It Could Always Be Worse
“It could always be worse.” This used to be one of Tre’s favorite statements to me. I say “used to” because he doesn’t say it much any more. I’m thankful because I always wanted to smack him hard when he’d say it. Not because I didn’t believe it but because I wasn’t interested in hearing it at the time. When you’re feeling sorry for yourself, you want to be left alone.
As I sat down to write, I realized that it’s been several days since I talked to my younger brother and his wife. I’ve been getting updates on my nephew here and there, but no chats. I’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately with the husband, kids, work and church. The house looks like a tornadic hurricane blew through it. I finally got my hair done, so I look a little less like a corpse. I’ve had short patience for dealing with nonsense. I’m just downright tired of foolishness in every area of my life. In the midst of my frustration, I haven’t been praying as much as I should.
I’ve neglected to send thoughtful texts and pray constantly for the health of my precious nephew. It’s not that I don’t pray for him and his sister and parents, I just think I’ve been too focused on the mayhem in my life right now and have temporarily lost focus of the things that matter the most. After hearing about the past 7 days in my brother’s life, I am reminded that my stress does not begin to compare to what they are dealing with. God has gently reminded me that he is ordering my steps each day and that He will bear my burdens. He is shifting my focus from my situation to that of my nephew. I am thankful for that. Praying for him is a more constructive way to spend my time.
It turns out that Tre was right. Don’t tell him I said so please. It is easy to feel sorry for myself. It is easy to selfishly focus on my stresses and neglect those of others in the process. I don’t want to be selfish any more. Thank you Lord for knocking some sense into me and telling me to get over myself.
3 Comments
My life as a Home Engineer
Sis, Nathan and Peyton couldn't have a better Aunt then he has in you. He's making it. I didn't blog yet but today was a really good day for him, he walked around with a half smile on his face all day and cooperated with everyone, it was kind of cute and silly actually :-).
You'd be so proud of your brother, he's actually handling stress quite well. I'm sure he has his moments by himself but for the most part he's been the rock around here making sure we don't all fall apart and he's doing a good job.
Don't beat yourself up please, whether you text everyday or once a month it doesn't make anyone here doubt your love or concern for Nathan.
You guys are going through a huge transition to, everything from having precious Malena to getting Xavier and Mimi to the places they need to be, to working part time and then being a youth pastor's wife, that's a ton of stuff on your plate and it's all so important too (I hope you're getting rest!) We're going to come to NC when Nathan's treatments are done, I'd love to get with you and Mann and the kids and just have fun, have a cookout and laugh it up!
I'm telling you again, God willing we all make it to 2011, I really want to ring it in with a new perspective, we're going to all come out of this storm soon and then it'll be time to celebrate:-)
We're gonna make it and 20 years from now we're gonna have a ton to look back on and talk about 🙂
Love you lots!!!!
karen
Amen, sister. This really spoke to me. Thanks for your sharing your precious and personal thoughts. Praying for you and your nephew daily.
VinÃcius
I liked the Blog!
http://silly–things.blogspot.com/ comments?
School work!