I like Thanksgiving, for several reasons. And I think it’s safe to say, despite my occasional hormonal fluctuation as a woman, that I’m a pretty optimistic person. I tend to see the glass half-full most of the time.
And I think the way we learn to see things determines, largely, the kind of life we live. Everyone’s life has half-empty or half-full glasses sitting around.
Last night I got the dreaded, middle-of-the-night announcement: “Mom, Avi threw up everywhere.” AGH!
What’s worse is that I am SO blind without my contacts. So my trying to maneuver around and clean up that kind of mess is like my worst nightmare. I had to solicit hubby’s help.
Now two of us had the stomach virus 12 days ago. We weren’t expecting it to strike again after that long! And if you have a large family, you know there is little more depressing than the fact that you’re going to be cleaning carpet for the next three weeks, watching your children suffer one after another, cleaning up vomit at all hours of the night and baricading in the house for a month.
Back in bed, wide awake, initial thoughts of “Why now?” faded into “Thank you, Lord, that this is a temporary illness–it will pass…while so many mothers cling to a child tonight, praying he will make it ’til morning.”
So many disappointments and frustrations can become springboards for joyful reflection, if we just turn our eyes toward God’s goodness and preservation. He is long suffering and merciful…and worthy of thanksgiving in all things!
11 comments
My younger son threw up into one of our heating vents once!!!
Too bad about everyone having the flu. I feel sorry for you guys. Hope you are feeling much better soon.
Think of all the immunities you guys are building up!
Mary, OH MY WORD. HEATING VENTS? How did you ever get that cleaned out!? I am laughing so hard right now I have tears! YUCK!!!
Kelly, My Justin did the same thing yesterday! Is your blog contagious or something. How did that happen?
I had to scrub the floor; at least it’s clean now huh.
P.S.
“Thank you, Lord, that this is a temporary illness–it will pass…while so many mothers cling to a child tonight, praying he will make it ’til morning.”
Amen to that!
That is so awesome that you realize to give thanks for it being a temporary illness. Most would never look at it like that. Hope they get better for Thanksgiving! Have a blessed Thanksgiving Kelly.
Oh Kelly I’m so sorry…
We will pray for you guys..
Rob
In October my children and I were in a bad car accident. All of our injuries will take months of healing, before we are back to “normal”. Many have lamented “why did God allow this to happen?” I usually look at them and say, “It could have been much worse, I felt God’s presence in the car at the time, and that is why we are all still here.” Praise God! Perspective, how important to our faith it is…
Thank you once again Kelly for putting things into perspective. Praying for you.
In re the car accident and g-d’s will someone once asked Reverend William Sloane Coffin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Sloane_Coffin#By_Coffin) where was g-d when his son died in a terrible car accident. And he replied “g-d’s heart was the first heart broken” with the news.
My youngest daughter had a vomiting disorder when she was a baby–we never went out without a change of clothes for the whole family until she was about three and we fixed it. I can remember her toddling towards me at a big family thanksgiving with my in laws and realizing she was about to blow, squatting down and catching the full force of it in my cupped hands, getting up and washing up as if nothing had happened. Truly, mother love is a wonderful thing.
aimai
Yes indeed, mother love.
Oh, Kim, I scooped as much out of the heating vent as I could with a cloth and wiped it good. The rest is probably still there after 10 years. But, we sold that house, so it is the new owner’s problem. Ha-Ha.
There IS truly nothing like mother love! Amen!
Civilla, Your comment helped me remember one of my boys as a 2 year old. He thought it would make a great place to “pee” (boys!).
I was like (imagine me in slow motion….) NOOOOO…..SSSSTTTTOOOOPPPPP! But it was too late! LOL
“..getting up and washing up as if nothing had happened. Truly, mother love is a wonderful thing.”
That’s for sure!!!