The Plaster Lessons

At the age of 33, I never imagined I would have a cast. When the metal window screen fell on my right hand, I didn't know the damage that had been caused until 2 days later when the pain became incredibly uncomfortable. As the doctor, Dr. Jean Baptiste, applied my plaster cast, I had many thoughts about life with my right hand being impaired. Simple daily tasks took some time to relearn and my frustration level was well beyond maximum capacity.
When we arrived home from the capital city, I quickly realized that I needed to be spending more time with the Lord during this season in order that I may be patient with my family and truly use this time to learn the lessons that the Lord wanted to teach me. Satan wanted more than anything for my frustrations with myself to cause strife within my family. The Lord wanted the complete opposite. I stood over a full sink of dishes unable to wash them and I prayed that the Lord would teach me. I found myself pacing circles in the house looking for things that I could do. I failed to find many. My calling to this family includes: dishes, cooking, cleaning, laundry, and pulling hair into ponytails. These normal daily tasks are difficult if not impossible right now. So instead of getting mad, I have learned to sit. To let go. To let my kids serve and help out. Kendall has been and always is such an amazing help in all areas of the home, sometimes better than me and his help is invaluable. But I have seen how much our kids love to help and serve! The girls have helped in the kitchen A LOT. Easton loves to do dishes. They all do an excellent job folding clothes! The prized job though is opening jars for Mama! Lily helped me wash my hair when I was still learning the "ropes" of this new addition. I have found myself more calm, willing to listen, slower, and soaking up the little blessings of seeing my kids grow up as they learn to use a can opener and use a measuring cup!

In life we have difficulties, but as we grow in our walk with the Lord, we should use those times to say, 'Ok Lord, what do you want to teach me? How can I grow? And may this time be a sweet time in my relationship with you.' The Lord always wants to teach us something, but sometimes He has to make us a little uncomfortable and slow us down a little to teach us! We know that "all things work together for good for those who love Him" (Romans 8:28).