Although my two sons are home educated, they attend school once a week. I look forward to that day and having the house to myself for a few hours. Last week when I dropped the boys off, I could hardly wait to get home and enjoy my favorite breakfast, which is a bowl of Rice Krispies and a scrambled egg-white sandwich. Well, as I sat down to have my first spoonful of cereal, I noticed a smell from my bowl – the milk was sour. I continued smelling the milk hoping it wasn’t too sour to ruin my moment of pleasure. My mother called while I was evaluating the milk and I immediately regressed to a small child and whined and complained about my sour milk - I just wanted to enjoy a simple bowl of cereal. “Get some more,” she said. Sure, that would have been a simple fix, yet I had emptied the box of Rice Krispies and no other cereal would have satisfied my desire. I was frustrated, yet sat down with my cold egg sandwich and embarrassingly thanked the Lord for my meal. The Lord showed me how I almost let a little sour milk topped with my sour attitude ruin the day. He told me to look around and I was reminded of the many blessings surrounding me – a warm home (to enjoy alone), furniture to sit on, and pictures of my loving husband, children, and living parents. He went a little further and reminded me of my ability to prepare my own meal, the ability to smell the sour milk, and even the ability to inhale and exhale. I didn’t even want to eat after this experience, yet praised God for His grace and mercy on my selfish life. At that moment, it didn’t matter if I never received another blessing or taste another sip of milk; I had more than enough to praise God for the rest of my life! It’s funny how simple inconveniences and troubles of life can hide the many glorious blessings around us. This usually happens when we are full of self and take our eyes off Jesus. I thank God for my abundant blessings and my sour milk experience.
Phil 4:11 (NIV) I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
