I found myself doing normal tasks this morning. And then I thought, “What is normal, anyway?” Dictionary.com has something to say about this…
Normal: conforming to the standard or the common type; usual; not abnormal; regular; natural
“not abnormal” Gotta love that! So not helpful. Anyway… Normal depends on a standard. Again, not very helpful – since they’re tons of standards and they’re all really different!
I was listening to the radio as I was doing my “normal” tasks. Laura Story’s Blessings was sailing through the upstairs bedrooms… “We pray for blessings.” I make the bed. “We pray for peace.” I unload the dryer. “We doubt your goodness.” I start paying attention. “We doubt your love.” Yeah. I do that. “As if every promise from your word is not enough.” Ouch.
As followers of Jesus, our standard is the Bible. We define normal from God’s Word. I’m still struggling a bit with this new normal – Is it normal for families to suffer. More specifically, is it normal for children to suffer? Unfortunately, yes.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!
I have overcome the world. John 16:33
What’s the promise? He has overcome! This is our temporary home. There will be a day…
He will wipe every tear from their eyes.
There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain,
for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4
Crayons In My Water 
Kathryn,
I have to tell you that lately I have noticed such a marked difference in the tone of your e-mails! GF, you rock! I love this uplifting new voice and attitude you have about everything, without losing sight of God. I love it! Please, don’t change! As I’ve said several times, we’ve never met, but I feel this closeness to you. I’ve followed you, Anne, and your family almost every day since the accident. I’ve not just applauded the steps that Anne has taken and accomplished, but I’ve applauded you, too. Personally, I don’t know if I could have done what you’ve done! I’m not sure that my faith is as strong as yours is. That’s bothered me throughout this experience. I’ve always felt I was firm in my belief and my religious beliefs have certainly been tested throughout time. But now I feel as if my faith and belief in God is the strongest it’s ever been. I know my life is not without sin, but I know that God is a forgiving and understanding God. I’ve been hurt terribly in my life by my EX husband! I’ve lived with depression and anxiety all my life. However, now…6 or 7 years after our divorce…I’m less depressed and anxious than I’ve ever been in my lifetime. My depression and anxiety are inherited from my father’s side of the family. I lived in an emotionally abusive marriage for 36 years. My EX dominated my life and beat me down emotionally every single chance he got! Leaving the marriage, I was truly a “basket case”. I moved away from my hometown I’d lived in ever since I’d been born. I taught school for 30 years in the district that I attended. I attended the same church where I was baptized. I knew everyone, just about, in our small town. I thought I was happy. Even though the divorce was so very devastating to me, I feel like a new person. I finally feel free. I love my life. I’m happier than any other time in my life, except the day my wonderful daughter was born. I can honestly say that my EX did two things for me during the 36 years we were together. Those two things was giving me my daughter and divorcing me. For those two things I am grateful for. I took the divorce classes at a local church in my new town and I did great and could feel and see myself evolving from this tragedy in my life. I felt really good until the lesson on forgiving, the last chapter. I’ve not been able to forgive my EX for what he did to me. He hurt me in a way that I never thought a human being could hurt another. I loved him that much. We’d been together since we were 15. There had never been another man for me. But it was easier for him to find someone else. Of course, I didn’t find this out ’til after the divorce. He’s now married and my daughter they seemed happy. It’s odd that our daughter could see my misery in the marriage, but she never spoke to me about it. I guess she knew that I wouldn’t handle the information from her well. I don’t know and I haven’t asked her. It feels like I found God again, though. Right after my EX told me he was divorcing me, I did nothing but cry. Finally, one day as I sat in my chair crying, I looked up to the ceiling and asked God to please, please help me get through this ’cause I couldn’t do it by myself. Within minutes, I felt like e ton of bricks had been lifted from my shoulders. I dried my tears. God had heard me and had answered my prayer. I knew at that moment that I could get thru this with His help and that I would become a better person because of what had happened. And I have! I own my on home and take care of everything that I’d never thought I’d be able to. God has enabled me, though. Others have just been in awe of how I’ve handled everything and how different I am now. Praise the Lord! Everyday, I praise His name!
“Normal”..l’ve often asked myself just what “normal” meant, too. I’m still not sure I know exactly what “normal” is. I think what is “normal” for one person is not “normal” for another person. I just know that God is always there for me! I take such comfort in knowing I can go to him with anything.
The feelings you have about being “normal” are experienced by everyone, I believe. You do the things that make you happy, that make the children happy, and that make your entire life happy. This is what God wants for you and for everyone. He doesn’t promise us that everything in our life is going to be sunshine and roses. I’m sure you are well aware of that now. We learn to be stinger people by getting thru the rough times in our lives. Everyday is a challenge to all of us, for we don’t know what each day holds for us. Only God does. I’ve come to remember this everyday…God is in control. We really don’t have any control of our lives; only God does.
Anne is a miracle of God! I look forward to hearing more accomplishments about her. I look forward to hearing how your “new” life is coming along. This is a great change for you, too. I pray that you will turn to God every time you wonder about something. He’s always got the answers. They may not be the answers we want to hear, and they may not come when we want them to come. Be patient and wait upon the Lord.
Thanks for letting me share my story with you.
God bless you, Anne, the other children and your husband!
My prayers are with you every day!
Hugs!
Freida ;-)
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Thank you so much for sharing your story! It’s such a beautiful picture of Jesus caring for His own, brokenness and all! Thank you!
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amen amen amen!! It is so hard, somehow, to keep sight of reality in our culture. I’m sure it’s always been that way. You are one of my normal heros.
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Normal Is Just A Setting On Your Dryer (Patsy Clairmont)
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Haha!! That’s great!
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