Exhausted From the Frustration of Redefining “Normal”…

I fell into my king size bed- alone and exhausted…
It was nearly twenty years ago that I was mid-way through a two-week journey parenting alone. These trips were common. My husband was gone on travel training foreign entities to secure their nuclear materials. His work was crucial. He was very good and well respected in his realm of managing international projects involving the non-proliferation of nuclear materials. 

But that night I crashed into my bed, grasping for energy to pray beyond wishing I wasn’t alone trying to ensure that our three children were happy, cared for, and taught in the ways that God would have me. Nevertheless, sleep came quickly as my head hit the pillow. 

Uncertain of the time, I awakened to unusual sounds in our small home. We had lived there for years. I loved our neighborhood and neighbors. They were friendly and we looked out for one another. It was a safe and happy place to raise a family.  
However, the sounds that night were unfamiliar and unsettling. I rationalized to myself it was just the wind… I drug myself out of bed and walked through the house…Everything seemed fine.
I returned to bed and prayed for peace and a quick return to sleep knowing my sweet army of three kids would need me well rested to help them battle the next day. 

Strange sounds persisted. My heart raced. My imagination followed. There was no peace nor sleep to be found for me in my home that night.  My options for a midnight call took an obvious choice. My brother-in-law lived two blocks away. He’s one of the greatest guys you’d ever meet. Truly a friend to all and without hesitation told me he would come right over when I made the call telling him of strange sounds, stress, and lost sleep. He surveyed the entire property, looked in every closet and under every bed – even those holding soundly sleeping children. There was no indication of anything amiss. He left with my incredible appreciation and borderline embarrassment that I had him up in the middle of the night hunting imaginary shadows in the dark. 

Why didn’t God just help me fall back asleep with His own peaceful assurance that all was well? “What was I supposed to learn?” I wondered as I quickly drifted back to sleep.

I think I needed to be reminded that we don’t journey this earth life alone. God deliberately puts people in our path. We take turns helping each other out- serving with charitable unwavering nonjudgmental Christlike love. We are reminded that the light of Christ is in each of us and that we are simply asked to lift where we stand. 

Today, momentarily exhausted from the frustration of redefining “normal” in a place and time that will be recorded in future History books, I plea to God asking Him what He would have me do. The thoughts come quickly. The steps seem small and insignificant.
And yet in faith, I want to be deliberate with each one…
Trusting in purpose…
My purpose…
Christ’s purpose…
My purpose in Christ’s work…

-JC

Chocolate Dipped Marshmallow Krispy Cookies

4 Tablespoons butter
10.5 oz. mini marshmallows
½ teaspoon salt
7 oz. marshmallow fluff
7 cups crisped rice cereal (Rice Krispies)

Melt butter and mini marshmallows mixed with salt in a large bowl in the microwave. (Approximately 1 minute.) Stir in the marshmallow fluff until smooth. Stir in rice cereal. Scoop out 24 mounds of marshmallow-cereal mixture onto a greased parchment sheet. Spray non-stick cooking spray on your hands.  Roll each mound into a ball and flatten to about 1+ inch thick. Chill for 20-30 minutes. Melt 8 oz. milk chocolate Hershey bars in a bowl in the microwave. Dip each cookie into chocolate and return to the parchment sheet. Drizzle the top of each cookie with remaining melted chocolate. Return to the refrigerator until set. Share!