Learning the ropes. . . or learning the love. . .

Learning the ropes as a mom is sometimes so frustrating because honestly I don't think it ever gets easier even though everyone says that it does. Maybe I would say that it gets a little more enjoyable, but definitely not ANY easier. The ropes continually change.
Just when you begin to kind of figure something out, like say a feeding schedule or a sleep routine, your baby goes through a growth spurt, or starts teething or gets sick or has gas. . . or something.
Today is one of those days in my home and I am in here blogging to keep from killing my child or myself. :) Kind of a joke, but not totally. I am very frustrated to say the least. :)
Jake has not taken a nap all day. He'll act tired so I put him down just like I always do and he fusses and screams and cries. I wait and wait and then I go in and check on him, pick him up and comfort him. He'll stop so I lay him back down and the whole cycle starts over. He'll do that until its time to eat again. Then he falls asleep while he's eating. I wake him up and get him to play thinking that he'll be tired and take a nap later (because you're not supposed to let them nap right after eating, right?)
Well, we have been doing this for the 3rd time today since 2:30 p.m. It is crazy!

I share all of this only because I am not going to be a fake on this blog and only share the good days and make it look like I am wonder woman and like my child is a cherub. We have problems. We are sinners and I want to portray who and what we really are. Sinners saved by grace and seeking to grow in that grace.
One thing I know for sure is that God is using my son to cause me to seek Him and His strength more than I ever have before in my life. I am so aware that any good thing I do is because of God. I see my natural tendency to respond wrongly and to think wickedly. If Jake grows up to love and serve God it will only be because God has drawn Him, not because of me.
Oh how I pray that God would work in his heart despite the mother he has.

I praise the Lord that He loves me as I have portrayed myself today, not because He accepts my sin, but because He is God and He is love and I am accepted in His Son Jesus who paid for my sin.

Praise God who brings Himself glory by loving me and working in my life. The basis of everything He brings into my life is love. (Psalm 136)
Amen to a God who consistently and unconditionally loves.