The ebb and flow....

Have you ever been paralyzed by discouragement and fear? In life's kaleidoscope of emotions, how do we become immune from them? I find myself wanting to crawl into a cocoon and hide from the world when discouragement hits. Avoid it....forget it all.....run and hide is my mental motto! Only until recently have I truly discovered my "therapy".

My kiddies like to throw fits when they are upset! Especially one of my 2 yr old twins, Luke Solomon, the baby (by 2 minutes!). He throws himself on the floor, cries and then looks for something (or someone) to hit, bite or pinch! How childish!!! Until I am, personally, the one to experience disappointment or discouragement. Today was one of those times. I felt it sure as the world. Feeling the need to throw myself on the floor, cry and find someone to pinch! LOL While mentally carrying on this need for a tantrum, I was quickly reminded of what I told my older children to do during these times. As an adult our emotions do not change. We may mature, we may become more self-controlled in certain situations and we may not show any outward feelings....but inwardly we need to throw a fit! Get ready world, cause when I get alone I'm going to fume, vent, cry and maybe even scream of that injustice!!!

I stood by the old pine tree in our back yard, breathing in it's fresh, outdoorsy smell and remembering those words spoken to four little sets of listening ears: "When you become really frustrated and don't understand, don't have a temper tantrum to us. Turn that tantrum toward heaven and tell Jesus all about it! Let Him know how angry you are and all the injustices you are feeling. He knows and He cares. He will make you feel a whole lot better about it all." It hit me like a train.....suddenly, my heart began pouring out my frustrations to the Lord. I "spilled the beans" to Him! I felt like a little child climbing up on my heavenly Father's lap and crying on His shoulder. I stood there silently in prayer and fingered leaves from off the old twisted tree branch by our creek. Within a few minutes my heart felt like a load had been lifted off and thrown into that old creek. Wow!! My parental advice really worked.

Tomorrow is another day full of.....ebb and flow. Good and bad....happy and sad times. Fear, discouragement, sick babies, financial pressures...all those are a part of this wonderful thing called life. How we handle those times are up to us. I have found that only sweet communication with the Lord brings peace. That's why I'm posting this picture...it reminds me of the serenity His presence brings my life :)