A Different View

First let me say that the weather was awful here today. We got the tail end of those terrible storms that made their way across the Southeast last night that left so much destruction in their wake. Because of the weather the debut of our first Ben & Bennie painting will have to wait until tomorrow.

As mentioned last night Ben is definitely feeling rotten. There is no doubt in my mind that he would be in the hospital right now had he not gained so much strength within the past couple of years. Thankfully he has been able to rest comfortably most of the afternoon. It's easy to see how much he wants to have a normal day but the energy is just not there.

Which sort of leads me to some of the thoughts that occurred to me while caring for my son today. Exceptional child or not there are very few things worse than having a sick child and I'm not talking special needs issues, genetic disorders, or anything as critical as those are. I'm talking fever, runny nose, aches, coughing so much they can't sleep, and not even wanting to be touched because they feel so bad. Our family is just like yours in that respect.

Seeing Jessie (obviously now) go through this viral crap last week made a huge impression upon me. It is so unusual for any eleven-year-old to get home from school, lie on the couch, and then sleep for three hours. To see such an energetic child curl into the fetal position at the wrong time certainly makes an impression on a parent's heart.

I know that most of you reading this know exactly what I'm talking about because I've been reading your blogs. Many of you have sick children. Many of you are going through difficult circumstances. Many of you are suffering just like our child.

I can only say that my thoughts turned to the Almighty this afternoon as I thought about these things. All I can say is that I truly believe God loves us more than I could ever love either of my children and that is not easy for me to say. So however you need to do it, I encourage you turn to Him for your comfort and strength as you face your difficult times. Just like Ben you may not want your Father's touch. It hurts but this father understands that Ben will soon reach up for my hugs and caresses.

I'm no spiritual guru or expert. You can easily see that if you peruse the archives here. But I told a dear friend of mine just yesterday that things have been so much better once I quit yelling at God and began trying to listen for a change.