My "Chesed..."

This week has been crazy. Not crazy in the sense of 'look how busy we are with all the fun things we're doing,' but crazy in the sense of 'sick toddler, teething baby, husband gone, filthy house, etc.' It never fails though, that each Tuesday I get a dose of relief. A hit-the-nail-on-the-head type of relief. In fact, that is what our lesson was about: 'Relief in the Midst.'

I have been fortunate enough to attend a Tuesday Bible Study at church with Pam Thompson - Becoming a Woman of Influence. Let me tell you... this was an answered prayer. A TAILOR-MADE study for my struggles right now.

This week's lesson dealt with finding God's mercy, kindness, goodness, RELIEF in the midst of adversity and the obstacles of tricky circumstances. It's such music to my ears to hear, but it's so hard to realize this 'chesed' in the midst of chaos. As I looked through pictures while writing previous posts, I had to laugh. It's there. God provides it. It's in the smiles, the giggles, my baby girl's face covered with veggies, the crayon-colored ears of my sweet little boy, the diaper piles, the sticky floors, the snuggles, the cries... it's there. I have certainly been 'Janie Yells-a-lot' (as nicknames go in our house) the last few days, and it's nothing I'm proud of. And to keep up my social calendar, I have thrown myself quite a few pity parties lately, too. But I am so thankful when God helps me (sometimes with a gentle nudge and sometimes a whack across the back of my head) shut my mouth and open my eyes to find my relief in the midst.

Wouldn't trade them for all the tea in China. It's a lesson that easier some days than others, but it's well worth the reward in the end.