These Calamities

For the past few weeks my children, especially the eldest has been going through a very..."noxious" (Josh's way of saying obnoxious) stage. To say it has been difficult to stay patient is an understatement. I know I am really blessed because Josh really is a great kid all considering, but the tantrums and the constant chatter grate on my nerves like nothing else I have ever known.

So luckily, when I first became a stay-at-home mom, I made a habit of reading my scriptures first thing in the morning. It has been one of the many saving graces of my day, not to mention my children's well being. Anyways, so this morning I pull out my scriptures and try to focus on the words. I am determined to at least get through Isaiah by the end of the year as I have been trying to read the Old Testament for the first time in my life. As Joshua is already jumping up and down and then suddenly collapsing into a fit of tears (as is his regular thing to do when he is tired), and Caleb is growling as he crawls around the room trying to play with Josh but trying to avoid being hit during the tantrum, I take a deep breath and read the first verse of Psalms 57,

"Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of they wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast." I burst out laughing as I liken the scriptures to myself. I feel like I am David crying out to the Lord for patience and mercy as I can barely handle these "calamities" at my feet. :)

I know my trials are very few and small, but at times they seem to be like giant herds of growling lions and stinging bees, not just two little boys who just love to growl and poke and pull at me until I can't stand it. The Lord loves me so much and I am so thankful for the scriptures and for these calamities of mine.