It's finally here! Saturday is finally here!

 I have been looking forward to this morning all week!  Why?  Because I get to have breakfast with my oldest son!  Yes, we do meet up on occasion for a meal - sometimes with his wife and my hubby - but I also love the times when it is just he and I.  And on one breakfast we met, he brought along a surprise for me - his granddaughter!  I know she won't be here this time as the entire family is sick with COVID, but I still get to have breakfast with him.  And, yes, I'm looking forward to it.

Had a good evening last night at the daughter's house, baking with the great granddaughter.  She did help with making donuts and waffles.  Since they were box mixes, the clean up wasn't too bad.  My daughter gave me stern instructions as we started.  She was going to take photos.  "Mom, do NOT criticize these photos.  Do NOT criticize how you look in them.  Do NOT complain about your hair or about anything on how you look.  You are making memories, and that is what counts!"  Ouch.

And she is right.  And when I saw the photos she took of me with the great-granddaughter, I held my peace, but yes, I did notice I wish I had done something different with my hair, and I didn't put on makeup, wish I had done that too.  But, when people look back on these photos, they will recognize me, because that is just how I usually look.  I'm not some glamorous person; I am chunky and round and have long straight hair I can't quite figure out what to do with.  But it is me.  And I am reminded that I am made in the image of God and therefore, I am beautiful in His sight, and that is all that matters.

Genesis 1:27 (NKJV): "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them."

We all are made in the image of God, in the image of God He created us on the sixth day - and He saw it was good.  And God doesn't make junk and He doesn't make ugly.  So that makes us all beautiful in His sight.  And, isn't that all that matters?

I am feeling a bit sad this morning.  I have this friend that I met in Bible study a few months back and we formed a quick relationship.  She is single, just got a new job, is working on her Master's degree.  She's busy - and so am I.  We met once for lunch.  She doesn't come to the current Bible study we are doing, and that's ok. But she and I have been corresponding via email.  We've shared things between us and know it is confidential.  We talk a lot about God and the Holy Spirit and she is 'way above me' in knowledge and experience.  She wrote me a couple weeks ago and it was some pretty 'heavy' stuff that has been on her heart about church and her relationship with God.  When I skimmed the message, I knew it was something that I needed to process before I responded - if I did at all.  Well, honestly, I knew the message was there, but I knew that I needed to 'really' read it before commenting... and I just never got back to it.  I rarely get personal emails so don't spend a lot of time on them.  I thought of it the other morning so I quickly sent her a note that "I haven't forgotten you", and will get it answered soon.  Now mind you, she hadn't contacted me either so 'out of sight, out of mind' - right?  Well, I saw I had an email from her last night and I was admonished that I had not responded.  She said that she had laid out a lot of things in her heart to me - and then I left her 'high and dry' by not responding.  She did say she had gone to the altar and prayed about it, so was ok now, but she had waited on me to respond.  So, I do feel bad I didn't respond right away.  I did text her a quick email after I saw it and apologized for not responding sooner. 

I don't need to give her reasons or excuses.  I didn't respond in the timeframe (2 weeks at least) that she wanted and I get that.  I would probably feel the same way.  I had asked to meet up for lunch again sometime, but she came back with 'the holidays are coming and people are with family (she does not have any family here and they are estranged anyway, and she is single so is usually alone for the holidays it sounds like) so she would just 'catch me later'.   I will make another attempt to meet up with her before the end of the year, but the holidays I do get more busy.  

This just shows me that we can't be everything to everyone all the time.  Correct?  I am sure she has more friends than me... I would hope so, anyway.  My friends are usually limited to quick breakfasts or lunches or maybe a dinner when I can squeeze it in.  Hubby doesn't like to be left out, so I try to keep most of our going out with couples so that he can come too.  It's ok if he goes out alone with his friends, but he feels neglected if I go out too often with mine.  Besides, I am working most of the time and can't.  Which reminds me... I had another friend at age 62 retire this past week.  I commented on it to hubby and he didn't respond.  He likes the lifestyle my working provides him.  But - if I stick with what I said before..... I have 15 more months before I will retire.  I really don't see it happening right now.... but it is nice to think about.  

And... with that I'll hush for today.  Hubby is getting ready for the men's breakfast at church he plans to attend this morning.  I still have time before meeting my son.  At least I do have that to look forward to today.  I have things I need to work on this afternoon - our 'preaching' starts back up next month and my first Sunday is November 27th - need to start working on them.  I will also be speaking on Christmas morning this year.... I've said no in the past, but this year something told me to say yes.  Services are at 9AM and we're home by 10:30AM - kids don't come over until 11-ish so there is plenty of time to get lunch thrown together, 'do church', and then have them here.  It shouldn't affect anyone except the youngest. 

Which reminds me, I need to know what everyone wants to have for their meal.  Last year it was 'garbage' for two and 'ham' for one.  Wonder if it will be the same.  Need to check it out and prepare! This is my favorite part of the year - I get to bring my children 'home' for a short while and focus upon them and their families.  It does bring joy to my soul.

Blessings!