Life has been a little unlucky around here lately. We’re just not finding our groove, and lots of little things seem to be going wrong. We ordered tadpoles, for instance, to begin our spring study on metamorphosis, and our two little guys arrived limp and completely lifeless. The girls had waited months for them and were so disappointed by their lot in life. Those poor tadpoles were the real unlucky ones.
I always like to incorporate studies about metamorphosis during Lent. It just seems fitting since we’re all trying to work toward being new creations during these 40 days of soul pruning. But what does it say when there was not even a chance for transformation? Maybe I shouldn’t use feeble polliwogs to teach spiritual lessons.
Then a certain little someone who is always fidgeting with everyone else’s stuff broke my super cool, booklight-equipped Kindle case for the second, stinkin’ time. (I should be thankful I even own a Kindle.)
Oh, and yesterday we could not find my keys to the van (they usually are hanging on a set of hooks we have in a hallway), and the spare set was, of course, in my husband’s car. Madeline had dress rehearsal for a play today in which she makes her debut as Pocahontas. I called my husband in a panic (I very rarely call him at work). He didn’t answer. It turns out he was in middle of a procedure. Once he got my message, he thankfully said he could sneak away since we live so close, so he quickly swung by to rescue his ladies (and little man). We ended up being about 30 minutes late to rehearsals. Sigh.
Aside from untimely tadpole deaths, broken Kindle cases, MIA keys, and a few other random bad breaks (not of the bone variety, thank goodness), sleep has been elusive. The night Thomas actually slept for seven solid hours straight (cue angels singing), Mary Elizabeth decided to throw a tantrum for no reason whatsoever during his sleepy stretch. When I finally got her back to sleep, Rachel stumbled in and started crying. Although she usually ends up in bed with us, she’s typically quiet as a mouse and just sneaks in and nestles her warm body in the cocoon of covers. But tonight she was inconsolable, wanting to find Knuffle Bunny
Why can’t I get a break? I thought.
Despite the fact that Rachel recently found a five-leaf clover, and a few days later Madeline found a four-leaf-clover, I feel like we could use a stroke of good luck. Maybe St. Patrick will come through for us on his special day.
But maybe not. Either way, we may be just slightly down on our luck, but that doesn’t mean we’re not blessed.
So often people equate being blessed with being lucky. Those lucky people who seem to have it all (um, like me most of the time) are so blessed. That lucky friend who doesn’t seem to work hard at anything is one blessed lady. She’s a natural rockstar mother, and she makes Rachael Ray look like an amateur in the kitchen. Or maybe those lucky neighbors who were able to sell their house, which is half as fantastic as yours, in just a few months when everyone else is really struggling in the housing market. Man, are they blessed.
I’ve been writing about my mom a lot lately because she’s constantly on my heart and mind. Now she’s someone who could certainly be seen as being unlucky when it comes to her 
health. And, yet, she is one of the most blessed people I know. It’s not because she doesn’t suffer or because things couldn’t maybe be a little easier for her – like maybe that major brain surgery would have done more than rob her of vision in her right eye and would have actually alleviated some of her chronic pain.
What makes her blessed is her ability to find contentment in spite of what may go wrong or what seems unfair. She’s always been someone who is satisfied with the person she is and someone who tries to make the best of what is going on in her life.
When good fortune comes our way, we are certainly blessed. But we’re a blessed people even when we’re most definitely not courting Lady Luck.
God blesses us all. He blesses me in midst of dead tadpoles, sleepless nights, and minor mishaps. He blesses my mom in midst of her suffering. He doesn’t hold out on us. And if we recognize that, if we submit to Him and the life He has planned for us, if we live in the present moment instead of cursing the past or hoping for an easier, brighter future, we ought to consider ourselves very lucky. And very, very blessed.
Have a lucky, blessed day!
I struggle with this often. It’s so much easier to get caught up in the stinky stuff than focus on focus on the blessings. Thank you for the reminder. And I love the idea of studying metamorphosis during Lent!
Kate recently posted…This Moment
I really really really really needed to read this today. My 18 month old son has turned into a nocturnal creature and the only way he can be settled down is sleeping next to me. I’m 21 weeks pregnant so the only way I sleep comfortably is having NO ONE next to me! And the tantrums… oooh boy…
Maggie@ From the Heart recently posted…Dear Gus
Well, you know I needed to read this, and thank you for sharing it!
I’ve often found myself trying to “re-train” my mind from saying “How lucky!” or “I’m so lucky” to “I’m blessed!”, because we are blessed whether we have luck or not. Blessings sometimes are not lucky – they are bestowed on us, sometimes without looking or asking for them. This post was a great reminder of that. Especially in my tired state…
I posted about this somewhat yesterday in my Grace and Dream post. I certainly am trying to see the blessings around all the “trash” that seems to heap up in this flawed world for sure. When I can see those blessings…I’m “lucky” for that gift of clarity and awareness. Thank you for sharing yours!! Love you DEAR friend. Stay Strong!
ViolinMama recently posted…Grab the Grace…and the Dream…
Another beautifully written reminder that when we’re feeling a bit like Job in terms of being down on our luck, that we are still lifted up by a number of blessings. Even in the midst of sleepless nights and lifeless tadpoles, we are given the grace we need to Fully Rely On God (FROG).
Trisha Niermeyer Potter @ Prints of Grace recently posted…Our Lady of Kibeho
i agree…blessed and lucky are used as synonyms but they are SO different…great examples you have shared and once again, you have made me reflect. so blessed to have the life we have. hope more tadpoles swim your way!
When my kids were your kids age, I actually kicked a hole in the wall out of utter frustration when I couldn’t find my car keys. I was just losing it. My husband, who knew this was completely unlike me, never complained one iota when he patched the wall that weekend. My girlfriend came over, prayed to St Anthony with all the kids, AGAIN (really, he had been hearing from me all day long), and found the keys – no kidding – 60 seconds later (in a toy bucket). It’s hard to feel blessed when you’re in the muck of it all. But, yes, the blessings are there: from friends who help out frazzled moms to husbands who lovingly repair holes in the wall.
Michelle Reitemeyer recently posted…From Discipline to Politics
Michelle – thank you for this. I am so glad I am not alone in losing it (and how I beat myself up for doing so!). Seeing someone I spiritually look up to (love your blog!) admit to these struggles as a mom does more for my self-love and gumption to keep trying and doing my best than you know! Thanks for the chuckle too! Blessings abound!
ViolinMama recently posted…Grab the Grace…and the Dream…
The whole blessed/lucky thing is a huge problem amonst Protestants especially I think-I haven’t been Catholic long enough to see it much there yet :)
Anyway, there is a tendency I’ve seen a lot in my non-Catholic friends and relatives to view God as a micromanager, like he personally woke up your toddler or lost your car keys, or found a four leaf clover for your daughter. And I think that viewpoint sets you up for disappointment when bad stuff happens, because why didn’t he micromanage then? Or if he did, why’d he make it go bad? I tend to take a more hands-off view. I think he made a system that works pretty well but in which natural disasters, disease, etc are possible, and he certainly can cause miracles, but that mostly he just sits back and lets things go.
Sorry you’re having such a rough week-sounds like you are having a very Lentish Lent without even trying! :(
Crunchy Con Mommy recently posted…Cure for the Mondays 3/19/2012
Kate, I think you meant to write “can’t” catch a break. I know the English major in you would want to know :)
And I loved this post. I feel so blessed in my life even though at times we are unlucky. Don’t feel alone in the day to day rough times right now. I blame it on the full moon followed immediately by the time change. Now that Spring starts tomorrow, we will renew our spirits and our attitudes. There’s almost nothing a beautiful sunny day can not fix :)
Um, yeah, I meant I can’t get a break, but maybe the Spirit was reminding me I can always get a break if I turn to God whenever things get a little shaky or sleep just won’t come. Anyway, that’s what it made me think of when you brought my error to my attention. That’s a good thing. I did fix the typo. Thanks for letting me know. I seriously need an editor.
This week is looking up, although I did spill my coffee not once but twice.
I was up bright and early for a radio interview on Relevant Radio, which was fittingly about spiritual attacks. Spiritual warfare seems to get more intense during Lent for me. Anyone else agree?
Ummmm…about the spiritual warfare and attacks on me this Lent? That would be a resounding YES!!! I feel so tired trying to carve out Lent and offering everything up when I catch myself becoming unfocused, or depressed, or delinquent in my making the effort needed to keep the growth going in this time of sacrifice. I have felt more attacked and spiritually dry this week than most.
This Lent has been harder than most for me to make myself grow. I have found myself not doing anything this week. How is that?!! Spiritual warfare for sure! I’m grabbing my bootstraps now for sure to make the most of today and get back on track!
ViolinMama recently posted…Grab the Grace…and the Dream…
God does bless us all, even when we are at our lowest! It’s like Job from the Bible, he will never abandon us!
Lauren recently posted…Run at Lost Winds