And the Potty Saga Continues

Oh the emotional drain that is going on at our house right now.  This little girl is putting up quite the fight, and not even miralax can beat her.

 

I know, I know, I know that we will face much, much, harder things before the parenting experience is over, but in our short three year history, this is the hardest yet.  I do feel like God has answered my prayers with some new direction in the situation.  Tonight, I desperately began to google our "situation," and I found a wealth of information, with this article providing some particularly practical help.  Plus, I can't tell you how much it helps to find out that so many other moms have dealt with this (which I already knew based on the response to my last post.  Several people e-mailed me about their experience, which was EXTREMELY encouraging!!)  Anyway I feel discouraged tonight simply because it was an exhausting day due to the "potty battle," but I also feel very encouraged because I have a specific place to start using the advice from the above article.  And I am praying A LOT with Ada.  I am praying specfically that the Lord uses this "trial" to shape Ada's little heart.  I pray that he would use this to show her that he will never leave her or forsake her and that she does not have to fear for he is with her.  And I am constantly reminded that the Lord is her creator.  He understands everything from her intestines to her three year old fears in a way that I can't even begin to fathom.  It is such a small thing, but it is an opportunity for me to put all the control in his hands.  As much as I want to take this from her, I can't, and I know that He is in control, even of this situation that most likely seems insignificant from a distance. 

Another thing that I feel a bit sad and overwhelmed about tonight, is that I am beginning to see many fears in Ada.  Not very long ago she seemed so fearless, and I guess she still is fearless when it comes to physical things, but I am seeing so many irrational fears begin to play out in our daily lives.  And to be honest, it reminds me of so many of my own struggles.  Scott lauged at me today, because I was explaining this observation to him, and I said, "I think she is going to be fearful and a worrier, like me, and it worries me." See?!!!  I don't want to pass on my sin to her!!  I want her to live in light of the truth that God is in control and that she DOES NOT HAVE TO BE AFRAID.  Even today she wouldn't play on the playground at Chick-fil-a because she said it was "too loud."  I knew that she really, really wanted to play, but her fear held her back.  I know that much of this goes with her age, and she will outgrow it, but I also believe that much of it points to struggles that she will deal with her entire life.  And now, I must resist the temptation to worry, and instead cling to the truth that Ada can find victory from her sins because of the life and death of Jesus Christ.  Oh that I would also live in victory because of His work on the cross.  And so I pray for Ada and for me--

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1)

I am sorry to ramble on and on and on about potty issues of all things, but my mind is heavy with how to conquer this thing.