Lessons From the Easy Chair

Since I spent so much time in the La-Z-Boy the last 7 weeks, I had some time to ponder the deeper things of life. Here, in no particular order, are some of the lessons I have learned...

It is not easy to sit in the easy chair when life needs to be lived.

The 1st day, I thought, "Oh, my family is really going to appreciate all I do after this. I'll just consider this to be much-needed rest." Then the reality of what I couldn't do set in. The more I couldn't do, the crazier it drove me. It's just not right for Mom to be on the sidelines.

Choose your husband carefully.

I have always been so thankful for my faithful, hard-working husband, but about 3 weeks into our crisis, I began to really appreciate those traditional wedding vows we exchanged. "... for better or WORSE, for richer or poorer, in SICKNESS and in health...." I'm so glad he took those words seriously.

Choose your church carefully.

Make sure the church you belong to acts like Jesus. I'm talking about sacrificial love. We had meals 3 times a week for 6 weeks. We were prayed for. We got phone calls, visits, cards, and offers of help from so many people, it was overwhelming.

I am not lazy. However, I am not and have not been a good manager of my home.

My house is always a wreck. It's never clean and the work is never done. I used to think I must be lazy because I don't get it all done. Other people seem to get things cleaned up and in order. Now I realize that other people make their kids do a lot more on a regular basis. I really wish I had taught my kids at a younger age to help out more. I really hate to order people around or tell people what to do. I'm not a good manager. But I am now working on it.

Crutches hurt.

Really hurt. In the armpits. I am much more sympathetic to crutch-walkers now.

If you can carry things from one room to another, count that as a blessing.

Sugar has a pretty high tolerance for pain. She's tougher than I gave her credit for.

God is awake and answering prayer at 2:00 in the morning. AMEN!

It takes skill to walk with crutches while dragging along an IV pole after surgery. I've got skills. :-)

Those little motorized wheelchairs at Target are pretty cool.

TE is an excellent chauffeur and is a very fine helper at the store.

Sunshine has a servant's heart. He is the first to jump up to help when I call.

Sugar is sympathetic and a great zookeeper. She picked up the slack and takes care of the pets without complaint.

Cupcake is a natural nurturer. She really knows how to take care of people.

Gallbladder surgery can be a "piece of cake" or "incredibly painful" - depending on who you talk to. (My experience was closer to "incredibly painful".)

His strength is made perfect in my weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

I know this. I have known this. But, recently, I lived this. Being absolutely powerless, having no control over circumstances is humbling. I am not as self-sufficient as I like to think I am. To see His hand move. To see God orchestrate His people to be there, to help at just the right time. If everything just keeps on moving smoothly, you never get to see His glory. It's most clear when you are at the end of yourself. God is big enough and strong enough to take care of me and my whole household - even if I can't do anything to help Him.

Blessings to you,
Mamita