Stars over Mud

There have been a few things going on over here in LilFancyNancy land that could certainly have me packing it all in and calling it a day!  From something small as busy schedules to baby tornado tripping and landing us in the ER Monday night, there has been no shortage of mud to wade through around these parts.  Yesterday, after taking Aubs to the dentist, I spoke with my sister about our father's health and the reality of it failing rapidly.  More mud....

As I drove to pick up Em from class with Aubs (fat lips and all!) bounding down the hallway to give her sister a giant hug, I was reminded of a chapter from one of my favorite books, "Calm My Anxious Heart" by Linda Dillow.  It's one of those books I read in college and find times in my life when it still fits in!  The chapter talks about our circumstances and how to be content within those circumstances...

“Two women looked through prison bars.  One saw mud, the other saw stars.”

There is certainly enough "mud" around here to keep me busy for a while, but my girls and my family are so full of joy that I know I need to look at the stars...focus on the joy.  I picked up Em...and we headed out on a fabulous, Fall day and ran on the bike path to a cranberry bog we have been watching on our way to school each day.  They have been harvesting the berries and it has been exciting to watch.  

The girls watched movies and I ran along loving the cool temps and leaves crunching under my feet.  I was thankful for my burning lungs and sore shoulders from pushing a heavy load...thankful for the choice to focus on the stars instead of the mud!  

Where will you focus today?