God anticipates our needs long before we do

The last few weeks has been nothing if not busy and eventful with a series of ups and downs, highs and lows.

Last week I celebrated my 33rd birthday. The day started with my dog running away, Mr Mike and the boys sick on the couches and the arrival of AF. The dog came back a few hours later and I enjoyed having my husband around the house to chat with, even if he did drift in and out of a Ny.Quil-induced coma. But the heavy heart hung around for days.

These words ring in my head and offer solace:

The greater the self-giving, the greater the love.

But a heavy heart is just sometimes made heavier simply because you're reminded of it when you least expect it. Like at the Urgent Care the other night--I received a tick bite on my ear while on a hike which developed into cellulitis--I had to answer the "are you pregnant or any chance you could be" question multiple times before they'd Rx me the necessary prophylactic antibiotic. I swallowed down the lump in my throat and answered, "no".

But on the other hand, at least I was eligible for the antibiotic which will (hopefully) prevent me from developing Ly.me's.

Moving on...all three boys were struck down with the swine flu last week. Somehow, I managed to escape the sickness--perhaps it's the megadoses of Vitamin D I'm taking in my fermented cod liver oil. Regardless, it was a very good thing as someone had to remain standing. Everyone came through it fine and no worse for the wear.

This week, DH started a new job. He wasn't even looking to leave his old job but he was offered a fantastic opportunity (both professionally and personally) to start working as a software developer for a contract company. The job comes with a small salary increase and served as a confirmation for me that I should not return to work (good thing, as I just filed my nursing license officially as inactive).

We got a minivan. Lord help me...I'm driving an 8-passenger vehicle. We have no business in my mind driving around a vehicle that has so much room and intended for a large family. I resisted, really I did and we certainly weren't looking for another vehicle. I do miss my SUV but I am grateful for the great price we got on a newer vehicle with far fewer miles to drive around. And being about to sell my beloved VUE on Craigslist.

I am humbled by how well God is taking care of us. In fact, all the events surrounding this new job, the tick bite, the new vehicle and even new cycle is a much-needed reminder than God is caring for all our needs--even if not all our desires--before we can anticipate them ourselves.

Who knows...perhaps one day, they'll be good reason for those extra seats in the van too.



PS...I got the tick bite while on a glorious fall hike through a local wildlife refuge. I admit, the weather and scenery made it worth the trip to Urgent Care...