Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Perspective is a funny thing

The other day as we were getting ready for Christmas Eve, the boys were running around acting like crazy people and neither Phil nor I were being very tolerant of the mayhem. A friend who was there witnessing it all sensed our aggravation and said "Can you imagine trying to do all of this with six or seven kids running around?" To which Phil responded, with absolutely no hesitation and more than a hint of exasperation in his voice, "God definitely knew what he was doing when he made us barren!"

I laughed as hard at that as I have laughed at anything in a very long time. I think Phil was kind of serious when he said it, but he started laughing too. After the fact, when I was repeating the story to somebody else, I realized just how amazing life can be. The most painful thing that he and I have ever gone through as a couple and as individuals (with the exception of Phil's mom's death) is now something that we can laugh at. Really hard laughing. I'm not typically one who cries much, but I cried more tears during those years before Adam that I wasn't sure they would ever stop. And now it seems like such a distant, almost non-existent memory.

Now here we are, with these two little boys who are living answers to thousands of prayers, laughing at that which was so painful not all that long ago. Every time I stop to really consider it, I look at these boys knowing that a million things had to line up perfectly in order for them to be our kids - for us to be a family - and I agree with Phil: God definitely knows what he is doing.

4 comments:

Kelly Hill said...

Wish I could have been there! I love a good laugh - especially brought on by Pho.

Isn't it crazy how our views can be turned so completely once we're out of the most painful part of our existence? God blesses us in so many ways, but you're right... it's completely a matter of perspective!

Those two little (at times exasperating to you) blessings are well worth any pain you had to suffer. Easy for me to say, right? But I know it's true. I'm glad you do as well.

Kristi said...

Wow - great timing. I really needed that story. Thank you!

Lydia said...

It's a good thing He has a plan because even with what we think is such a trial it all works out so much better than what we could do with it.

Michelle said...

Amen sister!!! We had a very similar experience just the other day!!! Sometimes we really do thank heaven for unanswered prayers.