Yes, I am back to work today. I imagine I have a lot to catch up on from yesterday, although I did clear some of the messages last night, there were some I had things to do when I look at them this morning. I am glad I took yesterday off. I had my time with Morgan in the morning (legs) and then home to quickly get ready for the Celebration of Life for a friend. Wow. What a celebration it was. And yes, I think I had tears falling throughout the entire Celebration. It was all very moving. Military funerals or celebrations do that to me, anyway. It was held at the American Legion and since our friend was a 'Rider', many attendees were Riders showing their respect. It was beautiful and moving. When we stood outside in a circle as they brought out the wooden box of ashes to place on the back of a motorcycle to take to its final resting place, along with the folded flag, they played Lee Greenwood's song "God Bless the USA" and as we were holding hands, the tears flowed freely down my face without my being able to stop them. I love that song and it always brings tears, as does our national anthem. It was a beautiful service both at the American Legion and at the National Veteran's Cemetery. We opted out of the reception after and the SIL and daughter took us back to their house where we got into my car and headed homeward.
Found out earlier that morning that my oldest son was still in the hospital so after changing and getting comfortable, I stopped to get him a sandwich and a sweet tea and headed over to visit. He had me in 'stitches' at times with his tales. The 'monotone sound' was the most funny! I had a very good visit with him and it was nice for it to be 'just us'. I'm sure he 'enjoyed' having company, even if it was his mama. Turns out they were making him stay yet another night, making him very unhappy, but unable to do anything about it. The irritating part was that they couldn't tell him 'why' he was having to stay another night. Surely he will be discharged today. 7 more days before he can see the specialist. I am still praying for miracles and what is wrong will resolve itself. I can't imagine the discomfort and pain that he goes through - probably constantly - while these issues are going on.
By evening I was yawning and trying to stay awake. I meant to start baking cookies or bread when I got home from the hospital, but I did not. Since we ate at Whataburger on the way home from the service, I did not cook dinner, but did heat up some leftover meatballs around 7PM. I don't know if hubby ate anything else or not; he probably expected me to either bring something home or come home and cook - and I did not. And, I did not bake anything, but decided to just sit down and work on the last blanket I'm going to work on as a gift. Almost done with it now and will hopefully finish by this weekend. Then I can focus on baking.
I meant to go visit Ms. Diane or Ms. Vicky while I was off yesterday as well, and that didn't happen either. I feel guilty, but will get there sometime this week. Not sure if I will meet up with the daughter tonight or not. Hubby and I have not talked about the car situation. I don't know at this point if he will insist on driving, but I will mention an alternative plan - such as my taking him. I know it is going to be hard for him to start, and I may let some time slide - perhaps to the end of the year - but I've already talked to him about all the additional walking he will have to do while shopping - if he drives he more than likely will have to park some distance from the doors - and he often states he can not walk very far. I may need to drop him off and go back to pick him up - which is just fine with me. Walmart isn't that far from us and I can easily do it during the day.
I have more packages coming in today and that will finish up a couple people. I need to dig gifts out from under the tree and check them off my list again - I know I have missed writing some down. I want within families to have a general amount of gifts; but I focus on my children. But some of them are so dang hard to buy for! NONE of them 'need' anything - and I'm often afraid that what I do give them, they don't even want. At least for one son if I stick to beef jerky and other snacks, he is happy. ;-) One thing for sure is that I've got to get control of this room!
Revelation 15:3-4 (NKJV): They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested."
Have you ever read the book of Revelation, you know, the last book of the Bible? You ought to. It's how the world will end. And it isn't a bed of roses for those who turn from God and do not repent. I read chapters 15 and 16 today as our Bible study tomorrow night will be discussing it. I do not want to be here when the plagues are released by the angels. And neither would you. Think of painful boils over all your body. That's just one of them. Water turning to blood. Nothing to drink. For those who take the mark of the beast, God will have His wrath upon them.
We need to stop playing on the sidelines and pretending - and completely surrender to the Lord of all, Jesus Christ. It isn't 'religion'; it's a relationship with the One who not only created you, but died for you, and wants you to live with Him. How hard can that be? Oh trust me, I stumble more times than I care to admit, but I run back to Jesus and ask His forgiveness and His help. You can't rely on a confession you did years ago if you aren't living for Him. This is serious business. God will not look upon the casual believer. He will not glance your way if you are a pretender.
We are being called to stand up and carry the cross of Jesus. It is accepting Him as Lord, and worshipping only Him. Not material things. Not our health. Not people. Not even family. Only One deserves our worship, honor, and praise - and that is Jesus Christ. He alone is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Worship Him only.
Reflect on your life right now. You may think you are not a 'bad person'; you do good for others (when you want to). You think you are 'blessed' when things go your way. But perhaps, God is just giving you another chance; not a blessing. Or perhaps an opportunity is given you to be a blessing to others. something we all need to reflect on and think about. What are we doing with what God has given to us?
Reminds me of a question in the movie Facing the Giants. "If you never get what you want most, would you still love and serve God?" (my interpretation). If I don't get my way, will I walk away from God? Will I choose to blame God for my circumstances in life, or will I continue to love and serve Him because He sees the big picture, and He is a big God?
Who created you? Who gave you breath? Who provides for you? No, it isn't yourself or your spouse or the government. GOD is the One who provides for you. He gives you the ability to receive what He has for you. What are you going to do with it? Angry with God over not getting your own way? Not getting what you want? Ask Him to forgive you for your anger, and help you to see His hand in every situation.
I could be angry with God because my life has not turned out like I believed it would. But I know that only in and through Him can I truly live, regardless of my circumstances, regardless of what is in my life. I have made wrong choices; I have made good choices. But the best choice I have ever made is running back to Jesus, seeking His forgiveness, and choosing to live for Him. No matter what comes from my circumstances does not define me any longer. I belong to Jesus and it is on His Rock that I stand.
Don't hold grudges against God - you will always lose. Turn to Jesus and trust in Him. No.Matter.What. You could be the one who saves your child, your spouse, from going to hell. Are you going to let them 'go to hell' or will you show them the way to Jesus and heaven? Your choice.
Blessings!
