It is Well

This morning started with a bang.  Not literally (fortunately).  More like several seconds after my eyes opened, my nerves shattered.

Eli and Marina share a room and I have instructed Eli on how to silently slip out of the room without waking up Marina.  Usually he does well, give or take a door slam or two.  This morning, over the monitor, I heard him shout, "Can I turn the light on in HERE!?" followed immediately by Marina's crying [very tired] protest.

I opened my mouth and, "ROOOOAAAAARRRRR" came out.  Not the best way to start my day.

We came downstairs and I sat on the stairs and observed while everyone around me alternated between screaming and crying.  Even the cats joined in, "Meowwww!  Feed us!!"  I tried to pull myself together with some deep breaths and calmly instructed everyone to get in the kitchen for breakfast.

In there, everything became amplified.  Children throwing their food and refusing to eat.  Cats jumping and clawing up my legs, the smell of overdue cat litter assaulting my nostrils.  Even my iPod was playing   high-energy, intense music.

And then... the music changed.

This is what I heard.  (Bear with me, it's long, but I think worth it.)


"When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.


My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!


And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend
Even so, it is well with my soul."

EXACTLY what I needed to hear.

So as it turns out, I can handle this day after all... because it is well with my soul.  It is amazing how a change in my attitude can change how I view what is happening around me.  And amazingly, when I am not snapping irrationally at my kids, they tend to react better, too.  Once again, I receive a good humbling in my motherhood skills.  I welcome this one, at 9:02 am, I'll take a deep breath, hug my kids and say It is Well With My Soul!  (though I might still kick the cat...)