I had a wonderful time yesterday morning visiting with my friends for breakfast. Yes, I had my usual steel cut oatmeal at Wildflower. And it was good, as usual. But I really enjoyed hanging out with my friends. Dr. K mentioned that he will be 80 next February and he is still working. Our friend, the CFO, has already retired a few years ago and she works part-time for the company she was last at. She also takes care of rescue dogs - usually the older ones (13+ years old) that need a home and medical care. It all comes out of her pocket; she doesn't have pet insurance for them. She currently has six dogs. And, my favorite boss did state that her 'initial retirement date' to start with will be August 1, 2026. Asked when I would retire.... well, there wasn't much I could say. I do have so many pros and cons. My comment was basically 'what would I do if I retired that I don't do now?' Sigh. I think my 'retirement' is non-existent, at least for now. (erase!)
Wow. Where did all that come from? Yeah, I decided to erase my comments. They didn't need to be said. Especially since it wasn't about 'me', but about someone else. And that's that.
It's Sunday. Hubby and I talked (again) yesterday about finding a place to go to church. He was really down last night and mentioned about feeling so without value, that he wasn't doing anything. I listened, which is what I should do. I also shared that I feel he brought this on himself; he never developed any hobbies, and I encouraged him again to find something that he could enjoy doing. I commented that I feel he thought his Bible studies and breakfasts/lunches with his friends were all he needed - and he's finding that he needs more than that. So we discussed church again. He would like to go back to our 'old' church, the one we went to for over 30 years, and I'm ok with that, (all the men in his Friday morning Bible study still go there; he is the only one who doesn't) but it is quite a distance away from here. I asked about how far taking the freeway - and it's only about 20 minutes, which is about what it took us to drive to our last church using streets. I don't care where we go; I just want to be able to feel a part of it and hear a good message. Sometimes life is hard and we just need someone to walk it with us.
Today I speak at the independent facility at 2PM. I think I mentioned after the 'fellowship dinner' at our friend's house a few weeks ago that he said he didn't want to be a part of it. His comment surprised me; but I think it was because this group of 'chaplains' knew each other, and we didn't know them. I get it. He didn't feel a part of the group. We're only included because I have spoken there. And hubby doesn't want me to do it on a regular basis. Today is because I had mentioned to our friend that I had a 'thankful' message that I was speaking at one of the RV parks a couple weeks ago. Perfect for the Sunday before Thanksgiving, right? And I'll do it one more time on December 8th at the other RV park. Then I have three messages almost in a row at the other RV park so I need to get on those this afternoon. It does take time to pull these together and to make them relevant. It is in times like these I frequently call out "Lord, help!!"
I reckon I need to go see Ms. Vicky after we get back. I mentioned that we had talked a week or so ago - just haven't yet made it back over to see her or Ms. Diane. And I should. There is no reason I shouldn't. I've just been lazy. It's too easy to sit on the couch and crochet and be in my own little world. LOL just heard a door slam and a gate squeak. Me, thinking I was having a package delivery this early in the morning, jump up and look out my window. Only our neighbor taking their little dog out for his morning business. I do have packages on the way that I've ordered recently. I think I am going to just stop ordering online and take my list and do some 'lunch hour' shopping so that I know exactly where I am with it. I thought I had purchased a lot more for adults. Ooops. It is way too easy to buy for the little ones. But I'm done with the two up north and their gifts are ready to go. My sister's is completed and in the box. We had agreed on shipping out December 2nd so will wait another week before shipping it out. Need to find a little something for her hubby and grandson who lives with her at the moment. Maybe I'll put in some cookies for him. Her hubby loves my bread. My sister gets the cookbooks.
Have you ever stopped to think about how desperately our country needs Jesus? How it desperately needs a revival to turn people back to Him? I am 'loving' this book I'm reading, and I've already determined that I will read it again when I finish it - and will mark it up with highlights the next time. I rarely underline or mark up my books; it's always been that 'don't mess up the book, you have to turn it back in to the library' - only these are my books. So usually what I do is underline in pencil what I want to deem important. I haven't done that in this book. So much good stuff in it though. I bought a copy for my sister... but I think I will take it and give to hubby and tell him he needs to read it as well. He has so many books he has 'started' but not finished.... and then complains he can't get through them. Perhaps we can have a talk about that later. If you are half way through a book and still can't 'get it', then either stop reading it or skim read the rest of it in case something clicks. Why beat yourself up that you can't get back to that one book? Right? Just because it is a 'good book' recommended by someone doesn't mean it is for you to read. But this one book I'm reading, IS good, and I feel that it will help hubby find himself, right where he is.
Just like Jesus is right where we are, and He is always waiting for us to include him in what we think, what we say, what we do. What if revival started here in the USA? What would happen if Jesus got ahold of this country and set it on fire for Him? Have you ever wondered? Can you sit back and think about what Jesus can do when we bow our hearts and our heads in prayer and seek Him first, to put Him first, to live for Him?
I really would like to find this one book I read many years ago. I don't think I have given it away; I don't remember the title of it, other than knowing the book is about prayer. I'm talking about it being an 'old' book 40 years ago when I first read it. I want to read it again. I just haven't been able to find it. That book really moved me on prayer. What was the story that got me? In World War I there was a mother who prayed for her son who was unsaved on a battleship. This mother prayed for her son, for his salvation. She probably was fasting too, I don't remember. But I remember her intensely and purposely praying for her son, for his salvation. And God answered and moved. The Holy Spirit moved from this mama's prayers to the battleship and the entire ship felt the power of the Holy Spirit and surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. No, this wasn't fiction. This was a true story. I want to read about it again. I just haven't found that book yet - but I will. The power of prayer.
I pray for my children daily. I pray for their families daily. Are you praying for your children; your family? Do you believe that prayer can change your family? Maybe things are going 'just fine'; perhaps all are working and healthy and all is well. That's great. But are you praying for them? Are you praying for their salvation? Are you praying that God will do a move in their life and make them all that they can be? That is our responsibility as parents - and grandparents. Are we praying for the future spouses of those who are unmarried? Are we praying for the families that they are? Are we loving our children enough that we want God to intervene in their lives and draw them to Him?
Oh that each of our children, our grandchildren, our extended families and beyond - would come to know Jesus like we do! Oh that our prayers would start a fire within our families that all would reach out to others and show them who Jesus is! Do you not realize that Jesus is the ANSWER for EVERYTHING?
No, you don't get a message this morning. But I'm starting to ramble as well so I'll hush. Sit back and think about your own relationship with Jesus. Do you need to 'step it up' so that others can see Jesus in you? Sometimes it is hard to be 'like Jesus' - I get it! I have people in my family who are hard to love. But Jesus calls us to be like Him. Our will should be His will. Jesus should be the most important person in your life. Is He?
Blessings!
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