A NIGHT IN THE "LELLOW" BED

On occasion, insomnia gets me.  On a regular basis, I wake up two or three times a night but am usually able to return to my sleep pretty quickly.  But not always.

A couple of nights ago, The Husband and I had a sleepover and our guest was the teewwoo year old grand baby.  When she is our overnight guest, she and I sleep in the "lellow" bed, meaning the guest room with the bed with yellow sheets and comforter.   Hence the "lellow" bed.  Forget the toddler bed with the handmade Winnie the Pooh sheet.  She prefers the big "lellow" bed.  So, of course, I don't argue with her over that.  I've learned you choose your battles so we sleep.  Or one of us does.

On this particular night, she moved all over that lellow bed.  I rediscovered her need to be close to the other person in the bed.  Right up next to me.  Security.   She would go from vertical to horizontal back to vertical but always close...you get the picture.  Let me tell you, though, as I was awake a lot of the night with all this moving and shaking, I was blessed to listen to the breathing of that little one as, though moving and shaking a lot, she was very peaceful and contented.

As I found myself awake with the night light dimly lighting that room, I began to think of life.  I obviously do that often during the daylight hours as well.  I found myself thinking of friends who were going through tough times.  I found myself thinking of all the times I had gone through rough times and overcome.  Before I knew it, a tear seemed to drop from the corner of my eye and right there at 3 a.m. in that lellow bed, I became overwhelmed that I have a heavenly Father who loves HIS children.  I gave absolute true thanks to my heavenly Father.  Thanks for always being there to let me snuggle close so I can rest my spiritual soul.  Thanks for being a heavenly Father that I can pray to on behalf of those I love and care about and for those who just might have said, "Remember me when you pray".  Thanks that people actually can say, "Remember me when you pray".  Thanks for the sweet breathing of that moving and shaking angel beside me and the safety of a home where there is love.  My single tear became many as I was blessed in that hour and the ones that followed as I counted my oh, so many blessings.

Several years ago a friend gifted me with a wooden lamb that says, "Don't count sheep.  Talk to the Shepherd."  It applied to me the other night.

Sometimes it's not how much sleep you get, it's how much thanks you find.  Praise the Lord, I found it the other night there in that lellow bed.

I will close from a verse from one of my favorite scripture chapters:

Psalm 91:2......."I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress:  my God, in him will I trust."

Consider.......

AFTER THE STORM

Last week while The Husband was out of town, I was awakened from my late morning sleep at 6 a.m. (Yes, you know my normal time is 4:30-4:45 a.m.) to a loud sound of thunder almost shaking the house.  I watched as the lightning lit up the dark room and listened as a couple of minutes later, massive rain began to hit the roof.  A loud, loud massive rain to join the thunder and the lightning.

One thing about storms is that there's not a single thing a human can do to stop them.  It's important to be sure one is in a safe place when they come and just "ride them out".  Some of my most helpless and my most fearful times have been during storms.  I recall many years ago on a weekday afternoon when The Girl was much younger.  Tornado warnings were called in our area.  I can remember sitting in the hallway with The Girl so I could see out the bedroom window.  The winds were fierce, blowing from one direction to the other in all directions and limbs and other debris were blowing in that wind as I looked out the window.  I'm not gonna lie.  I was scared but could do nothing but sit there with my battery radio, my pillows, and my girl.  After that particular storm was over, there was very much damage as the tornado had touched down a few miles away.  No lives were lost but much property was ruined.

On last week's particular morning, I waited until the storm was over, then got up for the day.  Imagine my surprise when I opened the blinds and saw a bright sunshine with a beautiful blue sky and a clean looking world.  Wow.

It was at that point that I realized storms are a lot like life.  I was again reminded of this just this morning as I read a text from a good friend whose husband experienced a heart attack a couple of weeks ago.  The news yesterday was not the news that they hoped to hear with heart function not ideal and outlook meriting massive life changes.  What a storm for their family!  We all experience storms of life in various ways, some very damaging, others minor, but storms all the same.  If you haven't experienced a life storm, look out because no one is exempt from them.  I've experience plenty and don't have the time today to list them all, nor do you want to hear them all.

My thoughts go to a storm the disciples experienced on that boat one day when Jesus said, "Peace be still."  (Mark 4:39)  As I tried to encouragingly respond to my friend, my thoughts went to the scripture in that "weeping" book of the Bible, Lamentations.  It is one of my favorite scriptures and says, "His mercies are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness."  (Lamentations 3:23)  That mercy and faithfulness are like that blue sky and sunshine after last week's storm, giving our spiritual hearts the safety and assurance for which it longs.  Because of that faithfulness, I can face the storms of life with HIS help.  That is only one of the things for which I am so very grateful.

Consider.........

39

39.  Today the number represents 39 years since The Husband and I took each other for better or for worse.  It seems like yesterday.  Well, sort of.

This year I have again reflected.  I would like to tell you that marriage is sunshine and roses all the time but, by golly, it's just not.  (see blog post, Hearts and Flowers, 2/13/14)  I think I can describe marriage as REAL life.  I was thinking of the marriage vows that so many repeat....for better or for worse (that's the truth), for richer or for poorer (if you're thinking of $, mostly we experience poorer to moderate but moderate is not a choice so it's a definite poorer as opposed to richer), in sickness and in health (man, The Husband has gotten the worse end of that deal), to love and to cherish (in this we are both rich), till death do us part (I hope that's at least 30 years from now).

We have experienced together so many blessings along with a decent number of times of sadness and sorrow.  I think as we continue on in our marriage, we grow more and more alike.   I'm beginning to like Storage Wars and American Pickers and he can enjoy several Hallmark movies.  We have equally comfortable recliners that allow us both to fall asleep during these programs.  A fun night at home is wearing pajamas as we sit in these recliners watching these programs.  Yes, we evolve into ourselves as we grow older and honestly, we think alike and can read each others' thoughts.  This can be good or bad.

Through all our lives, we have been able to laugh and that is very important.  We can laugh at ourselves and we can laugh at each other and nobody gets mad.  I can truthfully say we have argued and disagreed very little in these 39 years.  Believe it or not.  It's the truth.  We compliment each other--he's the calm one, I'm the stress-er.  It eventually balances out.

I have learned that plans can go awry, but if one trusts the Lord and put HIM first, His plans are perfect.

I got up this morning thinking of the verses in Romans 5:3-4 and as I read it yet again, I was reminded that it not only applies spiritually but can apply to marriage.  In my Bible, the subtitle says, "Joy in Tribulation".  It goes like this:

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

And patience, experience; and experience, hope..."

Little did that young bride know 39 years ago today where she would be today, but she couldn't have planned it better if she tried.  Yes, God supplies and provides and that girl, now older and wiser is so very thankful.

Real life......I love it!

AN EMPTY TANK

The gas hand on my car approached empty.  I only realized this as I just happened to glance down as I drove into my carport.  Evidently, looking at my gas hand on my dashboard is not a priority to me.  It was so close to empty, I became afraid that I didn't have enough gas to make it to the gas station.  Normally, I pay a bit more attention to these things.  A car won't run without gas, you know?

Luckily, I have never totally run out of gas and got stranded on the side of the road.  I "insure" this possibility by being a long time member of AAA as they would bring me gas as would The Husband. That could have easily changed yesterday as I drove to the gas station....almost on empty.

As I cruised into a spot by the gas pump, I excitedly got out to pump the gas, breathing a sign of relief that I had made it without running out.  I really was concerned.  When I had the gas pumped and paid for, the feeling I had as I got back in the car was so very different from the feeling I had when I got in my car at my house.  It was at that point that this post idea was planted.

I was thinking of how often I run on empty.  I keep going and going and going, not paying attention to my "gauge".  Life seems to demand so very much from me...but wait!  Is it life or is it me that demands too much?  Slowing down a bit and "refilling my tank" would be helpful to me.  This was so very clear as I drove away from the gas pump.

I don't know about you but I find myself so busy that I miss those things that are most important.  Sure, in my life I have learned already that a clean house is not a priority.  I have learned that exceptionally prepared meals in my kitchen is not a priority.  I have learned that trying to keep up with EVERYTHING is not necessary.  Yet, I often run on empty.

My health has been a bit of a setback and through that I have learned what is important.  Yet, I still often run on empty.

The sermon on Sunday was that Christians should be joyful.  That is so true and struck me hard.  I want to be more joyful.  I recognize that it's the little things that fill my tank.  Attending worship service has always been important in my life and a top priority as is my relationship with the Lord.  Still, I don't do devotions as I should and I don't keep as close as I could to HIM.  I hope to improve in this area.   Time with The Grandbaby is a priority as is with The Husband, The Girl, and The Son-In-Law.  I do enjoy every bit of that.  I am also learning that rest for me is important.  All these can lead to joy and a filling of my tank.

I want to be pumped and run on a full tank of joy!  What about your tank?

Consider..........

HALLELUJAH! IT'S JUNE 21!

Today is THE day.  June 21.  The day that always gets a post on my blog.   It's the anniversary of my very first post.  (See Celebration, 6/21/12.)

For all of you faithful blog readers, you might recall that I also post this day to recognize the date, June 21, 1991. That day is the day that totally changed life as my family knew it.  It was on that day around 11:00 a.m. that The Girl, then age 10, was diagnosed with Type I diabetes.  Type 1 diabetes.  The type that has no cure.  The type that requires insulin for one to survive.  I remember that all the signs were there....frequent urination, excessive thirst, weight loss.

My family still sees that wise doctor who diagnosed The Girl that day.  That doctor is a keeper.  I remember the fear that was in me when the blood sugar monitor registered 258.  The wise doctor immediately gave me that don't-fall-apart-on-me-here look and calmly told The Girl the diagnosis and that she would need to go for a stay at the local children's hospital.  Then she turned to me and said, "You go in my office, shut the door, and get control of everything and I will sit here with The Girl."  I did just that.  I don't remember praying in my numbness but I know that deep in the deepest part of me, my heart sought strength and courage.  I never fell apart that I can remember even though in that deepest part of me, there was a flood of tears flowing.  The strength was there to endure what life had given.

Today, 27 years later, that strength to endure is still there.  Each day is lived with thankfulness for the help and strength to endure, not only living with diabetes, but just plain living.  Diabetes is only one of the diseases that can rack one's body.  And then there's all those other things that can demand courage and endurance.  All the time, MY God is there to supply all the strength, endurance and courage needed.  I can't imagine enduring without HIM.

I, too, will give credit to The Girl.  Amid all the finger sticks and injections and now pump infusion sets and insulin pumps, she has endured the most.  To say I am proud of her would be a gross understatement.  It ain't easy.  But life is worth it.  Every. Single. Day.    I'm grateful for a husband for her who has learned about diabetes, knows the negative signs, and pays attention to that one he loves.    Maybe I say this often in my blog and writings, but I will say it again--I am filled with gratitude that both of them know the one who can help them overcome.   And I am filled with joy and gratitude at the blessing of The Grandbaby, a blessing beyond measure to all of us.

So here's to the precious girl I am blessed to call mine.  Celebrate this day!  Celebrate the one who helps you endure!  Celebrate the joys that life brings!

EXPERIENCED

On Father's Day, our church has traditionally recognized the most experienced dad (a nice way for saying the oldest), the dad with the most children present, and the "newest" dad in our Sunday School joint assembly time.  They do the same thing on Mother's Day, of course, for equal time for the parents.

Yesterday, since the dad who usually gets the honor was out sick, my dad was named the most experienced dad--meaning he was the oldest.  I had to think a bit to consider what that made me exactly and came to the conclusion that I, too, was somewhat experienced.

Last week, one of my elementary school friends passed away.  She was a tiny bit younger than me but we, along with her brother, were in the same class all during elementary school.  At the funeral home visitation I asked about her brother as, surprisingly with my faulty memory, I remembered his name.  Sadly, I did not remember his face as he was standing there fairly close by.  50+ years does change our looks.  He said that he remembered me and since he called me by name, I had to believe him.  What does that say for my memory?  Yeah, right, I thought so too.

He and I shared memories from our school days and teachers.  I found myself remembering teachers and how they looked when I was in those elementary grades.  Let me tell you, they looked old.  I was going to say mature, but let's be honest.  They looked old.  When I calculated the math, they were probably younger then than I am now.   I found myself pondering the fact that my elementary friend went on to be with the Lord at a time that we all might consider "too soon".

The week before last, The Husband and I had to have our air conditioner replaced.  Granted, it was like me and pretty old.  I was told the replacement was a very high efficiency model, unlike the old one.  I told The Husband that depending on how efficient it was, it might last longer than us.  It's kind of funny (and not funny funny but funny otherwise) that we consider this and puts our age in perspective yet again.

As I considered this experience and age thing, I found myself being reminded that there's something to be said for experience.   I get to "experience" the joy that being a "Neema" brings.  I used to enjoy getting the senior discount at my local grocery stores until they decided they would do away with that.  Bad idea on their part, in my opinion.  In a couple of weeks, I will experience 39 years of being married to a wonderful man.  Experience has taught me that big weddings are not that spectacularly big and necessary.  Experience has taught me that people are more important than things.  Experience has taught me that the good health of a diabetic child, be that child a child or an adult child, is something to be soooo grateful for.  Experience has taught me that the good health of "self" is something to be grateful for as well.  Experience has taught me to value this day as I am not promised any more.  Experience has taught me that my salvation and relationship with my Heavenly Father is the greatest joy of all.  "The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows."  And experience has taught me much more than I have time or effort to share.

Experience has taught me that no matter what the future holds, God is already there.  And in that, I can be confident in whatever life dishes out to me.

Consider........

WITHOUT CEASING

In life we are blessed to gather friends from various places.  One of my friends, The Pray Without Ceasing Friend, is one that I met years ago at a sorority weekend at the college of The Girl and Her Girl.  Both of our girls were friends there and have remained so, and even closer still since Her Girl lives near us.  I am pleased that both girls have children about the same age and keep a close weekly relationship, allowing the young children to be friends as well.

The Pray Without Ceasing Friend became named that in my blog because we have had conversations about prayer, many times needing the prayers of each other for various concerns in our life.  She refers often to praying without ceasing.  I have learned from her and I love her so much.  In fact it was in the last week or so we had the prayer conversation yet again and she sent me a devotion that obviously the Lord sends at the appropriate times.  In this devotion, it talks about praying without ceasing.  It talks about praying while ones does their hair.  It talks about praying in the car.  It talks about praying EVERYWHERE.  It talks about praying as soon as you hear a need--that way you don't forget.

I want to be like that.   I REALLY want to be like that.

I have learned that when I talk to the Lord during the day, just as if He was right here so I could see Him, I become stronger and stronger.  After all, HE IS HERE.  I just can't see Him with my physical eyes but I can see Him with the eyes of my heart.

This morning the devotion in my inbox talked about "What If I Truly Believed?"  (https://proverbs31.org/read/devotion).  A couple of things the writer says (among so many things the writer says that hit me) is "if we don't believe God is able, we won't pray as if He is".   She says if you believe he is able, "that's the magnificent place where hope begins to grow wild".

Oh...I LOVE that!  Can you imagine praying without ceasing, believing he is able, and a hope that grows WILD?

I want that.  Every.  Single.  Day.  I WANT THAT.

I am so thankful that I have a heavenly Father who WILL provide that just because He loves me so.  What a love!

Consider......

HA

So I was in a conversation yesterday with a very close friend.  In our conversation we were speaking of various things and she made a statement that I think I will remember forever.  It's a good way to put what we all at one time or another have felt, done, and experienced.   See if you agree.

She simply said, "I know Stupid."

Consider.....

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.