Providence

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty."
~Psalm 91:1

It's time for less storytelling, and more of a personal post.

Since Aaron's birthday, I've come up against several challenges. Kaleb's friend from school was struck by a car. His life was spared, thank God, but there's a long recovery ahead of him. Kaleb, being tenderhearted and taking on others' pain, has been waking up in the middle of the night ever since the accident. He crawls into our bed and I just don't have the energy to make him go back to his bed. His interrupted sleep (and mine) is taking it's toll on all of us. He also has an ailment right now that is too personal to disclose online. Let's just say it's adding to the problems he already has. We visited his friend in the hospital, hoping it would help him to see his buddy, and vice-versa. The poor boy was so tired, and was in severe pain while we were up there. The visit only added to Kaleb's tears and fears for his friend. Thankfully, I'm beginning to see some progress in Kaleb's demeanor. He still wakes up at night, but during the day he is back to his happy-go-lucky self. Hopefully now that his friend is home from the hospital, I can get the two of them together to play some video games or something.

Aaron woke up not feeling well yesterday, and I nursed him along with Tylenol and Dimetapp. Today it was obvious to me that he needed more than that. We went to the clinic and found out he has strep throat. The doctor looked at his chart and told us he had strep throat on April 19th last year. At least he's consistent! Thanks to a shot of Bicillin, he should be feeling better by noon today.

Ginger spent all day yesterday eating grass and puking, leaving me a huge mess to clean up inside her doghouse. Lovely. At least it wasn't inside my house. Still, after all the piles she left in the yard, did she have to do it inside her house? Like Aaron, she seems to be doing better today. Plain yogurt works wonders for her digestive troubles.

Braylen, the one I never have to help with homework and reading goals, brought home some mid-quarter grades that leave me saying, "What's going on here??!!!" Homework grades are slipping, project grades are slipping...I know this is just 4th grade. But still. Derek and I need to sit down with him and figure out why he's struggling. Is it just plain end-of-the-school year-laziness? Or is he having trouble? Agghh. If life would slow down enough for us to talk with him about it, maybe we could make some progress on this.

I've been asked to be on a board of directors for an organization near and dear to me, and my first meeting was yesterday. I'm extremely blessed by this, and looking forward to what God has in store for me there. He is definitely at work in this place, and it's obvious that the enemy doesn't like that one bit. Personally, I feel like satan is stirring up "issues" with my kids, even my dog for crying out loud, in every effort to discourage me from taking on this new role. Doubts enter my mind--does this take me away from my family too much? Am I qualified for this? I'm also pouring much of myself into a friend's life right now, coming alongside her as she adjusts to some changes in her life that I can relate to extremely well. But it's draining. I feel poured out, dried up, and just plain weary.

So as I carry all of these things on my plate, I finished my Beth Moore Esther Study yesterday with my wonderful Bible Study friends. Aaron's illness almost kept me from attending, but Grandpa pulled through for me and watched him so I could go. One of the lessons this week was on providence, which struck a chord with me. Quoting Beth Moore, "Ephesians 1:11 tells us God's providence is at work universally, Philippians 2:13 tells us God's providence is at work personally, and Romans 8:28 tells us God's providence is at work beneficially...and not just for Him, but mercifully for us too. Providence cancels out every coincidence."

I needed to be reminded that I am not in control, yet I'm not spiraling out of control either. To quote Beth again, "God knows. God sees. God acts." I can rest in the shadow of the Almighty, taking comfort that He will go before me and shelter me in His shadow. I see some changes coming up in my life as my kids grow and God "grows" me. I guess that means He's not finished with me yet. :)