Mountain moments, musings, music and madness…

So, spring break came and went. As we rushed to the mountains of NC to escape life for a week, as usual life followed. I realized this as my beautiful little girl started to throw up in a plastic bag in the back seat on I-75 in Atlanta traffic. Stuck in the furthest lane, far from any exit for miles, I began to wonder if God heard my cry before we left the driveway this morning…”I need a break so bad.” Humm…Maybe just bad chicken from lunch… wishful thinking. Within 24 hours Jackson was driving the porcelain bus too, well sitting on, then driving, then sitting on, driving…You get the picture. God, I always thought we had pretty good communication, What’s UP? I became a bit cranky after the 4 load of laundry and rinsing out of the throw up bowl for the 17th time. Then it hit me. I could be home with sick kids, or in our peaceful home in NC. Unseen blessing #1. Okay, I get it now God. I get to sit on this beautiful porch in cool weather while being stuck at home with sick kids. Nice one.

As the week progressed I had many moments and musings that were blessings tucked into this not so perfect escape.

• Grace is a self-sufficient sick person (shades older brothers Andrew and Michael),
  Jackson is not a great sick patient (shades of older brother David) start praying for his wife!
  Some how with “stuff” leaving little bodies from all orifices, at riffle speed, I DODGED A BULLET!

• Golf cart rides, donkey feedings, hikes in the rain, porch time, snuggles in a comfy king sized bed, hitting balls, finding river rocks, playing cards, eating yummy food (after tummy’s settled) and just “Being” together creates good material for our story.

• Jackson’s dance moves, Grace singing Muppet songs in the tub. Giggles that are born in the wonderful safety of “just family” time. Performances don’t get better than this. Grammy, Tony and Oscar Moments for sure, at least in our world.

• Hiking to the top of a mountain and feeling the breeze hit my face was like feeling the breath of God saying,
  “I am here. You are okay.” Even when Jackson and Grace were freaking out that Sunshine was going to fall off the mountain. I reminded them I had raised 3 children, hiked this same mountain and had not lost one yet. Relax, or you might be the first!

The last day came, I was sitting outside on the porch wanting to drink it in to the last drop… Hey God, we made it. 3 days sick ward, 3 days of mountain fun. Thanks, some how I did get a break in the midst of the madness. I went on reading and praying, quieting my heart and head when I came across a scripture in James 5:11… “Blessed are those who have persevered.”

Yes, I came, I persevered, and I was blessed.

What wisdom in these few words, I knew what it all meant now. God promises when we persevere, (Not sit in the throw-ups life hands us) he will meet us, never leave us, give us the strength to see it through and then bless us. Great lesson learned in the classroom of life, even on Spring Break!

Blessed!