A Full Heart of Thanksgiving

Today is the fourth day that I've been sick with what my kids are telling me sounds like the Swine Flu. I wouldn't be surprised if it is... or was. At the library I come in contact with so many people, am handed so many things from those people, help those people by touching the same computers they are working on all the while knowing that I am only being kept well by God's amazing grace. So, Thursday night, I felt a sore throat coming on. Be assured that this was the day that I had gone to get a coffee drink for me and Daughter L to share, had (of course)kissed my husband numerous times, kissed Son J goodbye as I went out the door to the library and then sat beside Sis. D at the movies that night sharing with her by personally handing over some of my Junior Mints to eat! May God keep all my loved ones free from what I might have given to them without knowing it! I can't say that the flu hit me as hard as I've heard it has hit many people. I know that everyone was praying for me, along with myself begging Him and so it is definitely God's mercy that I feel so well this morning. I am tired, but no sign of the flu going to my chest. Or even a cough!

The first thought I had when I felt the flu starting was, "oh no! Thanksgiving is just a few days away!" I absolutely love Thanksgiving Day. It's one of my favorite holidays because I get to cook, have everyone I love around me and feel that warm cozy feeling of my home filled with good people, good smells and good food. To me, laughter and love at the holidays is very important because my holidays as a child were filled with alcohol and fighting. Never, ever a good combo. (If you ever want to understand why I adore my husband so much, you would only have to take a minute's peek into my life as a child to see and recognize what a treasure I have today!)

On Friday night, I sent out my husband, Son T. and Son J. to do the Thanksgiving shopping just in case I didn't get well enough to do it myself, knowing that the stores would only get worse the nearer to Thursday we get. I am so thankful because they never missed a beat... they so graciously went and tried to figure out what in the world I meant by "stuffing mix" or "lunchmeat" on the shopping list that I could barely make for them in my flu foggy haze. I think I am pretty well set up for the big day as far as food is concerned!

So I guess this post is meant to say that I have a heart full of Thanksgiving. I'm thankful that God's mercy has been to me in my life. I'm thankful that the flu eased over me instead of taking me with all it's rage. I'm thankful that I have all the food I need to make the meal that will draw all my loved ones here to be with us on Thanksgiving Day. May God fill my home this holiday with peace that my children and grandchildren will stow securely in their hearts!

Down the Driveway He went...

Down the driveway he went this morning. Backing out like he always has, driving away from his home on his way to work. Faithfully he goes to his destination to fulfill his God given job. He's just a man, doing what is right. No big deal, right?

There's a sweet scripture that says something like, "he who findeth a wife, findeth a good thing and obtaineth favor of the Lord". But I'm wondering if there is an opposite scripture for us wives. Something like "she who is found by a husband, is found and greatly blessed and has obtained favor of her God". Nope, I don't think that's in the scripture! But it sure makes my heart glad for the day that my husband found me.

He goes to work every day. He has been my heart's companion for most of my life now. My dearest friend in all the world. And I am awed and humbled by the power I have to make his life sweet... or sad. In awe because I see how easy it would be for me to mess up such a "good thing" that God has given to him. And humbled by the huge responsibility to be a "good thing" to him. The apple of his eye. The one he can be always "ravished with her love" with.

As he went off to work this morning, I pondered about his heart safely trusting in me. He's given me his heart. Is it a precious thing to me? Another place in the Word talks about "doing him good all the days of her life and not evil". I shake my head so many times in wonder at what a gift I have been given in my sweet husband. But do I truly do him good? Each action I take toward my dear one can either make his life sweet or it can make him sad. It's not so much that I send him out the door with a lunch and a kiss that makes his life sweet. It's... do I hear him? Do I care about his heart he has entrusted me with? Do I listen to the underlying thoughts and gestures he makes when he lets his guard down for only me? I stand in awe and am greatly humbled by the work God has given me to do as a wife. It's something I am only beginning to understand the enormity of.

So, as he drives down that driveway each day, I will continue to wave insanely to him; hoping to catch his eye one more time to let him know that his heart is safe in mine. Then I'll go in my bedroom and get on my knees and thank the Lord that He found me for my dear husband and beg His help to be a "good thing" for him for the rest of my days on earth. And then I will be here waiting at the end of each day, when he drives back up into our driveway, safely home.

When Your Hut's On Fire

I found this fable in my inbox this morning from my sweet Daughter-in-Law to be... it made me laugh and cry at the same time. This is just what I hope God is working in my life!

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Everyday he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions.

One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?'
Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?,' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.

The Moral of This Story:

It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives..... even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.


(a nod from me to whoever wrote this original fable!)

Courage to Step Out of That Ship

I've had occasion twice now to feel like I am in a small little boat swirling in the current of a gigantic ocean with the wind and waves boisterous around me. We heard yesterday in church about the faith of Peter to step out of his ship in the midst of his boisterous wind and walk to Jesus. And about his sinking because he looked around at the wind and waves. I wondered where I was in that story. I am pretty sure I have been hanging on for dear life to the sides of the boat I've been on. Step out on the water? Mmm.... not sure about that. But I am sure that Jesus has walked out to meet me on that ocean in my boat and that comforts me. My eyes are definitely on him, hoping that my boat won't sink. Surely my boat won't sink with His help?

Courage. Been thinking about the courage my husband and I have needed to step out of our room each day and face our life. We have so many eyes on us. Our children and their companions, our grandchildren, our brethren, people in the world. What will we do now that God has brought sorrow our way-- twice? It was hard enough the first time. We have raised seven children; known the joy and pain of raising little ones. Known the deep abounding love for our children. And then came the grandchildren. Have you ever heard it said that you love your children and then your grandchildren come and you find out that you love them even more, if that is possible? Well, it's true. All our hopes and cares and love go out to our little darlings. Each time one of our girls has announced that we were going to be grandparents again...I can't tell you what wonderful days those have been! To see the Lord bless the wombs of our son's wives has been a blessing beyond compare. And so now we need courage to face life. Courage to stand back and see that God has given so much to our "pelky9" that has turned into "pelkey20"! Courage to know that God can give life again, whenever He chooses. Courage to take steps forward. Courage to stand up and let go of the sides of that boat we are on.