A chicken with my head cut off

For the record, that's what I am right now...though I'm basically done with exams, I just have a billion things to take care of before summer session starts next week...sheesh.  However, I've been really tested in the patience department lately, and I cannot figure out why.  I have so much to be thankful for, and I am surrounded by great friends and family and lots of wonderful things, but I just feel mundane sometimes.  Hmm...guess it just happens.  

However, today while I was at work (and getting incredibly frustrated by my little girl who wouldn't simply do her homework), I got a verse that said "Children are a gift from the Lord, they are a reward from Him." -Psalm 127:3...which got me thinking about the children that aren't mine, because I have a lot of those seeing as a babysit and do nursery at a church on Sunday mornings, and sometimes I just absolutely get so confused as to why one won't cooperate or won't behave or whatever.  Each child that is given to us is a true gift from God, as He intended for its conception, and provided for a safe pregnancy and birth (which is a miracle in itself), and even if they aren't ours, we need to all be part of the Christian community that raises these kids.  We are their first earthly example of love and forgiveness and obedience and serving God and others with a willing heart.  So when we get short-tempered with them, or don't fully appreciate what a wonder their existence is, what kind of example are we setting for their future?  

This is definitely something I need to work on, as I obviously admitted above to being short in times that my patience runs away.  But hopefully the discovery of this verse will help me as I sometimes stray from infinite love, compassion, and forgiveness.  Because children truly are a gift and a beautiful blessing on their families and those around them.  

Also, a thought that occurs to me also with this verse is the whole miracle of a life being created.  In our "advanced" society, we are prone to manipulate the miracle of conception, and we are even able to take away that gift with medical procedures.  If God so blesses you with a child, be it at the so-called right time or not, His timing is always perfect, and His plans are great, beyond our fathom.  He will provide for whatever happens, and He gives us only what we can bear, so I feel that it is important to keep that in mind if ever the timing of a child, or even a life event, doesn't feel 'right' to you.  Because God knows how much we can handle, and He also knows that sometimes He has to give us a larger burden than we think we can bear so that we will remember that we cannot do it on our own, and must always turn to Him for support and love and forgiveness.  

Ps.  puppies are cute :)  Especially when your friends decide to bring one home...Yay Ellsey!!!