Skip to main content

REAL expectations?

Oh to be truly thankful for what I have and to have REAL expectations in life.  I mean, IF I am truly thankful for all that is given me (no matter what) – and to KNOW what is expected – doesn’t that sound peace-ful (full of peace) – wouldn’t that be a “slice of heaven” so to speak?
I have a sweet granddaughter (Adalay) who is 10 months old, breast-fed and still not sleeping through the night.  She wakes up and needs comfort.  She’s hungry.  That’s reality.  To expect that she be comforted WITHOUT her mother – is that a REAL expectation?  Probably not.  I did have her for the night a couple weeks ago and we “made do” although we were up quite a bit (we took a delicious 4 hour nap later J).
Anyway, the REALity of it is that Adalay needs comforting in the middle of the night, albeit, with or without milk.  A lactation specialist has told my daughter-in-love that THAT is NORMAL – a REAL expectation for babies, even at 10 months old.  If we look at this as a REAL expectation, is it any different?
I think so.  One could look at it like this:
§         Sweet baby
§         She needs to be nourished
§         She needs nourishment even in the middle of the night
§         While she is feeding, there’s snuggle-time, rocking and soothing going on.  There’s QUIET one-on-one time that doesn’t happen very often during the day-time hours
Or one could look at it like this:
§         One baby
§         Baby is hungry
§         Mom’s body
§         Sleep deprived
§         Not fair
 Which is the REAL expectation ? 
I’m thinking the first example is a “thankful” reality – the second one, a “prideful” reality.  But are they both “real”?  Depends on you, your outlook, your heart.  Scripture tells us in Psalm 30: Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help.  You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to You and not be silent.  O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

 

May my heart see – the REALity of Your Goodness, dear Lord!

PS:  Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE a good night’s sleep!  But If I could do ONE THING over from when my boys were babies, I’d relish EVERY SINGLE MOMENT of our one-on-one times, even the ones in the middle of the night! 

Comments

  1. A FriendAugust 15, 2011 at 10:42 PM

    I think everyone needs to learn to see the world this way. As an opportunity to see the beautiful things He creates instead of the way most people might see it - as an annoyance. Sure, you're up at 3 in the morning, but it's just you, Adalay and God. Both of you need that time to share with Him, and it'll shape your lives according to His plan. As Walt Whitman said, "To me, every hour of the day and night is an unspeakably perfect miracle." - and that was printed on my pack of chewing gum! God puts His beauty (meant for us) where He knows we'll se it - we have to learn to take that chance in the event we'll see it and learn from it! We have to learn to see the world the way He wants us to. Thanks for the insight on how!

    ~A friend you saw tonight. (PS, I was the youngest one there - that should give you a hint ;)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

It all started before that.

As she talked, I sat there amazed.   Not at what she was saying, but at who she had become.   Confident.   Godly.   Faithful.    Respected.   It just hit me that she is now a leader in our church.    A true leader.   The next generation of leaders, in fact. But wait -- is this the same young woman who God brought into our lives a little over 10 years ago?   The anxious, nervous, only-just-started-going-to- church- wanting-to-please-everyone young woman my son introduced us to?   Watching her confidently taking her seat, I started thinking of those first days . . .   and seriously, my breath caught in my throat.   How amazing God is!   He molds, He holds.   He shapes and He grows.   And He does this over and over – and it still amazes me.   That got me to thinking.   God’s amazing work in my life didn’t start with my daughter-in-love.   It started before that.   It starte...
1 comment
Read more

I prayed for toilet paper.

    I left for a LONG walk by myself recently while vacationing at my sister's place.   Armed with a bottle of water, it was a perfect morning to get away.  The sun was shining and the birds were singing - what could be better??   Having walked this path before, I didn't have a worry in the world. Praying, humming and taking in as much of God's creation as I could, all was good.   Well, until . .   My bladder was full and no bathroom was in sight.   I figured I was still about two miles away from the nearest bathroom.   What to do?   Two miles is a LONG WAY when you gotta go.   Some of you know EXACTLY what I mean.   Or maybe you don't have problems like this and if you did, you at least wouldn't tell anybody about it.   But the older I get, the more of a problem it is.   And the older I get, I know that EVERY event in life has a lesson.   Yes, even one like this   So I did what an...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Joyces of My Life

Have you ever had someone in your life who truly showed joy, no matter the circumstance?  How about someone who has made a profound influence?  I can honestly say that I have had two, and they both have the name "Joyce" - hence, the title of this post - The Joyces of My Life. First of all, Joyce ( my stepmom) came into my life when she married my dad.  My life was pretty unstable with my mother, but we all made the best of it.  Once I graduated from high school, I moved in with Dad and Joyce. Life happened, I got married, had some kids, you know the drill.   When I think back, there's nothing specific I remember, except  her constant-ability.  She was always there for me.  Period.  When you meet someone who lets you into their heart, bears her own heart and soul, while introducing you to Jesus, your life changes.  At least mine did.  Her love for Jesus and scripture was evident and contagious.  I wanted in - all...
Post a Comment
Read more