Two of our kids have a virus, diarrhea, vomiting, really fun stuff. Joanne battled a milder case of it earlier, and now it's my turn. Then Atticus, our only well child, was being a real handful. He was frustrating us and we were frustrating him. In time-out, he complained that I was not nice to him, and that he did not like this day. Then, finally, at dinner time, we sit down at the dinner table. I think I was thinking something really spiritual, like, "OK, fine, let's just eat." Atticus said he wanted to say the blessing, I say "sure," or something equally exhorting, and he begins his prayer which is the same, most of the time. "We thank you God for a good day and - " And Joanne cuts him off. "No, Atticus. Don't say that. It has NOT been a good day." Then, with tears in her eyes, "It has been a hard day, but God is still here, and we are still grateful."
God, I thank you for my wife, who practices what I preach, even when I do not.
