A Hard Day for Me...A Hard Day for Them

A couple of nights ago Andy and I watched "17 Miracles" for the first time. 

I had heard that it was wonderful and also very sad.  I held out fine until almost the end and then the tears just started flowing.  The stories of these people are amazing.  The hardships they endured are incredible.  

It's interesting how things like this can change your perspective so dramatically.  

I mean, a hard day for me would include one of the children spilling their milk at breakfast and having to clean it up, seeing that I've gained a pound or two on the scale during my regular morning weigh in, having Ben be extra clingy and wanting attention all day so that I felt like I couldn't get anything done, not getting my afternoon nap, having Andy come home late (5:30...poor me) from work and then having him take off again for meetings soon thereafter.

A hard day for them would probably include waking up and realizing they had no food for the day...again, finding one of their children had frozen to death during the night, having to leave that child above the frozen ground for the wolves to find,

walking all day in freezing temperatures and no longer being able to feel their hands and feet,

and laying down at night knowing they had to do it all over again the next day...if there was a next day. 

Yes, my perspective changed that night.  Who knows how long it will last, but at least for that night I lingered a little longer on the faces of my sweet children as I tucked them into bed, making sure I gave them an extra special kiss.  I walked into rooms and realized how many "things" I had been blessed with...unnecessary things.  And as Andy and I prayed together and on our own, our thoughts were turned to those who had gone before and prepared a way and sacrificed so much.  We were humbled and truly grateful. 

I need reminders like this every now and then...to shift my perspective and help me see what is really important and how much the Lord has given me...to make my hard days seem not that hard anymore.