"He's got the whole world in His hands"

Ayden started kindergarten this year. In his class they use a "caterpillar behavior plan." How it works is each day all children start out on Green, which stands for “Ready To Learn.” As appropriate and inappropriate behaviors are observed, a child’s name will be moved to a different color. The goal is to move up the caterpillar and not down.  Well, anyone who knows Ayden knows that sitting still, following directions, etc. is not his strength. The first couple days his goal was to get on pink which stands for "Outstanding!" it's the highest place you can move to. Well, it didn't take long to see that was a little too high of a goal to work towards right now so we decided just trying to stay on green would be a feasable goal. Well, this week Ayden did it, he finally stayed on a green for the second time since school started! Ayden's love language is recieving gifts so we decided if he could get on a green then he could choose anything he wanted in the store... the dollar store that is :) So, I kept my part of the deal and we headed to the dollar store where he chose a para shooting action figure and then a coloring book and crayons.

This Wednesday as the dismissal bell ran Ayden came walking down the hall with a huge smile on his face and he said "mom, I don't know how I did it but I got on blue!" (that's one step higher than a green!.) As we got in the car I told Ayden that I didn't have any cash to go to the dollar store but let's pray that God will provide something extra special for Ayden behaving so well today. Ayden looked at me and said "Well, mom, He's got the whole world in His hands so I'm sure He can!" That blessed my soul to hear the faith of my child! It may have seemed small and insignificant wanting God to provide a small reward for behaving well at school but I knew that took a lot for Ayden to trust that God would provide! 

Little did Ayden know that his dad had already had a wonderful surprise at home waiting for him! 

Earlier in the day Joey had agreed to take home a two year old little Jack Russle named Daisy! 

As we were pulling down our road after school Ayden said "I wonder what daddy will have for me today?" There was not a doubt in his mind that God wasn't going to provide. We pulled in the driveway and Ayden ran to the door, he knew without a shadow of a doubt that his God had something special in store for him. As Joey opened the door Ayden ran in to meet his new friend Daisy and fell in love with her instantly. "A puppy!" "he screamed, my own puppy!" He knew that God would provide but never could have imagined it would be something as big as a puppy of his own!

 The puppy that was Ayden's surprise that day already had her shots, papers and was house trained and very lovable. She was the perfect fit for our family. Oh, and she was FREE, less than an item at the dollar store :)

 Watching Ayden that day made me reflect on my own faith. For a couple of years I have been praying for a van for our family, recently the whole family has joined in and started praying together for it. Last month I knew for sure that we were going to get the one we had been praying for, it was a 2006 Nissan Quest with under 100,000 miles and a dvd player. The sell of it didn't work out and I would be lying if I said I wasn't upset.

Seeing how God had the perfect gift for Ayden when he got home from school that day and how God had orquestrated the events to allow his dad and I to get the gift that day just amazed me. God knew that Ayden would get on a "blue" he knew that I wouldn't have the time or cash on me that day to stop by the dollar store and He had "better plans" in place for my Ayden. 

That's how God works .... "We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation." Hebrews 6:9. God knows I need a larger vehicle but my plan may be too small and He has something bigger and better in store. It absolutely amazes me the small little ways that God blesses and speaks to us daily through our children and random acts throughout the day. 

Thank you God for loving us and always knowing what's best for us!