Rinse Your Strawberries in the Bathroom Sink

I've been going through some difficult things these days.  I don't want to publish them on my blog, but just know that life has been a struggle for me lately.

Today, as I was searching for the title to a vehicle, I came across a short article I had written for a magazine.  It was just the reminder I needed.  So while I'm still trying to find the title, I'm pretty sure I found what I was looking for.

I'd like to share it with you today....

I don't know about you, but God sure finds creative ways to talk to me in everyday situations, and most of them come right out of my own mouth, as I'm speaking to my chldren.  At these moments, I can instantly see the Lord standing beside me, tapping me on the shoulder, saying "Excuse me, I've been trying to tell YOU that for quite awhile now". Most times I just say out loud "Okay God, I hear you" and then my kids give me that "Mom's gone crazy look" again.

The day before Thanksgiving my husband and I were preparing for the big day in the kitchen, and my daughter, Olivia, was eyeing the strawberries and Cool Whip.  All morning she had been asking me if she could have some, and all morning I tried to explain that she could, but she'd have to wait until the chocolate pie was finished, so I would be sure to have enough topping. That opportunity finally came in the early afternoon.  I was filling the pie at the kitchen table, while my husband was making homemade chicken stock over the stove, and straining it in the kitchen sink.

I put Olivia's strawberries in a small bowl, and instructed her to rinse them off in the bathroom sink because Daddy was still using the sink.  Just as Olivia was reaching for the kitchen faucet, and not heading to the bathroom like I had told her to, I got her attention with a firm "No".  I then said "Olivia, I JUST told you to use the bathroom sink, and you're doing exactly what I said not to do."

 Her reply was "Well, it looked like Daddy was done."

I then said "You only need to do what I've told you, and not act on what you see.  Just because Dad appears to be finished, he's not, and I've already told you the best way to rinse your strawberries.  I am the parent and you are the child.  I know Daddy's not going to be finished for awhile, so I told you exactly how to rinse your strawberries, and you just need to obey."

As soon as those words left my mouth, I could hear the Lord saying to me "Holly, don't act on what YOU see either.  Just because things appear to be one way, they're not, and I already know what's in store for you.  I am the parent, and YOU are the CHILD.  You just need to obey, even if you think you have a better way of getting things done."

isaiah 55:8 says "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways declares the Lord."

I am so thankful for those moments when the Lord makes His word come to life in an everyday situation like this.  It's a great reminder that my Heavenly Father really does have my best interest at heart, and He is the parent.  Just like we know what's best for our own kids, how much more does Father know what's best for us, and wants to share that knowledge with us?

Even when we think we know what's really going on, Father is so good, faithful, and patient to point us in the right direction, even if it means we have to rinse our strawberries in the bathroom sink.