An Unexpected Detour

Clipboard by The Old Shop Teacher on Etsy

Detours are often a blessing in disguise. We'll be sailing along following the map marked out for us but suddenly the way is blocked. The blessing is that when the way is clear before us we often don't pay attention to the way. We don't feel we need to but when our way becomes blocked we suddenly check in again and pay attention. This happened last week. I had a to-do list I was working from when suddenly a friend went into labor and I was called in to help with her kids. I do the mama thing in my sleep now with my little boy but watching my friend's children had me on my toes again. But it was SO rewarding too. She has a little girl and a little boy who reminds me so much of my son when he was that age. I got to cuddle before nap time with the little boy like I used to with Jasper when he was two, and read some of Jasper's favorite stories. I got to introduce the little girl to Sleeping Beauty, and monkey bear sandwiches, and taught her how to draw princess dresses. I think I had more fun then they did. Although they seemed to be pretty pleased when I would show up again the next day. Being there when my friend brought home her little baby was a super special moment as was telling the kids that their new little sissie had arrived.

If it hadn't been for this detour my days would have been spent working off my to-do list. Cleaning the house, running errands, listing stuff on etsy, and writing some articles. I would have spent the days alone and they would've been no big deal. So the detour in my days made something memorable of the time instead. There are so many things in our lives that are detours. The unexpected diagnosis, the allergies you now have to cook around, the job opportunity, the call to action, or the volunteer position you didn't see coming; these are all detours that we might see as trouble and delay but hold blessings as well. If you stop and think about the hard things I bet you too will see blessings that have come from them.

This week it'll be back to things as usual.. to art as usual. But I'm better for having had an expected detour. So are you. :)Thanks for reading!!!!