The Week That Was

The Week that was....I had a horrible experience last week. I visited the not so pleasant "Food Poisoning World". I was out for a week and still recovering.

The Week that was...I was amazed at my teenage children and a little saddened. They really didn't need me. They went to school without me barking out commands. They fed themselves...and with very little prompting cleaned up most of their messes. I always thought I would be happiest when they could "do things on their own", but I was wrong. I missed the football game that week, I missed the argument of "the importance of bedtime". I missed the irritation of seeing a kitchen sink full of dirty dishes. I missed a whole week of being a "mommy".

The Week that was...I sat in my world of sickness and pity, I began to marvel at my family. My sister dropped off supplies, my mother did the laundry, my kids bought the groceries and I sat a watched it happen from the safety of the living room couch.

The Week that was...I was amazed at friends calling just to check up on me and offer their services to me and the kids. I was touched at the emails letting me know someone was praying for me. I welcomed the chicken soup and the jello.

The Week that was...Last week came and went and I figured out that the sun rises every morning and the evening comes whether I was there to enjoy it or not. I figured out all the blessings of family and friends, and how they flourished in my time of need. I figured out God has a way of slowing me down enough so I can see the blessings... and there where many.

The Week that was...Things went on without me and I'm not the center of the universe (although I feel the world would be much better run and that all toilet seats would be down) and I can stop for a few moments (or be stopped) and enjoy being helpless for a week.

The Week that was...Things I never knew I would be thankful for: Charmin toilet tissue with aloe, a garbage can lined with vanilla scented trash bags, orange Gatorade, strawberry jello and regular old Campbell's Chicken noodle soup with the pull tab top. I would have shuffled by all those things in grocery store without a pause. I now see those things as vital necessities when you're sick.

The Week that was...I prayed a lot especially as I sat on the "Throne of sickness" and sang praises in my head. I thank God for teaching me how vulnerable I can be...and that is not a bad thing. I was weak and He was strong. I needed Him to show me the many blessings of sickness and that despite this fallen world I can praise Him in the bad times. I can sing in the horrible times, I can live through anything as long as I have Him by my side.

The Week that was...came and went and I'm thankful, truly thankful for what He has revealed to me, during the week that was, but most grateful "The Week That Was" is over. I look forward to the weeks to come.