Dear TSJ Peeps,
I am continually amazed at the twists and turns life brings us. It is a journey filled with challenges that start when we are born and continue when our children are born and follow us to the end of our days.
Today’s blog post is part II of two weeks ago. I did not post a public blog last Wednesday as my husband, Tom, was in the hospital. But subscribers did get a personal update on happenings at TSJ headquarters.
Today’s Reflection:
What a gift life is. Much of what happens is a mystery. But we humans like mystery. We like to figure things out, control things (and people), to fix things, to learn things. But we do not necessarily like the pain that comes with traveling on difficult paths!
About ten days ago Tom was struggling with fevers and difficulty breathing – related to his cancer journey. But before he got sick he did something very special . . . he re-glued the handle on my “sip it and zip it” cup.
Now, the repair of the physical cup was helpful. But ultimately it did one thing even better… it restored my soul as I could once again use it for listening for inner guidance and wisdom. I had no idea that Tom would be sent to the emergency room and come home eight days later!
The message I heard has carried me through. Here is what I was inspired pray: “Help me to become increasingly conscious of the grace and guidance each moment brings.”
Little did I know how much I would lean into that prayer. And I learned when we become aware of these things, we naturally find gratitude. So grace and guidance, paired with gratitude and faith keep us grounded when storms pop up in our lives.
Still, I am re-learning in times of crisis we often need simple strategies to help us “get a handle on things. ” And we need the glue of love and wisdom.
What helps you to mend when you come unglued?
Parenting is certainly one place where we all come unglued . . . no matter the age or stage of our children. And many times simple strategies can help mend things.
I have been thinking about TSJ peeps who are tired, loving parents who face common challenges while guiding and raising children.
To help parents, there are many websites filled with blog posts and articles that offer good strategies.
My own bent is to help with our own personal and spiritual development. And that in the long run is good for the long run.
But today, I am going to mention three resources that just may help you re-glue and repair simple breaks in the smoothness of your parenting lives. These are resources I have admired and agree with. I do not get any compensation for the recommendations. In fact they do not even know me. And I invite you to share other favorite resources with each other by responding to this post!
I have enjoyed reading the following websites and blog posts:
Susan Stiffleman: www.parentingwithoutpowerstruggles.com, Mark Hutten: www.myaspergerschild.com Todd Sarner: www.transformativeparenting.com
We are at that point in the summer when parents often need some new ideas.
This week Solomon and SJ are so glad we are home from the hospital. SJ is a small version of Solomon but a little lopsided so he wanted me to tell you that he likes my mended cup because it is a sign of the perfection in our imperfection. He said I could tell you he has a special problem…no matter how hard he tries, he cannot sit up straight. He leans. He just came that way.
Solomon has helped us all see the grace that comes from apparent imperfections. And that spiritual restoration is often the byproduct of undergoing repair.
And he says that Mr. Tom has been re-glued nicely, his breathing has been repaired and now we all are part of the restoration of his health with our love and prayers!
So, we are playing again in the pastures with a new awareness of how special the pastures of life really are.
Playing gratefully with the guidance of a divine Shepherd,
Margie and Tom, Solomon and SJ.
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