I've said it before...

....and I'll say it again. Everything truly does happen for a reason. Even getting sick.

I've been stressing the past week or so, wondering how I was going to get everything accomplished that I needed to in order to have us ready to head to my parents' for Christmas. In addition to all the packing, I still had Christmas gifts to buy and wrap, goodies to make for the umpteen teachers my kids have, school activities, my job, and a gazillion other things going on. I mentioned in another post that God was giving me some help with Morgan doing some wrapping for me, so that was a load off. I guess He decided that wasn't enough help so He was going to give me a sick child to ease the load a little more.

How does having a sick child (Bethany) help ease the load? I mean, tending to a feverish little girl, wiping runny noses, administering medicines, taking her to the doctor...how exactly does that ease my work load?

Well, having her sick meant I had to cancel my aerobics classes for yesterday and today. It about killed me to have to cancel them because I am, by nature, a people-pleaser and can't stand the thought of anyone upset with me. I picture all those ladies going to the gym only to find out that my class is cancelled and then walking out furious over the unplanned absence. But life happens and the ladies who know me know this isn't something I have ever done before. Cancelling class is a HUGE deal for me, something I would only do if it is absolutely necessary.

Anyway, by cancelling the classes and staying home with Bethany I was able to accomplish so much in the house that I needed to do but was afraid I wouldn't get done. My baking is done. My packing is nearly finished. All but a few presents have been wrapped. Things have come together nicely, and only by the grace of God and my sick child. Had this spontaneous sickness not happened I fear I would still be panicking about not having enough hours in the day to get it all done.

And yet here I am, feeling more in control, relaxing a bit, beginning to feel the excitement of Christmas rather than the pressure and stress of a time crunch closing in on me.

Thank goodness for (sick) little girls!