.png)
CONNECTING THE DOTS
Erin Outcalt
By ERIN OUTCALT
mcp blogger
Recently my home was invaded by the nastiest of all nasty bugs, the flu bug. It always amazes me how we can be simply going about our daily routines and enjoying life when something so microscopic as one mean little flu bug can turn our world topsy turvy in a matter of minutes.
All three of our kids came down with one version or another of the flu. I believe that bug hung around the house lurking in corners waiting to strike its next victim. Bleach and hand sanitizer became my new super weapons and I used them liberally.
As a parent you never want your children to have to suffer through illnesses or injuries. You can do all the right things to help keep them healthy but when that flu bug bites there’s not much you can do but let it runs its evil course, and pray you don’t get sick as well! All of you mom’s out there know what I mean by that. It’s terrible to have sick children but to add a sick mom on top of it is catastrophic. It’s not that father’s aren’t capable of making dinner or throwing in a load of laundry to help keep things as normal as possible it is just that they are not programmed with that “motherly touch”. Even my husband will tell you, “When Mama’s not happy ain’t nobody happy.” I’ve found this profoundly true statement covers many situations of family life including illness.
Thankfully I had managed to dodge the bite of the nasty flu bug over that three week period or so I thought. The night before my birthday I woke up to those dreaded flu like feelings. There was no way I was going to be sick! Not for my birthday! My husband and I had planned a rare date night together which I was anxiously looking forward to and was determined would happen.
I spent several hours praying and asking for God to heal me. I battled my mind which kept telling me I was surely sick and should prepare myself to be miserable for the next several days. By the grace of God I never did get sick. I went back to bed later than night and was fine never having come down with the flu.
I think that it is fair to say that we take good health for granted until we are sick. After this battle with the flu bug in our home I really began to think about how thankful I am that we are healthy. Many people fight against illness and disease on a daily basis to an extent which I cannot even begin to comprehend. My heart aches for the struggles they battle through in search of regaining that feeling of normalcy that I take for granted.
There is a quote that I have heard and seen across many different social media sites that has really made me think. It asks, “What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?” When pondering this question about my own life I was very startled to think of how very little I would wake up to in the morning. I felt almost as a spoiled child who is always wanting more but never realizing how much they already have to be thankful for. Shame on me.
As I step forward into a new week ahead of me I purposefully step forward into a renewed sense of gratitude. I am inspired to name my blessings and be grateful for each and every one of them. I am certain that if I were to make a list of things I have and a list of things I need that the list with the needs would be very short in comparison. And for that I am thankful!
“People who live the most fulfilling lives are the ones who are always rejoicing at what they have.”
— Richard Carlson
.jpg)
