Stroller

It's time to shop for a stroller. I remember thinking about this back in the heady, innocent days of pregnancy. Looking for strollers reminds me of shopping for a car; down to the not-too-pushy but strangely friendly sales-people. Who knew that strollers had so many features that I didn't know I even needed? Now if I could only find one with a remote control... Which takes me to what we do need. A stroller that can equip the added weight of a ventilator, suction machine, emergency supplies and yes, even a baby and maybe some diapers too. Despite all of that I am actually excited for this. Getting a stroller means we're going to put Drew in it, which means we're one step closer to going home.

Getting a stroller also makes me feel somewhat normal. This is the kind of thing that Dad's are supposed to do. I say this with a measure of sarcasm as doing normal dad things at normal baby places is a relative thing. Facing this "outside of the expected normal experience" of having a sick baby has forced me to view the "expected normal experience" from the outside. There is a certain point when our expectations mold our actions. I can all to easily fall into the trap of my wanted expectations leading my actions rather than my calling (calling opens a whole new can of worms but please read calling as my life as a follower of Jesus Christ - everything). Am I proceeding in hope or am I walking with a sense of entitlement? (For a perspective on entitlement read the book of Romans in the New Testament) And what are my wanted expectations and are they valid?

As we endeavor to pray in all things with thanksgiving I pray that we are able to respond appropriately to whatever is thrown our way. I pray that our expectations are defined and lead by our calling. I pray that any sense of entitlement we have doesn't cause us to become bitter when things happen outside our expectations. We also don't give up hope of a healing miracle for Drew.


Time to get a stroller.

db