…is the prayer we say before meals. We hold hands, as a family, and thank God for what he has put on our plates.
And every day, every day, I thank God for the family he has given me.
Then I pray for them to change.
I ask God to reveal to my husband what his still untreated ADD does to our marriage. I ask God to help A.P.’s brain function better so he can get along better at school. I pray for Maybelle to lighten up, and also that her future husband be a very patient person.
I pray that God help me organize my time so I can get it all done; and then I realized that it was not God that put this all on my plate.
It was me. And like a bratty child, I took a bite of ADD and spat it out. YUCK. I don’t like this, God. I want something else. Sure, I was born with great organizational skills that can create a better environment for someone who struggles with it, but I don’t have time. I’m busy.
I tried a spoonful of Autism and made a pouty face. So what that I was uniquely prepared for advocacy on behalf of my own kid, there is only so much time I can spend on it. How much of this do I have to eat to get desert?
Which we are about to receive
When someone goes to a conference or an event and blogs about it as it happens; it’s called live blogging. No research, no rough drafts. Just what is happening, as it is happening.
I am live blogging right now.
Right now I am realizing why I have been struggling. Right now I am realizing that I have been struggling. I have not gratefully or graciously received the plate that God has prepared for me. It stinks, and tastes bad. I want something sweet. Why can’t I have something sweet? Why can’t I have what everyone else is having? Why do I have to eat Brussels sprouts when other people {seem to} get cookies?
From Thy Bounty
Because Brussels sprouts are what is on my plate. They are in season. This season of my life is about my family; not about anything else I have tried to pile upon my plate.
But carrots are good, right? All of that beta carotene! Volunteering, is good, right? All of that making the world a better place! If I could spend more time online I could really be someone in social media. I just know it.
Yes. But that’s not what is on my plate. There is no room for carrots right now. They are not in season.
Through Christ Our Lord
Carrots are normal. Brussels Sprouts are a little weird. People won’t think as highly of me if I focus on my family and not on the needy. People will roll their eyes at me if I say no to social media opportunities because it doesn’t fit with our family right now. I will have to look into eyes I have said yes to many times, and say no. I will disappoint people.
But I will look into the eyes of my family and say yes, when I have been saying no. I will eat the Brussels Sprouts on my plate. They are a blessing.
Amen
"She never gives up on us."
:,)
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Oh, this really hits home. I’m have a really lousy attitude right now about life. I’ve been walking around stomping my feet and whining for too long.
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Oh my goodness I feel exactly the same way! Once again my dear you have hit the nail on the head. Thank you for putting yourself out there like this, makes me feel much better knowing I’m not alone
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Love.
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That letter got me all teary eyed!
!
Thanks for sharing! Sending you much Love & Lots of Hugs!
Praying as always, for strength and grace and wisdom for you, and indeed for us all, as we support our families, & as we raise our children with God’s help! Praying that we will always follow God’s leading and always know that His strength is made perfect in us. Also praying that God will bless the work of our hands – both in and outside of the home! That God will continually give us ideas that will blossom, prosper, and bless us and others around us.
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, He will direct your paths.” Amen.
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“She never gives up on us.”
This is one more confirmation of a tough decision we recently made.
Thanks for sharing your heart with us.
Kelly
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That letter is adorable! So glad you haven’t allowed anyone to die by failing to make dinner!
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I can so totally relate to this. Funny how we can be kicking and screaming like a toddler not wanting to do what his parent has said needs to be done. You’d think that after years of trying to do things the hard way I’d know better. But, I still sometimes succumb to the temptation to orchestrate it all and then wonder why it isn’t working.
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