Season 4, Episode 20, “A Most Precious Gift”
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“We didn’t learn until years later about all the worry Ma went through. But it wasn’t important she said, because we were all blessed by the coming of Baby Grace.”
Laura Ingalls
If we aren’t careful we can miss the wonderful blessings God is giving us today. Our minds focus on what we want to happen, what we feel needs to happen for us to be happy. At times, we have the tendency to believe that our plan—not God’s plan—is best.
When Caroline Ingalls is pregnant, she can’t stop her mind from spinning with worry. She’s convinced Charles wants a son and believes God should give them what they want. She begs and pleads, stays up late into the night dreaming of the son they would soon hold. She’s so preoccupied with making her plan a reality that she misses out on the joy of the moment.
I dare say we may be doing the same thing in the midst of COVID-19. We want this whole thing to be over—for the virus to run it’s course in record time, for the economy to recover, and for sporting events to return to our televisions. We worry and stress over things we can’t control, instead of finding joy in a slower pace and more concentrated time with our families.
After Caroline’s baby is born, she is completely filled with wonder. She doesn’t wish Baby Grace was anything else. That baby is perfection.
Now I’m not saying that coronavirus is a good thing—far from it—but God is at work in His mysterious ways. I have a feeling we will look back on this day in history and think, “Wow that was a beautiful time.”
The empty schedules.
All the concentrated hours with the people we love.
The calls and texts and cards we have sent because there was time to do it.
The prayers we have prayed for the world and our neighbors.
For me it will be baking treats in the kitchen with my girl Raegan and playing hours and hours of grass volleyball with Tobey. It will be eating dinner around the table together. Every. Single. Night. And watching Little House episodes, what a treat!
When it’s all over I hope we won’t remember the stress and the worry, the long lines at the grocery store, or the continuous news reports of the COVID-19 numbers rising. What I do hope for is gratefulness. Gratefulness for all God has done in our families and in our hearts.
Verses to Ponder
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV
I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1 NIV
Questions to Act On
What are you most grateful for during this time of isolation? What will you miss when it’s all over?
Much Love,
Wendi
** Tomorrow, it’s Friday! I’m taking a break from writing and we will start with a live video and then do a watch party of a Little House event video. If you want to join in then see you tomorrow at 9am on my Facebook page, Wendi Turnbaugh as Baby Grace.
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