Waking at 2AM is not always a good thing...

 Yeah, it was one of those nights - in a deep sleep, only to be awakened at 2AM.  What caused it?  I was thinking of my prodigal granddaughter.  My heart just grieves over her and her behavior, her life.  How I wish I could intervene and get her straightened out.  But she won't even respond to my emails.  My son says she doesn't always get the emails.  Whatever.  So, being awakened with her on my mind, I did what I knew to do - pray for her.   I still couldn't sleep so finally got up at 3AM and came in here and tried to go back to sleep in my chair.  Didn't happen.  Turned the light on at 4AM (now mind you, it's Sunday and I could sleep later!!) to start my time with God.  Hubby gets up and brings in my coffee.  After he leaves - I fall asleep in a deep sleep and dreamt the craziest dream!  Awakened at 5AM I refused to go back to sleep, but started on my reading.  I really did want to go back to sleep, but resisted it.  Now my coffee is gone and I think I need another cup this morning.

I transported Ms. Amy yesterday.  She sure is a hoot.  She called just after noon to come pick her up.  I drive over, and on the way back we stopped to get her premium gas.  She said she has NEVER pumped gas before.  After her husband died, she got someone to come stay with her during the day and she let her drive the car and pump the gas.  So I pumped her gas and we continued on.  She took three hours to go through her things.  She grabbed a couple tops and some jewelry.  Know what took so long?  She showed me her passport and that it had 80 countries in it that she had been to... and then had to show me things she had bought in some of the different countries.  Jewelry pieces that she will probably never wear again from Egypt, Spain, Jerusalem, and many other countries.  At 1:30PM I told her we needed to 'keep moving' and she said 'it's not 2PM yet' - to which I replied I know, but I need to be back home by 3PM and just wanted to remind you of the time.  LOL  We left at 2;40pm I think.  But she got a lot of things she wanted to take back.  She wants me to come have lunch with her one day at the assisted living place. And she wants to take hubby and I out to dinner at a steak place.  LongHorn is not far from her so I'm thinking I will tell her that.  On a weekday it may not be too busy cause we can go around 4:30PM.  Maybe in the next week or so.  She still plans to go to Florida to live in May.  When she does, I will probably never see her again.  But I ca write and call her.

I received my cookbooks yesterday.... and hubby had to make his comments.  I thought they were all soup but they weren't -  one at least was for crockpot cooking (love those!) and the other was a diabetic cookbook.  No, I'm not diabetic, but two of my children are.  I'd like to be able to make food that is good for them - and invite them over sometime to eat!  Hubby commented something about all the cookbooks I have.... why did I buy more?  How often do I use the ones I have?  I didn't really respond for it really wasn't a question.  I wanted the cookbooks, so I got them.  Enough said, right?  I plan to spend time this afternoon going through them and figuring out what I want to make.  I ought to do that daily - grab a cookbook and cook something from it.  But I need to see what all is needed for I don't usually have everything on hand.  And if I do - it's frozen so then it has to thaw out.  Oh well. - I'll figure it out.

Deuteronomy 12:28 (NKJV):  "Observe and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God."

Some people scoff at the Bible and say it is 'old fashioned' to obey and believe the things that God has said.  Why do they say that?  Because they don't want to obey God.  They don't want to 'be told what to do'.  They don't want to allow an 'old book' to tell them how to live.

But they should.  Why?  Because by following what God says to do - and to not do - is for not only OUR protection, but for the protection of our children.  We are responsible to raise our children to know and love our Lord.  I tried, but I was too late, and my example wasn't the best, I think.  I can see it in my children and grandchildren's lives.  God is not important to them; He is an after-thought, if anything at all.  I have confessed my sin to God many times, and I have wept many tears over my children and grandchildren.  All I can do is pray for them and trust that they will eventually see that living for Jesus is the ONLY way.... it may not fit the people around them... but if their relationship with God is right, then He will provide for them and take care of them and their children will come to know Him as Lord of their lives as well.  I have children and grandchildren who chose God at one time... were even baptized... but each one has chosen to go their own way.  They let the world tell them how to live.  I don't always see joy in their lives.  And it grieves my heart, for there is Joy to be found in the Lord.

Oh I know, I talk about my own struggles, my own battles, my own depression at times..... but I will make one thing clear.  I am dependent upon Jesus.  He is the Rock on which I stand, my Firm Foundation.  I know where I would be if I had not chosen to follow Jesus.  And yes, I was raised in the church and allowed the world to pull me away.  But I ran back to Jesus and although I struggle at times with my own resistance to being obedient, I know that Jesus is the only way to success, the only way to prosper, the only way to have true Joy.  He alone is my Hope, my Joy.  And He will supply that to you as well, if you choose to follow Him.

You may think you are getting by just fine right now... but there is an emptiness within that you keep pushing aside... and I pray that one day you will look at that emptiness and understand that only Jesus can fill it.  Not busyness, not people or family, not other things.  Only Jesus.

....that it may go well with you and your children after you forever.... I read a story about a woman who had 12 children, and every day, three times a day, after she fixed their meal, she would go into her bedroom and pray for each child by name, that they would accept Jesus as Lord.  When she died, 7 had become Christians, 5 had not.  At the time of that writing, the last one was the oldest one.  He was in his 70's when his mother died, and he was now 92.  A neighbor had a dream about him, and invited him to church - he went - and was saved that day, baptized the following week.  I think the story said that only two were left that were not Christians.  Where does it stand with you and your child/children?   Are they following after Jesus?  Are you praying for them, teaching them?  Don't think there is plenty of time - one never knows when our time on earth is over.  It could be today.  Where will your child end up?  Where will you end up - Heaven or Hell.  Hell isn't a very nice place and I don't want any of my children to go there.... so I pray for each and every one... calling them out by name before our Heavenly Father, asking for His intervention in their life.  No matter how old you are, you can still follow Jesus. 

I John 1:9 (NKJV):  "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

You and your children are worth it.

Blessings!

It was a very good day

 This was the first Christmas where we only had one family come to visit, exchange gifts, and have dinner. It really was quite different.  I screw up the meat, of course.  Yeah... I put it on too early.  I knew they said they'd be over perhaps around 5:30-ish... and I had that time in my mind.  So the meat was done then.... and we didn't eat for another hour and a half.  Everyone said the meat was fine, but I found it dry - and it was my fault.  But, a lot was eaten and the rest was divided and sent home.   But let me back up some.

After my quiet time yesterday I baked us eggs ole' for breakfast -and since I hadn't gotten over to see Ms. Diane, I put hers in the oven too.  After we had breakfast, I gave her a call and when I told her I had breakfast for her, she said she'd open the garage door for me.  It is more of a straight shot for her to use her walker versus going to the front door to unlock it.  She said "I'm in my pajamas" and I said "I don't care".  So I took over all the goodies I had for her, along with hot eggs ole.  Once inside, I talked her into letting me fix her a small plate of it.  Took over salsa for it too.  I nearly laughed, and wished I had given her a little bit more of it, for she gobbled it down as if she hadn't eaten in weeks.  I know she has food in her refrigerator, and her daughter makes sure she eats dinner every night.  But that little stinker confessed to me yesterday that she lies to her sons and daughter when they call and ask if she ate breakfast. She always tells them yes.  After she gobbled down the eggs ole yesterday, she looks at me and says, "Now I won't have to lie to Cindy and Jeff; they told me to be sure and eat breakfast because they wouldn't be over today until 3:30PM for their Christmas.... I can tell them I did eat breakfast."  She cracks me up.  I left the pan of eggs ole for her; hopefully she will fix herself some this morning and heat it up.  I also gave her some 'garbage' which she loves, as well.  She raves about my cooking and I laugh at her because when I take something over and give to her, she gobbles it up.  But when her kids bring her food, she just nibbles it. I love Ms. Diane cause she makes me laugh.

About 5:45PM my middle child, my oldest son, and all his family came over.  It was so good to see everyone.  Everyone got settled down after all the hugs and hubby and our little great-granddaughter started passing out the gifts.  I WON!!  I ended up with the most again - 2nd year in a row!  LOL Not that there is a contest.  I understand what my son once told me about it was somewhat uncomfortable a time or two when he and his wife had the most gifts.   I think everyone was happy with what they got.  I know I was - I got so much and it's all useable!  Grateful and loving each one.  

After opening gifts most of us headed to the kitchen to get the food to the table.  Even the little munchkin was helping!  Grateful for the help before and after dinner - it didn't take long for the clean up. I think everyone had enough to eat.  The grandchildren seemed to enjoy their surprise gift of the salsa recipe I have made for the past 40 years.  We had received the recipe as a wedding gift, along with a chip and dip plate.  I felt sad that one grandchild felt he needed to head home before dinner as he was very tired and was concerned he might fall asleep driving if he stayed later. Grateful he let us know he arrived at the apartment safely.  Daytime is hard for those who work the nightshift.  And it had been a full day of play so I'm sure he and his brother were pretty tired!  Once food was divided up and put away and dishes in the dishwasher, they took their leave and hubby turned on the TV to watch his team lose a football game.  I sat down and looked through what I had received for sometimes it goes so quick in opening gifts, one doesn't get a good look.  I love everything.

I don't know what hubby was thinking when he was shopping for me.  He bought me several clothing items ranging in sizes from small up to large plus.  I looked at him puzzled, trying to figure out what his thinking was.  He had no clue what sizes he picked up.  He just saw something and picked it up and bought it.  He had to admit he didn't know what he was thinking.  His comment to me was "I kept all the receipts so you can take them all back."  Uh, no.  I do all my shopping online so that I DON'T have to go to the store, and you can imagine how many people will be back at the stores today exchanging items. I will not be one of them.  I can go online and order pretty much the same thing he bought... probably pay less for it now.... and put these away to give to someone next year. :-)

But I am grateful for his gifts and the thought he put in purchasing them.  He just didn't pay attention this year at all on sizes.  The one gift he gave that fits - a $100 visa card. LOL  Oh, and a bag of snickers, and Dove, candies. What's really sad is that a couple of the sweaters are really cute and I like them, but this fat body will not fit into a small.  Hopefully I can find something similar.

I'm also grateful I don't have to work today.  I slept fairly well last night, but, I fell asleep for nearly an hour after I started reading my Bible this morning.  Could not keep my eyes open.  So now I feel like I am somewhat running behind schedule.  I didn't get up until 5-ish, so one would think that would be my extra hour of sleep, but now, I fell into a deep sleep here in my chair.  It's comfortable at times, what can I say!  

But another reason I'm grateful I don't work today is that my granddaughter and great granddaughter may be over some time today to bake cookies!  We will be touching base around 10AM to come up with a time and I'm looking forward to one on one time with them.  And all the cookies will go home with them.

Our prodigal granddaughter reached out to me yesterday with a text "I don't know if you were planning on doing Christmas with me or not, but I just want to say I love you and miss you."  Do they not know the key to my heart?  I responded to her that I loved and missed her too, and if she wanted to come over today with the baby, she could, and I'd give her the gifts, but her boyfriend was not to come over, because of what he and his family have done.  And, I told her it was her decision what she did.  She didn't respond.  I told my youngest son I had heard from her, and he said he had reached out to her as well.  I'm hoping these tiny baby steps will soften her stubborn heart and she will quit listening to her boyfriend and his dad, and do what her heart tells her to do.  

Jonah 4:6 (NKJV):  "And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant."

If you take a moment and look back over your life, do you see the times that God has provided  for you and you probably took it for granted?  The times when you were so broke you didn't know how you could even buy a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread, and yet, you miraculously came up with exactly what you would need.  The times when your car was setting on E and you still had to get to work and you didn't get paid until later in the week... and yet, somehow, you were able to get to where you needed to go and back home again.  When things happen, and there is really no explanation for it, and yet, it was good.

Those are the times that the Lord God prepared (a plant) for you and caused it to cover you and care for you, to deliver you.  Are you thinking of those times?

I can remember praying hard when the gas tank was setting on E and just wanting to get to the nearest gas station to put a couple dollars in it to get to work.... and the engine shut off just as I pulled up next to the gas pump.   Or digging in my purse to find change to buy a gallon of milk... and finding a dollar instead.  God has always provided just what we need, when we needed it.

And I am grateful for each one of those times that the Lord God prepared a solution for our need, whether it be financial to where we could buy groceries or get gas in the car, to just providing for us in other ways.  I am grateful we have a good, good Father.

And you do as well.  Take a moment and thank Him for His provision for you and your family. For helping you pass an important test. For getting you through high school or college. For walking with you when you needed comfort.  For giving you the peace you need just to get through each day.  It's all God, you know.  Thank Him.  He does for you because He loves you.  Just like you do for your children because you love them.  Be grateful.

Blessings!