It's Getting Crazy in Babylon

It is 2 a.m. and I am sleeping soundly, that is, until my little 10 pound shih tzu, Lulu, alerts me that something is awry in the household.  For 15 minutes, she continues to do that low growl, trying to ward off any unwelcome visitors.  It bothered me a little, but I sternly told her to "shut up" and let me sleep.  (I do hope it is not abusive to tell a dog to shut up!)  She quiets down for a moment and then suddenly jumps from the bed and bounds down the stairs.  Obviously, she encounters the entity that has been causing her stress.  She starts barking insanely, which she ONLY does when someone is coming into our home.  Now, I am concerned.

I do what any selfless mother would do.  I quickly dart to Lily's room and told her to get up because Lulu was going crazy.  It took me a few minutes to wake her up, as she was in a deep sleep!  We creep back out to the top of the stairs.

By now, Anna is up.  We are all three huddled closely together.  My friend's daughter, Cari, is living with us for a time.  We decided to let her continue to sleep.  There was enough chaos with the three of us.  We are trying to decide what to do.  Lily and I vote for staying at the top of the stairs.  If someone comes up the stairs, we can knock them down very easily.  That plan did not work for Anna.  She begins to creep down the stairs.  Just about that time, I get a middle of the night text message from a friend who works the night shift. I wish that someone could answer one question for me.  Why is it that the decibel levels increase 1000 percent when you are in a hushed state of suspense?  It just about gave us all heart attack and sent Anna bounding back up the stairs.

We sit for a few more minutes at the top and finally out of sheer exasperation, Anna says she is going down, with or without us.  She leads the way.  The 10 foot walk down the entrance to the den and kitchen area seemed like it must have taken 20 minutes. I don't think any of us breathed during that time.  We made it to the den and there sits Lulu.  She is perched on the couch, as if to say, "What took you guys so long to join my party?"

Who knows what she saw or sensed.  It could have been a squirrel or possibly or neighbor coming in from a late night.  But, after a 30 minute ordeal, we could finally go back to bed and try to get a few more hours sleep.

When I laid in bed, I got mad at first.  This just isn't the way it is supposed to be.  I am supposed to have a protector by my side to see to all the bumps in the night.  Dang it....this just isn't fair.  But, you know friends, I was reminded of one of my favorite quotes, "It is what it is, but it will become what I make it."  I could have woken up today and griped and vented about how unfair life is or I could wake up and have a great laugh with the girls about what a crazy night we had.   I have shared before what my dear friend told me, "There is one letters difference in BITTER and BETTER."  So, I chose better over bitter and joy over anger and we had a good laugh.

We have come a very long way in this land of divorce.  Sure isn't where I wanted to be, but it is where I am.  Babylon can be scary at times, but thank goodness we have One who looks over us and helps us to overcome all the unfamiliar cultures of this foreign land.

Don’t sin by letting anger control you.

    Think about it overnight and remain silent. 

Offer sacrifices in the right spirit,

    and trust the Lord.

Many people say, “Who will show us better times?”

    Let your face smile on us, Lord.

You have given me greater joy

    than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.

In peace I will lie down and sleep,

    for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.  Psalm 4:6-8