The whole picture

Today my son began watching The Karate Kid for the first time ever. He had only watched about 30 minutes of it before he had to stop it so that we could go run errands. While in the car he began to chuckle. I asked him what was so funny. He said the boy wanted to learn karate and his teacher told him his first lesson was to wax the car. Since he hadn't seen the movie he didn't realize Daniel(the karate kid) didn't think it was funny. Daniel actually got quite angry not understanding why he was waxing the car and painting the fence when all he wanted to do was learn karate.
But I know he got angry and I also know the purpose of these jobs his teacher had gave him. I know this because I have seen the whole picture.
Then I saw something else. I realized there have been so many times in my life that God has given me a job to do. I have often thought these tasks were somewhat meaningless or I felt that I was way beyond them. I am ashamed to admit it but I have not acted right and have often complained when I was in this position. I complained because I like, the karate kid, did not see the big picture. I didn't trust God enough to realize that He had begun a good work in me and wasn't done yet. I didn't trust Him enough to realize He was preparing me for something bigger. I didn't trust Him enough to realize He was making me stronger. I didn't trust Him enough to realize He was preparing me for another job that I needed to be ready for.
I have so much work to do in this area. I am praying that I will trust Him more in this area. To really be joyful in all circumstances and to do everything(even if I see it as meaningless) to the glory of God.
Just recently, He brought to mind a time about 4 years ago that I was complaining to my husband about his job's benefits. I was angry because I wanted to have another child and we didn't have group health coverage. I didn't realize God had given us a job to do at that church because not only was God molding James heart to be a church planter, He was molding our hearts towards adoption. The desire to adopt grew in the years that we were at that church that didn't have maternity coverage but it did have many, many families who we saw blessed through the miracle of adoption. The desire to adopt continued to grow until we knew He wanted us to add to our family through adoption. He faithfully provided a way for us to bring our precious Isabella home from Guatemala. Two months after we brought her home we got maternity health insurance. I am so thankful to see how He worked it all out. I praise Him that He opens and closes doors at just the right time. I praise Him for Isabella, our chosen child. Most of all I am so thankful that He blesses and loves me inspite of my whiny self. Thank you, Lord.