January 14, 2011

A New Day

Yesterday was not one of my finer moments as a mom.  I kinda wanted to stand on the counter, stomp my foot, and yell "everyone be kind, have a good attitude, and NO complaining!!!!"  I maintained self-control, but I was boiling on the inside.  It was the kind of day that I looked at the clock at 3:06pm and started counting down the minutes until bedtime.  For an ever so brief moment the power suit and smart phone looked appealing.

But only for a moment.
Sometimes the pettiness of life can get in the way of seeing the treasure right before me.  

The gift of life.  The gift of being.  Of thriving.  Of enduring together.

Many of you have heard her story, but 3 days before Christmas Edie lost her entire home to a fire.  Everything.  Gone.  Edie has been a cyber mentor to me (whether she knew it or not).  Her gift of words, her knowledge of literature, her joy as a mom: these have not been taken. But all of her things are gone.  As a lover of art and literature, there was a great and mighty loss when her house fell.  But she rejoices in the gift of life.  Is she struggling?  Sure.  Is she devastated?  Yes.  Does she appreciate her family more than ever before?  I can only imagine the welling up of love in her heart.

And just this week I learned of another dear bloggy sister.  Joanne's daughter found her.  Life changes in an instant.  She is my age.  My age.  It could have been me.

Today is a new day.  I'm not going to reach the boiling point.  I am going to love fully, live richly, give thanks deeply.

Please keep these women and their families in your prayers.  Go hug your kids.  Go kiss your husband.  Relish in the life you live.  It is a treasure.

9 comments:

Carpool Queen said...

Amen, and amen.

Kellie said...

So true... so true. I was reminded of this type of thing myself and am about to blog about it. I, too, saw Joanne's blog. Life is short... treasure those around you. Love you, friend. :)

Katie said...

Thank you so very much for the reminder! Iv'e been reminded alot lately to quit taking life for granted but one more time never hurts.
Have a wonderful weekned!

Karen Bundy Barlow said...

Just read her story...wow....that WAS me last June 6th- although mine were mini-strokes and did not have the impact that her's has had. At 44, you just never expect to be sitting at the kitchen table with your 4 year one minute and in an ambulance the next not being able to speak or move. praying for her and her family...

Live Life Every Day said...

Sadly, these are the moments that really force us to appreciate life. Too often we don't realize how precious life is until we lose it.

You seem to be living a positive life and that is much much more than most people can say. Keep up your positivity! When times are hard, remember everything happens for a reason.

Amber said...

Oh, G, how my heart has been consumed this week with the thoughts of the uncertainty of our days. I hadn't heard about Edie's story, but Joanne has been heavy on my heart. I will be sure to add Edie to my prayer list.

"Hug your children. Kiss your husband."
And tell your friends how very grateful you are for their friendship...

I'm thankful for you, G. Oh so thankful.

Linda said...

Good job in putting things into perspective. I have just started back blogging after an on again off again break and I have been overwhelmed with the heartbreak that many are dealing with right now two of which you mentioned in your post. I've read one where a mom, Brie, past away in a car accident leaving behind her two small girls, her husband and the baby in her womb, a little boy that they delievered after the accident. The burden for others is so great but I know we are to pray for them, then leave it at the foot of the cross for our Lord and we are to learn from them the very things you write about in this post.
Blessings

Little Oak Table said...

This is very good perspective.

Thank you for sharing such a perspective changing post.

SO thankful for new days and new moments.

Cathy said...

I've missed your blog...

You always seem to be speaking directly to my heart.