Reality and Wishes

Actually, I update often on Facebook, but it takes so much more effort to post on this blog. I constantly think of things to share, but usually I end up distracted by the demands of reality. I would much rather take time to write than to wash laundry or to cook meal after meal after meal after meal. I wish I had more time! Hmmm...Did I say, "Wish?"

Those of you who know our family know how we wish everyday for a Disney Trip to celebrate Aly's birthday each year! Wishes are magical in our house, but they're not to be wasted either. Why do I think that? Well in Disney's Aladdin, the genie will grant only three wishes to his master. Humph! My kids think wishes grow on trees! Okay! Yes, usually parents say money doesn't grow on trees, but I find myself correcting my children when they wish for frivolous things and "waste" one of our limited number of wishes. Ha! You know like when Kas wishes her brothers would let her play Lego's with them or when Mason wishes his teachers would not assign homework over the weekend. Ethan was determined to get a baseball mitt and he constantly wished that we would take him to Academy to buy him one.

I panic to think my children are wasting our wishes! Everyone hears me lecture, "If I had a wish, I would wish for something bigger, like a new van that fits Aly's wheelchair, for a wheelchair accessible bathroom, for everyone to attend CCA, and especially for a trip to Disney World to celebrate Aly's next birthday! My wishes are for healthy children who aren't vomiting or running fevers so we can go to church on Sunday. I wish for Daddy to have a good day at work where he will remain protected from job cuts and where at the end of the day he will feel accomplishment in spite of the overwhelming responsibilities.

Really, our family has been granted many more than three wishes! Some of the wishes have been small and some have been huge, but all have come directly from above! Recently on a quick run to Walmart, Daddy bought two baseball mitts, one for Ethan and one for a second player, whether Daddy or Mason. Some of you remember last Thanksgiving when our family found a great deal and bought Aly's new magic carpet (a hi-top extended conversion van) in which she rides with smiles and giggles, comfortable and safe in her wheelchair. Most importantly, Daddy has a job, which is a huge and unpredictable blessing in this local economy where municipalities are cutting budgets resulting in layoffs and pay cuts.

A huge ongoing wish of ours is sending our "healthy" kids to Covenant where Mason started his ninth year, Ethan started his fifth and Kas started her second; what a legacy made possible through the generosity of CCA scholarships and the provision of the Lord to bridge the gap between CCA's help and the rest of tuition! Almost three years ago, Make A Wish Foundation granted Aly a Wish Trip to Disney World and Give Kids the World Village for R7. The magic from that first trip inspired our desire to celebrate Aly's birthday each year at the place that makes her smile and giggle most! With this as motivation, Aly "fights" through illnesses more successfully resulting in Disney's "Wish" fireworks celebrating two additional birthdays and lighting up Aly's face and her big, beautiful smile.

But like I said: Our wishes have not been granted by a genie in a bottle! And certainly we have received far more than just three wishes! Also, it is important to realize that all good things come from God, but more challenging is recognizing that the Lord does not give us everything that we want. Hmm... We all understand not getting every frivolous thing like when my children sometimes wish for extra dessert, later bedtimes, no shower or bath tonight, and no vegetables with meals. Of course, it's hard not to get everything for which we wish, especially when the prayers focus on a cure for a child. It's hard to understand sometimes. Like when a family spends time on their knees praying, and the Lord makes them wait. Why doesn't the Lord grant our "wishes" right when we ask for them?

This to me becomes compelling evidence that God is who He says He is in the Bible. Why? How? Truthfully, it's mind-boggling but very simple. If God were made up in my mind, I would have wished for a genie who called me 'Master' and who granted my wishes when I wished for them. Instead, God is the creator and master. And yet in spite of being God, He allows me to call him Father and He calls me His child. He promises to takes care of me. He reminds me that I am not all-knowing. And even though I cannot have all my wishes, He is giving me good things because He gives only good things.

9."Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10.Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
11.If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Matt 7: 9-11

Anyway, I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving. Of course, I will post soon. M&R7