Lots of thoughts are meandering through my mind this morning:
-my upcoming trip to my brother and sister-in-law's, then on to our son's to babysit...and all the preparations to be made for such a fun trip!
-the beautiful fall weather we are experiencing...you have to love the four seasons of East Tennessee
-sad news of friends and relatives and strangers alike: the birth and death of conjoined twin girls near Chicago...the mother-in-law of a former neighbor in the fight for her life...the ongoing battle against cancer in a young friend...the good news of actual cures for several kinds of cancer; thank you, God!
-wonderful visit from a young friend
-today, what would have been my daddy's 94th birthday...how can that be?
-trying to make sense of a strange turn of events
-pondering a life-long goal
-wondering why I try to figure out WHY people do such strange things
-gratitude for such a great husband and partner and friend
Yes, one could spend ALL their time wondering how...and why...and still probably not get many answers. There's something about human behavior and sometimes just happenstance that keep us thinking. Thankfully, we don't have to figure it all out. We can find our peace most times by just running these things through our minds, then giving them over to the One who does know, and going on from there. We can also accentuate the positive and trust Him with the big things over which we have little control. We can count on friends and family and those closest to us to brighten our days and to keep things in perspective.
There will always tragedies, heartaches, disease, death. We'll not ever figure out all the bad things in life. But we can trust that all things work for good, for those who love God and who are called according to His purposes.
And...we can get out and enjoy His beautiful world: the cool mornings and evenings...the bright sun and shadows of an autumn day...mums...apple cider...a fire in the fireplace as the sun goes down...a trip through the mountains...soon, the leaves turning and gracing the coves and valleys and ridges with shades of every color in the rainbow.
Yes, there will be ups and downs and happiness and heartaches...just a part of life. What will I do with these? Just roll with the punches and praise Him for life and breath; share of our bounty with those in need; be salt and light to a weary world.
I'll keep on pondering and wondering but also trusting with a faith that keeps on keeping on. Here's to a beautiful weekend to one and all.
CONCORD CHRONICLE - Dedicated to God, the author of peace and lover of concord
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Monday, September 10, 2012
Two Years Old and Counting
We took our little grandson home last Wednesday and have once again declared him "World's Best Little Traveler." When we brought him home 11 days before, we experienced our first long road trip with him, and it went perfectly. We were so proud of him! Trip #2 was identical, so no fluke!
I recently read the blog of a "friend" I've never met. He's the son of a friend who lives in Nashville, and he was giving details of the trip-to-you-know-where. He has a 4 1/2 year old son and 6 month old baby. They had not gotten out of Brentwood before the older child began whining "Are we there yet?" The return trip was even worse, to the point of taking 2 1/2 extra hours of being on the road...and having to take the baby out of the carseat just to save their sanity. They are both attorneys and very well know the seatbelt/restraint laws but did it anyway to keep from going nuts. He said, "Next year we'll fly or not go at all." My complete sympathies but not from experience!
So: I've decided the terrible two's is almost a myth. We haven't experienced potty training yet...nor has he ever been sick...nor all-out meltdowns or tantrums. All potential crisis situations, making for unreasonable, grumpy kiddos. So we are blessed. Here are some of the things we are treasuring:
- the sweet innocence of a darling little boy
- sweet kisses, right on the mouth
- hugs, just because
- that darling little voice
- l's being pronounced like w, as in "Wook!" or as y, like "yegs" for "legs" or "Wiyy-y" for "Willy"
- independence
- gratitude, as in saying "thank you" for every little thing
- learning: The pledge to the flag, verbatim....and now, The Lord's Prayer (a work still in progress)
- a love for books and reading. We often find him sitting in his big rocker, reading to himself - or at least looking at the pictures
- his love for all-things transportation related...cars, boats, trucks, choo choos, planes
-the wonder of a new experience, like the lake, drive-through zoo (Circle G) - if you haven't experienced it, you MUST. Or anything out of the ordinary to the child. Hearing those happy squeals is just so neat!
- seeing him experience a "class" for the first time, as in Sunday School. Seeing him sitting on the edge of that tiny chair, responding to questions and asking for another Bible story...priceless
I could go on and on, but I'll spare you. And I imagine our family will have its fair share of "terribleness" at one time or another. But for now, we'll celebrate all the positives of being 2 1/2!
I recently read the blog of a "friend" I've never met. He's the son of a friend who lives in Nashville, and he was giving details of the trip-to-you-know-where. He has a 4 1/2 year old son and 6 month old baby. They had not gotten out of Brentwood before the older child began whining "Are we there yet?" The return trip was even worse, to the point of taking 2 1/2 extra hours of being on the road...and having to take the baby out of the carseat just to save their sanity. They are both attorneys and very well know the seatbelt/restraint laws but did it anyway to keep from going nuts. He said, "Next year we'll fly or not go at all." My complete sympathies but not from experience!
So: I've decided the terrible two's is almost a myth. We haven't experienced potty training yet...nor has he ever been sick...nor all-out meltdowns or tantrums. All potential crisis situations, making for unreasonable, grumpy kiddos. So we are blessed. Here are some of the things we are treasuring:
- the sweet innocence of a darling little boy
- sweet kisses, right on the mouth
- hugs, just because
- that darling little voice
- l's being pronounced like w, as in "Wook!" or as y, like "yegs" for "legs" or "Wiyy-y" for "Willy"
- independence
- gratitude, as in saying "thank you" for every little thing
- learning: The pledge to the flag, verbatim....and now, The Lord's Prayer (a work still in progress)
- a love for books and reading. We often find him sitting in his big rocker, reading to himself - or at least looking at the pictures
- his love for all-things transportation related...cars, boats, trucks, choo choos, planes
-the wonder of a new experience, like the lake, drive-through zoo (Circle G) - if you haven't experienced it, you MUST. Or anything out of the ordinary to the child. Hearing those happy squeals is just so neat!
- seeing him experience a "class" for the first time, as in Sunday School. Seeing him sitting on the edge of that tiny chair, responding to questions and asking for another Bible story...priceless
I could go on and on, but I'll spare you. And I imagine our family will have its fair share of "terribleness" at one time or another. But for now, we'll celebrate all the positives of being 2 1/2!
Sunday, September 9, 2012
What to do...
Yesterday John and I went to Turkey Creek to do a couple errands. He was at Gander Mountain; I was at Marshall's. When I came out of the store, a young woman was stomping out her cigarette and approached me. She was red-eyed and rather panicked. She said she was in a crisis. I asked what was wrong, and she said her fuel pump was bad and would I help. Something didn't seem right to me, and with John not being with me at the moment, I hesitated to help. So I didn't. When I picked John up, I told him the situation and asked what he would have done. I had not wanted to give her money, nor did I want to drive her anywhere, just she and I. So...we didn't help her. It has haunted me ever since.
Today, when we arrived at Sunday School, John stopped at the coffee pot and greeted a young man: he was dirty and smelly and was having tough luck. I went ahead to get us seats, and John kept talking to the young guy. John came in, put his Bible in his chair, and told me he was going to help the young guy with whom he had been talking (turns out he had a flat tire.) He was gone 20 minutes or so. I had to wait a while to get the low-down. John had driven the young man to the man's grandfather's house. He had something to sell to pay for a used tire, and his grandfather was taking him there.
Ironically enough, the sermon was on Christian Priorities, and the scripture was the story of the rich young ruler. Jeff made wonderful remarks and challenged us with his words of wisdom...and those of Christ. I again questioned my decision yesterday at Marshall's...and thought of John's act of kindness to the man in need today.
We discussed the sermon and story on the way home: its meaning...the literality of the Biblical story...what we might do in the future as Christians.
Now: I'm still not sure of everything. I still question decisions. I'm still a little confused. But, I am thinking, pondering, meditating on the last couple days and our experiences.
What do you think? What would you do? Some things to think about this beautiful day, with a hint of fall in the air.
Today, when we arrived at Sunday School, John stopped at the coffee pot and greeted a young man: he was dirty and smelly and was having tough luck. I went ahead to get us seats, and John kept talking to the young guy. John came in, put his Bible in his chair, and told me he was going to help the young guy with whom he had been talking (turns out he had a flat tire.) He was gone 20 minutes or so. I had to wait a while to get the low-down. John had driven the young man to the man's grandfather's house. He had something to sell to pay for a used tire, and his grandfather was taking him there.
Ironically enough, the sermon was on Christian Priorities, and the scripture was the story of the rich young ruler. Jeff made wonderful remarks and challenged us with his words of wisdom...and those of Christ. I again questioned my decision yesterday at Marshall's...and thought of John's act of kindness to the man in need today.
We discussed the sermon and story on the way home: its meaning...the literality of the Biblical story...what we might do in the future as Christians.
Now: I'm still not sure of everything. I still question decisions. I'm still a little confused. But, I am thinking, pondering, meditating on the last couple days and our experiences.
What do you think? What would you do? Some things to think about this beautiful day, with a hint of fall in the air.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)