Today

Oh, today.  It was busy.  And frustrating.  And enlightening.  And awesome.

We started off the morning buzzing around in a flurry because Luke had another no good, really bad, terrible night (another post, another day) and we were slow to get started.  We didn’t get lunches packed last night, nor did we have breakfast ready – those always make for stressful mornings.  I got the girls to school (barely), jetted down to Dell Children’s for two doctor’s visits and somewhere around noon I caught my breath.  I worked feverishly this afternoon to finish client work while the girls and Luke napped, then it was school pickup time, dinner prep time, late afternoon nap for Luke time and Scott arrived home just in time for dinner.

In all the flurry, I took about a half hour to nurse Luke before bed.

And that’s when I heard God’s voice.

Well, technically I heard it at these times, too:

– When I yelled at the too-slow driver on Toll 45 as I was trying to get to school on time.  Slow down, Kathryn.  It’s just pre-school.

– When I dropped the girls off, the sweet director met me at the car knowing I needed to get Luke to his doctor’s appointments.  Be thankful for gracious and genuine people who care for your children.

– During the scalp needle stick to draw yet more blood from Luke.  His crying is only temporary…this procedure will give you answers.  Be patient.

– At the checkout desk, as I listened to a sweet 6-year-old cancer patient sweetly tell her nurse, “Don’t you love my new knit hat?  It’s so soft!”  There are other moms who suffer as they nurture and love their children through trials.  Be thankful for your cross, never curse it.  It is what makes you, YOU.

– As I visited with a sweet friend who’s moving 2,000 miles away next week.  Enjoy your friends.  Time with them is precious.

– At the dinner table.  Take a good look around, Kathryn, these small people won’t be small forever.  It’s ok if there are crumbs on the floor, spilt milk on the table and people yelling they want seconds.  You live in abundance while others have nothing.

– Reading the blog of a dear friend who shared a difficult conversation with her child.  There are many women of great faith in this world…draw strength and inspiration from them.

And, yes, tonight as I nursed Luke I thought about how much more I’ve prayed in the last 11 months.  I thought about how much I love my children and my husband.  How suffering really does bring you closer to Christ.  And how much I am in love with my Creator.

So, the Bible reflection didn’t happen, the “set aside a big chunk of time” to pray didn’t happen…but I did hear God in so many moments throughout the day.  I suspect we all do.  It’s just hard to take the time to actually listen.  Sometimes I feel like “life” just gets in the way.  Today, for some reason, I heard.  Even if tomorrow is equally nutty and I do it on 3 hours of sleep, I hope it’s just like today.  I pray I take time to listen in the small moments.