So much like me....

He's so much like me.  I've known this for some time. 

We are both readers.  How many times this summer have I wondered what he was doing and then I looked and found him with a book?  How many times have I asked him to put up our library books out of the library bag and then I look and see him reading the books?  How many times have our trips to town been quiet because he has a book?

There are other ways he is like me too of course.  He likes ice cream and sweets.  He likes lazy stay home days when we can stay in our pajamas all day. 

And he worries like me.  I can remember through many school years I would have worries before school started.  Each year it was something different.  Well he has a worry every year too.  He enjoys school but as he approaches a new year and new teacher he always has a worry.

I knew something was off one day last week.  We both were just off all day long, one thing after another.  Something wasn't right.  Finally I knew I did not want to go on with those feelings anymore.  He had gone to lay on his bed.  I went too.  We sat and cried together.  He told me what he was thinking, and I told him my thoughts.  Many of them were the same.  All of that stuff bottled up had led us both to have this off day.   

Looking back it was a beautiful moment.  It was a moment that needed to happen and needed to be shared.  To make that connection. To share those tears. It felt so good to be honest with him and just tell him what I was feeling, feelings that were so similar.  

The next day we were normal again.  Things were right again.  I told him I was so glad we had shared our feelings.  He was too. 

Have a day of blessings!

Unexpected delays

I'm sitting in traffic as I type. I have been here over an hour now, trying to get the few hundred yards to my exit to get home. I wonder what those in the vehicles around me are thinking and feeling. Are they mad? Are they late for an important meeting? Is anyone sick and needing to get home to rest? Probably someone was going to have lunch with a friend and they won't make it. I'm so glad I didn't tell Caleb I'd eat lunch with him today as I'd considered.

I have talked to my husband. He found out there was an accident claiming the lives of three people, plus others with injuries.

Why am I sitting here? I had the thought as I headed towards home that I'd be home by 11 today. It's now 12:37. I made a stop at the grocery store for my husband. I'd gone to the store yesterday, but I'd missed Grapenuts that he'd written on my list. Since I was in town I stopped by to pick them up for him. I can't help but think maybe I didn't see it on my list yesterday so I wouldn't be involved in the accident today. (Later I found out it was up the interstate a bit more than I would have traveled. Still I know God had a reason for me to be sitting there. That hasn't happened to me in a long time and I don't think ever when I've been by myself.)

What attitude do you have when you face unexpected delays in life? This goes back to the idea that we have a choice about our attitudes. So I sit and wait. I've listened to my audio CD of Karen Kingsbury's Take One, balanced the checkbook, and read some from another book.

Join me in saying a prayer for the families of those who lost their lives.

PS: I got home and it's 12:55. I did get home by 1. Thank you God.

Have a day of blessings!

Overwhelmed

Have you felt overwhelmed lately? I have! Things seem magnified at night before bed too. Did you ever notice that? Last night I just had to cry with feeling overwhelmed at what will need to be done this week. My list was long and seemed to grow the more I thought about it. This week I have cookies to bake, presents to wrap, Christmas projects to finish with Caleb, cards to get in the mail, a pie to make for JMP's Christmas lunch, and a few other things for the holidays besides the regular weekly routine.

This morning though I woke up and made a choice to be joyful. When I wrote my list and looked at what needed to be done, it didn't even seem that bad! It seemed rather manageable. I had the attitude that I can do this.

It has been a productive day so far and a couple things are already marked off the list! I'm waiting for JMP to come home to fold the Christmas letters to put in the envelopes so we can get those in the mail.

I'm so glad my perspective changed. It's okay to cry! But I also know I have to choose joy and remember that this time will not last forever. I need to make fun memories now with Caleb so he'll always remember the Christmas season as a joyous time and not a time of Mommy being stressed all the time or crying over what needs to be done! This is a season of joy. I choose joy!
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This was the verse I saw today in the newspaper. Thank You, God for leaving us your peace.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27