Quiver full of Grace?

Okay, so I pretty much vowed not to even get out of bed this morning unless I was armed with a good attitude and a quiver full of grace. I figured that since I could not keep myself from shooting, at least I could change my weapon, right?

So, I cheerfully got up and woke my boys. I told them I was going to jump in the shower, and if they were up and ready for school by the time I got out I would make them breakfast this morning. Yeah, for bribery!!! That counts as grace right? So off I went, adding that if my oldest started the coffee, I would be very grateful.

Unfortunaely, the coffee canister was empty and he did not know which coffee to open, so I had to make it myslf, but they were dressed and reading. All is well. Breakfast was great, coffee hot and especially amazing, on such a chilly morning 32degrees!!!

I guess here is a good place to detour and say that years ago when i started homeschooling I sat down and wrote out what my objectives would be. At the very top of my list was to instill a love of reading and research in my kids. I wanted them to read, but not just for reading sake. I wanted them to LOVE reading. For them to want to spend a cold rainy day curled up on the couch and be unable to put a book down. I longed for them to stay up late unable to close a book.

Well, we succeeded. They love to read. They love it so much that I am often telling them to put down their books and pick up their pens.

Now, back to this morning. My son, disobeyed me 3x this morning, all in regards to reading.
1st - Son, no reading at the table.
2nd - Son, close the book, eat your breakfast.
3rd - Son, put the book away, it's time to start school.

Mind you, I was only holding grace in my quiver...and oh, how that pained me. I wanted to give him a swift kick in the pants, but I pulled out my grace and pulled back my bow and told him that I was trying really hard to be graceful, and then begged him not to make me go get any additional arsenal.

Finally, we were off and schooling. It was a good day, going smoothly and without much conflict so I think to myself...self, lets get a little planning done for our upcoming trip to D.C., Philly, and New York. So there I am, scouring maps and trip books, and suddenly I realize I need to print some things off. PROBLEM. My laptop won't let me print anything the past couple weeks. So I try to problem solve, and search for answers. TWO HOURS later, I still don't have anything fixed. Phyisical harm almost came to both our desktop and the laptop. I mean, literally throwing it was an option.

So, Lord, thank you for filling my quiver full of grace and not real ammunition, for surley I would have fired recklessly today, and both man and machine would have paid a severe price. Because, if it's not one thing it's another. And, thankfully today grace helped me walk away.

I guess I should pull out this quiver more often.