For the Win
For Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.
2 Corinthians 12:10
Apparently, when we were dealing with the stomach flu last week, God was just lobbing softballs over the plate.
And I was getting cocky.
“I got this!” I yelled, as I loaded up my swing and got in my batter’s stance. Feeling a little too “in the zone” in this great game of finding gratitude in all things that I’ve been playing.
The sweet sound of maple hitting leather with a satisfying CRACK as I said, “Thank you for this. Thank you for the opportunity to serve, and give comfort and lean into You. Thank you!”
Apparently, I was up for a bigger challenge.
And we got it–when Chris decided his appendix had been freeloading a little too long in this body of his and he needed to get it the heck out. Now. At the moment our heads hit the pillow after a long day.
So here we are, 36 hours later, and though my hands may be a little calloused, I’m still holding that bat.
Maybe the stomach flu taught me the joy of being His hands and feet for the ones I love, but the hard hours in a hospital room taught me the absolute blessing and absolute privilege to have others be His servants for you.
The nurses, the doctors, our precious friends and family.
Chris and I held it together until we realized how far we’d been carried through this by so many people and how absolutely and completely we were covered by His protection through it all. And then the tears of gratitude fell. Lots of ‘em.
CRACK.
As we run the bases these next few days together, a little sore and weathered, giving high-fives to our cracker jack team of pinch hitters, we’ll smile at the victory that isn’t ours, but that we get to celebrate anyway.
I’ll take that win. Every time.
Prayers for speedy healing!!
Oh, wow. Thinking about you guys. Stay warm (hospitals can get so cold) and take care of yourself, too, Sarah. Keeping swinging that bat!
Beautifully written (as always). Will be praying for your family and especially Chris!
Prayers for healing, and quick recovery. Matt did that about 2 years ago, only he got pneumonia too. Hospital stays with 2 kids is hard. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. Even if it’s just an hour to catch up on some sleep. Or a pedicure…
Sending love, prayers, and a fast recovery to Chris <3
Saying a grateful prayer for all of your helpers…and your entire family!
OMG, I think some more cookies are in order. Prayers are being sent your way Mama Pea!
Sending healing thoughts your way!
Oh no! So glad it wasn’t worse. Praying for a quick recovery. You should probably be glad we aren’t all closer to you because you’d probably have so many more covered dishes than you’d know what to do with showing up at your door!
Lifting your family up in prayer!
Prayers your way. What a sweet message to bring out of it. Thank you for sharing your love for The Lord.
How about I just asked you for book advice and I’m about to finish the book you have in that picture?
All I know is that if we lived even remotely close to one another I’d be bringing y’all dinner like every.single.day. No ifs ands or buts
Love you friend – always praying!
Wow, what a rough few weeks for the Pea family. Sending you so much love and well wishes! xoxo
Aw sorry to hear about this Mama Pea! Hang in there. I’m sending lots of hugs and prayers your way.
oh my, what a crazy week! praying for a speedy recovery!
Sending you all lots of lovely wishes.
Oh no! Get well soon wishes being sent from me to your hubby!
Hugs, love, and prayers for you and your family. I miss being close to all my college buddies especially when the going gets zesty.
Prayers for a speedy recovery!
Whenever I’m working as a nurse, I feel very connected to my faith. Especially with some patients and especially on the palliative/hospice ward. The amazing thing about being a human, is that we are all fragile and beautiful at the same time. I see people at their ugliest, sickest, scariest moments..and I feel VERY privileged to be in that moment in their life. I’m grateful that he’s on the mend and that you’ve had great staff. It’s so easy to get caught up in the non-important things in life..but when push comes to shove God, your health and family are the most important really. I love being a nurse and I love that I can feel God working through me when I’m working in that capacity.
praying for a full recovery friend. His HEALING
Oh Sarah, many prayers! That is absolutely scary and no fun.
A few years ago my husband’s appendix burst and they didn’t figure it out for two weeks. Two….weeks…. Long enough for it to completely break apart into separate pieces requiring major surgery. He was in the hospital for a really long time and I was very nervous.
Thankfully he is alive and well, PTL!
Praying for strength and a speedy recovery for all of you!!!
Beautifully written, as always….Your outlook on this situation is inspring–God lifts us up and guides through the roughest times of our lives…Prayers for healing!
Good gracious.. you guys have been through the ringer! Sending up prayers for strength for all of you and a quick recovery for Chris.
Oh gosh Sarah, I am so sorry! Wish I could be there to help. I really do. Prayers coming to you, Chris, and the girls. Oh and tell Chris we’ll stay in our pajamas all day in his honor tomorrow.
Oh man, that’s crazy! Praying for a full and quick recovery. You are maintaining a great attitude through all of this and I can definitely see God working through you!
Oh goodness! Saying prayers for you all!
That’s scary, but it sounds like you’ve got a lot of help and support! I hope Chris heals quickly, and that you get some rest, as well.
Oh my word. Glad everything is okay. Glad you had such an amazing team taking car of you. Sending prayers and good thoughts your way. Hope for a quick recovery over there!
Sarah – my thoughts and prayers and with Chris, you and the girls. Wishing for a speedy and full recovery!
Oh I am so sorry this happened. I am also very grateful you both caught it when you did. My prayers are with you and Chris for no pain and a very speedy recovery.
Loving and healing prayers to your sweet family.
Time and time again, Sarah you remind me what it is to be human and faithful. Thank you.
You and your attitude are amazing. Keeping you and your sweet family lifted in prayer today!! Hugs.
What a wonderful post about gratitude! Here’s hoping he has a speedy recovery.
“… but for the Grace of God, go I ” are the first thoughts that come to my mind
I had the flu a couple weeks ago, now I have what feels like walking pnuemonia as I care for my 3 & 4 yr olds with full blown flu and a 45 year old husband thats sick too. This mom doesn’t need any more on her plate.
Hang in there Sarah…
beautiful!
Oh I loved this, and I loved our “high five” this morning. What a journey we’re on huh? I’m so thankful you went in when you did, and that Chris is on the mend. Love you to bits!
We just never know what each day will bring. With the grateful heart you have, the Lord will always be with you.
You are such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing this difficult time with all of us. It really reminds all of us how much we DO HAVE to be thankful for!
OH NO!! Get better soon Pea Daddy!
Ugh, did you guys at least catch it before it ruptured? Mine exploded this past spring and I got a rocking scar (well, 4, because they didn’t know it burst and had to convert a lap into an open.). I’d also went to the gym right before we went to the hospital. Life lessons, shower before you go to the ER. I hope Chris is feeling ok! Abdominal surgery is not the most fun.
We were blown away with how freaking nice everyone in the hospital was (Providence St Vincents!). While staying in the hospital wasn’t an ideal thing, it took away a lot of fear I had of being in the hospital, and it was reassuring since I knew it’s where we’d have a baby at some point.
(In fact, it we liked it so much that we’ll be back at St Vincent’s in June…. on the maternity floor. Thank you God for making me feel good about the hospital, and giving me such a jacked-up looking stomach that I feared no stretch marks.)
I am so sorry to hear that happened to Chris Sarah! At least he is well and it didn’t happen in Hawaii! I will pray for continued (quick!) healing!!
Prayers for Pea Daddy and for the rest of you! It’s always something!
Wishing pea daddy a speed recover! Stay strong Mama Pea, as always you are an awesome woman!
Appendicitis is not fun but it is simple, simple surgery and easy recovery, soon he will be running around with the kids again!
I had it myself when I was 18, and my son just had it about a month ago, we left the hospital on the night of Dec 24th just so my 10 year old could be home for Christmas day. Just had the follow up appointment with the surgeon this past week.
It takes a week or so to feel like yourself again, and in the meantime pea daddy has all the wonderful women in his life taking good care of him!
My positive thoughts and prayers are with you guys!
Ana
praying you all continue to see god in every word and every deed of each person around you! may he surprise and delight you unexpectedly! and may you savor the extra moments/hours/days together that are a gift during recovery!
Wishing your husband a speedy recovery Mama Pea and may your light shine forever so bright. You are simply amazing, what a gift to humanity. Thank you for always shining so bright x
Oh my goodness, wishing you and all the peas wellness!!
Eek! Glad you’re all okay!!
Talk about bad timing (in my eye’s)…my husband found out he has testicular cancer and has the lump removed on December 13. We get home, I make him some soup, get him to bed. when I finally lay down, my water breaks and I go into labour! My husband, being such a faithful person, saw the whole situation as a blessing. They caught the cancer and removed it before it spread, and he got to see our son born while on painkillers (he jokes it was an amazing experience and not stressful at all!!) Hope everyone recovers in your home!
Jen, your husband sounds like a pretty amazing guy! Praying for health, happiness and continued perspective for you all.
Everything always seems to happen at once! I hope you guys are all feeling better
Wow! It has been a week for you! i’m so encouraged by your point of view & am learning from it… i pray that he recovers quickly & fully & God shower His wonderful blessings on you all…
I’m learning from it too. And I’m still smiling! Thanks for your sweet encouragement.