I haven't completed everything I had on my list to do this weekend so I've started a new list to work on this week. Oh joy. I still have a list. I like starting with a clean slate, but when you slack off and don't get everything done, that has to go on the next list, right? So, yeah, I still have some things to start with. And, as the week goes, so will my list grow. And that's ok... gives me something to do, right? I need to send off the donations made for my boss - she had chosen the Leukemia Foundation and the Alzheimer's foundation for the monies - I think we got nearly $600 from her peers. ow I need to send it on. I need to send the board an email to confirm they plan to attend the retreat next month. We are finally in contract stage and I'm grateful I don't have to sign it.
Today I'm thinking also of a grateful list, besides my 'to do' list. Why grateful? Because I hear it raining outside and I don't have to rush about and get dressed and drive umpteen miles to work. Here I sit, still in my pajamas, with a cup of coffee by my side, and I still have about one more hour of quiet. Of being hidden here in the room. Have I ever shared that I love my quiet mornings before the busy day starts?
I love this time of reading my Bible, writing in my journal, reading a couple other things, and then writing in here. This is not always my 'last' thing to do, but many mornings it is. Sometimes I just have to do other things before I can get some 'material' to put in here. Bored yet?
Church went well yesterday; and the church honored hubby for it being his last Sunday to preach. I feel it is a wise decision and I know there will be times he will regret it, but I'm grateful he chose to do it. He's done preaching now. Some time we just have to say 'enough'. He really struggled with this last message and our styles are so different. I try not to criticize even in my mind... it's just different. Of course everyone who stops to shake his hand always tells him what a great message and they took great notes. It does boost his ego, which is why he will miss it.
I have no idea who this man was that attended yesterday, but after he shook Tom's hand he stopped and talked with me a moment, then left. Then he came back and pressed some money in my hand and said for us to go out to eat. I've learned over the years when this happens to just say "thank you". He asked when we'd be back to speak (meaning me, since hubby has now quit) and I told him we'd be back up in March. He nodded and walked away. Interesting, well-dressed (even in a suit and tie!) man. A retired minister, perhaps?
Bible study was interesting last night .... it's a style I'm not used to, but it was good. I didn't get over to see Ms. Amy... after lunch I took about a 30 minute nap and then just relaxed until time to go. I really do need to call her; and I need to drive her car - but not going to when it's raining. Will try to get over there this next weekend, but I do need to call her to find out what is going on. She was planning on moving to Florida soon... need to find out what her plans are.
Have you ever blessed your children? Do they know they are blessed? Mark Batterson wrote a book called Double Blessing which is really good. The first time I read it I realized that I never received a blessing from my parents. Today it has come back to mind because as I read in Genesis this morning (I started over at the beginning of my Bible on January 1) about Jacob (Israel) blessing Joseph's children - Manasseh and Ephraim - and Jacob put his right hand on the youngest and his left hand on the oldest (instead of the other way around), and gave a bigger blessing to the youngest. Why did he do that? If you recall that story, when Isaac (Jacob and Esau's father) was dying and it was time for Isaac to die, it was time for him to pass his blessing on to his oldest son Esau for the bigger blessing, and to his youngest son Jacob a smaller blessing.
Only a lot had happened over the years. Remember the story? Esau came in from hunting very hungry, and Jacob was the one in the kitchen cooking up the red stew. Esau was so famished that he gave up his birthright to Jacob - for a bowl of red stew! He didn't care about the birthright! So when Isaac was dying - and blind - Rebekkah, Jacob and Esau's mother, helped Jacob dress like Esau, complete with putting lamb skin on his hands and neck so that when Isaac felt and smelled Jacob, he would think it was Esau, who was quite hairy. And it worked. Jacob brought in stew to his father, said he was Esau, and after confirming the best he could, although Isaac did say it was Jacob's voice he heard, but the 'skin' and smell (he wore his brother's clothes too) it had to be Esau in his mind. So Isaac gave the greater blessing to Jacob. As Jacob left the tent, Esau came in with the stew and asked for his father's blessing. To Isaac's dismay, he realized he had given the blessing to the younger son! Esau cried and begged for a blessing... and Isaac did give him one, but in the blessing it was told that Esau, the oldest, would serve the younger, Jacob. By the way, Jacob's name means 'deceiver'.
Anyway - when it was time for Jacob - now known as Israel - to pass away while they were in Egypt, he crossed his arms and blessed the younger over the older. That didn't make Joseph very happy, for he wanted his oldest son to receive Israel's blessing of greatness... but it was not to be so.
It's a great story in the book of Genesis - pick up your Bible and read it. It is the beginning of the nation of Israel.
If you were to sit down and write out a blessing for your children to be given to them when you die, what would you write? No, I haven't done that yet, but I would like to. Usually the blessings are passed down by the male line, but I think, in my case, that I can do it. As I think about it, I probably should get that on my list of things to do.... so that I don't forget.... for I do want to leave my children with blessings when I die. And the fact is, no one knows when one may pass away as it is God's decision. Not man's, nor your own. God can keep us alive no matter what we do to our bodies... or He may allow us to leave this earth. One thing for sure I will want my children to know is that I love each one dearly. I don't have favorites (as far as they are concerned) :-) but I want them to know they are dearly loved. I may have nothing material to pass on to them of any value, but I at least can let them know they are loved.
Life is short. Be ready to pass away. Life also goes on. Be prepared. Love your children and grandchildren, and let them know they are loved.
Blessings!
