a flurry of special circumstances

For the past three weeks, I have had my meals cooked by another, dishes washed not by my hands, and trash taken out as if by magic. I have even had some time to myself, to read, to use the restroom leisurely, to rest my arms and not spend every minute of every daylight time holding and entertaining the baby.

Because my mother had been visiting her grandson, her daughter, and her son-in-law for the last three weeks.

And I really, really, really appreciated all of her help and tireless cooking and co-caring for the baby. I feel really spoiled now. How can I go back to being all by myself again, all day, thinking of things to do with the baby, while trying to keep the house clean and meals cooked to boot?

It is really more daunting than it sounds. Nevertheless, I am thankful to rely on God in a whole new way. I will go back to caring for my son all by myself for most of the day again, because I must, and--as much as sometimes the thought still paralyzes me with fatigue-laden fear--I can. For He has given me a spirit not of fear, but of power through Christ.

I've been going through the Bible quite extensively, you see. My brother also paid a one-day (matter of hours, really) visit over the last weekend, and gifted me with a nook(!) Which allows free downloads of certain books(!) like the Bible. And it's so, so portable to read, knowing I have several books at my disposal, all on the palm of my hand, while I sit next to my son, whose napping never guarantees that he can be left alone with the propensity to scratch his eczema-inflicted cheeks to bloodiness, even in his sleep.

And in my extensive reading of the Bible, I am surprised by how often suffering is mentioned as a natural course of the Christian life. A beneficial, natural course, in fact. Maybe more on this later.

In the meantime, my husband has finally turned in his thesis. This might mean that he'll have more time to spend with the baby and me before he starts his new job. Lots of traveling and uncommon schedules before then. Starting with today's baby shower thrown by my husband's extended family. I have a lot to be thankful for, mainly about their kindness and desire to show love for my son. The latter held up relatively well under such (over)stimulation, with one or two crying jags that I was able to calm him down from. Whew. Clean-up and packing for Michigan tomorrow.