Perspective

Today I was going to write yet another trite blog entry - something about my baby or my kids or my petty insecurities or my hang-ups or what we had for dinner ... but all that changed with one phone call very early this morning:

A dear friend's husband was having some serious complications due to his diabetes - serious enough to be a life-or-death situation ... as in having a horrible seizure, not breathing, having to have CPR, and going by ambulance to the hospital. Because the details were scant at first (a mutual friend called me), I did not really know what exactly was going on except that it was extremely serious. We had several more phone calls from family members of theirs as time went by - but always sketchy information - though with the same theme: "Just pray." And so I did - it was all I could do. And because of course, sleep was alluded at that point, I had plenty of time to think - to talk to God - and to realize yet again what is TRULY important. People - especially those you care about - are more important than anything else. They are more important than the dust on the bookcases, the laundry that hasn't been folded, the menu plans, or all those daily things that we think MUST get done or we can't be happy.

I have said - even recently - it is so easy to just isolate myself and avoid other's problems ... but when we are Christians, the Bible says we are to bear one another's burdens ... and especially when it comes to my good friends, that is something I want to do. I haven't been able to talk to my friend yet - and sometimes she reads my blog - so if she does before I can speak to her, I hope she will know that I am there for her in my prayers because there isn't much else I know to do right now. Her husband is stable and in ICU tonight - facing more testing tomorrow.

My son still had a fever today (down from 103 to 101 degrees most of the day) ... and so I've been somewhat consumed with sick children since last Thursday when Anna was also ill and haven't left my house much. Tonight my husband let me go to church while he stayed home with Andrew. And God continued to work on my heart to "bear one another's burdens" as I learned of several other situations of people who are suffering right now - a lady in premature labor and the reminder of another friend who is trying to make it to 36 weeks in her pregnancy after a long, long season of bedrest ... of others who have sick children ... and just of so many who are suffering through something right now. And instead of ignoring these needs, I want to at least pray - maybe say something encouraging if I can - but mostly to NOT ignore these issues. Even though there is very little else I can do for them, I can be interested in people - in what is important - instead of just isolating myself in my own little world. I've been very convicted of this today.

My mind is reeling tonight -and though I am tired, I can't help but think of those who are actually going through these situations, who are surely EXHAUSTED. Lately, I've been very blessed with a calm life - aside from the minor illness of my older 2 kids these last few days (and praise the Lord, my son's fever broke today, and he is going back to school tomorrow, Lord willing!) - it's been smooth sailing for us. I don't want to take that for granted - I want to be thankful for every moment of fun, of joy, of simple pleasures ... even like what's for dinner (and I'll share that tomorrow when I'm feeling less burdened) or a clean kitchen or a child all dressed up for Spirit Week at school.

Today was Occupation/Career Day (or Patriotic Day as the other option) at our school. Anna dressed up as an explorer. She came home with a "pretend friend" this afternoon, an elephant named Cynthia that she captured while exploring in Africa. I was so glad she was able to "make believe" today because I needed some distraction from reality. I am thankful for the perspective of hard days but also of simple, child-like faith- because a balance of both is something I want to have in my life. Tonight I am thinking of those going through hard things - like serious illness, cancer, death, uncertainty, divorce, separation from loved ones - and also thanking God for the simple pleasures and blessings of home, health, family, provision, and yes, even for what we had for dinner.