The Lord helps those who help themselves. This is what us hard-working Midwesterners say all the time. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps, right?
I’ve followed that creed all my life, fostered by watching my mom and dad work hard when I was a kid and then seeing Captain work hard as well. And I pitched in too.
It would be rare for someone to say that there is any moss growing on me. I stay busy. I’m not trying to blow my own horn here, I’m just setting up the background.
So for the past three weeks, I have not been able to do for myself, and it is vastly more difficult than I would have imagined. I was not raised to sit idly by while someone else scrubbed my kitchen floor (thank you, Milly!) or cook food for me or an array of other household tasks.
I have to say...it has been extremely difficult and I haven’t always played nice about it. I think I have gotten to that stage of recovery where I am too well to be sick but too sick to be well. Know what I mean?
Moms...you know what I’m talking about. When you had two or more kids sick at the same time, you knew everyone was on the mend when they started bickering amongst themselves again. That’s where I am at.
I don’t LOOK sick and for the most part I don’t FEEL sick. But somewhere between noon and 2:00 everyday, I have to give in and take a nap. I’m not used to that and I don’t entirely like it.
This is where I was at when I woke up yesterday morning. Dipping my toe into the Pity Party pool and ready for a good wallow.
Then I turned on the news and the wallowing was stopped in an instant.
I can’t imagine the turmoil that is happening in hundreds of lives today because of the actions of one individual filled with...we don’t even know what yet. Hate...despair...jealousy...revenge. I don’t know if knowing why will make any difference or not.
All I know is that I am feeling so thankful today for the health and safety of everyone who is important to me, including myself. I look at the whiny ass episode I was set to embark on yesterday, and I am ashamed of myself.
My heart goes out to anyone who was personally affected by the tragedy in Las Vegas yesterday. My prayers continue to be that God is with us to guide us so that someday we can follow his command to love one another. Always.
Take a minute to be grateful today and to praise God for the blessings in your life.
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