I’m Here

Yesterday, I spent an hour in a pair of dress slacks and a nice knit shirt as well as a pair of nice dress shoes giving the quads a bath. Liz continues to deal with health issues, thus it was my job to get them clean. Getting home from work in a hurry due to Liz feeling nauseous, I bathed the kids, vacuumed the upstairs due to spilled Chex cereal, fed the whole family, got all the kids dressed for bed, ran bath water for Liz, ran the dishwasher, and gave Liz another shot in her stomach. I made sure that Liz, Logan, Hudson, Madison, Samantha, and Candice all got their medicines.

So, good dads that can do all these things are referred to as “Mr. Mom.” How come there is never a reference to women as “Ms. Dad?” Oh, that’s right, stereotypes. Got it. When you have a father/daughter date or father/son ballgame outing, or bedtime prayers, or hugs when arriving home from a business trip, these are some of the joys of being a parent. But day-to-day routines, yes, they can become mundane and exhausting, but at least you know what’s next. To mothers and fathers that do all of this all of the time by themselves, an extra jewel in your heavenly crown.

How appropriate…HAHAHAHAHA…it just thundered outside. Does God ever jokingly mock us or just me? I can hear God now laughing at my petty whining…blah, blah, blah. I am really ready for Liz to actually feel better and not just tell me she is fine because she thinks that is what I want to hear. Abortion was not ever an option for us. And would really appreciate God backing off with all of the physical results of that God-driven decision.

I am really ready for all five kids to be over all coughs, sneezes, runny-noses, and upper-respiratory problems. I am here. I am here ready for a normal life. Yes, I know. Five kids, four at once, is by no means normal. But I am ready for as close to normal as we can get. Now, the flip the script…

Because I have a large family, my life is actually full of more great moments, funny moments, and true joy than most. I have the opportunity to fully experience life. I get the privilege to prepare the minds and hearts of five future adults that will have an impact on this earth. In the last two weeks, I have had 5 or 6 conversations with parents of teenagers. The parents are struggling. I already have an attitude; that time of life should be a blast.

It’s Tuesday…two days removed from the “Lord’s day.” My kids teach me about the simplicity of life. My wife teaches me about the gentle side of life. All of this brings a song to my mind…This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it… I would rather struggle with making this a reality over giving up on the day before has even gotten started.

 

Last minute…need to add this Scripture verse I read this morning…Philippians 4:6-7