Focus. Being Refined.

This summer my daughter was invited to one of the most extravagant birthday parties I have been to.  It was for twins and their grandma is a party planner, and it was at a pony farm.  There were almost 100 guests.  Vases of beautiful flowers adorned the tables where a fully catered meal was served.  A photo booth was set up, there were animals to feed and play with, hay rides, and of course, pony rides. And did I mention they rented a gelato truck to give out treats to all the guests?

At the end, L collected her party favor bag and was also given a blue helium balloon to take with her.  We got into the hot car and she asked me to put the windows down in the backseat.  Within a few seconds, her balloon was whisked out the window and she burst into tears.  Now, maybe she was tired after all the excitement of the day, but I admit, it made me upset to hear her crying over a silly balloon that was going to be deflated in 24 hours anyway.  I launched into a fullblown lecture.

"Are you seriously going to cry about the one thing that went wrong?  You need to think about all the wonderful things that you got to do.  You got to hold bunnies!  You got to eat cake!  You got to drink pop!  You got fun photo booth pictures!  You got to ride a pony!  You got to eat gelato!  You got party favors!  And here you are crying over a silly old balloon?!  All you can do is think about the one thing that went wrong?"

I was so frustrated that my six year old couldn't be thankful for the good she was given, but could only focus on the small thing that went wrong.

It took a couple of days before it hit me...I do this.  All the time.  To God.

When I encounter a bump in the road, a trial, a hurt...I oh-so-easily focus all my attention on what's wrong.  And forget all about the many blessings that I just take for granted.  And once again, being a parent has allowed me just a little insight into how that must make God feel.  And I am sorry.

Thank you, L, for opening my eyes.  Thank you, One Thousand Gifts, for helping me shift my focus. 

Let me be refined.