The Unexpected

It's hard sometimes.  Life.  My hubby said it well, "Things like this are just what happen when you live in a fallen state".  I guess it's true too.  My 7 year old has to go in for an ACL repair on his knee.  Seems unfair for such a little guy.  Seems unfair that he land wrong on the one bounce on the trampoline.  Seems unfair that it just snapped, didn't pull or stretch or twist, just popped.  Seems unfair that the whole thing makes me nauseated every time I think about it.  But, that's how it is.  The unsecure thoughts are endless too.  What is something goes wrong? What if his growth plate is affected? What if we are making a mistake taking him in for surgery?  Lots of doubts, questions and unknowns.  But, I have a choice to focus on those or on more secure thoughts. Accidents  happen.  He is young and healthy.  We live close to the children's hospital and specialists who know how to fix this.  He is happy and vibrant and will do fine.  This has been done many times before and kids grow in to adults who run and play soccer and live active, full lives after ACL surgery. So, I think I'll focus on that and live the surgery once.  And that will be on the day of the surgery, not before, not after.  When it's over, he will need me to help him recover and I want to be my best, healthy, happy self too.  So, for today, I'm gonna go make breakfast for him, because right now that's what really matters to him!! :)

At least I'm doing one thing right!

.....rubbing feet.  It's that simple.  I could end the post right here and enough said.  But, I'll add.....just do it.  I know you're thinking, "ewwww!  that's gross!" or "I'm not touching anyone's feet".  I'm going to challenge your thinking here.  Really?  So what that feet stink.  They've been in shoes all day.  Or running barefoot and covered with dirt.  Look at those feet!  Little or big, you helped create them!  They work, they run, they grow, they get tired and dirty cause they are living life, it's a really great thing!  So, why is rubbing feet so very important!  Cause it's a game changer.  You know, that play in game that changes the entire outcome of the rest of the game?  It can be one play, like an interception or a couple of good plays, but it changes the direction the game was going in and builds momentum and wah-lah.....victory!   I believe rubbing feet is a game changer in our relationships with our kids (or all this applies to spouses too).  Here's the "How to":  1) Get a bottle of lotion or cream (my favorite is body butter at Walmart--Vanilla Almond scent--it's easy to rub and smells good!)  2) Have your kid lie down on the bed or sitting down (if they're feet REALLY stink, send them to the tub for a 30 second scrub--trust me they'll run to do it after the first time).  3) Rub.  Sometimes talk happens, sometimes it doesn't.  Both are good.  It only needs to take 2-5 minutes depending on how much time you have and what conversation develops.  Here's what I've learned.  Touch is so important and it's easy to quit touching our kids as they get older.  But, it matters.  And there's something about rubbing someone's feet that is very tender in a humble sort of way.  When Christ was here one of his last acts of supreme love was washing his disciples feet. It is a supreme act of love, and our kids feel that.  It doesn't even need to be said, although there's nothing wrong with saying it either, but they feel it.  And little or big, our kids love it.  They look forward to it now.  They plop down and pull of their socks and soak it up like little (or big) sponges.  And often their mouths start dribbling on about their day or their friends or happy things or sad things.  Sometimes I converse back, teach, or counsel, sometimes I just listen.  But, they know I love them and they know I care.  And that gives them courage and confidence to just be who they are and keep carrying on with you in their life.  My relationship with my kids is stronger, there are more hugs, more kind words, more willingness to help and just be pleasant.  It's not the answer for every problem, but it helps and it's something simple I can do EVERY DAY!