Do you like roller coasters? I do. Well, I say I do, but there are a few rules that apply to my "like". Okay, one big rule really. It can't have too much free-falling. Hills, twists, loops... fine. Free falling - like 45 stories, heck no. That literally just takes my breath away and makes my feet hurt. I'm not sure what's up with the feet hurting part, but any kind of free-falling - whether I"m participating in it or watching it on TV - makes my feet hurt for some reason.
Back to my point, the ups and downs of a roller coaster can be likened to the ups and downs we face daily in our lives. One minute we're at the top of the most ultimate adventure and it seems nothing could take away our happiness. Then the coaster reaches the top of that initial hill - you know what I'm talking about - and the car you're leaning back in starts leveling out and before you know it, you are looking out over the land then you are facing downward, where you start to feel that feeling.... the one I'm feeling right now as I type this. Weightlessness, mixed with sheer fear and terror. Seconds later, the first twist and I'm okay again until we start climbing the next path to free falling terror. Ups and downs. Happiness and fear.
All of our lives are filled with ups and downs, yes. This week for me has been an emotional roller coaster that I don't care to ride again. From being anxious about getting to this appointment with my son on Tuesday {UP}, to getting the phone call that morning that the doctor is sick and we have to reschedule the appointment for Saturday morning at 8:15 {DOWN}. From seeing an improvement in my cat's health throughout the week and thinking maybe she won't die {UP}, to taking her to her follow-up appointment on Friday and finding out they still have no idea what's wrong with her, so a new Rx regimen and and new bill to pay {DOWN}. From being thankful that my children attend schools where they still celebrate Thanksgiving {UP}, to knowing I can't be at either one of them due to too many appointment obligations this week and no PTO left on the books at work {DOWN}. From being anxious all over again this morning to be able to get to this appointment and start on a new path with him {UP}, to standing outside the locked doctor's office at our appointment time with no one there to see us {DOWN}.
Will we eventually get to this appointment that I've been waiting on for 2 weeks? Sure.
Will Cupcake pull through this mysterious illness? I have no idea but I hope so.
Will missing my kids' Thanksgiving feasts at school be the worst thing ever to them? No.
While I am not in control of anything in my life or the lives of my children, I know who is in control of everything that happens, good or bad. He controls the ups and He controls the downs. Better yet, He knows what's ahead and is preparing you for it with every test He puts you through, with every sparkle of happiness and every drip of anxiety.
My circumstances of this week will not define me. Instead I'll use them to declare how thankful I am for the ups and downs in my life. Thankful that my husband and I have good jobs to allow us to pay for these doctor appointments for our son and our kitty. Thankful that my children have awesome schools with friends and teachers they love. Thankful for the two gifts that I have been blessed with, who are my heart. Thankful for my friends and mother who listen tirelessly to my insecurities and help me see through them. Thankful for my Heavenly Father's never ending love and grace in my life.
Find something to be thankful for each day and give Him the praise He deserves for it. Remember, someone else is thankful for less than what you have.
Back to my point, the ups and downs of a roller coaster can be likened to the ups and downs we face daily in our lives. One minute we're at the top of the most ultimate adventure and it seems nothing could take away our happiness. Then the coaster reaches the top of that initial hill - you know what I'm talking about - and the car you're leaning back in starts leveling out and before you know it, you are looking out over the land then you are facing downward, where you start to feel that feeling.... the one I'm feeling right now as I type this. Weightlessness, mixed with sheer fear and terror. Seconds later, the first twist and I'm okay again until we start climbing the next path to free falling terror. Ups and downs. Happiness and fear.
All of our lives are filled with ups and downs, yes. This week for me has been an emotional roller coaster that I don't care to ride again. From being anxious about getting to this appointment with my son on Tuesday {UP}, to getting the phone call that morning that the doctor is sick and we have to reschedule the appointment for Saturday morning at 8:15 {DOWN}. From seeing an improvement in my cat's health throughout the week and thinking maybe she won't die {UP}, to taking her to her follow-up appointment on Friday and finding out they still have no idea what's wrong with her, so a new Rx regimen and and new bill to pay {DOWN}. From being thankful that my children attend schools where they still celebrate Thanksgiving {UP}, to knowing I can't be at either one of them due to too many appointment obligations this week and no PTO left on the books at work {DOWN}. From being anxious all over again this morning to be able to get to this appointment and start on a new path with him {UP}, to standing outside the locked doctor's office at our appointment time with no one there to see us {DOWN}.
Will we eventually get to this appointment that I've been waiting on for 2 weeks? Sure.
Will Cupcake pull through this mysterious illness? I have no idea but I hope so.
Will missing my kids' Thanksgiving feasts at school be the worst thing ever to them? No.
While I am not in control of anything in my life or the lives of my children, I know who is in control of everything that happens, good or bad. He controls the ups and He controls the downs. Better yet, He knows what's ahead and is preparing you for it with every test He puts you through, with every sparkle of happiness and every drip of anxiety.
My circumstances of this week will not define me. Instead I'll use them to declare how thankful I am for the ups and downs in my life. Thankful that my husband and I have good jobs to allow us to pay for these doctor appointments for our son and our kitty. Thankful that my children have awesome schools with friends and teachers they love. Thankful for the two gifts that I have been blessed with, who are my heart. Thankful for my friends and mother who listen tirelessly to my insecurities and help me see through them. Thankful for my Heavenly Father's never ending love and grace in my life.
Find something to be thankful for each day and give Him the praise He deserves for it. Remember, someone else is thankful for less than what you have.