Calm and stormy Seas...

Calm

Walking to an appointment, a few weeks ago, I noticed this sweet child in the doorway of her home.
So intent upon examining the Children's Friend, she didn't even notice us.

I have noticed that when I simplify the 'stuff' around me, it's easier to focus on the things that matter most to me as well.  I love the childhood calm of  thinking, considering, coloring, dreaming, and assimilating life!  Yet, no matter how much we dream and plan, it seems the 'testing' is what allows us to discern and really understand the blessings of the 'calm'.

Stormy

Today we came from Brava on a very troubled ocean.  The boat trip was the worst we have experienced and we are still dizzy this evening.  When we boarded the boat, we noticed a young boy being carried on, having sustained a compound fracture on his leg last night in a bicycle accident.  My heart went out to him.  The boat only goes on certain days and so the young boy had to wait until today, with his painful gauze wrapped leg, to get to a hospital that could do anything about it.  The boat was so rocky, that he became extremely sick and his small blanket on the floor would slide, making his leg hurt again. His aunt was bent down onto the seat in front of her as were so many others who held bags from the sea sickness that ensued.

I remembered when our Joshua lay in a hospital bed years ago during a long long night.  I had to do something...but all I could do was sit on the floor next to the young boy and hold his tired head and exchange the bags.   Such a helpless feeling when you want to take away someone's pain.  After a time, the boat slowed, and we were back home, but the young boy still had another 4 and 1/2 hours to go until the ferry would dock in Praia where a hospital could help him.

It is something how we experience so many seas in life.
Some very calm and kind, others so Stormy and Stingy.
We need to rejoice for each other on the calm days and pray for each other on the Stormy days,
because into every life comes each kind,
and no one really knows what another heart is experiencing on this day.

Calm

That must be why we are commanded to Love Each Other Every Day
AS He has loved us.  

I know after today, that we cannot change things, but trying to help can change us.
When I stood up trying to steady myself, the aunt of the sleeping boy,
tried to lift her head, but instead, she reached her hand to mine
and said, "Obrigada....Obrigada"  Thank you...Thank you.

I pray that boy is resting tonight...bless his heart...it has been a long long night and day for him.

Today will be a but a memory very soon and hopefully,  tomorrow the seas will be calm.