On Their Own
On Their Own
I will not die, but I will live and proclaim what the Lord has done. (Ps. 118:17)
Unlocking the apartment door, Allison stepped aside while her girls pushed past her, dropping backpacks, kicking off shoes, and heading for their bedroom. “Pick up your stuff and start your homework!” she called as she put her satchel on the table and keys on the counter. Halfway through the first week of school and she was already exhausted.
As she filled a pot with water, Sara called, “What’s for dinner?”
“Your favorite: mac and cheese.”
Kirsten called, “Mom, I’m tired of mac and cheese!”
Allison said, “We’ll have something you like tomorrow.”
Since Allison’s divorce was final over the summer, she and the kids were on their own. Their father could not be counted on. She was grateful to be working again but had forgotten how draining teaching second-graders was.
After changing into shorts, Allison gathered dirty laundry and started the washing machine. While the macaroni was boiling, she made a salad, sliced apples, and checked her voice mail. One message: a mother from Sara’s class asking Allison to bring cupcakes Friday. A party already? School just started!
Opening her satchel, she pulled out the papers she’d have to grade after dinner. Glancing at the clock, she realized she wouldn’t get to bed before midnight again, and she’d have to squeeze in bill paying before work tomorrow. The school year stretched out before her like an eternity. Lord, how will I ever make it?
Yet God tells us His grace is sufficient for us, for His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:8–10). When you need strength to handle everything (and everyone) in your care, call on God. Put your trust in Him and just watch what He does.