Days 31 & 32: Sickness

So, I am know I am a bit behind on my blogging. Sorry for that. I was joking yesterday with a friend that some of you would start sending me hate mail because I wasn't keeping up on things. LOL! Up until now, we have had 3 sick kids and a teething baby. Just when we thought we were on the mend, the baby is now sick and the boys all have coughs again. As these things usually go, they just end up passing it around the loop again. We are praying that isn't the case and that they can finally get well sooner than later.

Jason has avoided getting sick so far and although I have felt a few symptoms, I have avoided getting the full blown stuff the kids have gotten. Jason said if I don't get it - it would truly be a miracle. Let's pray for a miracle.

I am grateful for being able to feel better right now and have the energy to take care of my children. This is something I no longer take for granted. I love being able to be there for them, even to wipe their little noses. My baby girl has fallen asleep in my arms several times and I just can't put her down. I find myself sitting there staring at her with awe and wonder. God is so good. Of course, I haven't been getting everything done that I need to get done (hence the reason I am behind on my  blogging) but that is okay. I feel like we are constantly watching the clock, constantly making check lists and when we get the first list done it is time to make the next check list. I have clearly realized that I don't want to live like that. I know we all have responsibilities but isn't our first responsibility to God. When I think of how many times I have shoved Him to the side or worse yet, I didn't acknowledge Him at all, because of some check list, it really sickens me.

I knew this journey would change me from the first moment I heard the word "cancer" uttered. But why does it have to take something life threatening to change us? I have heard so many people ask why this has had to happen to us and I can honestly say that I can't tell you why, only God can. But perhaps He was wanting me to move away from the "checklist" and closer to Him. Maybe He knew I needed to give myself permission to just sit and hold my baby girl and not worry about the thousand things I need to get done that day. I have found going through this that there is a whole new simplicity to life. I read and hear all the time that we need to rejoice in all the things that God has given us and I couldn't agree more. But how about the most basic one, how about life? How about each breath? Each heartbeat? How about the fact that we were even born?

There are so many bad things happening in the world right now, people really struggling, and sometimes it is hard to be thankful for our lives in those situations but I know if God wouldn't have given me life the world wouldn't be as good as it is now. I know this because I can look at my children and see it. I see the goodness He has put in each of their little hearts. I hear their love for God as they pray their little prayers that only make sense to God's ears. I feel it each time they give me a hug or fall asleep in my arms. I know it when I look at them as see the reflection of Christ.

So now I have a new checklist and there really is only one thing on it. Here it is below:

Andrea's Checklist

1.) Serve God today. 

That is my checklist and in all that I do or say, if it serves God, then I know I am okay. This can't be predetermined as God will present different assignments to me throughout the day. My job is to make the most of these assignments (even if it is wiping noses) and....you guessed it....serve God. 

 But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” ~ Joshua 22:5

I just marvel in how God works. We I started writing, I just thought I would be writing about how my kids have been sick.....