The most unlike places using the most unlikely folks

Amazed how there are times God can bless us in the most unlikely places using the most unlikely folks. 

Tonight I walked wearily into the pharmacy to get a med and drop off some others to be filled.  Believe it or not, we spend a lot of time and money at the pharmacy.  The ups and downs and "chronic" part of chronic illness does that.  At checkout, "It says the pharmacist needs to speak with you...." was what I heard the pharm tech say.

Thinking to myself that this was a waste of his and my time, that this med has been in our house for 11 years now, and please, just let me get on with my evening errands, I saw a very experienced pharmacist come to the counter.  A sweet, gentle man that has helped me before.

He looks over the med, and says something about how he guesses we are pretty used to this and what a potent med it is.

"Yes sir, he's been on it 11 years."

He went over his list of side effects and precautions, and ended with "Eleven years?  Wow.  That's something."

"Yes, since he was 28..."  then I said something about how little did we know when we got married so long ago that his health would be so different at such a young age.

The man then went on to encourage me and then say that he was proud of me and proud of both of us as a couple.

I couldn't quit staring at the sweet man as my eyes filled with tears.  (Confession: I have cried at the pharmacy before, but just once, when I was exhausted and there was way too much red tape to get through when all I wanted to do was to be able to take care of my husband)  My Dad's words to his kids always included that he was proud of us.

The pharmacist then continued with some wise words regarding determination and character.  He started to punch the keyboard to finish up the transaction and for some reason I asked if he had known my dad.

A smile came across his face.  He had worked with my dad a number of times at the hospital...his words were "your dad was a real genuine man."  For the next minute we talked about how God's plans aren't what we want sometimes...that if we had our way Dad would still be here, even though we both know he's much better off where he is now.

Thankful for the meds that keep Chad alive.
Thankful for the legacy of faith my Dad left.
Thankful for the man God put in my path tonight to give me encouragement on a night when I truly needed it.
Romans 8:28  "And we know all things work together for good for those that love God..."
"Love ya, proud of ya!"--Dad

 

Charlie Brown teacher-speak

Comfy leather seat.  An issue of  "Real Simple."  Hazelnut coffee.  Uplifting music playing.  These are the things that make going to the orthodontist so pleasant.  For parents. While my growing-so-fast-I-can't-believe-it son is in the back getting a follow up-after braces check, I am enjoying part of what I pay for.  Since we've experienced the orthodontist environment over the last 18 months, I have since been encouraging any of my children to become one when they grow up and then of course use it to serve others.  (And take care of their momma.)

Suddenly someone was sitting by me.  I had to look up from the article I was reading on refrigerator organization.
"Seth's mom?"
Surely she was sitting down by the wrong parent.  There had to be another Seth somewhere around here!  This feeling was what I imagine it feels like when you're a kid and are called to the principal's office.

Once I admitted I belonged to that offspring, she began to tell me what every parent wants to hear...that he must have quit wearing his night retainers(he said he had outgrown them, which seemed completely legit?), his permanent retainer had broken (he may have mentioned that during his state baseball tourney---shoot!) and his teeth had done some major shifting.

What?  It's been just a few weeks since he "forgot" to take his retainers to camp and then quit wearing them. 

The sweet young thing sitting by me then went through some monetary figures and some options with me, but honestly, it was all Charlie Brown teacher-esque speak. 

I asked her to repeat herself.  at this point felt like a completely irresponsible mom, and that I have an irresponsible son(which is far from true). Then I told her to go ahead and take more impressions while I got to talk to the office staff about a "plan."  While making this plan with the office manager, a sweet, dear friend I've known for years came through and said hello...I honestly couldn't carry on a conversation at the time. 

Long story short...there's a plan and a lot more money involved so my son will sport a beautiful smile.  To make it all worthwhile I remind myself that before braces, he never smiled with teeth showing.  Now he does.  And all those other facts of why well-aligned teeth are worth it.

Sigh. I know things can be so much worse. This is definitely a first-world problem.

After a few days of thinking(& coming up with a heavier chore list for the boy), I was thinking how quickly things shift. How if I don't daily spend time in fellowship with my God, things get out of line pretty quickly. 

I'm not saying that if I check my box of "pray daily" life is all hunky-dory and looks like a perfect picture--all hardship gone. No. If I don't get that daily communication, that daily time with Him, things start getting harder. The tempter comes for a visit and makes my disciplines a little "grayer." It's not hard at all to tear myself down or think the worst. It's easier to let thoughts of anxiousness, negativity and desperation overwhelm my mind and life.

The daily relationship keeps my heart from getting out of line. The scripture, songs, promises He gently reminds me of, all together work to hold this heart and soul together.

Lesson and reminder gleaned from the oldest child's orthodontia:
1) wear your retainers
2) "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths STRAIGHT." Prov 3:5-6  

It's simple, but it keeps it real.

Shabby (but chic, of course)

worn  

/wôrn/

Adjective Damaged and shabby as a result of much use. Very tired.

Synonyms worn-out - used - shabby - threadbare - well-worn Here are things that are worn at our house.  Perhaps you have some of these in your house. "Favorites" of the following: shoes, jeans, soccer balls, baseball gloves, games, playing cards, spatulas, cookie sheets, the carpet on the stairs, blankets-held-since-they-could-hold, the old coffee pot.  Not to forget: some tupperware, my favorite towel (only 17 years old...a wedding gift), socks, flip flops, my toothbrush. And let's please remember some of the people in this house are worn as well, if you go with the second definition.  Physically, emotionally, mentally worn.  Even on summer break...I look in the mirror and see a worn out person. Perhaps that's what comes to mind first when you hear the word.  Ready for a break.  Ready for some mercy.  For some relief or respite. When perhaps, God's mercy is being thrust upon us by the very life that's wearing us out? The following is a song that hits many people in many different areas of the heart.  Wherever you find yourself worn, I hope this reaches you there and lends a little of God's mercy, as a cold glass of sweet tea on a hot summer day or a cup of coffee on, well, any kind of day. http://youtu.be/J9UfRQUf64U

My one defense

A lot of life has happened. 

I could tell you of the end of school.  The crazy schedules, the activities, programs.  The amazing achievements my kids were recognized for in school, the goal Ella Grace made in her soccer tourney, and the solo Sarah sang beautifully at her school talent show.  The way moms juggle all of that busy-ness makes all of us eligible for "mom of the year" awards!

I could tell you of the Berg family vacation of the summer, full of fun memories with family in Minnesota.  Shopping, Legos, American Girl, food, baseball, theater, rest, cooler weather, amusement parks, and an amazing camp experience for Seth.  Everyone passed through the TSA without a pat-down, although we had to convince one worker that Seth was really 13.

Could tell you of church camp...amazing experiences for Seth and Sarah.  And Ella Grace got a week at home as an only child.  She tearfully cried out for her siblings every single day.  (haha)

One of the best parts of the summer, I could tell you about the amazing baseball we've seen this season.  Rangers, Twins'(Joe Mauer, ahem), and especially the team Seth has been a part of this season.  The team full of boys a year older than him...where he's learned so much...from skills to camaraderie to spending a little more time on the bench than he's used to, because the team is SO FULL of good players.  (and they are on their way to state!)  Great people and great coaches.

I could tell you of the health struggles Chad continues to deal with...adding  more and more to our every day normal.  I could tell you how his heart and head want so much for his body to act differently though it continues not listen and to fight itself.  The future of health care has already hit our pocketbook which has caused anxiety and concern.

I could tell you that even though it's been almost 5 years, there are days I still miss my Daddy so much it physically hurts.

Instead, I choose to tell you this:
Through all of these ups and downs and sideways, the constant provision and strength and peace and reason I can get up and go every day is because I know my Redeemer.  My God has been right here with me every single second of every bit of life, and He's promised to never leave.  No matter if I'm shuttling kids around, washing stinky camp laundry, or staying awake listening to my husband breathe at night, He's there.

"Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1
"Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You"~ M.Maher

Fine

He looked across the table at our little boy.  "He's not a little boy anymore," he thought, "as he's taller than me now, with huge feet and a changing voice."  In front of the young teen was a double bacon cheeseburger, an order of chili cheese fries, large sweet tea, and a medium custard with mix-ins.  Forgotten was the time when my husband himself was a teenager and he could stomach that all at once.  All was eaten, and our boy felt fine afterward.

Insignificant to most, a lunch at a hamburger stand.  But so very significant in the life of my husband, and hopefully my boy. 

"How are you?"
"Fine."

Almost before a person can finish sounding the word "you," many of us are already forming the beginning of "fine" as a reply.
See below. Does that look familiar to anyone?

That's the concise, short-and-sweet, I-don't-want-to-share answer, right? Or maybe you make it the one-word answer because you don't want to hear how the inquisitor responds to your story. Or perhaps, it's the I-don't-want-to-burden-anyone-with-my-struggles answer. Everyone has their struggles, they shouldn't have to hear mine, too.

So why do we even ask? There are many motives behind the question. To be polite, make conversation, pry into others' business(surely not!)...but hopefully just out of genuine concern for people living life around us.

After all, we are told in Romans: Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10 NIV)

So if we are asking, we need to first question our motive, & then be willing to hear an honest answer.

That's all this heart has to offer right now. The story at the beginning of this post offers a rather normal, insignificant look into a day in our life.  Below, it takes all those meds and then some for that daddy to have "fine" days at this house. We enjoy every day, as if he misses some of these meds, it puts his life at grave risk, and has as recently as this winter.  But this new combo is sure making it easier to enjoy the days we're given.  

I may be beating a dead horse, I may sound "preachy," it may even seem over-dramatic to some, but appreciate today.  Appreciate the times you're given.  And make them count.

A merciful break

Since the last time anything has been written here, many things have taken place.

Happy things, like good grades, fun field trips, and a winning basketball season.  Lots of hugs, proud-Mom moments, and glimpses of spiritual and emotional growth.  Such as: Mom & 3 kids discussing heaven on the way home from church this evening...no pain, no tears, no worries, and then..."In heaven, no one will stink up the bathroom. How great is that?" stated the youngest.  A few pounds lost (woohoo!), warmer weather, and the countdown to Opening Day.   Tax return deposit, Spring Break, and green paint on the walls in the laundry room.  Friends, laughs, and all three kids attemptin Uncle Si impersonations (Duck Dynasty, anyone?).

Lest we fail to mention the blah things, such as medical tests with unclear/dark-gray-cloud answers, bilateral deep vein thromboses (again), excruciating and debilitating pain, cries for mercy, unnerving nights of no sleep.  Doubt, fear, and worry.  You'd think by now we'd be used to all this...and as stated in a previous post, it's not like God gives you a choice: "Would you like 'terminal' or 'chronic' attached to 'illness'?"  Um, neither, thank you very much.  As much as I don't want to burden a soul with these health crises we face, nor do I want to belittle their seriousness, I at times desperately want to scream at the top of my lungs when others simply don't understand or choose to disregard the long-term concerns that travel along with these health issues bestowed upon my husband.  Someday I may say "graciously bestowed," as I know there is a purpose, but right now I cannot put those words together.

Glimmers of hope have emerged.  Not bask-yourself-in-glitter-and-stand-out-in-a-spotlight-glimmer, rather a lone Bluebonnet in a green field kind of glimmer.  A merciful break in the pain, brought by amazing doses of pricey medication that leave a just-left-the-dentist numbness throughout the body.  No cure, no treatment for other ailments, but a gracious break in the pain.  My handsome patient has stated what we knew all along: pain uses energy.  An answer to a prayer I can see and hold onto comes with this pain relief.  Thankful for the meds, the job that pays me so I can pay for the meds, and the incredible doctor/friend who showed mercy and compassion when seeing his patient/friend unable to be a part of life.

To say that time is precious seems too cliche. As does mentioning that time passes too quickly.  As has been said in previous posts, just make today count. 

Love God, embrace beauty, and live life to the fullest.

And next time, it'll be more light-hearted....promise.

Monstrous, odoriferous blessing

Smelled something funny as I sat down to fold clothes. Sniff...not the clothes.

Wandered into the kitchen, searching for the smell. Not in the trash can, and not the disposal. Dishwasher? No. Rotten potato? No(Spanish). Wet dish rag? Nuh-uh.

None of these thoughts panned out to be the culprit. So, I went back into the living room and noticed that Seth had just tossed his game day clothes into his athletic bag. Because I'm such a nice mom who wants her children to not look like they just tolled out of bed all say long, I pulled them out to fold them. Then, like a hundred arrows coming toward me, the smell hit. Underneath his game day clothes lay his monstrous, odoriferous, size 14, Adizero basketball shoes.

(Let's just leave it there with that's where the smell was originating)

To be honest, the last few days have been stressful. A lot on our minds and things way out of our control affecting our family's life and Chad's health. We've had to focus and deal with some really rotten things.

After I made my monumental discovery tonight, I texted a precious friend who has three teenage boys, all who play sports...
"Because I know you probably have experienced this:
I had NO idea basketball shoes could smell so bad.
Misconception: indoor sports shoes won't stink as bad.
Holy cow."

Her reply:
"Girl ... My whole house smells like that. There's not enough febreeze!!"

After some funny comments back and forth, we concluded: we are so thankful for those healthy, stinky blessings. Seth is a healthy, growing, good kid...a hard worker and a good friend.

Thankful God could use even STINKY basketball shoes to remind me to be ever so thankful.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV)