such blessings!

When things get really ugly, looking up is much more beneficial than looking down.  Tuesday started out horribly.  Ryan was still dealing with a low grade fever and a sore throat; as a result he was a whiny weepy mess.  Logan was tired of Ryan’s continued neediness (as was I!) and really wanted someone to PLAY with.  I was exhausted, and fed up with everyone and everything.  It was so bad that I seriously considered skipping our usual Tuesday morning routine and crawling back into bed.  But we didn’t…

Instead, we headed out for our normal Tuesday.  God used the gals at church to touch my heart in a big way.  Two gals work with me on a regular basis, and both of them came in earlier than normal just to help out.  They knew we’d had a rough couple of days and thought it would be helpful.  It was!  Their love and concern was so encouraging.  On the way home I decided that we were going to take the next few days off…as much as we could, anyway.  I canceled speech for Tuesday afternoon.  And for Wednesday morning.  We had a nice leisurely lunch, then went out to run a couple of errands that had to be finished.

You know what?  God showed His hand there, too.  The Suburban passed the emissions testing without trouble.  Usually it’s no big deal but it’s old and has been giving Jim fits the last few months.  Then we found the book we needed.  On sale.  And the cardstock I was looking for?  Also on sale.  :)  On the way home from the bookstore, I had to stop at the post office.  We’d received a notice that there was a registered letter for us.  I was almost panicky at the thought—it’s been just over a year since our fender bender.  (short version of a long story:  gal in left turn lane panics when light turns yellow and slams on her brakes.  In the intersection.  We stop, but not before our bumper touches hers.  Not enough force to lock our seat belts, or for the little guys in the back seat to even know something had happened.  Cracked the plastic on our license plate frame.  No other damage.  Other driver speaks no English.  Refuses insurance settlement and threatens to sue.  Statute of limitations was up March 14, 2011.) I was SURE it was something notifying us that the other driver was suing us.  It was hard not to let fear overwhelm.  When I got to the post office, it was something totally different.  Unrelated, and completely wrong, since I knew that the concern had already been handled.  I had worried and fretted for nothing.  NOTHING!  That ought to teach me…

Then, when Victoria got home, she asked permission to take the boys out for a bit.  They left at 3:30 and didn’t come back until nearly 6.  I had almost 2 1/2 hours to myself.  Blessed, peaceful silence!!  I got some things done that had been bugging me for weeks.  I read a little.  I cooked dinner without help.  And I loved every minute of it!   Then, later in the evening, I got an email from a friend, checking on me because she was concerned.  Little blessings…big blessings.  The day that had started so badly ended as one of the best days in a long time.

So…the lesson in all this? The thing I need to remember to take away from Tuesday?  When I’m feeling stressed and overwhelmed, it’s most likely because I’m looking the wrong way. 

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my  help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip—He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The Lord will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.  ~Psalm 121

Lifting UP my eyes…