My housing situation. When the news broke that things were not going to work out to where we would be able to stay where we were renting, the timing could not have been worse. It was a week before my oldest birthday party, the party was going to be at the house. It was the week my husband worked 5 -12 hour days, and it was only 4 days until our lease was up and We would have to be completely out of the location.
I was trying to figure out How in the world I was going to pack an entire house and continue to take care of 2 toddlers. I was heartsick. AND I needed help. I do not ask for help. I don't know How to ask for help. I also don't know Who to ask for help from. Then a thought sparked and a ripple began. I remembered that I was offered help. A family friend extended her help over and over and I never understood what she was offering, Until THAT moment.
My landlord and I attend the same church and apparently there were people aware that this event was going to take place - They did not Know to what extend but they Knew something was going to happen. THIS is why my friend kept extending herself to me. I sat in her living room and I sobbed while explaining what was going on and how I needed help packing up and how vulnerable and violated I felt. We were wronged for No real reason. I have a insecurity to being wronged. It turns me to a blubbering mess. She extended help to me and she brought help. The next day, 4 of the most beautiful, kindhearted women showed up on my doorstep and we cleaned out, de-cluttered and packed up room after room. One of those moments you remember in time forever. This act of kindness and generosity that was extended to me, jump started my heart. They stayed with me until the move was done. They are still trying to help us find a place to rent or buy and help us figure out what it is that we are supposed to be doing to move forward
This act put a few other things in motion: It gave me the push we needed to try to get approved to buy a house* that I thought would be ours (which right now is not looking so hot for now, But will eventually work out), It also helped me decide to take over our MOPS group at church. It gave me women to call for when I need motherly advice (which is what I longed for). It brought me closer to understanding what a Church/Community is for. It gave me a chance to understand that people are not perfect, can make mistake and can still be used for good. This lesson was the one that allowed me to see that I was capable to lead a MOPS group, this most. I was under the interpretation that there were perfect people running on the planet and only THOSE people were capable of leading a Bible Study. Not me. Who knew.
Parenting. The learning curve. Oh 3 yr old tantrums. They are bizarre. a few days ago, a light bulb came on and now I and trying to be an alkaline in our 3 yr old tantrums acidity. We tend to walk on eggshells around these parts wondering what will set the beast off. And Once the beast ( the 3 rd old tantrums - NOT the 3 yr old) is in effect and going strong - how do we dilute it?! It's been a good 3/4 months of watching these tantrums erupt and explode because I did not handle myself better. And in this case, I may be late to this discovery but it is better late than never. It may mean that we will all survive this less than fun phase.
Friending. (a word brought on by social media) I am learning that much of life is quite simple and really does boil down to treat people with respect. You never know what or who your actions will effect negatively or positively. Sometimes it's by keeping your mouth closed and other times it's by opening your mouth and simply stating a simply hello. We have opportunities every day to make a difference in the ripple effect. It's a part of life. I hope that am able to make more of a difference for the good. I am trying to watch what I say, how i say it and to whom I say it to. Words hurt people, Feelings get hurt. I have been a victim and the culprit. I know that I cannot protect everyone but I can be aware and compassionate and apologize when I need to.
It seems I am fighting through the current of all these intertwined ripple effects. I wish that I could just embrace and learn to continue on with my life while waiting for the ripples to settle down. I mean that IS what life is about right? I have not come anywhere close to figuring out how to move forward AND wait ... It seems like a contradiction to me. But, Apparently, It isn't. It's Life. That's.The.Point. It's the journey.
But, Honestly, This is what I suck at. The In between. I guess that sounds like I suck at life. Which I know is not true, BUT MAN, I really do not like like limbos, and transitions, and waiting, and fighting to survive, and wondering when I will arrive on Easy Street. I fantasize about life on Easy Street. I know that there is no such address but some days just less to deal with would feel like I am a few blocks closer to Easy Street. And that would give me a break for a bit. I would really just Love a freakin' break. It will happen. I am told, It will happen. And I know they are right. It Will. That is what I need to remember. Be patience, wait, display grace, Live Life Regardless. Keep Calm and Carry on. That IS the point. Wonder how many more times in life I will have to revisit this lesson before it finally sinks in and I become gracious from it?
*the family friend that helped organize our move, just called me today to tell me that her son is going to try and buy the house that I want - but since we can't get our financing squared away, He heard me talking about it, went and saw it and now is in the works to buy it. BLAH
