Home Again, Home Again

We returned yesterday from 9 days in Florida.  Beautiful.

We so needed the rest!

And I truly believe, on family enjoys each other as much as we do.  We laugh and giggle together.  We talk about God openly.  And we talk about our pain and hopes as well.

It was a hard trip for Ashley.  She will NOT use an assistive device.  So she walked every DW park, keeping up with us.  At night, her ankle was swollen and required ice.  But she did not complain.

One evening, she and I were alone in the Magic Kingdom, doing our own thing - shopping.  She told me she loved the trip but it was physically and emotionally hard on her.

Physically I understood.  But emotionally?

"Yes, I see the kids my age and how they can walk and move and I can't do that.  It hurts my heart."

This momma hurt too.  I walked through the park in tears, so thankful for the darkness.  She held my hand and we watched the theatre show, "Wishes do come true."

Her wishes have not come true - cerebral palsy still there.  Myoclonus dystonia still plagues her body.  Toes are better, and we are so thankful.  But the hand surgery seemed to make things worse.  Pain is a huge problem.

But we keep going.

Tonight?  She has dance.

Tomorrow?  Gym time;  a good workout followed by a steam and hot top.

Friday night?  Cast Member for the Daddy Daughter Dance.

And we keep going.  And going.  And going.

And God's grace keeps growing.  And growing.  And growing.

Some Days. . .

"Momma said there'd be days like this..."

Days that are just a waste of make-up.

Days that are meant to for pajamas.

Days that you need to take the phone off the hook.

... to be mad.
... to be sad.
... to be frustrated.
... to be disappointed.
... to grieve.
... to give in to self-pity.

It's okay. 

Give Yourself some Grace!

Go there.

Just don't stay there.

Unplug the phone.  Turn off the computer.  Grab your kid and place them in front of the tv - it won't kill them.  Grab a book and head to a bubble bath or just lock yourself in the bathroom with a box of kleenex and cry.

It's okay.

Then wash your face.  Put on your favorite lipstick.

And breathe.

And know, there are just some days. . .

Grace for Today

We want it all!  Just like little children at Christmas!  We want every shiny bauble, whirling gadget and spinning top.  And we want it wrapped in pretty bows that we can rip off and discard in the rubble pile.

Only, we want answers.

What will the future hold?  When will this end?  Will there always be a new problem just around the bend?

But God gives us only the answer we need for today.  Wrapped in how we can handle the information.  Sometimes it's a bitter pill.  Sometimes it's a sweet and refreshing elixir.

Yet, the packaging is where God outdoes himself!  It's glorious!   It's made through hard work and born through great trial.  It's never discarded but cherished by the creator.

The gift may not be what we wanted or planned but the package is incredible!

Trust that God is giving you today just what you need.  No more.  No less.

He will give you the Grace for today.  Tomorrow will take care of itself.