Time for Reflection

Life as of late has been stressful, to say the least, my mind races from topic to topic...adoption, orthodontist, taxes, work, chiropractor, church, school, drs. visits, family, finances, our military, couponing, deadlines, etc.

Some days the thoughts swirl, schedules are followed or missed, and life marches along at a break-neck pace, and you pause to look up and it is April, the first three months of the year have passed, the snow has melted and is replaced by sunshine, tall grass, budding trees and daffodils. In the busyness of life it is easy to get lost, to fail to appreciate the moment, to stop and smell the roses along the way. You pause to reflect and realize that you rushed the days away in a hurry to accomplish something and have failed to grasp the moments of life that cannot be recaptured.

The past few weeks/months have been spent in our family carting our boys from medical, dental and chiropractor appointments multiple times a week, trying to achieve movement with our adoption training credits and paperwork - as we just want not to think about it in hopes something "big" will happen, and juggling our work and church schedules to meet our responsibilities. Life is good, don't get me wrong, but this week I have had a gnawing desire to pause, to breathe, to even just run to the store with hubby and let the rest of life fade away for a few minutes....

It is in these times of hecticness, things often come along our paths to slow us down, to cause a time of reflection. For us this week, our youngest has been ill with a rash and fever most of the week. This week work, adoption, school, church, schedules, deadlines have not been important, instead time with our boys, time to rest, time to just take a breather have taken priority.

Along with the time to reflect, came moments of fear, times of frustration, hours of sheer exhaustion. Our oldest had a big health scare when he was four and awoke one morning unable to walk...the next few days were pure torture as we went from doctor to doctor and had test after test, the last being a bone scan to test for cancer. In the end his bloodwork came back and it with elevated step levels and he was diagnosed with Rheumatic Fever.

This week we had every reason to believe our youngest may have a case of Scarlet Fever. I must admit the week for me was dominated by fear. The negative throat culture could not persuade me, only today when his bloodwork came back normal could a sigh a breath of relief. Now we still don't know what we're dealing with, most likely a nasty virus, but my greatest fear has been laid to rest, we are not reliving the nightmare of five years ago.

In this time of fear, in this time of reflection God's Word has pushed forward in my thoughts...

"I have not given you the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and a sound mind"

"Be still and know that I am God"

"I will not leave thee nor forsake thee"

"Ask and it shall be given unto you"

I am so thankful for a God, who is faithful in His promises and has the perfect Word for us just when we need it. He provides rest, healing, hope, faith, and love. What more could we ever want or need?

This week have you taken the time to reflect? Are you living the journey or are you so focused on the destination, goal, deadline that you are rushing the precious moments away? What promise are you clinging to?

We pray that as you enjoy Good Friday and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord this Easter, that you will take the time to reflect and appreciate the promise and hope we have been given, and if you don't know if this hope of which I speak...email me..I would love to tell you about it!

The Ragsdales (missionforannalee@gmail.com)