Food, Retail and Diamonds

Today I was reminded of a verse.  

2 Corinthians 4:15 "All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God."

This was the first year that I hosted the "great feast!"  I pride myself on being a good cook.  I have been known in my household to whip up an entire meal from almost nothing.  Seriously, bring me some Ramen  Noodles and I will give you a gourmet meal. 

However, I found this dinner to be overwhelming and nerve racking to my core.  Not the amount of food, running out of ingredients, or the lack of dishes/containers to house all of it.  Heck!  I wasn't even scared my oven would explode.  My biggest demon was the clock.  

My husband is a retail manager and most of you know about the infamous "Black Friday."  To me, it is a dark cloud that seemed to hover above throughout the entire day.  Every time I checked the clock the only thought that went through my head was; "He is going to have to leave soon, I better hurry because I want him to get enough rest ."  

Every single time. 

He is going to work all night, come home at some ridiculous hour in the middle of the night, sleep most of the next day and then, "rinse and repeat."

We don't complain.  Okay, maybe a little.  But, we try to shut up and understand this provides for our family in so many ways.

"All this is for your benefit."

I had a wonderful English teacher my senior year of high school.  She challenged us to think so differently and desired to be present during those moments when we became aware of our possibilities.  She had a great way of looking at our trials and tribulations.  By comparing us to little bits of Earth broken apart, we get heated up to extreme temperatures, pressurized then squeezed to the surface to become a beautiful diamond.  I have always remembered this analogy.

Today, after what felt like the hundredth time of fleeting worry I could have gone off on a rant professing how it's so unfair.  However, I realized I had an opportunity to polish myself a little more.  Darn-it, I have my husband by my side.  He wrestled with my kids, talked a long time with my grandfather, played with the dog and even helped with dinner!  We laughed, played, smiled, loved, rested, and was ever so grateful for a Heavenly Father that gave us this day.