Algebra and Chili--How are They Related?

If you were wondering how algebra is related to chili, it probably isn't. But both algebra and chili are related to the mom of the house. She has to help teach her son algebra and math, and she has to make chili for dinner--and quite a few other chores, too!

But about the time the mom of the house starts getting frustrated with algebra and tired of chopping vegetables for chili or borsch (since all three of her oldest girls are gone right now), things happen to people around her that make her think algebra is a piece of cake and chopping vegetables for chili is a high privilege.

She could be dead right now, mangled in the accident a week ago that took the lives of both husband and wife that we were acquainted with. She could be dead like the mother who was hit by a car in town the day before that, for whom prayer was requested in church this morning by another lady who knew this victim.

 The mom of our house could have been shot by the man just down the road from the church this morning, who tried to shoot his wife and instead shot his son who jumped between them, then shot his daughter-in-law, and then shot himself. 

She could have been stabbed like another young woman was.

All these tragedies were prayed about in church this morning. It was a heavy morning at church, and we got out late, after many tears and hankies and tissues and sober prayers.

 I come home to a pleasant and loving home. I come home to a husband, who, after the children had left the house this morning, and I asked what he and I should do for the next few minutes until time to leave for church, said, "I just want to hug on you!"

Loads of laundry to wash, piles of ironing to do, muddy floors to sweep and mop, carpets to vacuum, dishes to wash, meals to cook, eggs to gather, windows to wash, van to clean, yards to tidy--but what is there to complain about?

It's true my kidneys were hurting today, and I was ill and in pain, drinking cup after cup of hot, distilled water with lemon, or camomile tea, and rubbing on rosemary and thyme and lemon essential oils, but I have been given the gift of life, the gift of a loving husband and home, the gift of healthy children, and so much more.

Helping my school children every day is a privilege.

Chopping and sauteing vegetables is a joy.

While God gives the gift of life on earth, may we be found faithful in doing the duties He has planned for us rather than spending our lives in unthankfulness and grudging.