Sick

It's been said when momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. Believe me, I am not going to argue the truth in that when it comes to our family, for sure. But further than "happy", I dare add in "sick".

I had taken care of issues during the day, ran errands, did a load of laundry and came home. In the afternoon, I just felt, well, blah! I know you have been there. I said to my hubby, "I just don't feel right." Kids started asking, "What's for dinner?"  Dinner?? Shoot! In all the running, I realized I hadn't planned for dinner. Suddenly I also started to process how I was really feeling. My husband asked if I was sick. Sick?? I don't get sick! What are you talking about?? That can't be! I mean, really, it's only an achy body, oh and chills, oh and a hot mouth, oh and burning eyes.WAIT! The thermometer will prove it! 99.5??  I shook the thermometer and checked it again. 100 After a 3rd consult, I had to admit defeat. 100 was the consensus. Albeit, slight..it was in fact a  FEVER!?!? WHAT?? I don't have time to have a fever!!! I have a household to take care of. I have to make dinner. But suddenly I don't have the energy to grip a spatula or pick up the gallon of milk. 

Hubby turns to me and says, "What would you like me to make for dinner?" No way! That's not his job! That's not necessary, he worked all day. "No, I'll get it." Now seriously, why moms?? Why do we feel the need to be SuperMom all the time? It's really not necessary, is it? I'll be really honest. The struggle didn't last long. I don't have the energy to fight it. Quickly rushing through my head what I have in the house that would be easy enough to "throw together". Chicken.. just get some chicken out of the freezer, put it in water with some salt and pepper. Make some mashed potatoes and cook some frozen corn. TADA dinner!!! So he did. He went right to the kitchen and made dinner. He and the kids sat at the table and ate together while I lay on the couch, unable to move. He then filled the dishwasher and ran it. Then he folded a load of laundry for me. He also made me tea and a sandwich later in the evening. He also made sure I had some Tylenol, tissues and lip balm. Did I mention to you that he had been not feeling all that great himself for the past few days?  

Now let me also acknowledge the fact that my kids are at an age that "self sufficiency" shouldn't be taken for granted. Fortunately, they shower themselves and prepare themselves for bed. They also do their homework on their own. But for the things that they still need parental help, I am eternally grateful that my husband is willing to step in and help a momma out!! Clearly he is aware of the above mentioned adage and doesn't want to deal with an unhappy momma! A sick momma is work enough! 

Doors

Have you ever considered the purpose of a door? Yes, a door. You shut it to keep something out or perhaps something in. You open it to allow access either way. The door provides protection, security and privacy. The doorway is a through way into something new. How many times have you heard, God never closes one door without opening another. ? Of course that means "opportunity". Look at it just a little deeper, opportunities are really blessings. They really are God's way of taking care and showing His love for us. He blesses us with opportunities. So imagine your home without doors. What would  you be missing? How would it be incomplete? How many doors are there in  your home which you can walk through? (I am not going to include closets, rather just rooms and exterior access)  So here is my challenge, for every door you have, name a blessing. I have 13 doors in my home, 5 exterior and 8 interior room doors.

1. Relationship with the only God who provides absolute truth and a perfect way for an imperfect person to enter into heaven then offering that way to me through the death and resurrection of His son. AMEN!

2. My first born... a beautiful, funny, smart, strong-willed and insightful miracle of a daughter.

3. My second born... a smart, funny, handsome, easy going, creative, joy of a son.

4. A hardworking, smart, funny, confident husband who loves me completely just the way that I am.

5. Friends who provide me with laughter, a shoulder, an ear, their time, support, encouragement and love. Not to mention an occasional couch or bed on which to sleep :) 

6. Freedom and those who have fought to provide it for me and my family

7. A nice home in which to raise my children

8. Electricity and all it provides and affords to me..

9. Education and the ability to have paid for it myself

10. The experiences both positive and negative, as well as people in my life who have made me into the person I have become

11. Sunsets, stars and moonlight.. sunrise and sunshine

12. The opportunity and ability to get up and start over when life doesn't go as planned

13. Forgiveness.. both the ability to extend and receive it into my life.

These, like doors in my home, are things that I can't imagine my life without.