TCBC Family and Friends,
Last Wednesday night, I was looking forward to a peaceful evening with my friends on my last night in Maine. I put my youngest two down for bed and said, “I think they are so tired from swimming today they will actually fall asleep without me tonight.” That is when I heard the telltale clunk clunk clunk of a child ascending the basement steps. I took a deep breath as the door opened and said in as patient a voice as I could muster, “what’s wrong?” The reply came urgently, “Killian threw up.”
I think I blinked slowly a couple times before I hurried down the steps. Killian had thrown up, but thankfully it wasn’t much and clean up took only a couple minutes. “Perhaps he just swallowed too much pond water or was getting overwhelmed by so much travel and activities” I hoped as I grabbed a bucket and laid down with the littles in the basement just in case. I was getting comfortable when the clunk clunk clunk interrupted my reverie as a traumatized child careened around the corner. I opened my arms and they ran into them as I asked, “What’s wrong?” Between sobs they replied, “They [a sibling who will remain nameless] were being mean to me”. As I held them close rubbing their back, a most unwelcome sound erupted behind me. I turned around and gazed in wonder at how so much could come out of one so little.
“Don’t move … just don’t move.” Turning back around I was thankful to see the sobs from my other child turn into a look of shock, “I can’t deal with the fight right now.”, I said. “Bring all your siblings downstairs so we don’t spread whatever we have if we can help it.” He quickly retreated up the steps as I surveyed the damage and tried to wrap my mind around what to do next. Over the next half hour, I steadily cleaned the mess as the kids kicked into gear and rearranged our bedding. We were all tucked in before 11PM and I was thankful no one else got sick though I was apprehensive about what the next day would hold.
By the time morning came, I had made a decision, rather than stop at a relative’s house in Poughkeepsie, NY six hours away, we were going to try and make it home before anyone else got sick. The trip home took over 13 hours including a few interruptions along the way. It was exhausting, frustrating and gross at times, and I find myself thankful and immeasurably blessed.
Last week Chet preached on what it means to be blessed and reminded us to not miss the blessings we have to be thankful for each and every moment of the day. We can often allow the struggles and hardships of life to consume our thoughts and control our tongue. God has a different plan for us. He tells us to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18) Our faith and relationship with God impacts our attitude more than our circumstances. I don’t always respond well to frustrating and difficult situations. Sometimes I find myself fuming or in tears, I am so thankful when I rely on God and He strengthens me with a grateful spirit, peaceful mind, and content heart. I pray that God will give you the same peace and thankfulness as you rely on Him through whatever circumstances you are in today.
For His glory,
Pastor TJ
Cell: 410-303-5190