OVERWHELM

I use this word so much in my daily life.  We have all experienced the feelings of being overwhelmed.  Being overwhelmed can be so in a good way or in a bad way.  I had never looked up the meaning of the word until this morning but did so and chose Mr. Webster's definition as it is a simple one and I understand simple so much better than not simple.  Mr. Webster says:

"overwhelm"-- to affect (someone) very strongly;  to cause (someone) to have too many things to deal with;  to defeat (someone or something) completely

Now if I were a betting person, I would bet that many of my readers might say, "My name should be listed with that definition."  My name should be there to define it as well.   Some days I just wonder why I bothered to get up that morning.  Many times those days overtake me so many at a time.  Overwhelmed.

I can recall feelings of being overwhelmed with feeling of helplessness when watching loved ones suffer with serious diseases.

I can recall feelings of being overwhelmed with this last lengthy kidney stone "event" that seemed to take over my life.  (As a side note here, yesterday's ultrasound and urologist's post procedure visit showed all healed.  Remaining stones in other kidney are small and maybe will stay that way.)

I can recall times of being overwhelmed when there was paperwork to be done timely and little time for the timely and little energy for me.

I can recall many times when, in my own life, storms came and overwhelmed me so.  Storms with turmoils and seemingly no answers.

I can also recall The Husband and I as we stood at the foyer door of the church sanctuary before walking down the aisle for seating at The Girl and The Son-In-Law's wedding and feeling overwhelmed at the goodness of the Lord for HIS provision.

I can especially recall that day several months ago as The Girl and The Son-In-Law shared the news of their being parents.  Overwhelmed is only one of the words to describe the joy.

There have many days since the year started that "overwhelmed" has hit me hard--both good and bad.   I find that I am forever encouraged that during these times that strength comes from an encouraging "Barnabas" in my life or a word from the Lord in His scriptures.

My sister gave me a devotion book for Christmas.  It was the perfect gift for me.  I love it!   I also have another favorite one that I have read for many years each day by Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost For His Highest"…yes, over and over, and it STILL speaks to me.  It's pretty worn and has many colored highlights of words that touched me and it's a true treasure of mine.

April 7, Thursday of last week, my devotion in my Christmas gift devotion book was from Psalm 62.  When I read it, it hit me hard.  Psalm 62  has ALWAYS been one of my favorite Psalms because it speaks to me so strongly.  Every single day since last Thursday, that scripture has been in my heart and daily remembered.  My favorite verses of this psalm are verses 2 and 3.  They go like this:

"From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy."

I LOVE that!  Life dishes out some doozies--I think I've touched on that often in this blog.  You may tire of that but it's just the truth.  One thing is constant and that is the Savior and His love for us.  He is higher and mightier and a strong shelter when the storms come.  I've learned that God might send an answer in a way I choose or he might not, but HE does see the big picture and is faithful and I can trust Him because I KNOW HE LOVES ME.  You can trust Him too.    He promises.  

I CHOOSE FAITH.

A week or so ago I read a blog post which touched me strongly.  In the post, the author was telling how that the devil ALWAYS tries to find any way to make a Christian stumble.   His easy way is planting the seed of "worst case scenario" in a mind where there is worry and fear.

No, I'm not going to rewrite the wonderful blog.  I am wanting to share the thought that the Lord put to me when these times come.  And believe me, they come daily.  Whether fear of an illness, concern for a  family member, unrest about the country's condition, or just general "concern", the devil is ready to jump right in.

While I was thinking strongly on this, a seemingly small voice said to me, "Choose faith."  That's it….the answer in two words…."CHOOSE FAITH".  So today and every day ahead, when the devil puts out those bad pictures in my mind, I choose faith.  I. Choose. Faith.

And I hope you do, too!

"GOOD" FRIDAY

Yes, today is Friday.  "Good Friday" as the Friday before Easter is traditionally called.  Many of you faithful blog readers might realize I didn't remind you this year to read the Scriptures leading up to the most hallelujah of days this Sunday.  The Pastor at church last Sunday reminded us to do that and I have so done it again this year.

For all of you who would like to read the passages now, it's not too late.  Here's my list:

Jesus rides into Jerusalem.....Matt 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-40; John 12:12-19
The Last Supper with the twelve....Matt. 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:3-39; John 13
Sold out....Matt 26: 1-16;  Mark 14:1-2, 10-11:  Luke 22:1-6
In the Garden....Matthew 26:36-56; Mark14: 32-52; Luke 22:39-53; John 17, 18:1-11
Guilty?.....Matthew 26:57-75; Mark14:53-72;  Luke 22:54-71; John 18:12-27
A Dark Day....Matthew 27:1-66; Mark 15:1-47; Luke 23; John 18:28-42
The Tomb....Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20

Today has been a day for me that I have spent alone physically.  The Husband has gone fishing for the day so as I went about my "stuff",  I spent the day reflecting on exactly what this season of Easter REALLY means to me.  As I drove this morning on my errands, I found my eyes tearing up as I thought of what my Lord had been going through all those many years ago.  I didn't read today's scripture until this afternoon.  Those precious passages never get old and I always seem to find something new in them.  Something that never changes is the love my Savior has for me.  And you.  And all the world.  

What a horrible death to die on the cross!  No tomb of his own in which to rest…had to borrow one.  As the song says, though, "God sent his son….he came to love, heal, and forgive.  He bled and died to buy my pardon…"  Yes, life is worth the living JUST because HE lives!

So am I ever looking forward to my favorite time of the year….Easter Day!  Yes, it's Friday but hang on…..Sunday's coming!  

PANIC BUTTON

On my way home the other day, I stopped at one of my somewhat local grocery stores.  As I sat in my car getting my coupon notebook and "green" bags in place, I noticed an elderly woman walking around the parking lot with her grocery bags in hand.  She looked as though she was walking aimlessly.

I continued to watch her as I was grabbing my purse and keys and beginning to get out of my car.  By that time she had walked around behind my car and was standing still by my passenger back door--not paying attention to me or anyone else, just looking lost and uncertain.

I walked around to her and asked if I could help her.  She didn't say anything...didn't even act as though she heard me.  Of course, my mind was thinking, "Oh me..." and remembering that no good deed goes unpunished...or usually that's the case.  I asked a second time a bit louder and she turned to me and said, "I can't find my car."

Well that's an understandable thing.  I had the experience years ago of not remembering where I parked when I was walking out of my favorite grocery store (I buy a lot of groceries.) at the side of a VERY elderly man.  Just to avoid searching, I had my keys in hand and pushed the panic button on my key ring.  My car immediately began beeping loudly and the elderly man said to me, "Someone's car alarm is going off."  I replied, "No, it's just me locating my car."  And I told him to have a good day and I walked on.  I am certain he walked straight to his car without assistance of any type.

So here we are on this particular day and the woman can't find her car and I want to help.  I HAD to help...I couldn't walk off and leave her there.  That wouldn't have been Christian-like.  Or American-like.  I asked her if she had her key ring with an automatic opener.  She did not reply, just handed me the keys.  Well, duh, at that point, I assured her I was honest, not that she cared, but I did.  People are really too trusting some days, but in this case, there was no other choice. Luckily for her and for me, her key ring had a panic button.  I showed her the red button and told her if we pushed it, we should hear her car beeping and know where it is.  I pushed it and immediately heard her car, still not locating it but knowing that it was there.  Whew.   That would have been rough had it not been there.

We began to walk toward the sound, me still holding the keys.  I pushed the button to stop it until we walked a few more steps.  I asked the woman what color her car was and she replied, "Silver".  At least I would know that.  So at that point, I pushed the button again and sure enough, there was the sound and there, not far away, was her car....a car that looked dark gray to me but oh well.   I handed her the keys and told her to be careful and have a nice day.  As I walked away, I will admit to wondering if it was safe for her to be driving but, alas, my good deed was over.

I was thinking about that experience this morning.  Spiritually, I often find myself wandering and "lost" looking.  As I begin to fret, worry, and panic, all I have to do is hit my spiritual panic button and the Lord is there, calming and showing me His grace.  I'm sure I could go on and on and make this into a good strong lesson but that's really my thoughts for this day.  Gratitude that He always helps me "find my way" in troubled times and gets me where I need to be safely.

Don't forget if you ever lose your car, hit that panic button.  It's the red button.  And when you lose your "way" spiritually, pick up that Bible and look at those words written in red.  They will comfort you and show you the right direction.  Every. Single. Time.

Seed Pearls

It’s “The Girl” upon invitation to be a “Guest Blogger” for Consider Brenda (“The Mama” to me :-) ).  The Husband was off work yesterday, so I took the day off to spend with him working in Baby Girl’s nursery.  The Mama, being the great The Mama and The Future Gramma that she is, had come to help us with some décor.  While she was there, I shared a story with her that she wanted me to share with you all, and it is my pleasure to do so.  :)

Like every story, there’s always a back story that goes with it.  I am not going to share all of the details of the back story right now (maybe I’m asking for a future Guest Blogger invite… just kidding!), but I’ll give you a little bit.  As you probably know by now, I was diagnosed with Type I diabetes about 25 years ago.  You know, right after the invention of the wheel (and thankfully the discovery of insulin) and just before The Rachel haircut and Beanie Babies became “things”.  In my high school years, I made the massive mistake of watching my least favorite movie of all time.  Steel Magnolias.  I’d rather watch every Nightmare on Elm Street movie ever made than to watch that one again.  So, with that movie, my fear of having children began.  I love children.  Always have.  The outcome of that movie (“based on a true story”, of course) just scared me from the top of my ponytail to the toes of my Timberlands. 

Anyway, fast forward to 2010, when I met this guy who I decided I might just want to marry.  In May of 2012, I did.  The thoughts on having children – while still scary – pushed further and further up in my mind.   My endocrinologist told me that, before I could even think about it, I had to get my blood sugars down.  Way down.  Like, all the time.  Here’s where I’ll leave some gaps in my story, but I had this goal of getting a certain measurement of average glucose fructosamine reading below 335 before he would let me even consider trying to have kids.  I was nowhere near that, but I started working on it.  For silly, personal reasons, it was hard for me.  Really hard.  I saw improvement, which was encouraging, but never seemed to be able to get “there”.  I remember telling the Lord that I knew I couldn’t do it on my own, and that He was going to have to help me.  (Probably should’ve realized that sooner, huh?)  Anyway, around that time, I remember The Mama sharing a story with me one morning on my drive to work from one of her favorite movies that she’d just watched again.  Now, honestly, I don’t think she was trying to tell me to encourage me about my blood sugar control.  We hadn’t even talked about trying to have children.  (Our families were very good not to push about grandbabies.)  It could have been to encourage me on some other difficulty at that time, or just as a general “wow, this is a good story.”   The story went kind of like this…

The movie was set maybe in the 1800s, and the main character, Christy, was lost out in a storm.  She was supposed to be getting married soon, and her two friends, Miss  Alice and Ruby Mae (don't you love the names?)  were very worried about her.  Miss Alice, the elder of the two friends, encouraged Ruby Mae to perform an act of faith by sewing tiny seed pearls onto Christy’s wedding dress so that it would be ready for her when she returned home.  So, Ruby Mae did.  Christy, of course, makes it safely home and does get married (although to someone different than originally intended.  We’ll forget that part :-)).

So, the very day I heard the story – probably about 2 years ago - I took myself to the Family Christian bookstore on my lunch hour and sewed my own seed pearl by buying a stuffed lamb that played Jesus Loves Me.  I took it home and shared the story and purchase with The Husband, and we prayed and believed that, some day, somehow, it would belong to our child.  Maybe a biological child, maybe an adopted child… we didn’t know.  But we believed (most days, The Husband more than me).  The Lord is faithful, as He always is, as yesterday, we set it out in Baby Girl’s nursery (see below… isn’t it cute?)  I’m not saying my faith never waivered, because it did, many times.  And still does sometimes as Baby Girl gets closer to preparing to make her arrival.  But praise the Lord, He loves me and blesses me anyway.

Like any good Paul Harvey-esque story, there’s more.  Before yesterday, no one knew about the lamb and its meaning besides The Husband and me.  But…guess what both The Nana (The Husband’s mom) and The Gramma gave to Sweet Caroline for Christmas? 

So, as you can see, Caroline has three lambs… a holy number, as a sweet friend from church would say (shout out to you, Kristie!)… all that play Jesus Loves Me… all that will remind me throughout the years of God’s faithfulness to me and my family and how much The Lamb loves us.

Oh, and that level that I had to get under 335 and didn’t think I’d ever get it there?  When it was checked last month, it came in at 245 ;0).  Nothing is impossible with God!

“…without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  Hebrews 11:6

THE CROSSING OF PATHS

Today I found myself considering life.  Now that's a leading kind of statement, huh?  I'm betting you are waiting for some huge philosophical lesson in this post.   I will go ahead and apologize for disappointing you.

Lately I have thought much about people.  Not just any people but people who have crossed my path at various times in my life and made a difference to me in my past years.

Sure, there are those who I've known for what seems like forever and still are very close and dear and near.  Was it a song or a poem or just a saying that once said, "Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver, the other gold."  My mind remembers that from somewhere...from where, I can't say.  Bet no one is surprised at my lack of remembering, huh?

I was reminded of the blessing just today of those who I have "met" in my work life.  There are those whom we have had serving us as a company for years and years and years and my work would be very hard to change any of these folks who have become friends....accountants, insurance people, you get the idea.  They are "my" folks now and I appreciate them and think of how my life is better, not only in my work, but in the way they have become personal friends.  Friends who care and whom I care about in return.  And that might never have happened if our paths hadn't crossed.

I think of school friends who I never see anymore but who stay in my memory--okay, admittedly maybe their faces more than their names now.  Paths meander in different directions as life comes and goes and folks that we may never see again still impact our lives.

There are teachers, parents of The Girl's friends, lifelong friends from activities done together, church folks, and just simply strangers who passed my way.

Just this past weekend, The Sister, The Mother, The Daddy, and I visited a funeral home for a family of a loved one who had meant so much to us years ago.  I can remember visiting their home with their three girls and having such fun.  I was reminded that I got the very worst blistering of the soles of my feet at their house on a hot day.  They lived in a subdivision which in my world was big time stuff so visiting them and spending the night was a true treat.  They would go barefoot.  Everywhere while playing.  And they played hard.  My feet were tender.  Really tender but I didn't want to be the wimp so I went barefoot too.  Did I say it was one of the hottest days of the year?  We walked barefoot on that subdivision road for a very long time so that by night, I had blisters on the soles of my tender feet.  OUCH!   Shoes hurt after that.  Yes I remember that well but I also remember that when I visited their house, I always felt their love for each other and for me.  I was delighted to see them all but sad of the passing of the sweet mother.  Such a dear one.  My life was better for knowing them.

There have been people I have met one time that I was encouraged by or cheered and they had no idea.

The list could go on and on.  Many or all of you reading this blog can be assured that somehow you have most likely touched my life and made it better.  Has all of life been warm and fuzzy?  Shucks, no, I think not.  Life is life and offers the good with the bad.  I like to think, though, that the big God above dictates all that and I know He has life in His hands.

I, of course, am reminded of one of my favorite verses that gives me assurance....Romans 8:28....and you know probably that it goes like this but bears repeating often:

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

So yes, I am counting the blessings today.  Blessings of you...and you...and you....and you....."my" people.  :)

:)

ONE WEEK DOWN

I was going to begin this blog by saying how fast time flies but I think that subject has been addressed more than it should lately.  Agreed?  Agreed.  But it really does fly, doesn't it?  :)

Many inquiring (or is it enquiring?) minds have been asking for the scoop on the broken finger.  It was really a simple normal smash.  On the particular morning of the smash, I was preparing to go to town to take a medical sample to my doctor's office for diagnosis.  My thought process was that I might stop at the new neighborhood food/paper goods/ everything else warehouse on the way home.

Well, being as it was a ridiculously hot day for December, I thought I should take a cooler with one of my ice jugs with me in case I bought something perishable and then didn't get home soon.  Now keep in mind that I do this all the time in the summer for safety with food.  Uh huh.  I got my regular collapsible cooler down and realized I had transported something yucky in it and not noticed that the yuck was still there.  And being as The Husband has many, many, many coolers available, I thought I would just take one of his hard plastic formed ones.

As I usually do, I put that cooler in my car trunk vertically rather than horizontally as the trunk is.  I have a large trunk but I also have a lot of "stuff" I need in it...important stuff like those recycle grocery bags (I have a ton of those with different designs and I use them and remember to take them in with me.), a couple bottles of water, gloves, umbrellas, and even jumper cables so it takes a lot of space for the "stuff".  Hence the vertical placement of the cooler.

Not thinking smartly, I realized I had not put the ice jugs in nor had I looked at the cleanliness of this particular cooler.  Instead of realizing that the cooler top was near the hinged portion of the trunk and that the ice jugs wouldn't fit with the cooler that way, I grasped the indention on the cooler top and tried to open it.  It wouldn't open.  Stuck.  So without thinking further, I tried again more mightily.  Yes, it opened and smashed my little finger between that cooler lid and the hinged metal part of my trunk.

I hollered.  I cried.  I hollered.  I cried.  I dropped to my knees and I hollered and cried.  God was the only one to hear me so I kept crying and told myself I had only mashed my finger.  I would probably bruise and loose my fingernail (how's that for a rhyme?  Bruise and loose...and I didn't even try to rhyme.)   I wasn't vain.  It would be all right.  It happened every day to someone.  I must have cried heartily for a good 6.5 minutes before just constantly sniffling.  The finger looked slightly swollen but it had been smashed.  Heartily.  Mightily.

My shopping desire left me so I took the cooler out of the trunk.  It was heavy on my injured hand.  I went to the doctor's to leave my medical sample.  The doctor was 20 minutes away...my eyes were still red from crying.  I left it with the receptionist and came back home.  By afternoon, bruising and swelling had started so I called to see about an appointment.  The receptionist and I decided I would come in the morning if not better.

The Husband was helpful to me as we realized it felt less pain when straight so we made a splint from popsicle sticks.  (I should put that on Pintrest.)  By morning it was obvious I did need a doctor.  Her first words after looking and finding out I had done it the day before were, "Why didn't you come yesterday?"  I told her that my red crying eyes and I had but only to bring the medical sample.  She did her eyeroll....she had already done another eyeroll when I removed my I-should-put-on-Pintrest-popsicle-splint.

I left that office and went for an xray to return back to office afterwards.  I had told myself that maybe this was one of the times in the 3% of the time my doctor is wrong that she was wrong.  I had already decided it was bruised, not broken.  I was wrong.  My wise doctor's words were "Of course I knew it was broken...otherwise I wouldn't have sent you for the xray."  Duh.  The joint nearest the nail is broken and the tendon is detached.  The remedy is this splint for 6 weeks.  Uh, only 5 weeks now....one week down.  If I remove the splint and bend my finger, we start all over again.

It's inconvenient but the worst part was trying to wash my hair with a sandwich bag on my hand.  I've figured out how to make two plastic gloves and a small zippered jewelry bag work for hair washing so life is much better.  As is the hair.  Believe me it didn't look very good.

The finger does hurt a bit when I put my arm through my coat jacket or if I hit it against something so I try to be careful.

So that's it, folks....now you know the rest of the story......

2015--WHAT A YEAR!

Ah, here we are again...New Year's Eve.  Time keeps passing and the world keeps spinning faster and faster these days.  Or so it seems.  Oh, sorry...am thinking I just addressed the swift passage of time not too many blog posts ago.

2015 was in some ways a booger of a year around here.  Sicknesses seemed to abound.  A non-heart attack event, an intestinal obstruction, kidney stones, cervical spine surgery, and now as of yesterday, a broken finger.  Yes, my left hand's smallest digit will have to remain splinted for six weeks.  I smashed it which will be another story for another day.  It doesn't really go with this post except to show you a picture because I am certain now you are curious.   And yes, it hurt then and still hurts on occasion.  (It's the bandaged one, not the arthritic crooked one.)

I can honestly say, though, that with the list of sicknesses, the Lord has been faithful and helped.  He is forever the very best!  Praying friends help and praying friends abounded in 2015.  Still do.  And God answered prayers too numerous to count.  Here's a picture as a reminder of only one of those many answered prayers:

Prayers for salvation are the best answered prayers!

Spring 2015 saw the final seasonal visit to see the Gibbs flowers with The Mother.  Such beauty of God's creation!

I had obviously not visited the beauty hair salon as The Mother had done.

There was the big wonderful announcement for our family that The Husband and I would become The Papa and The Gramma in spring of 2016!  More prayers answered.

Then there was the announcement that The Grandchild is a girl!

There was a vacation to Alaska that will be long remembered...

Sunday School showed the promotion of one class and the new additions of younger two year olds.

Jesus still had a birthday and the little class still had a party because the reason for the season stays the same!

as does the church children and their Christmas concert!

There was strawberry pickin' in the VERY hot weather....

..resident deer in our yard...

...and growth.

Easter was special as always (hallelujah, Christ arose!) but also was an array of the color aqua blue!

And I have to mention that 2015 was the year of the big decade birthday for me and many of my friends....my old friends, that is!

2015 also had fun gifts that were sure to please...I quilted for my sister a quilt top hand sewn by our Mema.

I could write on and on and on and never relate to you how life, even through hard challenging times, is always in the palm of the hand of my very big God!  I continue daily to learn and sometimes even find it hard to grasp in faith, then the Lord sends me that comfort that "He's got this!"  And thankfully, He ALWAYS will!

Many blessings to you in 2016!

MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!  Christmas is all about HIM!  How blessed we all are to celebrate the joy of the birth of OUR Savior!  As the song says, "O come let us adore him...Christ the Lord!"  I am thankful to be able to call him MY Savior.  Rejoice!

SO THE SEASON BEGINS......

Christmas.  Peace, goodwill toward men.  Decorated trees.  Nativity scenes.  And "Joy to the World, the Lord is come" over and over and over again.  And then "Joy to the World" again.  

Yes, I'm speaking of my church's annual Christmas caroling afternoon.  It happened yesterday afternoon--a beautiful sunny day that was just the right temperature with a large number of both regular singers and non-singers.  You see, in my church you don't have to sing on key or sing beautifully to make a joyful noise--especially on Christmas caroling day!   In fact, you don't have to sing at all--the blessing can be in just watching expressions and joy on the faces.

Here's the caroling group...

Then there is another of the group with me in it.  Can you find me?

The Girl is ready to go....all set with her Cheez Its.

The list we have now is much shorter than years past.  That's a bit of bad news and good news....bad that those we love are gone, but good that others we love are still able to attend church regularly.

It was a wonderful afternoon ...

There was a bit of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer with his shiny nose (like a light bulb) as sang by the children...

And a bit of "Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way"...

There was sharing....

...familiar faces...

.

...and love all around.

There were even smiles all around as I posed with a couple of favorite youngsters...

The day ended with the familiar sounds of "What'll ya have?"  Most had Varsity hot dogs, fries, onion rings, and frosted orange drinks.  And the famous Varsity hats, of course.

Our caroling recipients were mostly elderly and many had memory issues.  An amazing thing I did notice that all these sweet folks seemed to remember song words...many sang "Joy to the World", "Silent Night", and "Amazing Grace" without missing a beat.  And they did it happily.

The residents excitement made me realize that I should be more that way about "Joy to the World, the Lord is come!"  That joy that lives deep in one's heart somehow always remembers the words, even if one can't remember their own name.  Amazing.  What a blessing to watch and witness!

So remember, "Joy to the World, the Lord is come!"  Tis the season.....