Wrinkles

It's a gray, chilly day, following a series of sunny, warm ones. My children are coming down with colds, and they're cranky and tired. I'm sleepy, not very motivated, and feeling the gray sweeping down over everything in our little home.

Some days are just that way: lots of minor injuries and bickering that results in a multitude of tears; restless children; crayon marks on the wall; jeans that don't fit. It's part of life, and it's these constant, little irritations that do the most smoothing out of character. I am reminded this morning that mine still has many wrinkles.

I read Elisabeth Elliot's words on acceptance and peace this morning. As always, her matter-of-fact words bolster my faith and encourage me, reminding me that nothing that comes to me escapes God's notice. On days like this, it's good to know nothing is without gain. Instead of complaining of a long day, I'll accept that it's working something in my life, and that without the constant irritations, life would be smooth, but I'd still be very wrinkled.