Simple Kindnesses

It is hard "watching" from afar and wishing that you could help when people that you love are going through trying times. I have been amazed at how gracefully Blake and Shonna have been dealing with the difficulties and heartaches that have come with the early birth of their baby boy. They have been so strong as they have dealt with each new challenge that presents itself.

This week they had to make another tough decision. Shonna only gets a total of 12 weeks off of work for maternity leave. She teaches ESL at a school for refugees coming from Middle Eastern countries and she needs to finish the school year as the insurance that is paying for Caleb's hospitalization comes from her employment. She wants to have some of that time left to use once Caleb is released from the hospital to care for him, so even though she isn't fully recovered from her delivery, and is dealing with some of the complications that can occur from nursing (as she is pumping every 3 hours to make sure her little premie gets the milk he needs) AND is fighting a sinus infection in the cranial cavity, she went back to work yesterday. A heartfelt sacrifice for her sweet son.

She stopped at her doctor's office on the way to school where she received some antibiotics and instructions to go straight to the ER if the symptoms of her infection got any worse and arrived at school to the happy welcome of her students and fellow teachers. As she tried to do fulfill her responsibilities, a couple of other teachers noticed that she really wasn't up to par. She explained that she needed to be there, so she could stay home with her son when he got out of the hospital. Upon hearing this they immediately offered her some of their sick days so that she could stay home and recover. So, thankfully, today she is resting at home. Then, this morning, she received a phone call from her vice principal saying that her principal has offered his sick days as well.

I am so grateful for the simple kindnesses that Blake and Shonna are receiving from others that help to ease their burdens.

I am grateful for answered prayers.

And I thank God for Christlike people (including those who come from non-Christian countries, like her principal) who sacrifice their comforts to help others.