Resting in the arms of Grace

This is a devotion that I wrote for our MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers) group. It is a true story...

Most of you have been there. But, for those of you who don’t have kids, have kids too young, or have simply forgotten, I’ll paint the scene. My 2 ½ year old has just finished lunch and her Veggie Tales movie, has successfully gone pee pee in the potty and is ready for her nap. She has been yelling “No Nap!” since the credits on the movie started, despite the fact that we do it exactly the same, every day. So I lay her down and she starts yelling at me, “NO!” Not wanting to deal with the 4-5 hour ordeal of a 2 hour nap, I decide to just hold her down by laying my head on her hips, one arm over her arms, and the other over her legs. She is fighting with every fiber in her being, kicking, flailing, yelling, screaming. In a word, a royal tantrum. We get a few more spankings for yelling at mommy (a big no-no in our house) and I continue to hold her down, just waiting for her to decide that it isn’t so bad. I keep reassuring her that I will let go as soon as she calms down, but she refuses. I’m frustrated and ready to give up on her and just deal with the 4 hour process, but I have an inspiration. Earlier that day, I had been singing old Hymns with her from a little musical book she has. I think that maybe singing some familiar songs will distract her enough to calm her down. So, I quietly begin singing “Jesus Loves Me.” I sing it through 4-5 times and no change. Then I sing one of her favorites (only because she hasn’t learned all the words yet), “Jesus Loves the Little Children.” Nothing, still screaming, flailing, and kicking. Then I begin to sing “Amazing Grace.” She looks at me, but continues to scream. I sing it over and over. All three verses that I know by memory. And it hits me. This is the picture of grace.

How many times have I fought against what I knew I was supposed to do? How many times have I told God “No!” How many times have I sat there, knowing that what God was telling me was best for me, but refusing to give up my own plans for my life?

God has been sitting here, the whole time, sometimes allowing consequences to happen for my own disobedience, and sometimes just completely stonewalling my own plans, holding me down, waiting for me to recognize Him. He never yells or forces me to pay attention to Him, instead, He quietly sings to my heart the story of His grace and love and sacrifice for me, despite my “tantrums.”

As I lay there, bawling and still singing to my defiant daughter, she catches my eyes and stares at my tears. Refusing to give up, she yells, “Get OFF of ME!” I can’t let this picture of grace go by for my daughter, so I do get off of her. And I scoop her in my arms and I rock her. She is too tired to fight and I just continue to sing to her of God’s amazing Grace and rock her. I lay down on the floor with her on my chest and she falls almost instantly asleep, resting in the arms of Grace.

God, You are so amazing. My dear friend told me when I got married that I would never truly understand Your unconditional love until I got married and I would never understand Your grace until I had children. I know this is so true. These little blessings that You have given us are constant reminders of how you see us. We are so dear to You, that even when we fight against your perfect will, when we ignore the guidelines you have given us, You still love us, and just stand by, waiting for us to turn back to You and your open arms. Thank you for our children. Thank you for our families. Take even our roughest days and show us glimpses of your character. God, I am just constantly blown away by you and your love, your grace, and your mercy. Thank you. Amen.