On the way to church I remembered I forgot the cheesecake I was going to take for dessert at the pool party. We ran home real quick to pick it up and head on over to the daughter's where I was met with a 'SURPRISE!!' and bombarded with balloons when I walked in the door! Yep - my children had planned a surprise party for me! I was totally surprised, especially since my daughter had just moved into the house the day before, it wasn't quite completely remodeled yet, and she hadn't even unpacked her dishes yet! They went out of their way to open their home for the party and surprise me.
I was thrilled that both my boys and their families were there. I missed a few, but understandable; they are out of the city, plus one had to work that night. But it was a very good day. I'm not sure who all contributed to the party, I heard of a couple, but all in all, it was a very special time for me and I am so grateful. I truly felt loved. There were lots of photos taken and I have finally reconciled myself to the fact that I am not going to look skinny and perfect in each one. I am fluffy and out of sorts, it was hot and humid and my hair went flat - I make funny faces unknowingly. I am me.
And judging from the photos my daughter in love sent me after I went to bed last night - and saw this morning - I can make funny faces very easily! It's those candid moments that we all can laugh about. I will truly treasure all the effort that went in to the party, the family being about me, and just being together. I always said what I wanted for gifts was time with my children, my family. And I got it yesterday. It was truly a blessing for my mama heart. They all 'done good' to bless me.
When we finally left, I think we all were exhausted. Hubby and I sat and scrolled our phones (which I admonish myself for wasting the time, but I did it anyway) and hubby soon fell asleep. At 8:30PM, our usual bedtime, I was ready to go to bed as well. I know my daughter and her hubby took a nap shortly after we left as well. It was a very good day.
I only have two days of work this week as I'm taking Wednesday, Thursday and Friday off to celebrate our 42nd anniversary. I can't wait for the change of scenery, even though we aren't going far. I know hubby has some sort of medical appointment on the 15th - and he fussed about that - but I told him it wasn't a big deal - we have nothing planned - except me for hoping to lay out by the pool for a little bit. It may be too hot to do that, though, and if there is no shade, we may not be near the pool. I just want to enjoy rest and relaxation. Which makes me think; I need to find a book or two to take with me to read. I have several I'm reading now, but I think I'll just take one physical book to read. Or I could take my kindle and have several choices. Hmmm. Yeah, I think the kindle may win. These two days of work will be very busy.
I have reconciled to myself that I will be working for awhile yet. I'm not jealous of those who can retire early and travel. I'm jealous people can retire and live life. If I retired, we would be ok financially; I'm not worried about that. I'd definitely have to rein in my Amazon shopping, but that's no big deal. I'm more concerned of sitting at home and doing nothing. Hubby just doesn't want to do anything except work out at the gym. Any other activity that would require effort is a no no. (I did get hiking sticks from my brother for my birthday - will they ever get used? I bought hubby some for his birthday. I think I wasted my money.) Oh, there would be reading, trust me! And I have plenty of books I haven't read yet. But I get restricted on doing things (like I can't even move furniture around or move pictures on the wall) because someone doesn't like 'change'. I get tired of the same oh same oh at times. AND I've been told that the one room is HIS office, and I am not to make ANY changes in it - even if it is putting books in alphabetical order so I can see what we have duplicates of! Oh well. When we both die, I hope the kids don't just donate the books to goodwill; hook up with Thriftbooks or Amazon and sell them. I'd like to find my duplicates of those I know I won't read again and do that - but heaven forbid I put the books in order so I can figure that out!
Psalm 50:23 (TPT) The life that pleases me is a life lived in the gratitude of grace, always choosing to walk with me in what is right. This is the sacrifice I desire from you. If you do this, more of my salvation will unfold for you.
The grace we received when we surrender to God is so precious! I was reminded of that at church yesterday morning. When we surrender, we received His grace of salvation. It's free. It doesn't cost us anything but giving up the 'things' we hold on to. You know what I mean - not necessarily material things, but our idolization of people, of holding on to our 'rights', holding on to our feelings, to always demanding our own way, of just keeping our focus on us and what we want. When we surrender all that, God will give us His gift of grace, His salvation, and oh life is so much sweeter when we do that! It doesn't mean that life will be perfect, not by any means!
In fact, I was reading in one of my favorite devotionals this morning, Secrets of the Secret Place by Bob Sorge "The closer we draw to the Lord in intimacy, the more real the warfare will be we encounter. Frances Frangipane described it with the phrase, "New levels, new devils." As the attacks increase, our cry only intensifies, "Hide me!" While the body and soul may be afflicted with increasing harassment and abuse, the spirit is finding a place of greater protection, rest, and intimacy under the shadow of the Almighty. The Spirit thus draws us into a place of greater spiritual peace and comfort which only inflames the soul with a greater passion for Jesus - which in turn only feeds the ire of our tormentors.
The cross is where we sustain great assaults, but yet there's no safer place in the universe to be.
Blessings!
