VIRUS

I know all of you readers know what a virus is.  To have good blog etiquette, though, I will give you the official meaning.  Dictionary.com tells me several definitions:

1.  an ultramicroscopic (20 to 30 nm in diameter), metabolically inert, infectious agent that replicates only within the cells of living hosts, mainly bacteria, plants, and animals:  composed of an RNA or DNA core, a protein coat, and, in more complex types, a surrounding envelope.

2.  a viral disease

3.  a corrupting influence on morals or the intellect; poison

4.  a segment of self-replicating code planted illegally in a computer program, often to damage or shut down a system or network.

Well, there you go.  After such in-depth definitions, I need to remember where I was going with this post...ahhh...yes....here we are.

I think I had a slight virus (as in definition 2) a couple of nights ago.  I woke from my sleep around midnight with nausea and before long, the nausea turned into a three time vomiting stint.  Not soon forgotten is the really, really nasty virus I had in the fall that kept me in pajamas for eight days and took off that many pounds the first couple of days.  I've had another since then which took me to the doctor for a mega shot.  Just an observation that could contribute to the sermon aspect of this post--all my viruses rear their ugly heads at night after I've gone to sleep.  In the dark of night, here they come.  Luckily, two nights ago I went to the medicine cabinet and found my high dose of nausea medicine.  It put me to sleep for a couple of hours, got rid of my nausea, and gave me a bad headache.  One out of two ain't bad, or so I say.

The latter part of last week I realized my computer had a problem.  (See definition 4).  The computer kept taking me places I didn't want to go and showing me warning boxes I didn't want to see and downloading things I didn't want to download.  I made a call to my local computer geeks and set an appointment to take the box in for repair.  They agreed my Mac probably had a virus, even though viruses are rare in Macs.  Or so every geek says.

I took the computer in--expecting to leave it for a couple of days.  Surprisingly, two hours later, I received a call to pick it up.  Since I had not left that city yet, I did so.  I was told that the internet "extensions" had clogged it up.  Okay.  Being not smart with computers, I was happy it was fixed AND that the payment I made allowed me computer geek support for one year.  24/7.  ANYTIME.  This geek, however, did not install the anti-viral software that I paid for in my bundle.  I was told the geeks could do that from the comfort of their own geek office to my computer in my kitchen.  Technology at it's finest.

Immediately after getting home, I realized the problem was still there.  By night the next day and after three calls to the geeks, it was decided that I should let them install the anti-viral software.  The geeks, truth be told, were a bit stumped by the obvious problem, which didn't really make me warm and fuzzy about geeks.  Well after all two hours and a very smart geek, the anti-viral software that I paid for and that he installed remotely showed that my computer was infected with 6 viruses.  Yes, count 'em....6...slipped right in with something unnoticed (and obviously past the first hands on geek).   I sat in my kitchen and watched the screen as the geek moved his pointer over my screen and found them.  Unbelievable that a Mac would get one, much less 6, viruses.  He got my computer up and running better than before.  In fact, it seems some times that I am using a whole new system, it's so good.  I do run the software every other day to be sure there's not more viruses that have slipped through.

So the point of my story?  You know there's one...or I hope you know there's one.

I was thinking of my spiritual life.  Now don't go getting all bored with my spiritual life talk.  The REAL part of me is spiritual and matters!  I believe the devil is a real being just as I believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  I have determined that, in my life and the lives of others, the devil is just like a virus.  Who gets a virus and says, "Wow!  I'm so glad I got a virus!"  Uh, nobody I know.  Who loves to have the devil causing turmoil in life??  No one I know.  He tries to make you think he is an "angel of light".  He slips in preferably in the "dark" when you are least expecting his visit and makes you think all is great!  I say to "try the spirits and see if they are of God".  Often they are of the devil and we just assume otherwise.

The scriptures say to "resist the devil and he will flee from you".  It also calls him a "roaring lion seeking whom he may devour".  In the human body, there's no real cure for a virus.  In my computer, it took an anti-viral software.  I will say to you that in our spiritual life, we have the equipment to keep the devil away.  It's the Word of God, a good strong prayer life, and an intense faith and close hourly walk with the Lord.  There are other ways, too.  The Bible is full of them.

Remember, the devil will lead you into sin or a sinful situation (definition 3).  The Lord will not.  Sin is not of the Lord, it is of the devil.  I encourage you and me to keep our focus on the Lord and keep the nasty away.  "Viruses" are not good.  The Lord wants only good for HIS children.  Best of all, HE'S available 24/7 for FREE.

Consider....

THE GIFT OF MEMORY

I will be the first to admit that my memory is just not what it used to be.  It's odd to me how I can remember some things at the oddest times and other times struggle to recall others.  The Centenarian (see May 8, 2018) and I discussed this concept yesterday as she was remembering clearly her memories from the 1920's and I was struggling to recall what I did yesterday.  😁

Yesterday was "Memorial Day" at my church and at the church where The Father-In-Law and The Mother-In-Law are buried.  While remembering at these times is good, I wonder where we would be if we did not remember "memories" daily.

"Memory" is a gift for sure.  Some memories encourage.  Some memories give joy.  Some memories help you realize where you've been, what you've been through, and where you are now.  Whatever way we remember, there's always lessons to be learned and blessings waiting to be acknowledged.  

A BIT OF "WISE"

I read a very wise saying this morning that merited a share with my faithful blog readers.  It applies to me and I should practice it hourly.  Maybe it can help you, too.

It goes like this:

"Consider the benefit of the unspoken thought."

Wise words for sure.

MOTHER'S DAY CHURCH

I think in my whole life that I can remember, I missed one Mother's Day going to church service.  There could have been one or two more but one that I really remember.

Yesterday was like the majority of other Sunday Mother's Days.  This year, my whole extended "blood" family was at church with my sister and her family in attendance.  We had a photo session afterwards that I thought you all might enjoy.  Yes, The Grandbaby rarely sleeps at church but Mother's Day 2018 was an exception.  She was obviously tuckered out.

Afterwards, The Parents and The Girl, The Son-in-law, and The finally awake Grandbaby joined The Husband and me for Mother's Day lunch at our house.  We were able to get more pictures of The Grandbaby awake then.

Let it be documented that I recognize that I don't smile well in pictures.  I just tell others to smile and I do that telling well.

Being a mother is a blessing and I pray I never take it lightly.  I am reminded, too, of the mothers out there who are not biological mothers but mother so many on a daily basis.  I never want to overlook those either.

Blessings.....

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

Lately I have been doing early morning walks up and down my driveway to help control my seemingly always abnormal blood sugars.  I'm not seeing a lot of blood sugar improvement but I am getting some time with the Lord.  I won't say quiet time but quality time for sure.

I go out between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m.  That time of morning in the beginning is sort of quiet except for the birds as they wake.  Then I begin to pay attention to other things.......

I will begin with the birds.  I see red birds and crows.  Big birds and small birds.  There are so many different bird sounds.  Some shrill, some quiet, some overly loud but all unique.  Birds are a lot like people would like to be some days.  They communicate with each other in their own way.  They fly happily with seemingly with not a care in the world.  They seem to know where to find their own food.  Do they do this alone?  Nah.  Matthew 6:26 says "Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.  Are ye not much better than they?"   So the sounds and sights of the birds remind me that my heavenly Father cares.  For me.  And the birds.

As I get to the road and head back down the driveway, my eye is caught by a couple of animals coming from around the back of the house.  The two deer glance my way but keep on with their business.  These deer are two of several we see often who just kind of pay no attention to us.  We have grown accustomed to one another.  I am reminded again of the beauty of the Lord's creation and His care for all.

I hear the sound of an small airplane flying low above in the sky.  My mind thinks of times of the joy of certain family vacations.

Behind the tall trees, the sun begins to rise and makes it's way to shine brightly through the height of the trees.  The magnitude of the sun as it shines and the amazement that that same sun that is shining on me also shines on others all the way around the world flows through my mind.  What a small "thing" I am in such a big world!  The world around me in my driveway begins to lighten and the day really begins.

The concrete in the driveway has several cracks.  I am reminded that years have been spent on this driveway and though cracks have formed, it still remains true to it's original use.  Hopefully like me.

I see a few clouds and a lot of blue, blue sky promising a beautiful day for me.

I hear sound of and see cars, trucks, and vans driving past.  39 years ago when I moved here, the road wasn't paved all the way through so there wasn't much traffic at all.  In those early years, if one heard a vehicle, you looked out to see who was either passing or turning in.  These days, vehicle sounds are common all day long but especially in the morning and late afternoon.  I watch as the neighbor's van pulls out and heads toward the school and I see as she returns home.  I am reminded of the days when I would drive my little one to school....in my blue and gray high top full size van.  Yep, me in a high top full size van.   Ah, those wonderful days....

The loud sound and sight of the big yellow school bus brings me good memories as well.  One that especially stands out as I would always walk The Girl to the end of the driveway to get on the bus and walk to meet her in the afternoon is strong in my mind.  Back in "the day", white Ked sneakers were popular for school footwear.  The Girl's white sneakers got really dirty and her I-think-I-am-wise mama decided to let them soak in strong bleach water, then washed them, and put them to dry.  The Girl headed out that morning in nice clean white sneakers.  When she beebopped off the bus that afternoon, she began to immediately say, "Look Mama"....her beautiful white Keds had huge raveling holes all in them.  It was a mess and a sight to see.  The I-think-I-am-wise Mama was not so wise after all.  As I walked today, I thought of how she must have felt during that day as her shoes began to form the holes.  Isn't that how we are with life?  We do what we think is right, go on about our business, then "holes" begin to form that we can't explain.  We can do nothing but watch until we are at the point when we can do away with the "hole problem" and start afresh.  Life dishes out those "holes" all the time in my world, how about in yours?

As I make my final walk back down the driveway from the road, I notice the vintage tricycle and bubble lawn mower on my front porch.  Joy overflows my heart as I am reminded of the blessing of The Grandbaby.  Ah....are there words?  So many I won't even try.

Blessings.  Too numerous to count.  So undeserved.  So grateful.

Confidence that I serve a God who can.  A God who will.  Always.

Consider.....

CENTENARIAN

A centenarian is one who lives to or beyond 100 years old.  I have only know a few people who reach this milestone.

There is a lady from my church who will reach 100 years of age in a few weeks.  She is the oldest living member of our church and to celebrate, our church folks are planning a party to honor her.  The  Almost Centenarian is one of the kindest, most humble women I know.  She is blessed to live in her own home and is still fairly independent.  Granted there are creaks in the joints--heck there are creaks in my joints and I'm a good bit younger than her.

I had asked her if she might be willing to tell me some of her story so I could document it as a gift to her children and maybe make small tokens for party guests from some of the information.  She agreed.  We decided that today would be the day I would visit and listen to her.

My trusted computer and I got to her house, we settled at her dining room table, and she began to talk.  I listened in amazement.  The Almost Centenarian and I laughed and cried together as I often sat in awe of what I was hearing.   I often felt a third one there with us....God's Spirit was so real. While this blog is not the venue to tell her story, I will tell you that two hours later, I left her house a much better person.

As I drove away, I found myself praying that I had not waited too late in my own life to be a blessing to others that The Almost Centenarian has been to me, not only today in sharing her story, but all the times in the past that I have learned from her, been encouraged by her, and felt love from her.

Consider.......

6 YEARS

If you ask me what I was doing exactly six years ago, I can tell you.  It was wedding day for The Girl and The Son-In-Law.  Yes, on a Saturday, just like today.  It was a day that I experienced more different emotions all at once than any other day.

Now, six years later, I delight in the life the two of them have made together.  I delight in the spiritual leader of the home that The Son-In-Law is.  I delight in the wife that The Girl is.  I delight in the way they support each other.  I delight in the beautiful sweet little girl they call theirs.  Most of all I delight in the love and service for their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  What a blessing!

I'm proud to be loved by the both of them and grateful to the Lord for bringing them together.  He ALWAYS provides.

Many thanks to The Son-In-Law and The Girl for being one of the top reasons my life is so very full of joy and gratitude.

 For more pictures from that day, see my post "ONE" from May 5, 2013.