Star Wars, Frozen & Scissors

      I make a grunting noise as I toss another lego into "toy jail". I step away and trip over one of the kids light sabers.  Glancing over at the breakfast crumbs (we could seriously feed a family of refugees, not that I struggle with the idea of how much we waste or anything), I feel my eyes well up and think "I could use some of 'the force' about now. Trying to determine if I should pull the kids from their happy game of Zingo or tackle the breakfast fiasco on my own, I decide on the latter. What was my dear friend's quote, I ponder. Oh yeah, "a little and often". She was referring to home maintenance (along with other things). Gently, she was reminding me to stay on top of things rather than let them build into tougher jobs. "This isn't a little and often", I sarcastically mumble "this is 'a lot and always'." Seriously, if I'd simply pray every time I pick something off the floor, I might actually get a grasp on the whole "pray without ceasing" thing.  Out of the blue, I remember my daughter's expression the morning her big (3 year old) brother decided to mow the lawn. At least that's what her hair looked like when he was done with it. Her eyes were so proud and they seemed to be saying "Aren't I beautiful mommy?" Sometimes I still wonder if my volcanic reaction (she was my only girl and her hair had just gotten long enough to braid) will be one of the many things that draw her to a therapists couch one day. Though it was years ago, it is forever etched in my mind - my husband still  says he's never seen me so upset. Shifting back too the present, I hear my sweet girl singing loudly and off key,"I can't stand it anymore" which, much to my chagrin, seems to be the only line she remembers from the movie Frozen. I look at her. She is beautiful. Her hair is thick, thousands of shades of blonde and almost touching her waist. When did it get so long, so gorgeous? Hmmmm,  I  suppose it was "A little and often". And I'm reminded that while my struggle lately seems to be "a lot and always", God is chipping away at my sin, my pride, my "I can do this in my own strength" mentality. And, I'm growing. Slowly. Surely. Beautifully - "A little and  often".

 (The before photo was after a sweet stylist & friend at Shear Talent had gone 
out of her way to do some late night styling for which I am forever greatful )