My mom got my daughter a turtle shaped sandbox for her birthday last year. I thought it was interesting since Elizabeth went straight up to her and asked her for it not talking to me first. I would have said no, because sand gets everywhere! But if you ask grandma for something, you can expect that some time she will get it for you, she just has to wait for an excuse. All the kids at her party were so thrilled with it. It was so pleasing to see so many occupied children that are all happy at the same time. However, I am still cleaning up the sand. I was sweeping the sidewalk and found piles of it everywhere. This might not seem odd to you but the sidewalk is in the very front of our house and the sand box is all the way around the other side of the house. It never goes away, and it gets in everything. Once again, I found myself getting upset, partly with my mom and partly at my kids for spreading it. But God stopped me in my tracks...
This week Russell read a book to the kids called "How Big is God." Honestly, I checked it out for myself because I couldn't exactly explain it myself. The little boy in the book wants to know how God can fit in his tiny heart and be as big as the world. How can God fit in so many places? The mother says think of him like sand. Small enough to make its way into your sock but big enough to make a whole desert.
Now there will never be any cursing the sand in my house, any more. But I also don't think we will ever live near the ocean. No matter how hard we try to get rid of God or do things our way, he is always there. I know I can't see all of the sand that is hiding in the carpet even after I've vacuumed, but its still there, just like God. There will be fun times when we are joyous and just sit and play but there will be messes too.
This week, I asked myself how I could be at peace and look on the brighter side of things no matter frustrated I got. I didn't even realize how mad I was about this sand, but God used it to put me in my place. "Don't forget how big I am and how I never leave you. Even when you can't see me I am still here. I am also small enough to fit right into your heart." Even when we think that we have it figured out and are teaching our children these wonderful things, we still don't have a clue. But thankfully I will have the rest of my life to get just a glimpse.
I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. -Genesis 22:17
The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything. -Deuteronomy 2:7
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