Potty training, or should I say poop training, has made up some of my worst and most precious parenting moments. Training my first boy, 38 months old, was especially difficult as he was afraid to poop on the toilet. Together we experienced our first accident at the park with friends.

This park had a crazy high climbing toy, similar to a ladder, but at the top the kids had to take a giant step over to the platform to reach their reward – a fun and very steep slide down. I convinced my son to use the alternative, safer route of climbing the stairs. But this only lasted a few times and then he too had to climb the ladder after his friends. I didn’t like it. I imagined all sorts of horrible things that could happen when he lunged from the pole to the platform.

Up he went, he reached the top and then stopped. Shoot, he’s stuck. I encouraged him to step off, but he clung to the pole and refused to budge. I had no choice; up the ladder I went! Then the smell hit me. He pooped! I immediately understood his dilemma; he was embarrassed and probably thought the poop was going to fall out. Gently I pried his fingers loose and lunged across with him in my arms.

How often does the Lord do this for me? I’m stuck in a mess of my own making and I’m paralyzed to step out and get clean. No matter what nasty stink I’ve made God is faithful to reach out to me. And I just need to let go to move forward.

Philippians 3:13-14  “…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Sometimes after I mess up really bad I hear Satan saying, “now you’ve ruined everything God had planned for you.” But Satan is a liar. God has made it clear that we are to keep moving forward, forget how much we’ve screwed things up and focus on what’s ahead. We will not lose the memory of our mess but we can leave it behind us and continue on toward the goals God has for our lives.

God’s plan is a journey of joyful discovery that begins where we are right now. He understands where we’ve been and is patient with our progress. God intends for us to move forward with confidence and to call to Him when we are in distress. He will always be faithful and take our hand. Today, allow the love of God to settle over you and compel you to keep moving forward.

Prayer:
God, thank you for your faithfulness, for offering me a hand and pulling me out of my own mess. No matter how stinky I’ve made myself you are always there for me. And please help me to continue to show compassion to my own children as they navigate through their own messes.

Moment of Truth:

Jeremiah 29:11  “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Reflect and Respond:
This week be aware of the plans you make, and be open to God changing them. Make a list of the times God changed your plans and revealed something even better.