Today I visited my grandma and grandpa. I certainly don't do this as often as I should and each time I do, I am reminded why. It's so nice being with family. These two souls are the epitome of love to me. Grandma and Grandpa have been married over 63 years and they are still kickin! Though things have changed quite a bit for them with Grandpa living in the nursing home, their love abounds.
I just got back from a trip in Nashville late last night. Got in around 1am. Slept in a bit and with the whole day available, I set off around 10:30am to meet Grandma after church. I arrived just before the close of the service. It was nice to walk into this church and hear the church praying for others in their community and families who needed to be encouraged. It was also nice to see a group of different people worshipping together in unity.
Lunch was the main topic of discussion as we drove to town to eat. Grandma picked a wonderful place and we just chatted all the way there! I just love being at the age where the generations just come together.....instead of family hierarchy, we have friends who just happen to be family.....and that is really cool!
We chatted about work, the family, updates on the kids, and a host of other topics while eating a grand meal. And then came dessert: pumpkin pie: who can resist!?!? Food has always been a piece of happiness for me, and when shared with a friend, it's just plain better!
Off to the nursing home to visit with Grandpa. He was awake when we arrived and that made me happy. It was so good to talk with him and hear him make comments, laugh, and wiggle the bed while doing so! His body may be getting older, but his "him" is still there! That also makes me happy. As hard as it is to see his body start to give up, God obviously has a purpose in his staying with us a little longer. And with His purposes in the forefront, I'll just trust that He knows what Grandpa needs these days.
I loved watching Grandma and Grandpa interact. The love is sweet, enduring, and impossible to miss. The eyes, the sweet-talking, and Grandma rubbing Grandpa's head. After 63 years, it must just be "normal." To me, it is amazing. Without talking, they share a love that is grounded deep....really deep. And it's obvious.
Heading home, Grandma began to reminisce a little and talked of all the items she and Grandpa have kept over the years......and then she mentioned "the blocks." Oh, the memories flooded in! You see, I loved those blocks. They were on the stairs in the old house, where I played when I was little - - apparently a really little guy and then more time was spent with them when I was the big brother too!
Anyway, I knew where they were and got them when I wanted to play with them. And Grandma gave them to me today....and I teared up. I just LOVE those blocks. they remind me of Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa....and they remind me of the times we would all play password in the old house....and they remind me of Grandpa and Grandma drinking coffee in the early, early of the morning and my brother and I would hear them talking, though just a murmur.
Wooden blocks and pumpkin pie. Memories of old and Friendships anew.
And a love that transcends time - - - from family - - - and from God.
Balance
This week's message at church referenced Micah 6:8 and what God expects from us. The main emphasis was to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.
And so, my reflection began.....with balance.
In all areas of my life. Does it happen? Not very often. Does it matter? Loads.
All my life, I've been challenged to balance work with family with my personal relationship with God. This nice reminder yesterday morning gave me some practical answers for "how" to actually live out the balance issues.
This verse of Scripture is applicable to ALL areas of my life. Just brainstorming here, I'm thinking of three different ways to apply them to three different areas right now.
Act justly - - that one is good for the work part of my life. Here is where my prayers for discernment come into play: should I do this or that? if this occurs, how will it affect something else down the line? am I living out my faith in accordance to what the Holy Spirit is telling me or just what I want out of it? Act justly. Hard to do. Especially at work.
Love mercy - - I'll apply this to my family life. I'm not very good at this. It's easy for me to be kind and merciful to my colleagues at work because I don't have to live with them. It's really challenging to live out this kind of love at home when I'm tired, frustrated, annoyed, bored, and/or all of the above. Here is where my prayers about I Corinthians 13 come into play. God is teaching me a lot about His love as I continually ignore His pushes to open my heart, cut out the pride, and love my family every day. And it extends to the "love your neighbor" part too. I'm REALLY bad about this - - I like to think that my introvertedness gives me a free pass not to have to worry or care about my neighbors. Boy is it hard for me to love mercy with the people around me. Especially when I continue to choose the TV over playing with my kids outside or going to the neighborhood weekend activity.
Walk humbly with your God - - yeh, this part gets me every time. Each time I "feel" like I'm doing pretty good, His Word penetrates my heart and teaches me something new. It's pretty obvious this just deals with my heart - - on my personal journey with God. So often I'm WALKING with Him on the sidewalk, only to find out that I'm actually just hopping from one square to the next - - concentrating on avoiding the cracks, not stepping on bugs, and making sure my stride is "just right" so my foot hits the middle of each cement block. When all along, I just need to focus on walking WITH GOD: with an honest approach to chatting and listening to my Friend, reading His Word and keeping a strong focus on Him - - the rest of the walking just happens and isn't as stressful and becomes second nature.
That's when I know I'm in balance.
Micah 6:8
And so, my reflection began.....with balance.
In all areas of my life. Does it happen? Not very often. Does it matter? Loads.
All my life, I've been challenged to balance work with family with my personal relationship with God. This nice reminder yesterday morning gave me some practical answers for "how" to actually live out the balance issues.
This verse of Scripture is applicable to ALL areas of my life. Just brainstorming here, I'm thinking of three different ways to apply them to three different areas right now.
Act justly - - that one is good for the work part of my life. Here is where my prayers for discernment come into play: should I do this or that? if this occurs, how will it affect something else down the line? am I living out my faith in accordance to what the Holy Spirit is telling me or just what I want out of it? Act justly. Hard to do. Especially at work.
Love mercy - - I'll apply this to my family life. I'm not very good at this. It's easy for me to be kind and merciful to my colleagues at work because I don't have to live with them. It's really challenging to live out this kind of love at home when I'm tired, frustrated, annoyed, bored, and/or all of the above. Here is where my prayers about I Corinthians 13 come into play. God is teaching me a lot about His love as I continually ignore His pushes to open my heart, cut out the pride, and love my family every day. And it extends to the "love your neighbor" part too. I'm REALLY bad about this - - I like to think that my introvertedness gives me a free pass not to have to worry or care about my neighbors. Boy is it hard for me to love mercy with the people around me. Especially when I continue to choose the TV over playing with my kids outside or going to the neighborhood weekend activity.
Walk humbly with your God - - yeh, this part gets me every time. Each time I "feel" like I'm doing pretty good, His Word penetrates my heart and teaches me something new. It's pretty obvious this just deals with my heart - - on my personal journey with God. So often I'm WALKING with Him on the sidewalk, only to find out that I'm actually just hopping from one square to the next - - concentrating on avoiding the cracks, not stepping on bugs, and making sure my stride is "just right" so my foot hits the middle of each cement block. When all along, I just need to focus on walking WITH GOD: with an honest approach to chatting and listening to my Friend, reading His Word and keeping a strong focus on Him - - the rest of the walking just happens and isn't as stressful and becomes second nature.
That's when I know I'm in balance.
Micah 6:8
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