A Good Bad Day

Day one hundred sixty two: I don't feel like today has been a particularly bad day, but when I think through the events of the day I don't know why not.

Ariel woke up fussy and quickly developed a fever to go along with it. Against my gut, I decided to take her to the doctor since she has been ill so frequently lately, plus of the last two antibiotics she took she finished neither. Should have followed my gut. The doctor could only say it is probably a virus. Ariel spent her whole day either in our arms, fussing to be in our arms, at the doctor (in my arms), sleeping, and laying on the couch watching cartoons (giving our arms a break). She has been sweet, but so obviously not feeling well.

We also received extremely bad health news from my brother-in-law about his sister. I am still hoping and praying that more tests and time will improve the prognosis because it is bad. It is heartwrenching.

On the more trivial side, I didn't get much accomplished, except important things like holding Ariel. Truck, the dog, has been coughing because of the tracheal tube inserted during her teeth cleaning yesterday. The dogs also got into the cooking grease bowl and rolled in the dirt afterward. Resulting in baths for both. We got a bill from the dentist that is much higher than we expected since our insurance paid a good deal less than we expected. And of course, there are ants EVERYWHERE in our house. Even the shower. What do they want with my shower???

How is that for focusing on the negative? The reasons for having a bad day range from ultra trivial to life threatening.

But I don't feel negative. I don't even feel like I had a bad day. I feel sad, but I also hopeful. I feel confident that God is in control. I feel challenged to be discontent with the status quo; to make a difference somehow; to find a powerful way to reach out beyond myself and my immediate concerns; to pray continuously. I feel like letting the little things slide away into nothingness.

Thank you, God, for showing me how a potentially awful day can be ok. Thank you for giving me a spirit of contentment (and discontentment at the same time). Thank you for caring more for Jennifer and all she is going through than any of her loved ones can possibly imagine. Thank you, God, for being involved in the world.


What's this about? I decided on my birthday to make a commitment to being intentionally thankful. I challenged myself to post one thing I am thankful for everyday this year.