One of Those Days

It's been one of those days.
But that's okay, I know it will get better.

If I had one wish...

Now normally I would like to keep most of my posts on the lighter, more uplifting side but I have a friend who is hurting today. When someone you care about hurts, you hurt too. I was thinking... If I could ask God for one gift, I would ask for the ability to take peoples' pain away. Wouldn't you just love to go up to someone who is in the depth of heartache and just take all of their pain away and replace it with joy? That would just make my day!!! :) It's a nice dream but I think God is the only one qualified to do that job. The only problem is that He takes His good sweet time in getting it done. He does it right, He does it best, but He does it S-L-O-W.

And then I remembered something. I remembered the day a great revelation came to me. The realization of the spiritual giant's big secret. I took a good look at all the people I most admired, the people who demonstrated God's love and patience and wisdom more than any others. And then I noticed how they got to that place. It was through PAIN. I believe it is a very rare thing for anyone to have that close of a walk with God that didn't find their way there by struggling through their own personal trauma. In their pain, they found that God still loved them and that He cared. They learned to lean on God and to trust Him. They discovered that God is faithful. And now they can love and encourage others because they themselves have been loved and encouraged. Would I really want to take away someone's road to REALLY discovering how good and wonderful God is????

Maybe I will ask God for the gift of encouragement instead. I won't be able to take people's pain away but it would be nice to help them along the road until they find their answer in Him.

And God will exalt you in due time (that explains the S-L-O-W part), if you humble yourselves under His mighty hand by casting all your cares on Him because He cares for YOU. 1 Peter 5:6-7 Amen

My Daughter's Bad Habit

Over the years my 17 year old has developed a bad habit. She doesn't bite her nails (my son does that) or leave the toilet lid up (that would be weird). She doesn't drink, smoke, chew or go with boys that do. But she does have a vice.

It all started when she was very young. It only started with tubes in her ears and then a minor eye surgery.

But it didn't stop there. She had to have tubes in her ears AGAIN and then have TWO more eye surgeries.

Sadly, she became addicted. Year before last she had to have a procedure done on her nose so she could breathe (Come on, what's the big deal about that!?).

Last year she had to have a slightly more aggressive procedure on her nose. (Enough is enough!)

And now ---I begged, I pleaded, but she just couldn't stop. Despite my plea, she is going to have all four wisdom teeth pulled - complete anesthesia and everything. (Couldn't she just have a hang nail removed or something?) Just because the wisdom teeth are pushing her other teeth out of alignment after two sets of braces and one tooth is growing sideways into her cheek instead of straight up, I mean, is that REALLY enough cause for another procedure? (Give me a break!)

Well, bright and early at 7:00 a.m. we will be at the orthodontist to do it all again. I sure hope she breaks this habit soon. It is getting expensive!!!

It really doesn't help when you have these crazy doctors enabling her. The ENT told her that if the problem ever came back and she had trouble breathing again, he could work on her nose yet again. (Isn't that malpractice or something?)

Do they have a 12 step program for people addicted to minor surgeries? We need some intervention here! HELP! Sam

A Sad Truth

I was chatting with a friend on-line tonight - a very dear friend I had lost contact with for years. We recently got connected again through Facebook. Catching up can be bittersweet. You hear of their joys, successes and their disappointments. My friend is dealing with some disappointments. She said that she is learning do deal with the fact that if you do everything "right" as humanly possible as you can, some things still may not turn out the way you always hoped and dreamed they would.

Amen, sister. I am learning that obedience to God needs to be out of love for Him and not just the results you hope to get. Our obedience doesn't mean we won't have money troubles or perfect marraiges or good Christian kids.

"If you love me you will obey me." - period.

Our reward is not always on this earth.

And just think of how much worse it could be if we weren't obedient!!! Now there's a pleasant thought to end on. (Not)

Wow, It's Been Awhile!!!

Ummm, it's been a little while since my last post. Maybe there is a reason I haven't posted. Let me think....(This may take a while.).... Oh, I know, maybe I had writer's block. No, that's not it. I've thought of lots of things I would like to blog about. Maybe my computer broke or I lost internet or my house burned down. I don't think those are the reasons either. Well, maybe I've been busy. Hmmmm, what have I been doing? Let me go get my calendar. ***** I'm back. Let's take a look at this calendar. Let's see:

helped with a booth at a street fair (lost my boy for awhile)
several meetings
three days of CHEA convention
surprise visit of my sister from Tennessee
family gatherings
Bible study

Played the part of a taxi cab driver to:
regular band practices
marching band practice
two parades with the band
end of year band party
three basketball camps
youth group
knitting class
dance class
horse back riding lessons
dog agility classes
ministry opportunities
cooking classes
transporting my kids visitors

Medical:
one million doctor and orthodnic appointments
allergy shots
found out my daughter has high blood sugar (had to change a lot of my recipes to accomodate her)
found out I'm sensitive to wheat (I've been hungry)

Oh yea, and did I mention I had to clean the whole house and yard because I was silly enough to plan a surprise 50th birthday party for my husband at my house with over 50 people? It was Star Trek theme. People came in costumes and everything. It was really fun.

So I really can't say why I haven't been blogging. Nothing much has been happening. I guess I've been lazy. I'm sorry. I'll try to do better.

P.S. I know busy summers are not unique to me. What have you been up to and do you have any hints for keeping up with a blog when life gets busy?

Hope you're finding time to relax,
Love, Sam