How to be Thankful When There is Poop in the Tub

I could hear her pouting from across the room. “Hrmph!” My seven-year-old crossed her arms and made mad sighing noises. “But you usually let me get in the tub with Grace,” she whined.

I knelt, scrubbing my 22-month-old, listening to my daughter Faith list all the reasons why I wasn’t being fair. She desperately wanted to take a bath with the baby. As I stood to dry my hands, Faith swooped into my spot, leaning over the edge of the tub to play with her sister. I turned to fold the towels at the end of my bed in sight of the girls.

I listened to the sweet chatter that only a one and seven-year-old could have until I heard the gasp.

“Mommy!” Faith called me in horror, “There’s POOP in the tub!”

One glance confirmed the proclamation. Indeed, there was poop in the tub. Not just a little poop, but a lot of poop. (I know I just lost 67 of the 68 male readers. Sorry, guys.) I won’t go into the process that one must go through to de-poop the tub, but suffice it to say de-pooping was a debacle.

Ten minutes later I pronounced both tub and baby clean. It was then my daughter said the words that left me thinking.

“Mommy, I’m so glad you said no.”

I’ve complained often over the times God has said “no” to my earnest supplications. Now I’m wondering how many times my Lord has protected me from poop in the tub.

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9 NIV

So how can you be thankful when there is poop in the tub? Be thankful you’re not in it.

Heavenly Father, thank you for all the times you’ve told me “no” to protect me from the unknown. Help me to remember that sometimes I’m not going to understand Your reasons, but Your ways are certainly higher than mine. Grant me the ability to trust You more. Amen.

Carol Hatcher

CAROL HATCHER is a wife, mother, teacher, and writer. She taught elementary school for six years when she traded being called “Mrs. Hatcher” for “Mommy.” Carol is a graduate of Proverbs 31 Ministries She Speaks and has served on faculty for the Glorieta Christian Writer’s Conference. Her publishing credits include P31 Woman Magazine, The Upper Room, Thriving Family, CBN.com, and Chicken Soup for the Soul. She is co-author of Your First Year of Motherhood published by Guideposts. She writes devotions for the Internet Cafe, 5 Minutes for Faith, and The Presidential Prayer Team. Carol and her husband, Alan, live in Buford, Georgia with their three children. She and Alan teach marriage classes at their church as well as lead marriage conferences. They hope to encourage others to create marriages that last. Whether writing or speaking, Carol combines her southern humor with her love for Jesus to share how we can learn from our everyday experiences and grow closer to God. Her passion is to challenge others to be bold for Christ by saying, “Use me, Lord” each and every day. Stop by and visit the flock at her personal website “sheep to the right.”

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