Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Overwhelmed

Today I'm feeling overwhelmed with life in general.  This past month our garage door has broken, our front door knob (now repaired), the doorbell cracked & broke, the trim around the front door split & cold air seeps through our doors & windows.  The stove needs replacing, a short in the burner recently knocked out all power in our home.  We need a water softener because our hard water is eating away the faucets, shower walls, everything it touches....and just now I went to the freezer and it's not working...everything is melted and ice was dripping everywhere...everything that is breaking or broken is not cheap to fix, they will all be expensive repairs...I left a good job six months ago so I can be home with my children and I'm doubting my decisions...enough already, I'm at my limit...and as I was almost near tears and needing a good bawling (haven't had a good one in a long time), I then remember I'll be 46 on Saturday...46!!!  I'm getting so old! 

Feeling frustration and extra grumpy I get on-line and go to one of my favorite blog sites, "Whatever" Meg Duerksen's blog writings always cheer me up....and today she has asked that we send birthday wishes to Edie of "Life in Grace" who, a few days before Christmas lost EVERYTHING to a house fire...she and her husband and children escaped with only their pajamas on their backs...so now I AM bawling...and I realize I've just been given a gift from this brave woman Edie whose blog I have read for the first time today.  I can hear the pain in her words and I'm no longer thinking of the trivial things that are affecting my life, very trivial compared to what Edie and her family are going through and I am amazed and reminded of the love of our Father in Heaven and for our Savior who understands our suffering and pain and who died for each of us so that we can return to our Father in Heaven again...and I'm filled with perspective and amazing gratitude for my sweet family and for our home, as broken as it may be and my heart aches and my prayers go out to you Edie and to your family...thank you for sharing your testimony of the Savior and of his love...THANK YOU for reminding me of what I have and of family and of home and of what's important in this life.
What a great gift you have given me on YOUR birthday....
God bless you always...

And you know what?  46 is not that old.

Please take a minute to post a comment on Edie's blog...what a great way to reach out to a new friend...just click on the link below...

12 comments:

  1. A very bitter-sweet post! We never really know how blessed we are until we walk in the shoes of others! Sending healing thoughts! oh, and Happy Birthday, 46 is not old but then I am 48! love Annie

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  2. Annie...you are the sweetest! Well said!

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  3. Beautifully stated Christine and a wonderful reminder that there are so many who are worse off than we are - and trust me - 46 is not old!! I came to realize that I earned all of these gray "highlights" which I refuse to color and my 46 years are a culmination of life experiences I wouldn't trade for the world. ~~♥

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  4. Christine! You are a young chickadee. Hang in there. What can I do to help!

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  5. That sounds like my life right now too! I was hit with a lot of major repairs during December, not fun. So I feel for you. Hope things start going better! Thanks for the reminder to look at the blessings we do have.

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  6. Crying is good for us!!!
    46 isn't old...I'm going to be 56 and sure don't feel that "old" :)
    God knows our hearts and wants the best for us! He will provide:)
    Warmly,
    deb

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  7. I wish we were handy we would come to the rescue but I fear we'd do more damage!

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  8. It could always be worse- I'm glad you found joy in your trials today. Crying always makes me feel better. Just do it. :) Love ya-

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  9. Hey Happy Birthday! I'll be 46 this year too! But much later in the year so clearly I'm much younger than you! LOL

    I hope everything goes a little smoother this year for you! After all, you'll be 46! That's an awesome age!

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  10. What a great post....a really good one...and I love the colors in your blog...your design is wonderful...am adding you to my blog roll

    Happy Sunday,
    Teresa

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  11. you are so sweet to take time to encourage and pray for us. thank you so much and i hope you get some relief on the home front! bless you for sharing in our burden.
    much love,
    edie

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  12. Sweet girl, sorry for the hardships, but thank you for the added perspective. Love you.

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