SOME VERY GOOD TEACHERS

I forgot to share a very insightful story from Jonah's ER visit on 4-23 for a kidney infection.

Jonah is usually a very sweet and polite little boy at doctor appointments.  Even at the ER a few weeks ago, when he wasn't feeling that good, he remembered to say please and thank you to the different staff that came in and out of our room to work on him.

However, he got uncharacteristically upset when 3 nurses came in to put the IV in his arm so he could receive fluids and his antibiotic.  A child life specialist even came into the room to help him settle down.  We got him to sit still so they could put in the needle, but he was still complaining.  Even after the needle was placed and it was just him and me in the room, he kept complaining about having the IV placed.  

Jonah is usually easily redirected so this surprised me that he wasn't getting over it.  I asked him what was the problem that he was so upset.  He signed eating a hamburger which is his way of asking for Culvers.

NOTE: Culvers is now pretty much a given after any medical appointment for this little guy.  

I figured he deserves it after all he's been through lately.

If I think of it, I will insert an actual photo of Jonah signing "hamburger" because Jonah is a little cuter than this guy, but for now, this is what I mean by signing "hamburger".

  Then after signing "hamburger ", he pointed to his IV and then he signed the "number one".  

The light bulb went on in my head.  I asked him, "Are you worried you won't be able to eat your hamburger with only one hand because of the IV being in the other hand?"

He had a very sad look on his face and cried out, "Yes."  

I quickly reassured him that the IV would be taken out before we left the hospital that day, and that he would have his 2 hands available so he could easily eat his burger.  

A look of great relief and peace came over his little face.  All was right in his world again as long as he knew he would be able to eat his Culver's hamburger.

I was amazed by Jonah!  Here I am worrying (and Andrew and the older kids from home) about Jonah's kidney and how this infection could potentially set us back for getting the catheter out, and Jonah is worried about a hamburger!  What a difference in perspective.  

Jonah doesn't let the big stuff get him down.  He has amazing trust that the grown ups in his life will take good care of him and keep him safe and healthy.  The biggest thing Jonah worries about is a hamburger.  

Life doesn't seem as hard and overwhelming when you leave the big things to the Lord, does it?

These boys continue to be amazing teachers to me about a better way to do life.  For the most part, they just focus on the things in their life that bring them joy.  They don't focus on the negative.  They live trusting others to help and care for them.  They focus on living life to the fullest, not being overwhelmed about life sometimes being the hardest.  

Today I am thankful for this incredible perspective I get to be around each and every day.

Thank you Lord for using a child to lead me to better trust and lean on you.  

And thank you Lord for the gifts of hamburgers and other little things that make us happy throughout the day.  Help me to always live with an attitude of gratitude!   

Repeat photo from another post, but this is Jonah after his hamburger emergency :)