Years ago when the Lone Ranger & I began to talk about having children, we ascertained that for us, well girls were just out of the question. High maintenanced, dramatic, emotional, flighty...who would want to deal with all of that!? The Lone Ranger works with the family business (a farm that's existed since the Revolutionary War) so of course we would have sons who would one day take it over. Oh yes, we would have boys. Four strong, sturdy, rough & tumble, rambunctious boys. For one brief moment it occurred to us that we just might have a daughter, so we quickly set a proviso...just in case such a calamity occurred. We wanted 4 children, but if we happened to have daughters...well considering a girl's flair for dramatics...each daughter would count as 2 children. Those of you familiar with this blog know how all of those grandiose plans turned out, but for those of you reading for the first time take a look to the right side of this page. That's right, so much for sons! The Lone Ranger & I were blessed with 3 precious, beautiful, sweet, & yes dramatic daughters! Hence the reason I refer to my husband as the Lone Ranger. Our darlings have been our pride & joy from the moment they've arrived, & to tell you the truth if we had another child...well, we'd both say we wouldn't mind another little lady. (That was not an announcement of an impending addition) When we discovered that our first child was a daughter, well we were stupefied for a bit, but after recovering from the shock we began plotting plans for parenting. Two more girls made their way into our hearts & home & suddenly we were the parents of 3 darlings. I've always had a little trouble with jealousy, but I never fathomed who my rivals would truly be! The term "Daddy's Girl" is quite the understatement in our home. Needless to say that it is quite a daunting task my husband faces...to woo 4 women each & every day. One thing that we learned very quickly was that little girls are truly women in tiny bodies.
It will come as no surprise that with all of the estrogen in the air & the demand for our Prince Charming, that mommy seldom has him all to herself. In a wonderful turn of events, my mother-in-love suggested to the Lone Ranger that she keep the girls so that we might go to the movies. Let me tell you that in our home we get to watch precious little if it's not animated or princess related. I was ecstatic. I'd been secretly pining to see Les Mis, & we also happened to have a gift card to the theater (we've been hoarding it for nearly a year) so our date would be virtually free! All day I planned my outfit & anticipated the evening ahead...I was plum giddy! The Lone Ranger came home early, & off we went. We grabbed a quick bite to eat at our favorite date night spot (Sonic, not even joking), & headed to the movies. We bought our favorite candy & headed to the ticket counter. "2 for Les Mis, please" we sang out, grinning at each other as we handed over our treasured gift card. The worker swiped the card, told us which theater the movie would be in, & told us what time the movie began. That little tidbit was what brought our movie night to a screeching halt. It was 6:30...she said the movie didn't begin until 8:00. It was a 3 hour movie...on a Thursday evening...We back pedaled & asked her to repeat the start time. Our grins disappeared as we looked at one another. There was no way we could stay out that late. Our darlings would need to get to bed, there was work in the morning...the worker kindly replaced the money to our card, & we dejectedly walked out of the theater. We maintained composure until we were back in the car, but then we erupted. "What in the world were they thinking?!", "Who goes to a 3 hour movie at 8:00 on a weeknight?!"...well you can imagine. A few minutes later, tempers beginning to wane, silence ensued. Frustrated & disappointed, we did the only thing we could do...we ripped open our candy & began to devour it. It wasn't long until our ire wore off, & we realized that despite not getting to see Les Mis, we were still on a date. We meandered our way home, put on our pjs, cuddled up on the couch, watched The Cosby Show, & finished up what remained of our movie candy. By the time the darlings came home, we were relaxed, refreshed, & more in love than ever. It was the kind of scenario that results in cutesy sayings. "Make Lemonade out of Lemons", "Blessing in Disguise", & so on. My daddy says, "The only difference between a good day & a bad day is your attitude."
I'd be lying if I said I didn't find such adages mildly annoying, but the truth is that they are right. Our lives will hold countless ups & downs. We'll endure many trials & tribulations. We will suffer through rough times, some of our own making & some not. Regardless of how good or righteous we are that is our lot, & we can do little else but walk through those times as gracefully as possible...but we can, we truly can, determine the way in which we respond to unpleasant events. We can make lemonade out of lemons. We can decide to see blessings rather than curses. We can make any day a good day. The story I shared, & the frustration it evoked is nothing compared to the inconceivable pains & losses people endure. People endure illness, suffer sorrows, & walk through very troubling obstacles...but even in those dire moments we can choose to walk with grace...to walk in grace...to respond in a way that glorifies Abba. My heart breaks for those who are suffering even at this very moment, but my hope is to encourage...for you to know that you are not alone. You have a Father who loves you, who wants to carry you through these times, who wants to be your strength in the midst of weakness....that is powerful. When I was younger & bemoaning the countless injustices all teenagers face, my parents would often say, "Remember there is always some one, somewhere, whose troubles are far worse than yours." I didn't want to hear that of course, but it did cause me to put my woes into perspective. So often we are brought down & hung up by troubles that truly do not merit such angst. If we curse every mishap, bemoan every 'bad day'...well we'd seldom see any reason for joy. We have the ability to be positive & optimistic. We have the capacity for making lemonade out of lemons. Les Miserables can certainly be an accurate description if we do not see the blessings in disguise...if we become wall flowers in our own pity parties. The other night was a reminder to me of how supremely blessed I am...movie night or not. Les Mis or the Cosby show. Stylish outfit or fleece pajamas. That night was a chance to reconnect with my beloved...to be the center of his attention...to rejuvenate...it was a blessing...& in hindsight it was even better than if we had gotten to see that movie.
May Abba bless you...may He provide you the strength & insight to make Lemonade, to count blessings, & to change your attitude (if needed). :o) Be Blessed!
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