I checked in and found
myself feeling so proud of myself. I was taking a positive step to regain my commitment
to being fit. Quick meeting, meet and greet and I am back home, waiting to
greet two young grandsons visiting grandma while mom and dad have a day to
themselves.
After a scare with my
health, lots of tests it turns out I’m A-ok, just need to exercise more and get
my weight down. So many people would be thrilled to have my blood pressure,
test results etc. I am so fortunate. Thank you God!
So I look forward to a
long day at home, running loads of laundry while trying to keep two very active
young children content while having to stay inside because of the cold, damp
rains. Well, I hear the front
door open, my dogs are barking a welcome and two small voices announce their
presence. Looks like I’d better get busy.
Some of me dreams of Disney world. I wonder how many of us there are in the world; dreaming of
going back and enjoying the beauty and
fun. I try not to think of the thousands, maybe millions of people dreaming of
having just enough food to eat; or of being warm, or of having their own
bathroom, and hot water. I am spoiled its true by the richness of this country
and my privileged life. Spend most of a whole day recently discussion the whole
issue of “privilege” and how it impacts people in our culture. I listened and
then shared an observation and then had the awkward moment at the speaker
skewed the discussion in the direction of my comments.
People wrote down their
thoughts, posted them on the walls and then these were observed and discussed. Interesting
to see the concerns, gripes, denials spilled across a 50 foot wall. By the end
of the six hours I tired of the discussions.
A lot of life is like
that for me. I take things out, (thoughts, concerns, projects, jobs,
relationships, volunteer opportunities, and I get tired of them, bored if your will.
I’m not alone in this, many people I know suffer from the same thing; they’ll
buy stuff for a hobby, a sport, sign up a new class, take a training, change
boyfriend, husband, whatever and find out they are back where they started,
bored. It’s mainly a malady of the rich,
or quasi rich. Whoever heard of a starving person getting bored? Back in Bible
times, you’ll find King David fighting the same things. He had enough food,
enough military conquests, enough money, power, wives, concubines, and found himself
bored, looking for the next interesting thing or person.
And so enters
Bathsheba……..
In my own life, I’ve
bought things, done things over and over again seeking the elusive, “something
else” that would bring me happiness only to find out it was a mirage, an
illusion I would have to pay for over time at a much greater cost.
So now, at this stage
of my life, the “golden years” as it were, I struggle with urges to seek
adventure. (People who know me would
laugh at this. Outwardly I look like a nice quiet grandma type.) Conservative
if you will. Who would guess that part of me thinks of thinks of selling
everything off, packing my bags and moving to Florida to work at Disney and
find contentment in a small, manageable apartment or condominium? Or, selling
my stuff and becoming a missionary to some third world country? I know some
people who are about ten years older then I am and they did just that; sold
everything and moved to a different part of the state, much to the dismay of
their families.
Instead, I try to stay
anchored and focus on the fact that for whatever reason, I’m planted here in a
little rural town, and working at a nearby city at a job where people
continually fall down, hurt themselves and have to be helped back up. (Drug and
alcohol counseling).
Presently, I watch the
small dear face of one grandson as he plays with his cars and trucks making the
small, sweet engine sounds little boys do. Could full time access to “Mickey”
replace that? No, I think not. Infinitely precious and incredibly priceless,
moving away I would miss seeing them and hearing their sweet voices.
So today, I thank God
for today, the blessings (many) I do have and ask for a spirit that
increasingly demonstrates His love to others. There’s a song we sing now and
again at church, More of You. In this song, there is a phrase, “I've had it
all, but all I want is more of You.” In
many ways, I've had it all in my life. At present, my the whole world’s standards, I’m rich. I’m healthy, I have incredible blessings. I will pray to
set aside those things which try to enchant me, be they Disney World, or hobbies
or just plain stuff. I will pray that God will continue to infuse me with his
presence to complete my course doing those tasks left for me to do.
Feeling kind of Country
Western, perhaps it’s the rain/sun combo. Read the following with a twang, if
you will.
Road of Life
No detours on this road
I’m traveling
My
sights set on a place called home
It’s not an address you
can find
Four walls, a roof, a
door, a phone.
The place that I am
headed
You can’t get there by a car
You got to travel with
your heart
To follow God’s own
star
Yes God He holds the
road map
That sends me on my way
He plans my chance
encounters
And teaches me to say
There are no roads less
traveled
When once your
heaven-bound
Our God will make a new you,
And now once lost,
you’re found.
And God will make a new you,
And now once lost,
you’re found.
Ok, so this is funny,
I’m laying here on the couch, singing the song above with plenty of twang and
one small grandson interrupts me, “Gramma, Gramma, here’s something.” “What?” I
answer. With a great deal of solemnity he answers, “ “Don’t sing that.” Hilarious, age 3 and already a critic, albeit
a sweet, adorable one.
Another grandson
(older) just brought me milk and a half a tuna sandwich. I am being thoroughly
spoiled today. Love to you all, and remember, God hears and answers prayers.