Nap Time, Caverns, Ramblings and an Update

As some of you know, I babysit two children every week. They are 8 and 5. The 5-year old officially started school last week. She has always gone to a learning center but now she was a big girl and headed off to the same school as her brother. Last week the excitement of a new school kept her going and she was enjoying seeing her brother. This week however the reality of school has now hit her.

When I saw her I asked her what was wrong. With a pouty face she said, "This boy kept talking during nap time and I didn't even get to sleep." It had thrown off her whole day. She didn't get to rest! Without proper rest an entire day at school can be pretty hard. It throws off your routine.

How many times as adults do we crave the simplicity of Kindergarten? The need for a daily rest. The restoration that comes from living without stress or worry.

My family needs rest. Hear my plea today as I ask for prayer for everyone in my immediate family. My Mom found out she has carpel tunnel on the right wrist. Hence the nerve pain. This will have to be evaluated on Sept 1st. The accident has either caused or added to existing conditions. Her knee and hip are also in constant pain and she will now have to have therapy on those areas as well.

My Dad needs rest. He has taken on the responsibility of husband, grocery shopper, cook and housekeeper. I am worried he is doing too much without knowing he is doing too much. I don't want him to wake up one morning overwhelmed with stress and worry from daily tasks.

My sister and her family are dealing with a typical two year old that may also have some greater development problems. We are awaiting some testing and results to see how to tackle the toddler years. Everyone involved needs rest.

We heard an illustration in church on Sunday that I must share with you. If anyone has been to DeSoto Caverns in Alabama you will understand. But the worship leader said that as a child they went down into the cavern and the guide told them he was going to turn off all flashlights so they could see how dark it was. Our worship leader said that he had never been in such a dark place. His initial reaction was to immediately put his hands out in front of him or to the side, grasping for anything to steady him in the darkness. Yet in our moments of darkness instead of grasping for anything to hold on to, why can't we raise our hands above our heads and surrender to God. In our darkness why can't we look to the light?

I, myself, am doing okay. I have definitely had better days. Honestly, I can't quite make out my next step to take in this darkness but I will try to keep my hands up towards the light as He guides me.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (New International Version)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight. [a]

Psalm 23 (New International Version)

Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, [a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Summer’s beginning to give up her fight

Summer’s beginning to give up her fight
-mystery by Indigo Girls

This is the last week of summer for many kids across the country. Summer may not officially be giving up her fight until September according to the calendar but the attitude and carefree nature of summer vacation ends when school begins. Parents, students and teachers return to the daily routine of the school semester and trips to the beach or lake are replaced with football games and tailgates. Change is around the corner for many.

I turned 30 not to long ago. I will admit I had a slight panic attack. I really enjoyed my 20s…well my late 20s. After I made plenty of mistakes post college I learned what I really wanted in friendships, relationships, family and work and was happy to settle into many of those places and hit my stride in my late 20s. I met some of my dearest friends in the world, I found the love of my life and I think I know now what I want out of career.

I didn’t want these days to go away. I wanted to dwell forever in my independence and youth. I wanted to have time to make a few more mistakes maybe and time to really get to know myself without having to grow up. I think this past year has been one of the harder years for me. I had to grow up a bit faster than I wanted too with my parents’ accident. Yet I also realized I craved and desired my parents and the nearness of them much like I did as a little girl afraid of the dark.

I think I have finally accepted the end of my “summer” and I am eager to begin adulthood with grace and dignity. I want to continue growing and cultivating the friendships I have made in my early twenties. I want to learn more about how I can show my love and support to Blake as we navigate through this med school/rotation/residency relationship. I see my ideal career over the horizon and I am ready to work for it and achieve it.

The change that is around the corner is actually as exciting as a game day Saturday in Athens, GA among a few of your closest 80,000 or so friends.

I think the best part of this change is that no matter what I am still precious in His sight. That never changes.

I don’t think my parents ever imagined they would be dealing with any disabilities as they head towards the season of retirement. Their accident has left a few scars behind that will require some changes or adaptation to their daily routine. Yet no matter what, my parent’s are still precious in His sight.

Summer may have figuratively ended but with it brings the expectancy of autumn, cooler nights and the brilliant colors of the changing landscape declaring the handy work of God.


Isaiah 43:4a (New International Version)
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,