This week, I was reminded of this brief story told by Charles Spurgeon. He writes,
On Tuesday, Tiny got a virus (or his two year molars decided to really put us through the wringer) and had fun exploding diapers and vomiting everywhere for a few days. We think we've finally turned the corner on things, and Aunt Beth hasn't had to change sheets in two whole days, but the super abundance of bodily fluids in our home has not helped with the cabin fever.
On Thursday, Littles lost it and I had to play the "let's call your daddy" card (or rather the "let's text Daddy, see if he's free and has a phone card, and then wait for him to get a good signal" card) for the first time this deployment. And have I mentioned recently enough how much I appreciate the Man? Because when I asked, he uncomplainingly left the gym, tracked down a phone card, and called to talk to his son and then his overly hormonal wife, and did not once make me feel like I should've been able to handle things on my own.
On Friday, the need to nest hit yet again. Have I mentioned on here recently enough how difficult it is to nest while on bed rest (that rhyme bothers me)? So, being a nerd, I engaged in intellectual nesting by reading Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg, which unfortunately only took about 24 hours before I started cheating on bed rest and conning Aunt Beth into ironing all the linens for the nursery/guest room. She loves me. And I am also now being bullied into resting more, even if that means busy work in bed.
Anyway, all week, I've been thinking about that story from Spurgeon, thinking also about how much of a mind game this is right now. The days are long, and I have a little too much time to think, and it's very easy to count the frustrations instead of the blessings. So, as the hours have passed, I've been trying to focus.
When Tiny throws up, I choose to say thank you that these stomach troubles occur when Aunt Beth is here to help with clean up, and as I say thank you, I remind myself that God has given me all this, and Christ too.
When Littles has a melt down, I choose to say thank you that I have an accessibly deployed husband who will take the time to be dad, and as I say thank you, I remind myself that God has given me all this, and Christ too.
When my antsy-ness is about to drive me mad, I choose to say thank you for the many people who have come to help me get the house and nursery in order (and for the ability to sit on the bed and pack and repack the hospital bag half a dozen times in a row), and as I say thank you, I remind myself that God has given me all this, and Christ too.
So, as I continue to choose my focus, I wanted to share a few moments of joy with you. These things that God has given me (and Christ too).
Stacks of books (read and unread), flower pot gifts for the twins (if anyone knows who sent these, please tell me, so I can send them a thank you note for the fun interruption to my week), and the constant reminder that I can choose in everything to give thanks.
All this, friends, and Christ too.
Happy Sunday. Thank you for being the Church to me when I cannot physically go to church these days--I can't tell you how that encourages my heart.
I have heard of some good old woman in a cottage, who had nothing but a piece of bread and a little wafer, and lifting up her hands, she said, as a blessing, "What! all this, and Christ too?"These words have been constantly in my mind the last few days.
On Tuesday, Tiny got a virus (or his two year molars decided to really put us through the wringer) and had fun exploding diapers and vomiting everywhere for a few days. We think we've finally turned the corner on things, and Aunt Beth hasn't had to change sheets in two whole days, but the super abundance of bodily fluids in our home has not helped with the cabin fever.
On Thursday, Littles lost it and I had to play the "let's call your daddy" card (or rather the "let's text Daddy, see if he's free and has a phone card, and then wait for him to get a good signal" card) for the first time this deployment. And have I mentioned recently enough how much I appreciate the Man? Because when I asked, he uncomplainingly left the gym, tracked down a phone card, and called to talk to his son and then his overly hormonal wife, and did not once make me feel like I should've been able to handle things on my own.
On Friday, the need to nest hit yet again. Have I mentioned on here recently enough how difficult it is to nest while on bed rest (that rhyme bothers me)? So, being a nerd, I engaged in intellectual nesting by reading Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg, which unfortunately only took about 24 hours before I started cheating on bed rest and conning Aunt Beth into ironing all the linens for the nursery/guest room. She loves me. And I am also now being bullied into resting more, even if that means busy work in bed.
Anyway, all week, I've been thinking about that story from Spurgeon, thinking also about how much of a mind game this is right now. The days are long, and I have a little too much time to think, and it's very easy to count the frustrations instead of the blessings. So, as the hours have passed, I've been trying to focus.
When Tiny throws up, I choose to say thank you that these stomach troubles occur when Aunt Beth is here to help with clean up, and as I say thank you, I remind myself that God has given me all this, and Christ too.
When Littles has a melt down, I choose to say thank you that I have an accessibly deployed husband who will take the time to be dad, and as I say thank you, I remind myself that God has given me all this, and Christ too.
When my antsy-ness is about to drive me mad, I choose to say thank you for the many people who have come to help me get the house and nursery in order (and for the ability to sit on the bed and pack and repack the hospital bag half a dozen times in a row), and as I say thank you, I remind myself that God has given me all this, and Christ too.
So, as I continue to choose my focus, I wanted to share a few moments of joy with you. These things that God has given me (and Christ too).
An early Christmas present from my in-laws, crocheted by the Man's grandmother years ago, I need this constant reminder to choose peace instead of anxiety. I hung it where I can see it literally all day long.
It looks like we've turned the corner on sick. It's fun to be able to give Tiny something that's not on the BRAT diet.
Snuggles with Aunt Beth and the Trig-Dog while looking for pictures of white lions, while I rejoice that for once my over-large belly isn't being sat on or poked by these little bundles of energy who don't grasp the concept that twinancy is uncomfortable.
There are few things I love more than yellow flowers in my house. The sweet friend who brought them by probably had no idea how these would cheer up my week.
Tomorrow is 32 weeks, and the twins are hanging tight. Yes, daily, hourly rejoicing in this. Also, does anyone else think my belly has shifted? Aunt Beth and I are placing bets.
Bribing myself to stay home from church with cookies and coffee. It's always the little things that get us through.
Stacks of books (read and unread), flower pot gifts for the twins (if anyone knows who sent these, please tell me, so I can send them a thank you note for the fun interruption to my week), and the constant reminder that I can choose in everything to give thanks.
All this, friends, and Christ too.
Happy Sunday. Thank you for being the Church to me when I cannot physically go to church these days--I can't tell you how that encourages my heart.
2 comments:
Continuing to pray for you sweet Marian...so thankful alongside you for the ways that you see God's hand in all that you have each and everyday. Love the Charles Spurgeon story and so needed that reminder today...my journey is trying to give thanks in each and everything, each and everyday, all day long!! God is with us and is for us!! Love ya!
Almost there! You are beautiful!
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