Friday, April 29, 2011

A Matter of Perspective - Take 2

We have been home just a few days more than a month and LOTS of things have changed.  But the thing that has changed more than anything, is my perspective...on EVERYTHING!

Let me explain...

Instead of becoming frustrated that I have been interrupted countless times and have heard, "Mummy" 236 times already and it still isn't 11 am, I am rejoicing that I have children that want to come to me and are not running away. 

When I've been asked for the 150th time that day, "Mummy, pick up me please" ... or "Mummy, hold me please," I rejoice that they want my arms wrapped around their little bodies and they want their head curled up on my shoulder.  It's easier to ignore the hurting hip, sore lower back and arm that has gone numb when you're busy praising the LORD for the children He gave you.

When we hit day 9 of sickness, I am grateful that I am a stay at home mom and I'm not having to call into work for sick kids.  And I'm grateful that my kids are creative...
This was day 5 of Tent City.  Inside there were actual rooms and tunnels - very cool.

When I look at the laundry and the dirty dishes and know there is no way I will catch up...yet again.  I sing this little song...

Thank God for dirty dishes;
They have a tale to tell.
While others may go hungry,
We're eating very well
With home, health, and happiness,
I shouldn't want to fuss;
By the stack of evidence,
God's been very good to us.

Rather than stressing that there is blood all over the floor and the ER is going to cost us a small fortune, I am praising the LORD for insurance and wood floors, which are easy to clean.


When we have a second trip to the ER, for a different child, I again praise the LORD for tile floors, which are also easy to clean blood off of.  And instead of sulking that it ruined a fellowship night we desperately needed, I praise God that because we were with our fellowship team, we had friends that were not only available, but that we trusted to watch our other 3 so Brian and I could go together. 


And instead of becoming offended at comments and hateful looks from another human being, I simply smile at them and thank God that he brought me one more person to pray for.

When my heart breaks for the umpteenth time for Ruth, I weep tears of joy that she trusts and loves me enough to open up.

When I become overwhelmed and am hanging on by a thread, I am so grateful that I have a Savior whose arms I can run into.  Who wipes away my tears and fills my heart with all the Grace and the Patience I need to make it through another day.

Oh, and I've totally had to let go of the expectation that car rides will be quiet, for I have a constant cheering section EVERY SINGLE TIME I get in the car.  If I'm coming up next to a car, I hear, "You can do it Mum!  You can do it!  GO MUM GO!!"  And when I pass the car, I hear, "YEAH!!  I knew you could do it!"  And this happens with every single car we pass.  Heaven forbid if I let a car pass me, you would think I just lost a gold medal.   I keep thinking it will subside, but not only has it not, it has taken on a life of it's own and gotten all the kids involved.  Oh, and green lights. I think the kids live to yell, "It's Green Mum!  GO!"  I will never miss another another green light again! :)

Isaiah just started school.  Here he is on his first day, wearing what now has become his favorite shirt...

Because I posted a pic of Isaiah, here is a picture of Ruth. 

"Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."  Psalms 25:5

"That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe."  1 Timothy 4:10

6 comments:

  1. Jennifer - Your post brought tears to my eyes - in a good way...but with what we face now in our family, the word perspective could not be more appropriate...and your perspective on recent events in your life. I have been blessed by reading this today and pray for a heart like yours.

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  2. This is beautiful Jennifer, and tears were running down my face as I read it! I'm so thankful for your posts from a perspective that all of us soon to be adoptive parents can relate to. Adoption truly is a blessing from God, and I hope my experiences with Destiny are half as beautiful as those you're having with all four of your wonderful children!

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  3. So Awesome!! Thanks for sharing your heart!

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  4. And in the end, Jennifer, your focus is always on the Lord! Staying deep in the Word is so comforting; so glad you are pressing on and sharing your stories...funny how God challenges us to bring us even closer to Him! Praying for you...

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  5. (It's Jennifer, not Lee) Love it! I need to write your little dirty dishes chant on the wall! EVERY single morning on the way to school growing up we would sing "we're winning the race, we're winning the race" over and over. I'm sure it drove my dad crazy, but I don't remember him telling us so. Plan on the girls and I driving to SA for the day sometime this summer...

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  6. What a beautiful post Jennifer! Thank you for all the reminders of what we should be thankful for instead of frustrated in. :)

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