I have learned to see the good in all things ...
Such as when my toddler daughter, who has special needs, accidentally knocks something over with her wheelchair, and looks up at me and says: "Oops! 'Manda made mess!" When I see her peering up at me with those big, brown eyes of hers, or see her sweet little chubby-cheeked face, there's no way on God's green earth that I can stay mad at her.
Miranda, who is two, has spina bifida. She was born with it. She may walk in the future, but for now, she uses her chair to get around. Nothing has really slowed her down. I thank God every day for her. She is a miracle!
I also have learned to laugh when the computer or phone messes up because of another coronal mass explosion/ejection (CME) sending particles into the atmosphere, sparking brilliant auroral displays, which, in kind, messes up communication.
Then I have to wait until these "storms" settle down before I can get back to using my phone or computer. It is during times like this when I read or sing to my children, praising God for creating such brilliant celestial light shows in our night time skies.
We live in Alaska, which is Aurora Country: our area is prime for regular auroral displays.
I have learned to laugh when Jed (my husband) lost his job. He spends his time raising our children while I am at work. Jed does a very good job in caring for not only Miranda, but for our other two children, our twin six-year-old boys Judson, Jr., and Jebediah, who are at school a good part of the day. (He has all day; I have them in the evenings and on weekends.) I work for a attorney specializing in disability claims. I love my job.
Even though we are only bringing home one paycheck, God still provides what we need ... and He is never late!
I have learned to laugh when our kids end up in the ER or in the hospital for whatever reason. The last time Miranda was in for surgery (on her legs), the nurses bragged on her sense of humor and how the little girl made them laugh.
Miranda may not like needles or having surgery, but when she's feeling better, she entertains the nurses (and doctors) with her play and with her vivid imagination. She also loves to sing silly songs. Miranda is a very intelligent little girl.
I have learned to see the humor when my twins wreck the house with one of their impromptu indoor wrestling or football matches. I do get mad at them at first, but like our daughter, I can't stay mad at the boys because they are so trusting, so innocent, and they are two peas in a pod. They look just alike; one usually can't tell them apart unless they've been around them all the time, as we have.
Life may not be easy, but God manages to make the hard times easier to bear, and He always rewards us with providing for our needs and giving us glorious displays of auroras dancing in the Arctic nighttime skies. It's like He's saying: "Well done, faithful servant: you've kept My word; now I will reward you with some of my creative artistry. Enjoy!"
And we do. Oh, yes, we do! It is always fun to watch the rapt expressions on the faces of my kids as they watch the auroras, and I enjoy watching Jed's face: he turns into a little boy; it's like he is a little kid at Christmas because the problems of the day are temporarily forgotten as we praise God for providing us ringside seats for one of His most marvelous (and mysterious) creations.
Sometimes the handle of life might snap right off, but God has a way of fixing it and making it right again. And He always reminds us that He is still in control; and the auroras of late have been a testiment to His mercy and grace upon our lives! And the times of laughter or joy, even in the midst of pain or despair, make life that much more interesting to experience!
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