New Mercies

Mercy - compassionate treatment , esp. of those under one's power. a disposition to be kind and forgiving. a blessing

(from the American Heritage Dictionary)

"But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:21-22

I was reminded of this verse recently as Xavier came home with some fun and surprising news. I think I've battled with anxiety over him starting school from the time he was about 9 months old. I would worry about where he would go to school - would God provide for us to move out of the city? Would he know when and where to get off the bus? Would he face bullies? All kinds of absurd things which I was never called to bear.

God did provide for us to move out of the city and what an unexpected way to answer prayer! This home is far beyond what we asked or imagined! Yet I must not have been convinced of his faithfulness because I would still have to fight hyperventilating when I thought about adding homework into our daily routine. His homework load has been extremely light and is usually finished when I pick him up from daycare so I just go over it with him. He is doing wonderfully in school despite the small amount of time I get to spend with him in the evenings before bed.

Two weeks ago Xavier came home with his first project: a diorama. I don't know how many times I had to cast that care as I kept looking at the calendar and my wallet. This had come at a time where I was particularly short on money, supplies and time. I didn't know how this was going to look or how I was going to help him learn to budget what's been laid before him. Through hard work and sacrifice (and much prayer) he was finally finished! He was quite proud of his work and eager to get to school on Monday. On Wednesday I picked him up and he was excited for me to guess what grade he received on the diorama. I guessed a letter and he responded, "No! It's a number!" So I guessed a percentage and he said, "Mommy! There are only 3 numbers to choose from... I got a 3." He then showed me a Third Place ribbon! Not what I was expecting at all. It was so neat to get to encourage him for working so hard at his task and being rewarded, but what was foremost in my mind was God's faithfulness. He does not fail to meet me right where I am and fulfill each need for that season!

He is so good to us beyond what I deserve. He gives me the desire and the strength to put forth these weak efforts and he just multiplies the benefit and lavishes me with blessings!

Another of our latest adventures was when Xavier almost stepped on a snake in the backyard. I saw something ahead of him in the grass and realized what it was in time to calmly put a hand out and encourage him to wait. I was trying to be very deliberate not to make him afraid but to make him aware. As he stopped I could tell something wasn't right. This snake was missing it's head! I'm not sure what happened but it was only half a snake and completely harmless. I asked him if he would like to get a stick and dump it in the woods. He didn't hesitate. He ran back and scooped it up to examine it before sending it back to the dust. We were talking about how the Bible said that Jesus would crush the head of the serpent and we would be free from sin and death. There was nothing left to fear. How kind of God to send an illustration that would pique the interest of a young boy :-)