This…. has been a tough week. 

On Monday my wife got so sick that I had to stay home from work.  Being the great dad that I am, I took our younger five to Chick-fil-A for lunch.  Ever been thrown up on at Chick-fil-A?  I have.  (Twice now actually.)  Yes, our 1 ½ year old got the same thing mommy got and decided to puke on me in the middle of the restaurant.  (I think it freaked one ‘good ole boy’ out so bad that he’ll never have kids.) 

So that was fun.  And the sickness has lingered with mom and baby most of the week. 

On Tuesday, our 10 year old woke up with a cough that would wake the dead. 

On Wednesday, a horrible rainstorm came through and soaked the wall under the upstairs bathroom window.  (At some point a child opened the storm window.) There’s a huge unrepairable bubble in the wallpaper. 

Then there’s this ongoing problem involving a close relative and my wife that’s reared it’s ugly head.  A big ‘ole white elephant in the room.  But this person isn’t ignoring it, they’re letting it in and feeding it peanuts to keep it around.  Drives me bonkers. 

So I haven’t been feeling real chipper.  Been feeling sort of discouraged to be honest.  But then yesterday I ran into a friend that my wife and I know. 

She and her husband have seven kids.  Four of their own and three that they’ve adopted from Liberia.  Two little toddlers and one teenage girl.  They took the teenage girl after another family who had had her a year decided that it “wasn’t working out.”  Six months ago our friend was diagnosed with cancer.  But yesterday when I saw her, she was happy and her smile was warm and real. 

She inspired me and reminded me of something beautiful and bigger then the day to day drudgery of life.  And I started thinking of others…

Like the dad I know who’s teaching his son sign language because his son is slowly going deaf.  You my friend, are a hero. 

And my buddy who showed up at church on Easter with his wife and three daughters.  I know the demons you fight everyday… and the anger you still direct towards God… and how you have sworn off “church” and “church people.”  Knowing that you still fight the battle in spite of those things encourages me. 

There’s the old man in Starbucks in Asheville who showed me pictures of his great grand-daughters who were adopted from China.  You told me how much you loved them.  As much as your other biological grandchildren.  And you were being truthful.  I could see it in your eyes.  You reminded me how equally loved we all are by God. 

There’s the group of guys I’ve gotten to know who’re following a dream and working hard and realizing success.  You guys are an inspiration to be around and help me find the strength to fight through another week. 

And my friend the doc.  You’ve devoted your life to helping and healing the wounded among us.  Do you know how many men would drop everything if you needed help?  Thank you for piercing me.

Saving the best for last… my wife struggling with the daily challenge of raising six children and juggling so many things that have to be done.  You make sure we all have clean clothes and a stocked pantry and good meals and a clean house and… I’m getting tired just thinking about all you do. 

The hardest part of my life is having to live most of the day isolated from the ones I care about and who know the ‘heart’ part of me.  I go off to my job and spend most of my day surrounded by people and talking to customers.  But it’s all business.  And then I get home and there’s kids stuff that has to get done.  Before I know it, the day’s gone and I wake up to start all over again.  I want connection and I want fellowship and miss my Christian brothers (desperately at times.) 

But life must be lived.  So I hold on to these memories of people I call brothers and sisters and turn back towards the challenges that God is using to help me grow.  Thank you for the reminder that we’re all doing this together.  We’re all living this life.  All walking it out.  All doing the hard work that must be done as we travel down the narrow road to make our way home.