Saturday, March 29, 2014

Road of Life

     
The rains keep a steady patter on my family room skylights. I’m proud of myself, today I got up and decided to go back to Weight Watchers. I fiddled around ‘til I realized I was going to be late and rushed out the door, sans make-up wearing a cammo hunting jacket, (nice touch) and made my way through the downpour to the meeting some 15 miles away.

     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.


*** Later… next to me on the floor are two small grandsons. Dumped out on the floor are two large bins of toys. Cars  the movie is playing and I rest here on the couch, enjoying a few random sun-breaks as every now and then the clouds part and blue and sun shine through. Tomorrow I will see Mr. Peabody on a large cinetopia screen and get the joy of watching small upturned faces enjoy the film.

     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.






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