MARGUERITE LEDOUX and Lock Down Syndrome

JJ and I have been reading a Yearling Newberry book titled "Calico Bush" by Rachel Field published in 1931 during this safer-at-home time.  It's a story of a young girl named Marguerite Ledoux, who was left orphaned and alone shortly after her French family arrived in the New World.  The year was 1743, young Marguerite Ledoux has promised to serve a family for six years in return for shelter, food and clothing.  I see a very tender, refined and humble yet very intelligent and determined spirit in "Maggie the Bound-out-Girl."

I like her courage and resourcefulness even though the people of Maine treated her with suspicion because she's a "foreigner."  Life is hard, with the danger of Indians, the bitter, hungry winters and yet I see in her the ability to adapt in spite of circumstances and to hope for better days ahead.  As I pondered about the book I remember another lady named Marguerite Ledoux.

In 1988, Michael and I moved to San Diego, California where he was stationed.  We found a church, Hilltop Baptist Church in Chula Vista.  They became our family support in this new city and for those months we were there, we met and formed kinship with the members.  One of these families were the Ledoux family.  Marguerite Ledoux had 3 little ones, the oldest, Meredith, was about 4 years old.  Her husband, Lance, who was also in the military was always gone.  Marguerite and I became friends fast.  We spent many afternoons just talking about life specially when both our husbands are underway.  I think she became my mentor without her or me knowing it. It was only when we moved back to Kansas did I realize that she was an important part of my walk with the LORD.

Our last Sunday at Hilltop Baptist Church, I was volunteering to work in the nursery during Sunday School.  When Marguerite learned I was in the nursery she came down and we had a very good heart to heart talk.  Her final words to me before we parted was "Treat everyday as if it is a gift.  Open it with great expectations knowing that the Giver wants nothing but the best for you."  Almost always that had been my attitude but lately, I have to admit there are days that I don't even want to open this gift or I do not expect anything good at all.  Lock down syndrome?  Hmm....I think so. 

JJ expresses his emotions about the lock down most days and I catch myself telling him to be thankful instead.  That at least we don't live in big cities like New York; that at least here we can still go somewhere like the grocery stores, or the park, or the lake; and at least we can still ride our bikes along the trails.  Well, I'm telling my son all these - in reality I need to tell ME!  Funny how easy it is to lecture someone when the one talking is the one who needs to hear the message isn't it?  I need to embrace the situation with an attitude that is hopeful and with positive expectations everyday for the sake of JJ knowing that he is watching me every waking moments.  Whew!!!
 
How about y'all?  Are you holding on knowing that change is only a skip away?  Be safe everyone and stay well and let us not forget to pray for each other.   We love you!