories to something in our Christian walk. After thinking on these little boys and how they love to sneak around to do the bad stuff, it has made me think of how often I have not necessarily snuck around, but have fallen back in to my old "flesh-like" habits. Those things that I really know that I shouldn't do, but the things that seem to creep up on me that I either did pre-Christian or just have managed to think up in my sin-filled head. You know what I am talking about. An occasional lie, usually to try not to hurt someone's feelings or trying to use an outdated coupon by tearing off the date (I am a coupon-hungry woman!). How about a bad attitude whether towards your kids or your husband. That one I really stuggle with...especially when I am tired. I also fight taking for granted all that God has so graciously given me. Failing to see the good in His wonderful and mighty plan. Lastly, I mention how I get so frustrated when I don't see my hubby helping. Nevermind the fact that I haven't ask him. You know as well as I do that he should be able to read my mind! I was so convicted by this when I read about Mary and Martha. Read this exerpt:

Luke 10:38-42
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" 41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

The highlighted section reminds me of what so often has gone through my head. Thank goodness we have a good God that convicts us and allows us to see the error of our ways. How easy is it to shift the blame on someone else. Remember the verse I mentioned in Matthew 7 in a previous post, 3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" It is so easy to blame others or just get plain old angry at someone, my hubby in this instance. But, if I had my mind set on what God wanted me to set it on, being a "helper suitable for him" (Gen 2:18) and seeing marraige as a living symbol of Christ (Eph 5:23, 31-32), then I wouldn't have an attitude problem in the first place! I suppose I am getting rather lengthy on my own issues, but I am so thankful that I have married the man I have and that God has given us a quiver full of children. We are truely blessed. I hope that my endless "confessions" are an encouragement to any who feel like their lives aren't perfect. I see so many moms trying so hard to show everyone at church how "perfect" their lives are that it makes those of us who aren't perfect think something is wrong with us. Let's make a pact to grow together in the Lord. Are you in??? Let's run to the Cross to Jesus instead of the mental institute!