Cold

is how i feel today. not only physically cold, but emotionally cold as we work through some challenges with our oldest daughter and her struggles in second grade. but then i think of Cora and i wonder why these smaller struggles seem to fill us with such disdain.

Bailee is a wonderful child. she is full of love, kindness, playfulness, curiosity, life and vigor. the first 3 years of school (including preschool) were comfortable. she was praised for her well behavior and her teachers all thought the world of her. academically she seemed to be right on target, actually above grade level. and then second grade came and she is struggling. as a teacher, myself, my heart breaks as i observe her defeated and frustrated with school and the tasks that she used to be so eager to explore. what a long, exhausting road to travel if we don't find a way to properly assist her with these challenges.

and then i feel guilty of thinking about long, challenging roads, as baby Cora struggles for her own little life. what a change in perspective. i should be thankful for my own daughter's challenges because they seem so minor in comparison to bigger world issues or even little world issues, like Cora's little world.

hooked up to so many machines
that are breathing life into her as her little body fights
to have a chance at the long, challenging road of life.

i pray for baby Cora's fight against this awful cancer and i pray that i would keep this wordly perspective. i am blessed by the struggles that God has placed in my path.