Suffering

Tomorrow will be three weeks since Mackenzie wrapped her arms around her tummy and told me that she was in pain. It's been a long three weeks, but she's finally starting to feel better. Not "all better", but we'll take what we can get. Apparently, she has a virus (although it seems more like the plague!), and it's taking time for her body to get rid of it and recover. She usually wakes up with some pain, is able to play off and on throughout the day, then ends up having more pain again in the evenings. Some days are better than others. Some moments are better than others.

But God is always good. He has never failed to provide the grace I've needed, even in those moments when I've felt tired and overwhelmed. Especially in those moments.

God is working....more slowly than we would like....but in His good and perfect timing! Thank you for praying for my girl!

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"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

 

Today marks two weeks of Mackenzie being sick. She is slowly improving, but still has pain and isn't "back to normal" yet. Two weeks is a long time when there's a lot of sickness and not a lot of answers. But God, in His grace, is providing plenty of room for growth.

As emotions around here are beginning to run thin, I am reminded of my humility. I don't mean that I'm reminded of my humble heart. I'm afraid that "prideful" is a better word to use when talking about my heart. I mean that I am reminded of my weakness, my need, my humble condition.

As moms, it's easy for us to think that we can hold everything together. That's our job, right? But then something happens that shows us how incapable we are on our own. The baby decides to go through the "terrible two's" a couple of months early. The car breaks down the same week that the savings account runs out of funds. One of the kids gets sick and just isn't getting better.

These trials are painful blessings. Some situations leave us so helpless that we have no other choice but to turn to the cross and the grace that is offered there. We will all endure struggles on this earth. Your problems are different than mine. Your difficulties may seem to pale in comparison to mine. Or, mine may be just a drop in the bucket compared to what you're going through right now. Yet, the gospel is sufficient for us all.

Today, my greatest struggle is against my own sinfulness. My patience is low and my frustrations are high. I have continually needed to flee from sin.....and to run to the cross. But that's exactly where I should be all the time. I am always helpless to be good, to be righteous, to be kind. On my best days and on my worst days, I am still the same. I am a human, born in sin and in desperate need of a Savior.

 

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved..." (Ephesians 2:4)

 

So, today, I must thank Jesus for the cross that saved me, the grace that sustains me, and the trials that drive me to Him once again.

You may want to read more on how the gospel relates to homemaking or on dealing with a difficult day (that's where I'm headed right now!).

 

Photo credit: tribalslamdance


The past ten days are a bit of a blur for me. About a week and a half ago, my daughter began complaining of abdominal pain. By the next night, I had her in the emergency room. After six hours, we were told it was a virus and sent home. We were back at the doctor's office twice this week, and on Friday we took a drive to our local Children's Hospital for more tests. She's still sick, and I'm still waiting to find out about the tests she just had done. Needless to say, these few days have been rather stressful. But God, the Great Physician, is in control, and He knows what's going on in her little body. Hopefully, tomorrow morning I'll know a little more, too!

Most of my days have felt scattered and unfocused, but since we all need to eat, taking a break from menu planning isn't an option. I decided that for this week, I'll just make a rough list of the meals I can put together from what we have in the house, with just a few small additions from the grocery. Thankfully, I think I have enough on hand to make it through this week without too much trouble.

Um, speaking of "trouble".....did I mention that my computer completely died on Friday? I'm using my dad's for a couple of days (thanks, Dad!). When it rains......

Here's this week's menu plan:

Breakfasts around our house tend to be a fend-for-yourself affair. I try to keep a wide enough selection of items on hand that the kids can either fix for themselves or can fix with minimal help. Also, since my husband works a job with odd hours, every meal is not a "family meal". When Dad is at work, I try to keep things simple to save time and my sanity (well, whatever sanity I have left by dinner time.). I have marked our "family meals" with an asterisk (*).

BREAKFASTS
Leftover pancakes
Homemade granola
Homemade muffins
Cereal
Oatmeal
Eggs
Bread
Toast
Yogurt
Fruit

MEAL IDEAS
Spaghetti with garlic and olive oil
Pot roast
Hard shell tacos
Pork soft tacos
Steak
Hot dogs
Beans and rice
Nachos
Sausage and biscuits
Omelets
Grilled cheese
Wraps

Be sure to check out more menu ideas over at Menu Plan Monday.