The Little Terrorist

My two-year-old is a terrorist. I know, that's really an awful thing to say about my own child, but that's how it feels lately. He is constantly throwing things at people, crumpling our school papers, beating up his big sister, and genearlly reaking havok in our home. Some days I don't understand how I ended up with eleven children. I look at his naughty behavior and ask myself, "Were they all like this? How could I possibly have gone through this 9 times before?" But the fact is, yes, they were all like this. In fact, in some ways, they still are. Actually, the more I think about it, I'm still like this myself. You see, I am a lot like my son in many ways. Granted, I don't throw laundry around or bite my siblings, but I do fight with all my might against the will of my Heavenly Father. God has a beautiful plan for my life and I know that if I were to follow that plan, I would be happy. That's not to say I would never be tired, or that I would always get to do what I wanted, but I would be happy in the peace of knowing that I am doing the Will of God. But the reality of this earthly life, is that it is in our fallen nature to fight against what is good for us. Just try piling a heap of cauliflower on your kid's plate and you'll see what I mean. We don't want the good stuff. We don't like the good stuff. It doesn't taste good. But if we could only lay aside our own, fallen, imperfect wills for just a moment and focus on the beautiful, holy Will of the One who made us, we would see that He is the only one who knows how to make us truly happy. Lord, help me to lay down my life today in union with your Holy and perfect Will. Help me to die to myself when things don't go my way. When my toddler throws the laundry, help me to refold it with love. When my daughter whines about her school, help me guide her with tenderness. Help me, O Lord, to put aside my wanton desires and to strive to see you in the daily challenges of my life. Help me to see my duties as wife and mother, not as drudgery to be avoided or minimalized, but as oportunities to grow closer to my family and to serve You with a loving heart so that someday I may rest peacefully in your Divine Presence. Amen.