Grace for Bad Days

Our whole family had a hard day. Our youngest, Piper, is taking antibiotics for a UTI and, because they likely hurt her stomach, she has had a difficult time. She had a couple meltdowns, which involves her screaming uncontrollably for a period of time (among other things).

When this happens—usually when she’s hurting—Shale and I are put in a hard spot. We want to do everything we can to care for Piper. In the process, if we’re not patient and careful, we get angry with each other. Words are exchanged, tempers are flared, and voices are raised. It’s just not a great combination. When we are “dealing with” Piper’s meltdown, it’s easy to lose patience not only with Piper, but with each other. Even more, we neglect Jovi while this happens (and she doesn’t like it when her little sister screams).

To top it all off, Shale’s car needs a new battery and tire, which is a hefty repair bill. That, along with Piper struggling and my wife and I arguing, the day was rough to say the least.

I am writing this on the same day it happened. As Shale and I put the kids in bed—and all is well in our home—we both looked at each other and essentially said, “This was the hardest day.” Indeed, it was. I feel awful for Piper because I know she’s hurting, but I also pray she stops having meltdowns like that. I feel terrible for Jovi because she has to hear all of this happen. I am distraught that I raised my voice—yelled, even—at Shale. It was a bad, bad day.

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And just like I told Shale: there’s grace for bad days.

There’s grace for days when you lose your patience.

There’s grace for days when, despite your best efforts, you sin against your children (probably because you shouldn’t rely on your best efforts, but on the Lord).

There’s grace for when you think too much about your wants, and not nearly enough about your spouse’s.

There’s grace for when your child is having a complete meltdown (not a term I use lightly).

There’s grace for when the day seems like it can’t get any worse—then it does.

There’s grace for when you sin by raising your voice, yelling, or losing your temper.

There’s grace for when you are passive-aggressiveness against your spouse.

There’s grace for when you can’t stop thinking about how your spouse has sinned, and not thought enough about how you’ve sinned.

There’s grace for the moments of frustration, the times of anger, the instances of complete chaos.

There’s grace for when the day begins—and ends—on a tough note.

There’s grace for you to endure your child’s meltdowns, to understand what he or she might be feeling, and exercise care, love, and patience.

There’s grace. An endless supply of grace.

The “you” in all of those statements is me. It’s totally, 100% me. I am a failure on many occasions in life, daily even. But I know there’s bountiful grace awaiting me when I sin. Perhaps the “you” is you, too. Maybe it’s you in a different way, but still resonates—hits too close to home.

Let it hit close. I did. It will hurt, but we grow more like Jesus through pain. Lean into the grace of God, and everything will be okay.