This week has been tough. We are on "vacation." So far, we have had two E.R. visits, three sick kids and 5 prescriptions filled.

My friend Lacey posted this quote on one of her latest blog posts:
"Whenever God inspires, the initiative is a moral one. We must do the thing and not lie like a log. If we will arise and shine, drudgery becomes divinely transfigured.

Drudgery is one of the finest touchstones of character there is. Drudgery is work that is very far removed from anything to do with the ideal – the utterly mean, grubby things; and when we come in contact with them we know instantly whether or not we are spiritually real. Read John 13. We see the Incarnate God doing the most desperate piece of drudgery, washing fishermen’s feet, and he says – “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.” It requires the inspiration of God to go through drudgery with the light of God upon it. Some people do a certain thing and the way in which they do it hallows that thing for ever afterwards. It may be the most commonplace thing, but after we have seen them do it, it becomes different. When the Lord does a thing through us, He always transfigures it. Our Lord took on Him human flesh and transfigured it, and it has become for every saint the temple of the Holy Ghost." Oswald Chambers

I opened up a Bible Gateway tab: and clicked on John 14. (Even though Mr. Chambers said John 13...I misread it or forgot, or perhaps God divinely intervened.)

Verse 1: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me."

Verse 27: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Verses 15-23 speak a lot about obeying. "If you love me, you will obey what I command" (15)

So perhaps Mr. Chambers wanted me to read chapter 13. (I should probably go do that too) but God had other plans.

He reminded me through Mr. Chambers that even in the midst of trudgery - everyday nitty gritty hard life - which for our family includes many many hospital stays, ER visits, and prescriptions, breathing treatments, and long sleepless nights - that it is for really, our good. I am not to be troubled or dismayed. God is there beside me. I can press on. And I need to just...well do it. Obey God. In his divine plan he gave us two very special medically needy boys. And someday we will see something awesome come out of it. Though those baby boys' smiles are awesome in themselves.

Another reminder: "I do not give to you as the world gives" verse 27. God has given us two precious gifts. The world may not understand or see it that way. But God, his way is bigger and his gifts are better than any worldly gift.

Honestly, I will be very disappointed if tomorrow (on sweet Morgann's 5th birthday) those boys need another E.R. visit. I will be mad. I will ask God: "WHY??" And if that happens, I pray that God reminds me that this "drudgery" is for his glory, to transform my life, and a blessing to us in disguise. And that I will obey God and give him the glory.