For the past few days my sweet baby has been down with the croup (translate: first day of church nursery gift). Not only did I hate seeing my son sick and not his energetic self, but I also felt a bit sick and not my energetic self. But little did I know what a gift it would be.
After my initial response, my next thought on the situation was to lament what needed to be done and that I was in no mood to do it. And then, thankfully, a rapid-fire second thought came:
“Joy.”
And then I understood. The week before I had taught a class on several things including creating more joy in womanhood, motherhood, and daily life. When I considered my current situation from a “joyful” perspective, I realized I was missing the cream. Namely, because all my baby wanted to do was snuggle right next to me.
Absolute joy!
So we snuggled, watched “Thomas the Tank Engine” and napped. I even got to read books that had been sitting in a stack by my bedside: The Runaway King, Blackmoore, and On Writing Well. All of them were fantastic and fulfilling.
More joy!
What a fabulous few days it was. And how grateful I am for that wonderful feeling-thought that shifted my perspective. Because already life is back to a more normal schedule and those precious uninterrupted days of sweet snuggles are over. My baby is back to playing with toys and we’re back to running errands.
I encourage you this week that when life hands you an unexpected situation that initially seems not so fabulous, find the joy.
It’s in there.
Best,
Connie
P.S. If you missed last week’s one-day sale of Simplify & Savor the Season, you can join in the KSL Motherhood Matters blog post sale and get the e-book for $1.99 with freebies! Check out the blog post and how to get your freebies here.
P.P.S. For those wanting the paperback version, just in time for great gifts get:
5 books for $25 of Simplify & Savor the Season, or, 40 Days with the Savior. A great gift deal for friends, neighbors, and family!
