Thoughts - WOW!

Wow! Can our thoughts take us places. Now, deciding on a short visit or a long camp out is what fills our days with either worry or peace, sorrow or joy. I choose joy!
When the ultrasound of my thyroid showed a "growth" and I realized that I have been having some pain in the area of this "growth" my thoughts ran everywhere.
Why did I not question the pain sooner? I ran to a massage therapist to alleviate the pain - thinking it was a muscle problem - and it turns out to be a growth.
Then, looking at the report today, to turn it into a thyroid specialist, I notice the word "sizeable" - okay - sizeable growth - so not small - in their eyes.
As I write this, I am waiting for a call. Praying that this specialist can fit me in soon - diagnose the treatment and begin.

In the meantime - my thoughts center around finding God's peace and joy today - no matter what the reports from a Doctor say or how soon I can be seen.
I sit down with the Bible - OH - how I love my Bible -
and, today I choose to sit with the Bible that belonged to David's parents - very well worn out - and, right next to it is a Bible I got this Christmas from my daughter.
Both are amazing - and both bring me comfort.
My daughter texts me some verses as I am sitting with these two Bibles - and I highlight these verses in each from Isaiah 43:
"Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of
difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."
Oh, how I receive these words and thank My Savior that He is in control.
And, notice, He says we will "go through" - not around - through.
Can we still smile while working "through"? Yes, with the right thoughts.
He has a plan for good - not to harm me or you - to prosper us.
Praise the Lord.
Enjoy today :)

Sensing His Presence

It has happened before - but each time, I am unsure of what to make of it.
A feeling comes over me - a feeling that everything is all right - and I immediately thank God for the feeling because it seems like my life was when David was present.

This morning, I simply put on instrumental Christmas music, walked over to my bowl of cereal and there it was - a feeling that David was with me again.
I close my eyes and pray - and I sense His presence. Immediately, tears form.

There is only light available for my closed eyes in a portion of the room - is it the Lord's light or David's? Since they are together, maybe it is both.
All I know is that this peace I receive - this "feeling" of everything being all right is different than my usual feelings.

Somehow, I believe I am normally pulled away from believing everything is all right - there is so much pain and suffering - so many people hurting - so many loved ones lost - so many without homes - so many without - without -
That, once in a while - when it happens - I want to believe that everything is all right - that God is taking care of those I love - and that He will take care of all those suffering - that He will make everything all right.

So, I rest and am grateful for His presence - I take a deep breath - I thank Him that He is a God who loves us and has a plan.

And, then, I receive - the peace that passes my understanding.
And, I try to keep my focus on Him - not on the suffering of this world -
but on Him - and the reality that He will make everything all right.
In fact, that is why He came into this world. To make everything all right.

I love you, Lord.

Applebee's

Applebee's was the most convenient restaurant near our new home in North Port, Florida. We would put in a full day of working on the home (or working on the golf course) and sit down for a pretty healthy meal.

And, for emotional reasons, I chose not to go near an Applebee's since May of 2008 - until tonight. I purposefully drove there to have dinner by myself and remember.
I spoke a few words to the seat across from me - there was no reply - but I smiled, because I knew him so well, I knew what his reply would be. I could hear him describe to the server his favorite way to have his steak cooked - "medium plus". Medium plus never disappointed him. I could picture him motioning with his hands when asking for blue cheese to be sprinkled on top of his salad. He was a great communicator.

It was not a great meal tonight - okay enough, but not great.
But, it was sensational in another way. I feel like I accomplished - or overcame - all my battles in letting go. I believe the meal represented me facing my memories - facing reality and stopping running.
So, I exited the restaurant smiling broadly - simply grateful for memories.

As I drove out of the parking lot, I received a wonderful text with a video of my granddaughter, Madison, reciting Scripture - and I then attended another grandchild - Trace's - class performance that included Scripture from his mouth and - as if that were not enough - as the day closed in, a third grandchild, Macy, read her devotional page for today's date to me!
WOW!

I do not know a sweeter sound than hearing the voices of grandchildren reciting Scripture - God's Word. I am sure David would agree.

Thank you, Lord. I celebrate stopping running and I celebrate God's gift of future generations enjoying His Truth.

May you sleep well tonight - and enjoy Our Lord's Word.

Close My Eyes

It is really that simple. When I close my eyes, I am able to be with David again.
I can easily imagine a sweet memory - can easily hear his voice - can easily feel that wonderful feeling - that comfortable feeling that His presence always initiated.
Yet, in the Bible, we are told that Jesus is always with us - and we do not have to close our eyes - even though we do need to sometimes block out the visible world to see into the spiritual world -
Maybe it is the same thing. With the visible world blocked out - with our eyes shut - we are in the invisible world - that is just as real and lasts a lot longer - the world that will last for eternity. I can only imagine!!

But, for tonight, I open my eyes and head over to a dance to celebrate the Christmas season. This was his favorite dance, with one of his favorite crowds and places to celebrate.
Though it could not possibly be the same without him - it can still be sweet.
I will remember him smiling at me as I dance on the floor with the girls - I will be able to visualize him by the table - talking and laughing with the men while holding a wine glass, waiting for a slow song.
And, tonight, the slow songs - well, they will be sweet memories as I close my eyes and am, once again, in his arms.
I think they call these types of evenings bittersweet -
and I am going to focus on the sweet.
I pray you have a blessed evening - however you are going to spend it.
By the way - it is a lot easier to stay home from wonderful things that David and I used to do together - and I am tempted to make a bowl of popcorn, put in a movie and veg.
But that would not be taking a step forward. And I really believe that when I take a step forward, he watches from heaven and says "Way to go girl". So, sometimes, I go so I can picture him smiling down at me.
That seems to beat out the popcorn :)

Words Worth Saying

Words have power. We have seen people stand taller, smile broader and even enjoy life a little more - thanks to something that has come off of our lips and into their heart.
The spoken word - the power of the tongue.
It reminds me of Deuteronomy - a book in the Bible that mentions "This day, heaven and earth stand before you as witnesses. I have set before you blessings and curses, life and death. Now choose life - so you and your descendants may live, love the Lord your God and hold fast to His commands."
It is a choice - probably a thousand times a day - a choice of what will come out of our mouths. Life or death. And, God recommends we choose life.
So, this day - November 16, 2012, may God bless each of us with life giving words - no matter who you are speaking to - may your tongue release joy into their hearts - a song to sing - or simply an acknowledgement that they matter - which helps others stand taller :)
God has given us a choice - I choose life!
Enjoy today.

A Normal Day

It started out as a normal December day - very chilly outside as I dropped the children off to school and arrived at work. Accomplishing many tasks, mid-morning I went downstairs for a cup of coffee. Standing over the coffee pot, chatting with my fellow workers, one of them brought cookies back by the coffee pot from a businessman in town and mentioned he wanted to speak to me. I asked who it was and did not recognize the name, so she mentioned the business. It was pretty usual for people running a business in town to want to speak to me, in order for me to speak to the Mayor for them. Just a normal December day. The cookies were a plus - my favorites from Raymondi's Bakery - especially the ones with colored sprinkles :)

I approached the counter, introducing myself as we shook hands. He spoke for a while - some personal information and mentioning he had heard of me through Carol at Public Works. I do love Carol - we started with that in common. Nothing touched too much on business, so after he left, I went upstairs to my desk and wondered. Was there more he wanted to discuss but the counter was not the place?

So, I called the business and asked for him. We spoke for quite a while and I learned that we were fighting similar battles as single parents. I was grateful he had reached out and recommended several books that had helped me.

It did not seem too unusual - and began on a normal December day - but it was my introduction to the man that the Lord would use to drastically change my life.
I am eternally grateful for normal days.
Blessings!
Mary

Trying to get in - great!

It started Sunday - when opening the garage door after church.
I was greeted by a huge black spider sitting on top of a pillow. Finding my handy spray insect eliminator, I sprayed this huge invader and he simply walked away. UUGGGHHH!
Two hours later, I saw another one on the other side of the garage - UUGGHHH! I broke my broom trying to shoe that one out of the garage.
So, I called my pest management team. They had sprayed a week ago - what was happening?
They could come on Thursday at 10. Great!
Thursday at 8:30 - just pulled into the garage from a work out - and another one on a floor - UUGGHHH! I froze in my car.
What is it about these spiders? I can take care of little ones, but this critter is huge. So, I do what any brave woman would do - I called the exterminator and asked him to come an hour earlier. I could sit in my car till then. He couldn't.
So, I called neighbors. Two darling women came over in minutes - I hoped one of them did not share my uneasiness with these critters.
I moved the ladder in front of it, Pam slammed a piece of cardboard on it and did a dance. She called it a spider dance! It worked.
So, at 10, Chad, the exterminator, was kind enough to throw out the cardboard and identified the critter - a wolf spider - even he was surprised at the size - wondered why it was so large in this area. Could it be all the corn fields in Aurora??
Chad sprayed my basement again - and crawl space - but did not see any webs.
He said they were probably trying to get inside for the warmth - not coming from inside out to my garage.
Trying to get in - not out - that was good news.
Now, I hope the rest can find shelter underground somewhere down the block - and that they stop trying to become my house guests!
Blessings,
Mary