Friday, May 30, 2008

Perspective

It all began around 3:30 this morning.

A dog got up.

This dog doesn't normally get up during the night unless he is feeling icky. I've learned from past experience that it's better to put him out. Rather than wait and see what might happen. So, I put him out. And went out back twice to check on him. Because he was out there a really long time.

About the time I thought he might want to come in, another dog got up. This one got up because he heard us up and apparently thought he might be missing out on something. So, out he went. And in he came. And out he went. And in they both finally came. With the second dog tucked back into his room, the first dog and I decided to head back to bed.

And the third dog got up. And wanted to go out. And then wanted to drink enough water to float a battleship. And my patience was growing thin. Because the more he drank, the better the chances that he would want to go out again. Finally, all the dogs were tucked in bed.

And then the first dog decided that he really wasn't through with his stomach upset after all. So back down we go. Him feeling sick and me feeling irritated that in an hour I'll have to get back up and this whole debacle has lasted an hour and a half now. So, I sat down at my computer to pour out my woes to the world. After all, ya'll will listen with a sympathetic ear. And it really isn't fair that the entire house has slept through the travelling dog circus while I have been awakened for potty duty for the past six hours. (Notice how the time keeps growing?)

And then I clicked on this.

And this.

And now, all I can do is pray for these families.

And maybe that's really why I'm up.

Because no matter whatever little trauma I'm dealing with at the moment, it's nothing compared to what these families are facing.

It's all a matter of perspective.

7 comments:

Angela Baylis said...

Amen, Karen! This really helped me put things in perspective too! Wow... Thank you for sharing this morning. I hope you get a nap today!

Have a good weekend.
Love,
Angie xoxo

Queen B said...

Thank you for sharing these stories. I needed to hear them today as I was fretting over completely ridiculous things.

Queen B said...

Thank you for sharing these stories. I needed to hear them today as I was fretting over completely ridiculous things.

annette said...

Perspective is right. No doubt you were awakened to pray for such an hour as this. I am so saddened by these stories. Gives me quick perspective. Love, Annette

Lori ~ The Simple Life at Home said...

Perspective is right. I've been bemoaning the fact that I'm so lonely, don't have a friend since my move, blah, blah, blah. And now, at 1 am, here I sit unable to sleep because one of my dearest friend's just lost her husband in a plane crash. It's really brought things into perspective for me as well. We are such babies sometimes, aren't we? The littlest things throw us all off kilter, when we have no idea how good we have it. Thanks for reminding us.

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

I did have to smile about the dog circus. I have one little Yorkie, whose bladder is the size of a pencil eraser. Every time I watch her take a drink, I think, (or say), "She's re-loading." First time here, just saying hi, enjoying the posts, and that Cinderella Baby is the cutest thing EVER.

Anonymous said...

Karen, I found my way over via differet blogs. I forget which one got me here, but I think it was Lori's Simple Life at Home.

Anyway, it is now 5:15 am, and I've been up an hour or more. Like eyes popped open awake. I know what that means.

Years ago I heard a very wise lady say, "If you are the mother of small children and are awake in the middle of the night but no child is crying, ask God what He wants to talk about." For me, it is almost always intercession for someone else. Wish I could say that means I never get annoyed or frustrated about the sleep I COULD be getting, but periodically, I email the folks I'm praying for while I'm praying for them, and their responses often leave me humble.

I don't know if the folks you mentioned know you pray for them at night or any other time, but it may be your prayers that make the difference at that exact moment.

Thank you for this wonderful reminder of the bigger picture!