Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Thanks to Susan, for the food for thought...
My sister in law's knees must be wearing out this month. First, she held us up during my hospitalization; now her father is in the hospital recovering from bypass surgery. We're praying for him (and the entire family) here in Arizona...would you lift him up, too?
Today, she offered an insightful post about "normal" in light of a major life change. It really hit home.
When I first got sick, my first thought was that above all I wanted to keep things "normal" for my family for as long as possible. That lasted all of two days until I went into the hospital. There was no way that their "normal" Mommy (you know, the one who keeps close tabs on and coordinates ALL of their schedules while maintaining order on the home and school fronts) could continue a "normal" schedule.
To quote my mom, "Sweetheart, (your husband), (stepdad), and I are all juggling and WE can't get it all done.
Needless to say, with mom and stepdad home and husband back to work, things are not "normal" for us. But we have begun to develop a new, different normal...and it's bearing some very sweet fruit. With the future looming uncertain for us (Chemo? Radiation? A new job for my husband out of state?), it's highly probable that normal will continue to change for quite a while.
And like, Susan said, that's perfectly okay.
Today, she offered an insightful post about "normal" in light of a major life change. It really hit home.
When I first got sick, my first thought was that above all I wanted to keep things "normal" for my family for as long as possible. That lasted all of two days until I went into the hospital. There was no way that their "normal" Mommy (you know, the one who keeps close tabs on and coordinates ALL of their schedules while maintaining order on the home and school fronts) could continue a "normal" schedule.
To quote my mom, "Sweetheart, (your husband), (stepdad), and I are all juggling and WE can't get it all done.
Needless to say, with mom and stepdad home and husband back to work, things are not "normal" for us. But we have begun to develop a new, different normal...and it's bearing some very sweet fruit. With the future looming uncertain for us (Chemo? Radiation? A new job for my husband out of state?), it's highly probable that normal will continue to change for quite a while.
And like, Susan said, that's perfectly okay.
Name:
6 Comments:
Heather:
May you continue to rest while "normal" recreates itself at your house and in your life. Perspective is everything, isn't it??
Susan
Dear Girl Kid (you'll understand this term later) of mine:
Some Thoughts from Dad about Normal
Control is an illusion.
I can do all things through Christ which (or who -- depends upon translation -- both work) strengthens me.
We must pick up our cross daily and follow Him.
According to God's Word, we have no problems or struggles that others do not have. (I think the "particulars" change.)
There's a Biblical process for developing perseverence.
This world is not our home (that's on a tie Mom bought me).
Count it ALL joy when you face trials for many kinds.
Not my will but His be done.
Maybe what we go through is "normal" for a pagan world -- maybe it is "normal" to have to walk our journey on the straight and narrow even when that path is not level but is rocky, hilly, with blind turns, switch-backs, wash-outs, and detours. Maybe that is 'normal' for God's plan to work.
I know I don't like "normal" when myh wife, boy kids, girl kids (my sweet DsIL), grandkids and our/their extended families hurt.
I know I don't like "normal" when I hear much of the news and read too much of the newspaper or watch Dateline NBC and see sexual predators get caught on camera.
Yet, "normal" is great when I can spend time with my wife, my boy kids, my girl kids, my grandkids, and do ministry in a variety of ways.
Maybe satan uses "normal" to drive us away from God by making us discontented. Maybe "I have come to give you life and give it in abundance" [Jesus] is the "normal" God wants us to see.
I don't know.
But -- this is another day with more opportunities to minister to family, friends, and strangers. That is a good normal for me.
Love,
Dad
I have come to the conclusion that there is no 'normal.' We adapt to whatever life is throwing our way and adjust/monitor our 'normalcy' to that curve ball.
You're doing a great job - you're in my prayers.
Take care
I agree with the artist: normal changes on a daily basis, and we adapt as needed. My life certainly can't be considered "normal", but I like it pretty well most of the time and that's what matters. It will take some time for you and your family to adjust to the things that have (and will continue to) come your way, but you will all do just fine and you will all be better, stronger people for the experiences. In the meantime: keep smiling, keep writing and keep loving.
My prayer for you is that it will continue to be "normal" for you to talk through your struggles, for you to praise God in them, for your friends to love you and support you.... :-)
The other stuff??? It will all work out over time and God will give you the grace you need for each moment.
You are so loved!
Laurie
As Megan often says, "normal is just a setting on the washing machine".
Love you!
J
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