Day Eight: Picking My View

It's been one of those days.

Correction. It is one of those days.

Bed time is a scream fest (it's still in progress while I'm writing this--don't ask). The Man is downstairs cleaning up dinner and lunch dishes. He's been home a grand total of half an hour, and I've already managed to snap at him.

I've spent more time with other people's bodily fluids than any person should ever have to. There was poop on the carpet. There was barf in the bed. There was pee on at least one kid's pants. And of course it was also my day to clean the bathrooms.

No one liked what I cooked for dinner except for me. One of the kids got sent to bed halfway through lunch. One of the other kids managed to flip the mattress off the top bunk.

And if I didn't live in Monterey, I think I'd move to Australia.

It's on days like this that I'm taking a deep breath, looking at the ocean, and asking myself, "But how can I be grumpy when I can see that?" (Trust me, today, ocean or no ocean, I managed to achieve maximum grumpiness.)

I mean, look at that:

I drove the Man nuts our first week here by
continually taking pictures out the car window while he drove.

And that:

Doesn't that make you happy too?

And that:

This is the view out our guest room window.
No lie.

How can I be grouchy when I get to see that?

Admittedly, I also get to see this:

Little Man is showing off our gourd hoard.

And this:

Tiny may be crazy but he does make me smile.

And these:

Bruiser and the Bee know how to get their play time on.

But sometimes they're the source instead of the solution. Just being honest.

And I already hear the Man asking, "So what are you writing about tonight?" And when I answer, "Bad days, perspective, and the kids," he'll respond with, "Is that what you're supposed to be writing about?" (We've had this conversation almost every night this month.)

Here is my point. This move, I have been blessed with a beautiful view of the ocean. Last move, I was blessed with the beautiful view of an open field, sometimes populated with rabbits and skunks. Next move, who knows? And I'm so grateful for those views that bring me joy on the hard days and remind me to take a deep breath and keep perspective.

I know that with every transition, if I look hard enough, I'll find something beautiful to encourage my heart. But regardless, I know that my eyes have to be fixed on the most beautiful view of all: Jesus.

Our next move may find us in the middle of concrete and asphalt or looking out the window into someone else's house. And that's why I want my go to question to be: "How can I be grouchy when I can see Jesus?"

Because no matter where I am, I can always see him.

And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.

Hebrews 12:1b-2a

Binge read here!