There are times in my own little mommy bubble that I need a major dose of perspective. I am caught up in all of my “stuff” and BAM, the Lord shows me something that puts it all in perspective! I thought maybe some of you could gain encouragement from my “moment”- I am SO extremely far from perfect and I am so grateful for who I am in God, because aside from Him I am a GIANT MESS! So, here is what I learned!
I have had a bear of a month- all three kids with 1 or 2 rounds of stomach flu, sinus infections, Dave and I have had it all too, Dave has been gone for most of it- which has made for a tired mom (PMS hasn’t helped either if I am honest!) We got a blizzard- well 2 rounds of that, so we have not been outside (I am going to blame Seasonal Affective Disorder in a tiny way, ha!). I have been doing pretty well- but I hit a wall this week- I just HAD ENOUGH- 3 whiny kids, Milly won’t let me set her down and is just extra whiny and clingy, no play dates because everyone is scared of our germs, etc.. I had a little melt down yesterday and frankly…a big pity party! If I am continuing to be honest- I have been making my friends miserable too by whining to them about it! I have dragged all three kids to the doctors office in the snow more times than I know- I was beginning to think- “this is just more than I can handle Lord, I am sick, tired and need a BREAK”! THEN…I had a moment today and was on Facebook and found this family’s story, randomly- https://www.facebook.com/MiracleRyker- the Lord must have placed it in front of me to say- “JENICA, are you kidding me?” This baby boy has been in the hospital for a year and finally got to go home and the mom posted this, “After 11 months, 4 days, 4 open heart surgeries, 1 intestinal surgery, 8 cardiac caths, 50+ echoes, 1 horrifying cardiac arrest, 3 days on ECMO, 6 broviac lines, 2 blood stream infections, 11 CICU bed spaces, 7 Recovery Floor bed spaces, & more blood draws than I would ever like to count!! Our Beautiful, Strong & Extremely Brave Baby is HOME surrounded by the love & comfort of his own Family!! I am so emotional & without words over all that has come with today & beyond ecstatic for my sweet boy to FINALLY be outside those walls & also for my girls to have the long deserved time with their baby brother!”.
As I scrolled down I saw a picture of the mom (who has 4 other kids it appears) snuggling with her baby on the couch for the first time and said how she has been wanting that for a year- she has not been able to snuggle with her baby boy for a year and I am crying around because mine wont let me sit her down?! I know there are a million stories like this- our friend Emily had a baby who literally wasn’t supposed to make it a day- but they trusted the Lord and that baby girl is one day younger than Milly- many, many heart surgeries later..but strong and alive!
I just think, as mom’s we all need a healthy dose of perspective now and then- I get wrapped up in the bubble and worry about things that do not matter and get overwhelmed and stressed by things that would be amazing blessings to others. I bet Ryker’s mom would be pumped to snuggle with him all day because his teeth hurt or take him to a 15-month well child check or have to give him a little Motrin in the morning for his pain instead of 40+ shots a day, etc..
SO..the blessing is, our God lets us start fresh every day- after crying my eyes out and apologizing to the Lord and my girls for being so nasty this week- I am starting FRESH! I am so grateful for healthy children, I am so grateful that I am healthy, I am so grateful that Dave is willing to work long hours to provide for us, I am so grateful I have a warm house we can stay in when it is cold and snowy, I am extremely grateful for snuggle time and I am massively grateful for a creator who listens to my whining and crying and still loves me, has patience with me, forgives me and lets me start fresh with a clean slate….and puts a fresh perspective in front of my face to remind me how extremely blessed I am!
To those of you who have sick or special needs babies, I am in awe of your strength and perseverance!
Thanks for listening- to my girlfriends who have heard me whine this week- I am sorry you have had to listen to me! Thanks for humoring me! I am not going to lie- it is always more fun to post about products or recipes- but there you go- a little authentic “stuff” for today!
Is it spring yet?!!!!