I’m here, today, as a comrade to those who have ever belly crawled their way through some part of life. When up is down, down is up and neither knows what is which nor which is what. When you have to keep mustering up the nothing you have left to muster. Perhaps you’re there now. Surely, all of us to some extent have a bit of something weighing a bit of us down.

No matter how significant or small, long or short lasting these moments are it’s so vitally important to join your hands in prayer. Deep breathe. AND. Be grateful.

Yes; be grateful. Because there is always two sides to the ‘Real & Raw’ coin of life.

The real and raw that has your nose digging a trench through arid ground. The real and raw that softens and beautifies. The real and raw pushing your wits to an end. The real and raw that gives you wings. The real and raw that tempts to discouragement. The real and raw that establishes a peace of soul the world can never give. All existing at the same time.

Recently, the kids and I accumulatively were in the trenches for a solid week. In the beginning it didn’t seem like any of us were even belly crawling. A tangled, frustrated heap with zero momentum in any positive direction: behaviors were well out of bounds, emotions ran rampant, the teasing and tattling were winning every battle, one had no clue where Europe is, one all of a sudden couldn’t identify short vowel sounds, no rest was to be found for the weary, suppers were consistently late despite proper preparation….

Now, I acknowledge that our tangled heap is an ant hill compared to some mountains heaped on others’ backs. BUT. In that week it all felt heavy and knocked us all off balance. And, while that coin was left unturned, it was easy to hyperfocus on and bemoan every other aspect in my life that tests my nervous system and peace of soul!

My husband was a much appreciated gentle, bolstering force and calm voice of reason for our tumult. And Deo gratias, I remembered to flip that coin over midweek! Bet your bottom dollar that that ant hill was still having a heyday on its side. But…

…that other side had so much to offer! There were unprompted, sincere apologies and acts of kindness. ‘Lost Magellan’ perfectly diagrammed sentences unassisted. ‘Not-So-Professor Phonics’ excelled in math. Everyone still got fed. The weather was delightful. A friend hostessed the idyllic book club for North & South. Through the grime and dust, I was able to see the golden opportunities (…did there have to be so many!?…) for self-growth and for modeling to young eyes how to belly crawl with poise (…that’s NOT to say I was the greatest at modeling said feat…).

Most importantly, there’s no spot like those furrows of belly crawling to highlight the absolute need we have in surrendering to Christ, our King, Whose feast we celebrated today. He’s right there with us in all the reals and all the raws. I’m often reminded of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. We can bring Him our measly couple loaves and few fishes in the form of daily actions and prayers, we can bring Him our failings and mishandlings, we can bring Him our mustered-up nothings. And He…the King of Nations. The King of Homes. The King of Hearts …will work the miracle.

Truth be told, we need both sides of that coin. That one side will most assuredly slam you into the ground. But the other side will most assuredly be there to gently lift you up. You just have to remember to turn it over!

And then place your entire coin with full confidence into the merciful, loving hands of our Sovereign Lord for safe keeping.