Oh the Joy

Loved Ones,

We've had contagious illness after contagious illness, rounds of antibiotics and other medicines, strep, coughs, colds, strep, strep. We keep catching things over again and so I am constantly disinfecting. So in addition to doctors and medicines, sleepless nights and humidifiers, I am buried in a mountain of laundry and an avalanche of cleaning.

Almost anyone who has ever met me or been in my house will vouch for me that these are not my strong suits. A speech to write, a game to coach, a class to teach, a meal to cook, ANYTHING but cleaning and laundry.

I am a slave to the washing machine, changing out each bed each night, washing every item of clothing over and over.

And here's what I have to say:

Oh the joy to be a slave!

I wish you could hear me say it to know that I am 1000 percent serious. Oh the joy to only have to worry about tedious tasks. I will take this mountain and this avalanche over any I have already climbed.

I am so grateful for the laundry and the cleaning and the packing of lunches and the driving.

Oh to have the only tiredness I face be that from climbing the stairs over and over, the worry over only the amount of hot water I've used.

I know how blessed I am to face only this. To have food on the table and clothes to wash and fold. To have an illness that can be cured by a round of antibiotics.

Having been to that other mountain, it is a constant struggle for me to not fear it's return. And thus I am grateful for strep. I am grateful for laundry. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be the handmaid for my beautiful and precious girls.

not alone and not afraid --

kristin

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:6-7