A time to reap.

The best week of my life? Last week? After just giving birth to a baby? Up every hour or 2 at night? At home with 5 kids the oldest of which is 6? In the 20 degree weather? Sounds crazy. But true.

We have brought home babies before. In fact, every year and a half or so. Bob has always taken a week off afterward. Nothing new. Not usually the best 7 days.

We have struggled during these weeks off in the past. We have let tension get to us. We have allowed fatigue to rule our attitudes. Stress, even the good stress of having a healthy baby and adding to our family, has reigned supreme and self-control taken a back seat.

Slowly, over days and years, we are growing and learning. We are being taught as we look toward and lean on God and He is graciously, mercifully guiding us. Teaching us to be more patient, more kind, to exercise more temperance. That not every little thing is worth bringing up. To let the things that don't truly matter fall away. Watch our words. To give each other space, space to grow, space to allow God to work, space to be different from one another, space to be human, imperfectly human.

We have had time to 'sow'. Time to gain bits of maturity in much needed areas. Time to work on ourselves, and to let God work on us, in a way that yields good fruit, where we have more to offer within our marriage and to our children. Not without our fair share of pains, we have grown.

Last week was an opportunity to reap, a gift from God. Our "vacation" together was filled with satisfying, enjoyable family time, and a greater appreciation of all we have. Different than our previous 'new baby' weeks. Very sweet to the soul.

I know, trials and difficulties will still emerge. Obviously. The pressures of life will persist. Our weaknesses and shortcomings will take center stage at times. But, for now I'm thanking God for being given a whole week of pure joy with my loved ones....a time to reap.