It’s the little things that start to get on my nerves and wear me down. Somehow, it’s never the big things. When big things come along, I know I need to depend on God for grace, and I’m usually fairly faithful at doing so. However, it’s the little things that I don’t do so well with.
Why’s that?
I think it’s probably because I THINK I can handle the little things on my own, and I TRY to. I fail to take advantage of the grace that God freely offers to me. “No, no, I’ll be just fine with this one,” I say.
That’s when the non-American-style screen comes apart for the 64th time, and I’m once again “trying to see if it will stay up THIS way” so the mosquitoes don’t get me.
It’s when the hot water (which only functions after the faucet has been turned on full blast for an extended period of time–and remains on full-blast for the duration of the usage) stops working for the 3rd time while I’m doing dishes (or when I’m in the middle of a shower), and I can’t get it to come back on.
It’s when the kids won’t stop making noise (small children are quiet, aren’t they?), and I just want to be able to concentrate so I can understand the person who is speaking to me in Italian (or worse, decipher the Italian voice speaking to me on the phone). Why is communication SO much work?
It’s when we’ve called 427 times and made 19 personal visits to the internet company, asking why the internet (that we purchased/fully paid for over 2 months ago) still hasn’t been installed in our home, and we hear the word, “domani” (tomorrow) once again. Ug.*
That’s when I lose it.
But, that’s really when I need to remember James 4:6, and ask for grace.
“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says,’God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’”
*Please note that all of these events are accompanied by one child climbing up one leg, another child climbing up the opposite leg, and incessant kid-noise and questioning, such as: “Is it tomorrow yet?”; “Are we still in Italy?”; “He hit me!”; “She’s telling me what to do!”; “Can I eat this?” (Obviously this question only occurs after said object has already been inserted into the child’s mouth)—-But of course, this happens in every country.
–smb