Think Tank

*sigh* This has been a week. Not one that I want to repeat anytime soon. It was full of grown-up stuff. I don't mean bill-paying, make-sure-there's-healthy-dinner-on-the-table grown-up stuff. I mean lessons. Life lessons that rock you to the core and make you survey your entire being and purpose. Ouch. I was reminded of a lot things.

*life is fragile

*we are not in charge

*sometimes even your best effort isn't enough

*life isn't fair. . . and it isn't supposed to be

*people will appreciate you for who you are, even if you fall short of your expectations

*failure isn't ours to assess



I'm grateful, however, that these were reminders, instead of things I was having to learn for the very first time. You see, I'm a big believer in practice. I don't necessarily believe that practice makes perfect, but I believe that practice makes prepared. For what?? We'll know when the time comes. In college I had a very insightful friend with whom I frequently spoke about relationships and the future. I'm not sure how we ever stumbled upon the topic, but I remember talking over coffee about practicing to be a great wife and mother, and about asking God for opportunities to do just that. As it turns out, I didn't meet my husband (or my child(ren) for that matter) for many years. But I do believe practice makes prepared. Sometimes life seems a bit mundane, but if we continue to practice, when the time comes (and we'll know when it comes) we'll be ready.



I wasn't the only one who had a rough week. I wouldn't say my week was rough. . . I'd say it was insightful. . . and blessed. Last week I watched a friend, who had obviously practiced, have to take the stage as an outstanding father, husband, friend, physician, teacher, and mentor, all in a period of about 48 hours. He was called to step up to the plate more than once. And he did a great job. He handled his challenges with incredible grace. . . all because he'd practiced. Was it glamorous? Certainly not. Did he win? Not by everyone's standards. Unfortunately, we were all also reminded of the importance of practicing what matters most. . . being a child of God and being ready at the very second we're called Home. . . whenever that may be. We were reminded that we're only human, called to do our very best, but that ultimately (and I've said this before) we are not in charge. We just work here.



It hurts to fall short. But it hurts a little less when we fall short of our own expectations and humbly realize that our earthly efforts, while part of God's master plan, are not meant to determine fate. They're practice.



I was humbled this week, and a little overwhelmed by the gifts I've been given. I've been gifted a spouse, and charged with the task of helping him get to heaven. I've been gifted a son (and sometime soon, but not-too-soon another baby) and what a huge task. . . to help them along their earthly way! I've also been gifted a profession where I have witnessed both the resilience and fragility of life, in a very real way. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life; for helping me practice for the next time I'll be called to an incredible task.