Well, I realized it again this morning...I am human. And not just “human” but a clumsy, self-righteous one at that. It all started this morning while Amy was cooking up pancakes (imagine wavy “flashback” effect). I was working at my desk and had just grabbed another cup of coffee. Somehow between sitting it down and taking my hand out from between the handle I turned the mug upside down in some sort of acrobatic move that would have impressed the Ringling Brothers. In that split second I also realize that my new MacBook is sitting right next to the java flood and is about to go under, so with my bat like reflexes I grab the laptop and begin crying...that’s when Amy came over to slap me out of my stupor. Thus began my hour of unfortunate events…

About 15 minutes later I am in the kitchen staring at an empty pot of coffee hoping it will simply make itself when Emily (who is watering the plants on the porch) does not realize that she has begun to water the entire counter via a bowl that was pouring out of the sink onto the counter top. As I watch Amy is cupping her hands to catch the waterfall cascading over the brim and I am still in a stupor wondering if I can use that excess water to make some more coffee. When I finally realize what is going on we both grab every paper towel, dish rag, small animal available to wipe up the mess only to find that it has gone to the other side of the kitchen via the counter and down onto to the floor under the stove...nice.

It was at this moment that I begin losing it. I turn to Emily and as I open my mouth to tell her how she should be more careful God planted in my mind my little episode 15 minutes ago that about lost me a major item. As I looked into Emily’s eyes that were waiting for the gavel to come down I was convicted of my own frailty and simply hugged her.

After this heartwarming moment I got onto my knees and began cleaning up the water under the stove. Then as I grabbed the handle of the stove to pull myself up it gave away and broke off in my hand...nice again.

So you may be asking...why are you boring us with all these stories Mike?

Simple.

As I look at myself and my frailty and my weakness I am more and more blown away by the fact that God is using me. After all, there are much more graceful, intelligent people to use in this world...why me?

“But God has chosen the foolish things of this work to put to shame the wise, and has chosen the weak things of this world to put to shame the things that are mighty.” 1 Corinthians 1:27

Every time I read this passage I chuckle because this is my life story. I am foolish and weak, yet God has chosen to use me (and all of you) so that HIS power and HIS wisdom will be seen not our own.

As we serve parents by loving on their children and sharing Christ with them we know that God is using us. May we continue to put to shame the things of this world by showing them how God can use US to do HIS good work.