Month: November 2016

I baked pies today-2 pumpkin and 3 chocolate. I baked them for my kids and grandkids. They’re  traveling at this moment to my house.  One family is coming from Virginia, the other from Tennessee. It is now 10:30 at night and they still have a distance to drive.  Their lives are busy and they couldn’t start until late in the day. I’ve asked God to surround both vans with protective angels and bring them safely home.  I’m so thankful my daughters, sons-in-law, and grandkids want to come to my house.

As I walked with Molly today and watched her racing around the fields and leaping in the air I couldn’t help but think how full of joy she must be (if indeed dogs feel joy).  Joy of being free of her fenced area!  I laughed at her antics and was grateful I could laugh again.

As I made the pies and ran the vacuum I thought about the many previous Thanksgivings we had shared with my parents and Wayne’s parents.  I remembered the last Thanksgiving that Wayne’s dad was with us.  He’d been very sick and I think he knew he wouldn’t be around for the next year. He surprised us by telling us how much he loved us and was thankful for us. That was not his normal behavior but how grateful we were to hear his expressions of love and gratitude.   Since that Thanksgiving Day we’ve had to say good-bye to my mother-in-law, and my mother.  I am very thankful to have my 92-year-old dad living nearby.  He will join us for a meal tomorrow.

My thoughts also went back to 2014 when we thought Wayne would be spending Thanksgiving in Johns Hopkins Hospital. The girls had come to see him and then drove on to our home. They would join other family members for dinner. Wayne wanted to come home for Thanksgiving, so  he was discharged late in the day and we arrived home that evening to enjoy a delicious plate of food saved just for us.  So thankful for that memory of his happiness in getting to come home.

God is good and my life is filled with things for which I’m thankful.  I thank Him most of all for providing a Savior and giving us the Holy Spirit to help us on our life journey.  Without God we would be nothing and we’d have no hope. So thankful for hope!

“We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3).

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

 

Molly came to live with me a few days ago.  She’s a mix-breed dog and they tell me she’s part cocker spaniel and miniature pinscher.  I don’t see any cocker spaniel, unless it’s her ears.  I started looking for a dog several weeks ago and had completed the application to adopt a dog through Pet Smart. Apparently that’s how shelters do it these days, at least the one in my county.  There was quite a fee attached.  I had resigned myself to the fact that the fee would have paid for much of the vet’s services and I would just accept that.

One day I mentioned to my cousin that I was looking for a companion dog.  He didn’t know of any, but later that day his wife called me.  Her daughter’s friend had taken in a stray dog and found out she was severely allergic to it.  The dog was free to a good home.  Did I mention Molly is a pup and not yet housebroken?  I didn’t want a puppy to train!  I wanted a furry, loveable, young dog.  I think God knew I needed Molly and she needed me.  I had talked to God about this decision. Knowing a dog would be company for me during the lonely evenings I still hesitated starting the search for one.

So here was a dog. She was lovable and cuddly they said. She didn’t shed too much. She was free. I made the contact and set a time to meet Molly.  I found her to be very friendly and submissive with eyes that melted my heart. So we put her in my car and started home.  She was scared and didn’t know what was going on. An hour and four throw-ups later we arrived at home. Molly lay in the grass recovering from her ordeal while I cleaned the car and washed the soiled towels.  We won’t be doing much traveling.

Molly is very happy to live with me. She has a small fenced area, but loves to race around in the field behind my house, ears flopping in the breeze. When I leave her for a day of substitute teaching I know she will be waiting to greet me on the back porch, jumping up and down with tail wagging.  She doesn’t like to be alone so my dad or sister-in-law will sometimes come to the house to keep her company for awhile.

Molly has taught me that she has much to give even if she wasn’t my first choice. I wonder if I have missed out on some friendship or blessing because I chose not to pursue it. Have I turned away from someone who needed me?  That’s something to think about.

(Molly thinks I’m not giving her enough attention! She hasn’t figured out this writing thing.)

“My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ,

don’t show favoritism” (James 2:1).

Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life” (Proverbs 16:31).

I recently attended my 50^th college class reunion. I think there were about 40 people there and most of us were crowned with gray hair.  Fifty years is a long time and it doesn’t seem like I should be that old. Time seemed to move slowly through some of those years, but as I got older time seemed to move much too quickly. I’ve been thinking about my life and what I’ve accomplished in those 50 years. What did I do that mattered? I didn’t become famous or get my name on billboards.

I married Wayne the year after graduation and, with God’s help, we raised two daughters. I have always said that God filled in the empty spaces in our parenting.  Both daughters are Christ followers and active in their respective church families.  Both are raising families of their own giving me eight grandchildren, one who is already in heaven.

Wayne and I were married almost 48 years before his death.  Wayne was pastor of several churches where I helped with music, teaching children, or leading women’s Bible studies.  Our lives intertwined with many families during their good and bad times. Our desire was to be a godly example of what marriage and family should be. We weren’t perfect but with God’s help we learned and matured over the years. We remained faithful to God and to each other.

I have cleaned my house and prepared meals for overnight guests more times than I can remember. Our lives were enriched by other preachers, missionaries, friends from other countries, and friends who had moved away and returned for a visit. I still enjoy preparing for visitors to my home.

I taught school for many years. Some of those years were full time and other years were spent in substitute work so I would be more available for my girls. I may never know how many children or parents I have influenced with my life. Not all were positive relationships but again, God has been my rock. He has sustained me through the difficult years as well as the easier and more satisfying years.  I have been blest by parents and students who expressed their gratitude for my influence in their lives.

No, I didn’t become a famous writer or win any trophies for being a wife, mother, or teacher, but I have been blest.  My life matters.  Even as I face my life of widowhood God is my guide and sustainer and I know one day He will welcome me into His home if I remain faithful.  Thank you, God!

“…Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).