It always feels different when I can sit here and look at the clock, see that it is 7AM (or thereabouts) and I'm still sitting in my chair, doing whatever I want to do. It's not a bad feeling at all.... a grateful feeling that I can sit here and not rush to turn on the work computer for a few days. Yesterday was busy - but not too bad. I checked with legal about cancelling the board meeting for next week; they have not completed the wording on what to put on the cancellation - the reason why - and said I could wait until Monday when I return to work to send it out. That took some pressure off me to get it done yesterday. I was able to get some of the trainings completed during a lull time. I had training at 3:30PM so just checked messages when I got back, finished those, and signed off. And here we are today.
Today is hubby's 89th birthday. I had already bought him two new pair of dress shoes and a pair of tennis shoes earlier in the month and told him he could wait for it or get it then - he took it then. But then, I felt guilty this morning about not having a gift for him, so took some cash and put in a card and had it ready for him when he brought in my coffee. Told him it's play money; get whatever he wanted, not necessarily what he needed. He was surprised, and pleased. I think.
Since I have a 9:30AM training, and he has a 12PM training today, we opted out of breakfast out, and may run out and do a quick lunch somewhere when he gets home. He sorta asked, so I told him that we could plan a dinner tonight at Black Bear dinner. The daughter is flying in this afternoon (I think she gets in at 1:45PM but will be spending the afternoon with her daughter.) so maybe about 5-6PM we can meet up. Maybe I'll see if the youngest son and wife want to join us for lunch, and then the oldest son and wife (if she can get off work) for dinner. Will have to figure out how to make this work. Or not. Anyway, trying to make hubby feel celebrated.
Tomorrow we head out towards the northeast of the state and will eventually get to our airbnb by 4PM. I am thinking we may leave about 9AM or so and then pause for breakfast some where - and do some shopping enroute to the location. We also need to figure out meals for the two full days we are there. We will probably eat out on the way back home on Sunday. Yes, we are gone Thursday - Sunday.
Hubby has gotten a 'help me, I've fallen' button to wear on his belt. It came a couple weeks ago and he mentioned it to me the other night. We took a look at it and it was $59/month - so I said 'no' - cause we can find them less expensive elsewhere. His insurance company had it sent to him. But he has to pay the monthly fee to keep it activated. He called to cancel as they were going to automatically take out the monies (I don't know why he gave them the bank info before). They dropped the price down to $29 a month so he came and asked me. He's really worried about falling while I am gone, not so much while I'm here. Until I reminded him that he fell in the garage the other week and commented to me that if the cars were not in the garage, he don't think he could have gotten up. I didn't even know he was home, being at the other end of the house. So we agreed to the $29/month and he activated it yesterday afternoon. I am going to put my house key in a hidden place and let the boys know while I'm gone where it is, in case he does fall and isn't hurt, but needs help getting up. No need to call 911 unless an emergency. I think we have a key in a container on the porch, but only the fire department has access to this little box. I think it is still there; perhaps I ought to look. Anyway, even though we have to pay for it, if he is out somewhere and falls (which has happened as well), he can get help and I will be notified. How many times have we laughed at that commercial? It isn't quite as funny when it is you that is needing one, right?
I suppose I need to start packing today; I haven't done anything except get a bag out to put things in. I can easily put my clothes in it, but my books, this computer, etc., I will have to wait until morning, except I do need to take my things out of this room today as my daughter will be sleeping in here. Yeah, I have things on the bed that I will need to remove as well. Not much, but a few things. I need to bring my things out I plan to take so that I don't rush and forget them in the morning. Love that I get my own room at the airbnb. Of course that is because I snore. Sigh. I saw on facebook that a certain type of bedspread could prevent my snoring. It said that I snore because I am not in REM sleep. It's on facebook - so does it make that true? No, I didn't order it, but I did chuckle at it. My doctor told me years ago I snored because I had gained weight. Well, guess what. I've gained more weight since that time (about 20 years ago) and I snore louder. Do you think there is something to that?
I Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Fear of all kinds can make a mess of things, can't it? We want to overcome our fear - of whatever it is - but we find ourselves still hanging on, as if that can make any difference. Fear strangles the momentum that propels us to do something in the first place. If someone steps in and takes it over, because we 'froze'.... it lowers us in more ways than one, does it not? Fear makes the gap between where I am and trusting God seem an impossible chasm. It's not a bad thing to fail. It is failing to even try because of our fear that defeats us. If we fall, and get hurt, when we attempt something - it's ok. We tried. If we walk away because of the fear and don't even try..... we have gained nothing.
God does not want us paralyzed in fear. He has equipped up with comfort and reassurance. Over and over in the Bible, He tells us 'do not fear'.
I can remember, many, many years ago, in a small town I used to live in.... I went to church with my bestest friend, Bertie. She talked me into singing a solo, with her playing the piano, at church one Sunday. I was nervous, and we had practiced the song many times, so I knew I could do it. Well, I got up to sing, opened my mouth, and nothing came out. I tried and tried to sing that song, and could not get a sound to come out. I was so nervous, so fearful, that I could not sing. After a couple minutes I just turned and walked away, totally embarrassed. I don't think I ever went back to church after that. The song? I've never forgotten it. Prayer is the key to heaven, but Faith unlocks the door. And yet, now I can stand up in front of people and preach.... see how good God is? I could have let that fear of losing my voice again stunt my growth in Jesus.
Joshua 1:9: The Lord my God will be with me wherever I go.
Isaiah 43:1: God has redeemed me and summoned me by name. I am His.
I Peter 5:7: I can hand Him all my anxiety because He cares for me.
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV): God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
With the foundation of God's Word before us and beneath us, we can let go of any fear we are hanging on to.
Whatever fear of the unknown, real or imagined, that you find you are holding on to, let it go - and let God set you free from free and anxiety. You are His.
Blessings!
