We went to a Celebration of Life for a dear friend yesterday at church. He was a greeter, and that very first Sunday we attended, he greeted us like we were old friends. And every Sunday he was there, and we (I) looked forward to his greeting. Little did we know that he was also battling cancer. Long story short, he passed back in July and they now had his service. We didn't know much about this guy other than he loved fishing. He would tell me when he wouldn't be there cause he would be on vacation fishing. I found out a lot more about him yesterday. He had been a truck driver. He came to accept Jesus as an adult, and he never looked back. He was loving and kind to everyone. No one was a stranger when he was around. He loved Jesus and shared Him with others. There was a lot more shared by his grandsons and wife, and even granddaughter. The church was packed, which apparently surprised the wife as she seemed started when she stood up and turned around to thank everyone for coming.
But what got me... and you may laugh at me because it is so silly.... we visited a bit inside the church before we started making our way to the door. They had food and tables set up, but we opted out and decided to leave. I am walking ahead of hubby, through the lobby, and I hear my name. I turned and there is a couple that we have known for years - from our former church days. In fact, this is the 'Bill' that hubby used to meet for breakfast every week until he got Alzheimer and he became all weird. He seemed fine yesterday. Anyway - it was he and his wife. She asked how we knew Stan (the man who passed) and I told her. So I told her that was our church and had met him there. She then let me know that she knew the wife BEFORE she had married Stan (2nd marriage; married 24 years). (ok, are we pulling rank here? My year and a half versus her 24+ years?) But what struck me after I left, is that both she and Bill had such dour looks on their faces, and I realized this morning, as I thought about it, they (not to be judging!!) are Christians..... but they forgot to tell their face! I have never seen her smile. I'm going to stop there, for I don't mean to judge, but the contrast from a happy Christian who loves Jesus to someone who speaks all the right words, and possibly even lives it, but to appear so unhappy? What is up with that? It wasn't over the death of our friend, that is the way they have always looked. It puzzles me. Most Christians I know are always smiling (at least around other people) . I don't get it... and I hope I don't get THAT. Just an interesting observation. And all hubby wanted to talk about with Bill is when can they get together for breakfast or lunch... sometimes I think going out to eat is all that man thinks about!
Hubby and I swung by Cracker Barrel on the way back cause I didn't want to do anything - not even cook Tovala. That was a mistake. Not only was the food slow in arriving, I got the vegetable plate of mashed potatoes and corn and two orders of fried okra.... hubby got the catfish dinner... for some reason, none of it 'hit the mark' for either of us. He said the catfish was mushy. Interestingly, at 5:30p and the restaurant wasn't even half full. Could it be from the cooking as it seemed to have gone downhill? We both decided we wouldn't go back for awhile. It was very close to the church so it was easy to slide into for a meal.
Today is Sunday and of course we will be going to church. Now whether I will stop early enough that I can go fix breakfast for us remains to be seen. It's only 7a so have a couple hours in here yet. Yep - on Sundays I don't come out until around 9-ish. My eggs ole is sounding really good right now so am thinking about that.... only make maybe half a batch rather than a full batch; don't know how much cheese I have. Yeah, I'm getting hungry, a little, anyway. I could go get a protein drink or bar... may do that anyway.
My big brother sometimes cracks me up. Several months ago he and my SIL ran into a great niece that he had not seen in probably 30 years. She recognized the SIL and my brother, and my SIL recognized her, but my brother did not... which really isn't unexpected; I could probably pass her on the street and not know who she is as it has been many years since I saw her. Anyway, the great niece asked my SIL if my brother had dementia because he couldn't figure out who she was. So he plays on that dementia bit ever so often with me. This morning he texts me (because I have found out our little sister also goes to that church) that if he ever saw her close enough to speak to her (now mind you, they have not spoken since 2012) he would ask her if she was MY older sister! Then he said he could blame it on his dementia. LOL He and I can't figure out why she is so terrified of running into him. He said he'd say hi if he saw her close enough. Just isn't going out of his way to see her. And vice versa. This situation is one reason I struggle with going back for a visit. And I'll leave that there. I know what he says and I know what she says - and they are miles apart in the reasons they don't associate.
I sometimes think about how much Christ has forgiven me.... how could I not forgive someone for less?
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV): Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Romans 12:19 (NIV): Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God' wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord.
But the 'self' within us WANTS to take revenge, doesn't it! When we are hurt by words or actions, we want to spread malicious gossip, we want to 'do unto them as they did to us' and we want to just go beat them up badly. Right? Surely it isn't just me at times. Well, maybe not the beating up badly part, but I want to tell MY side of the story before THEY get a chance to tell theirs. Right? Please tell me I am not alone! Sometimes I have to shut my mouth and tell myself to let God take care of whatever happened. And you know what? When I take my hands off the situation, God does take care of it....and it is ALWAYS in His timing. Not today, when I want Him to take care of it, but in one of the tomorrows that I may never know about. I have to leave issues and problems in God's hands.... how else could I survive in this world? I've shared way too much in here about times I've been hurt (just think of the times I didn't share!) and my thoughts about it. And God has - in most cases - worked it out. Sometimes I have to just keep forgiving. I even verbally speak the words "I forgive XXXX" because I know I must forgive, for if I don't forgive, that would be MY sin and that is worse than my forgiving someone for a wrong done to me.
And now I am out of things to talk about. Church this morning, then I'm not sure about this afternoon; possibly a nap in there somewhere. Before hubby gets the TV on (unless there is a game of some sort) I can get some reading in. It really annoys me when he asks - almost daily - is this a read night or a movie night.? One would say he is just being considerate. He KNOWS I would prefer the TV off. Yes, I do enjoy a good movie on occasion. But I don't 'learn' anything from the movies. The books I read are not romance novels... they are to help me grow in the Lord... and that to me is more important. We did watch two movies last night (although hubby often sleeps through most of the 2nd one.). I know he will turn NCIS on ... sigh.... I like NCIS, but I don't have to watch it every week - they are all reruns and most we've seen. I guess I may work on some diamond art... or crochet....
Hope that you have an amazing day - and be kind to others, you don't know what they might be going through. We are all God's children; let's share His love - it just might be what is needed to bring someone to Jesus, just by watching us walk.
Blessings!
