Psalm 44:1...O God, we have heard with our ears, Our fathers have told us the work that You did in their days, In the days of old...
My mother-in-law, Gladys, is a woman of strong faith and I was blessed with her as my spiritual mother when I married Byron. Many years ago, as we worked in the nursery, cutting plants for sale to other foliage nurseries, she often told us stories of things the Lord had done for her or her children or her mother. She told us of the old days in her church when revivals lasted weeks upon end. She told how the Lord moved powerfully in the services, how he healed the sick and changed lives for the better--for His purposes.
3.For by their own sword they did not possess the land, And their own arm did not save them, But Your right hand and Your arm and the light of Your presence, For You favored them.
She told us how the Lord delivered her mother from the depression that severely affected her life. She told of Byron's dad's immediate deliverance from an addiction to nicotine so severe that when he quit smoking, the nicotine seeped from his body and stained his clothing. She told of answer after answer to prayer in her life, in her family's lives. When there was a need, they called on Him.
4.You are my King, O God...6.For I will not trust in my bow, Nor will my sword save me. 7.But You have saved us from our adversaries...
She did not trust in her own power or in her own ways. Her family had few earthly resources. There was no money for doctors or hospitals. Many times there was hardly enough food in the house. There were no friends that could help them out of their need and they had no strength of their own. It was the Lord who met their financial needs. It was the Lord who healed them. It was the Lord who rescued them. It was Christ who met their deepest emotional and spritiual needs each and every time they called on Him.
8.In God we have boasted all day long, And we will give thanks to Your name forever...
And, it is our Heavenly Father, whom she praises for all her rescues and for keeping her daily, even now. We learn from her what the Lord has done through the years and our faith is bolstered. We learn from our spiritual fathers and mothers about the faithfulness of God and we are strengthened.
We tell how the Lord meets our needs now; how He sends extra work to meet financial needs, how he eases the suffering of an elderly aunt, how he brings peace in the middle of emotional turmoil, how he heals our child in the middle of the night, and how the Holy Spirit comforts us in time of grief. When we tell of the goodness of God, of the immediateness of the Lord, others are shored up in their faith.
But, for the Lord...
O Father, thank you for our fathers and mothers who tell us of your works, of your help, of your deliverance. It strengthens us and builds our faith. Thank you for your nearness, for your close ear, for your permeating presence. You are the air we breathe. But for you, I would die. I love you so, so much.
Suz
Monday, September 29, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
perfection
I think I'm a perfectionist. You may look at my car, my house, my clothing, or even me and question whether or not it's so, and I completely understand why those doubts might enter your mind. Before now, even I had never seriously entertained the idea, but lately it's been pretty evident to me. In fact, I think my daughter was close to right when she declared, "Mom, we're perfectionists. We're just not very good at it." But I started thinking about it and I decided that perfectionism isn't necessarily in the execution of being perfect. It's in the desire to be perfect. Every 't' crossed. Every 'i' dotted. No mistakes. No gaffs. No stumbles. Nothing out of order. To have everything just so--and keep it that way. It's a tall order. It's an order that will burden down even the most sincere and energetic soul. It's an impossible task.
I started noticing myself being bothered by crooked couch cushions, books lying messily on a table, the towel in the bathroom hanging askew or a throw carelessly tossed on the chair. Now these are not a big deal to most people but the urge to keep them and other little things perfectly in order was running me ragged--and I don't run so much anymore. I couldn't sit down for even 15 minutes without seeing 'just one more' thing to pick up and put away immediately. One might assume that because I was jumping around picking up stuff that everything was neat all the time in our house but that isn't the case. The three of us are pretty messy people. I couldn't keep up with it all. The only reward was a tired and cranky woman who dared anyone to lay anything down in the house. Not exactly a recipe for a "Home, Sweet Home."
This quest for the perfect physical everything, no matter what it is, leads to feeling guilty and feeling like a failure. Ask me. I know. Truth is, guilt and failure are often my companions because there's ALWAYS something I didn't do perfectly. I never saw it before as clearly as I do now. I'm learning that I although I will never be errorless, gaffless, goofless, and totally on top of each minute area of my life, that it's OK. No one is totally 100% in every place in her life. We all have weaknesses and vulnerabilities and we all need room to breathe. I need room to be me.
When I set aside these futile efforts of frustration and rather seek a more perfect walk with the Father, then I am refreshed and not guilty. I will succeed and not fail. I could straighten cushions and towels for 10 years and all I'd have for my efforts would be raggedy cushions and towels because they will surely pass away, but if I use that same 10 years of time with Jesus to grow in grace and peace and trust in Him, He will not only bless me but He will use me to bless others. He's like that. He wants us to be perfect in Him.
Psalm 103:13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust....17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children- 18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
I trust the Lord's righteousness. He made me. He knows my frame--my weaknesses, my frailties, of which there are many. He has compassion on me because of them. When I 'seek first' the Lord himself, He promises everything else I need will be added to me. Looking beyond the cushions, past the towels, around anything blocking our view to the Lord is true perfection.
Father, Thank you for your word which always directs me in the way I should go. I love you for your understanding and your patience with me in all my quirks and humanity. You're so good to me.
Suz
I started noticing myself being bothered by crooked couch cushions, books lying messily on a table, the towel in the bathroom hanging askew or a throw carelessly tossed on the chair. Now these are not a big deal to most people but the urge to keep them and other little things perfectly in order was running me ragged--and I don't run so much anymore. I couldn't sit down for even 15 minutes without seeing 'just one more' thing to pick up and put away immediately. One might assume that because I was jumping around picking up stuff that everything was neat all the time in our house but that isn't the case. The three of us are pretty messy people. I couldn't keep up with it all. The only reward was a tired and cranky woman who dared anyone to lay anything down in the house. Not exactly a recipe for a "Home, Sweet Home."
This quest for the perfect physical everything, no matter what it is, leads to feeling guilty and feeling like a failure. Ask me. I know. Truth is, guilt and failure are often my companions because there's ALWAYS something I didn't do perfectly. I never saw it before as clearly as I do now. I'm learning that I although I will never be errorless, gaffless, goofless, and totally on top of each minute area of my life, that it's OK. No one is totally 100% in every place in her life. We all have weaknesses and vulnerabilities and we all need room to breathe. I need room to be me.
When I set aside these futile efforts of frustration and rather seek a more perfect walk with the Father, then I am refreshed and not guilty. I will succeed and not fail. I could straighten cushions and towels for 10 years and all I'd have for my efforts would be raggedy cushions and towels because they will surely pass away, but if I use that same 10 years of time with Jesus to grow in grace and peace and trust in Him, He will not only bless me but He will use me to bless others. He's like that. He wants us to be perfect in Him.
Psalm 103:13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust....17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children- 18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
I trust the Lord's righteousness. He made me. He knows my frame--my weaknesses, my frailties, of which there are many. He has compassion on me because of them. When I 'seek first' the Lord himself, He promises everything else I need will be added to me. Looking beyond the cushions, past the towels, around anything blocking our view to the Lord is true perfection.
Father, Thank you for your word which always directs me in the way I should go. I love you for your understanding and your patience with me in all my quirks and humanity. You're so good to me.
Suz
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Aunt Wanda's birthday
Today, September 23, 2008, is my dear Aunt Wanda Williams' eightieth birthday. Yes, eighty years old today! What a great thing to happen. She has been in my life since before I was ever born. There are many old photos of Aunt Wanda and Uncle Bill with my dad and mother when Mama was expecting me. At picnics, on boats, dressed up on Easter, and on road trips. I was there, but I was hidden behind large maternity tops.
I was the first child of the group that would become my siblings and cousins so I also got all four adults as my first playmates. As much as it pains me to say it, I was pretty spoiled. When Mama went back to work after my birth, it was Aunt Wanda who cared for me. Except for my mother herself, I couldn't have had anyone who loved me more than Aunt Wanda did to take care of me every day.
We have always had a special relationship, Aunt Wanda and me. As the only available kid for a while, I was the one who got to spend the night at her house the most. I went to church with her. She took me on train trips to Tennessee to visit Grandma and bus trips to Indiana to visit Uncle Bill's family. When Grandpa died, I rode in the car with Aunt Wanda and Uncle Bill to his funeral instead of with my mom and dad.
When it's good, it's a special relationship between an aunt and niece. It's close but not smothering. It's respectful but not fearful. It's fun, sometimes silly, and always friendly. She has always listened to what I had to say without ever putting me down or making fun of me. There has never been one time in my life when I wasn't glad, happy, and excited to see my Aunt Wanda.
To think of her is to smile. Period.
I love my Aunt Wanda. Her life has not been an easy one and the last several years have been some of the most painful in her long life. She has helped more people than I can count, family or not. As a young girl, I watched her serve the Lord faithfully. It is she who is my example of a life of sacrifice and giving to others. She's the sprinkles on the cake and the glitter on the hat but she's not just the fluff. She's also the beef in the stew. There's no one like her and I'm one fortunate woman to have her in my life. God has blessed me for nearly 56 years with her so far and I'm looking forward to many more.
Happy Birthday, Aunt Wanda. I hope this is a great day for you. Having you with me surely makes it a great day for me!
I love you.
Suzy
I was the first child of the group that would become my siblings and cousins so I also got all four adults as my first playmates. As much as it pains me to say it, I was pretty spoiled. When Mama went back to work after my birth, it was Aunt Wanda who cared for me. Except for my mother herself, I couldn't have had anyone who loved me more than Aunt Wanda did to take care of me every day.
We have always had a special relationship, Aunt Wanda and me. As the only available kid for a while, I was the one who got to spend the night at her house the most. I went to church with her. She took me on train trips to Tennessee to visit Grandma and bus trips to Indiana to visit Uncle Bill's family. When Grandpa died, I rode in the car with Aunt Wanda and Uncle Bill to his funeral instead of with my mom and dad.
When it's good, it's a special relationship between an aunt and niece. It's close but not smothering. It's respectful but not fearful. It's fun, sometimes silly, and always friendly. She has always listened to what I had to say without ever putting me down or making fun of me. There has never been one time in my life when I wasn't glad, happy, and excited to see my Aunt Wanda.
To think of her is to smile. Period.
I love my Aunt Wanda. Her life has not been an easy one and the last several years have been some of the most painful in her long life. She has helped more people than I can count, family or not. As a young girl, I watched her serve the Lord faithfully. It is she who is my example of a life of sacrifice and giving to others. She's the sprinkles on the cake and the glitter on the hat but she's not just the fluff. She's also the beef in the stew. There's no one like her and I'm one fortunate woman to have her in my life. God has blessed me for nearly 56 years with her so far and I'm looking forward to many more.
Happy Birthday, Aunt Wanda. I hope this is a great day for you. Having you with me surely makes it a great day for me!
I love you.
Suzy
Sunday, September 21, 2008
critical things
It's been a good weekend. Byron and I went to a marriage conference at our church with Dr Mark and Alison Rutland. We've been to their conference twice before many years ago and learned a lot. At this conference some things were the same, some were different and some of the same things had light shined on them. The Lord is good to me like that. He's always on target with where I am at the moment and gives me help just when I need it most.
At the conference I learned (once again) that I need to express admiration for my husband. As much as we females need care and love, males need admiration. I can honestly say there are many things I admire about my husband. He's a strong Christian man. He's hardworking and a good breadwinner. He's fun. He's supportive of my dreams. He's a good friend to his buddies. He's a good dad. He loves me.
But I have been very critical lately. Everything gets on my last nerve. It seems I'm the only one who knows how to drive, how to eat, how to breathe, even how to chew gum. Not very nice, huh?
No, it's not.
Trouble is, it's hard to sneak admiration in between griping about his driving and the way he chews his gum. Something about it just doesn't ring true when it's sandwiched in like that. I've been bad about it lately and I'm not proud of it.
That's when the the Lord enlightens me again. That's when He shines His light on it for me and gives me a chance to do better now. He leads me to look beyond the small things and cherish again the husband He gave me in my youth, to keep our love from growing cold and stale. He allows me to see it and change it before it seems unfixable.
So, by God's grace, and with His help, I will focus on my dear one's strengths, of which there are many. I will let him know of all the things he does right as opposed to the unimportant things that I let irritate me. The Bible says it best and I want my example to be the best of all;
1 Cor 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Thank you, Lord, for the insight and the desire to change what needs changing. I love you.
Suz
At the conference I learned (once again) that I need to express admiration for my husband. As much as we females need care and love, males need admiration. I can honestly say there are many things I admire about my husband. He's a strong Christian man. He's hardworking and a good breadwinner. He's fun. He's supportive of my dreams. He's a good friend to his buddies. He's a good dad. He loves me.
But I have been very critical lately. Everything gets on my last nerve. It seems I'm the only one who knows how to drive, how to eat, how to breathe, even how to chew gum. Not very nice, huh?
No, it's not.
Trouble is, it's hard to sneak admiration in between griping about his driving and the way he chews his gum. Something about it just doesn't ring true when it's sandwiched in like that. I've been bad about it lately and I'm not proud of it.
That's when the the Lord enlightens me again. That's when He shines His light on it for me and gives me a chance to do better now. He leads me to look beyond the small things and cherish again the husband He gave me in my youth, to keep our love from growing cold and stale. He allows me to see it and change it before it seems unfixable.
So, by God's grace, and with His help, I will focus on my dear one's strengths, of which there are many. I will let him know of all the things he does right as opposed to the unimportant things that I let irritate me. The Bible says it best and I want my example to be the best of all;
1 Cor 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Thank you, Lord, for the insight and the desire to change what needs changing. I love you.
Suz
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
vapors, flowers and a moment
We sang a song in worship on Sunday that spoke of dancing around the throne of God when we get to heaven. It's a beautiful song and, as we sang, I thought of a girl I know with a physical handicap. My first thought was, "She'd never be able to do it. She can barely stand without her walker, let alone dance freely."
That's when the Lord checked me and then gave me an image I will never forget. I saw an open place--a throneroom. At the right side just out of my vision was the throne. I didn't see Him but I knew he was sitting there. In front of Him was a young woman dressed in a simple knee length white dress who danced for joy before Him. With arms wide, a big smile on her face and eyes closed, she twirled gleefully as her long dark hair swung around her. She was finally free to do what most of us can do any old time.
I was completely absorbed in her worship when I saw it. Just off to her left, pushed to the side, discarded, was the walker she had used for so many years on earth. Tears welled up in my eyes at what I'd been shown. I felt many emotions right then. My heart overflowed with happiness to see her so free and unbound from her earthly bonds, but at the same time I was checked for forgetting that in Heaven we will all be whole.
Sometimes I get tangled up in the daily grind, the details, the places to go and the people to see. I wrestle with plans and heartache and disappointment. I struggle with relationship and aches and pains and grief. I forget and the Lord gently and kindly reminds me that as His children our earthly life with its joys, its complicated days, and tearful nights is but a vapor, a quickly fading flower, only a moment in eternity.
Thank you, Lord for reminding me. I love you.
Suz
That's when the Lord checked me and then gave me an image I will never forget. I saw an open place--a throneroom. At the right side just out of my vision was the throne. I didn't see Him but I knew he was sitting there. In front of Him was a young woman dressed in a simple knee length white dress who danced for joy before Him. With arms wide, a big smile on her face and eyes closed, she twirled gleefully as her long dark hair swung around her. She was finally free to do what most of us can do any old time.
I was completely absorbed in her worship when I saw it. Just off to her left, pushed to the side, discarded, was the walker she had used for so many years on earth. Tears welled up in my eyes at what I'd been shown. I felt many emotions right then. My heart overflowed with happiness to see her so free and unbound from her earthly bonds, but at the same time I was checked for forgetting that in Heaven we will all be whole.
Sometimes I get tangled up in the daily grind, the details, the places to go and the people to see. I wrestle with plans and heartache and disappointment. I struggle with relationship and aches and pains and grief. I forget and the Lord gently and kindly reminds me that as His children our earthly life with its joys, its complicated days, and tearful nights is but a vapor, a quickly fading flower, only a moment in eternity.
Thank you, Lord for reminding me. I love you.
Suz
Monday, September 8, 2008
colonoscopy
I had a colonoscopy today. I worried about it quite a lot before it actually happened even though I tried not to. Thought I might die or find out horrible news of colon cancer even though that had not been my doctor's concern. At the very least I imagined unimaginable pain from the procedure. (imagined unimaginable?)
While I was IV'd, blood pressured and prepped for this presupposed torture I worried a little more. I kissed my husband goodbye at the waiting room and they wheeled me down to the endoscopy waiting room. I waited for nearly an hour until my doctor came to procedure me. I was a huge baby this morning and I needed the comfort of one who cares for me like no one else.
That's when I prayed. I asked the Lord to stay right with me. To protect me. To keep me safe and to allow me to have a good report. And He helped me so much. Once I put myself into his dear hands for this thing, He calmed me as only He can do.
My report:
There was a bit of discomfort. No real pain. There was also a good medical report. No polyps. No cancer. And, I lived through it.
I've been thinking about why I let myself sink so deep into the worry pit and I've come up with a couple of reasons; I had the CT scan fiasco a couple of weeks ago where my vein blew and all the contrast went into my hand and it hurt something awful. Then, my sweet Aunt Wanda was very sick and just got home after a week long stay in the hospital. She was often in a lot of pain and we spent much time considering medical things for her to help her get well. I think I had medical overload. (Aunt Wanda is recuperating at home. Please pray for her quick and complete recovery.)
Worry. It will drive you crazy. Allow it and it will suck every bit of joy and peace of mind you have right down the useless drain.
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:11
Our Father loves to comfort us. It's one of His best things. When I asked today, He gave. He's like that.
I love you, Lord.
Suz
While I was IV'd, blood pressured and prepped for this presupposed torture I worried a little more. I kissed my husband goodbye at the waiting room and they wheeled me down to the endoscopy waiting room. I waited for nearly an hour until my doctor came to procedure me. I was a huge baby this morning and I needed the comfort of one who cares for me like no one else.
That's when I prayed. I asked the Lord to stay right with me. To protect me. To keep me safe and to allow me to have a good report. And He helped me so much. Once I put myself into his dear hands for this thing, He calmed me as only He can do.
My report:
There was a bit of discomfort. No real pain. There was also a good medical report. No polyps. No cancer. And, I lived through it.
I've been thinking about why I let myself sink so deep into the worry pit and I've come up with a couple of reasons; I had the CT scan fiasco a couple of weeks ago where my vein blew and all the contrast went into my hand and it hurt something awful. Then, my sweet Aunt Wanda was very sick and just got home after a week long stay in the hospital. She was often in a lot of pain and we spent much time considering medical things for her to help her get well. I think I had medical overload. (Aunt Wanda is recuperating at home. Please pray for her quick and complete recovery.)
Worry. It will drive you crazy. Allow it and it will suck every bit of joy and peace of mind you have right down the useless drain.
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:11
Our Father loves to comfort us. It's one of His best things. When I asked today, He gave. He's like that.
I love you, Lord.
Suz
Monday, September 1, 2008
small things
My friend Rose sent me this email today. It touched my heart and I thought you may be blessed by it, too.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Good evening my dear friend.
I wanted to tell you about what I would term a 'miracle'. It started last Wednesday and came to a head on Friday.
Wednesday, my sister, Paulette, and I took my dad back to the hearing aid center so that he could tell them whether or not he would keep the hearing aids that he was trying out. There was no doubt that he can hear somewhat better using the new hearing aids, however, they are not very cost effective and knowing my dad's history of being cheap...ahhhhhh, frugal, I was prepared to go into the doctors office checkbook in hand.
When he found out how much the hearing aids were going to cost, he immediately went into lockdown. I asked the doctor to step out of the room and I told her to just make a bill out for what my dad had expected to pay and my husband and I would pick up the balance. My dad still had a difficult time writing the check but after some assistance he signed the check. I'm just glad we were able to help.
While we were setting up for his next appointment in 90 days, he keep saying to me "I want to talk to you when we get out of here."
He suspected that I had written a check for the difference of the hearing aids, and I didn't want to argue with him so I kept telling him I didn't have time to discuss things right now, that I needed to get back to work. I said this in a teasing way.
When we left the building, he said, "You wrote a check in there, didn't you?" I told him, "Yes."
Suzanne, he looked so upset, and so I said a fast prayer for God's strength and this is what came out of my mouth:
"This isn't just for you, Daddy. This is for all of us. We miss you. We want you to be part of our lives. You have your health, Dad, and, even more, you are very blessed."
He looked at me and after a moment said, "Well, I don't know about my health (laughing), but I know that I am very blessed."
I answered, "We are all blessed. Welcome to our world."
He smiled and he was truly happy. (But not with having to write such a large check!) :)
On Friday, Louie, Amy, Louis and I met Dad and Paulette at a restaurant for lunch in Keller because we needed to pick up some parts from them. When everyone first got out of their cars, Dad greeted everyone with a big smile and a hug and was actually able to know what everyone was saying to him. The look on their faces was priceless.
But that isn't the best part.
When we were waiting for our meal, for the first time in many years, Dad actually had a conversation with his grandkids. Somehow the conversation got around to buildings or something like that and....get ready...my dad suddenly started singing a song from the movie Oklahoma!!! It was absolutely incredible. I looked at him and he looked at me and we both had tears in our eyes. I don't know when I have loved my dad more than that moment. I will never, ever forget the look we exchanged from across the table.
I realize it was a simple, everyday occurrence for many people to have lunch and have a conversation with those people that they love, but for me it was a dream come true. To witness the joy that my dad brought to my family and himself...it was priceless.
Thanks for listening.
And Suzanne, yes, God is very, very good.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What a beautiful story! The Lord shows us that it is the small thing that can harm or bless us. The little foxes spoil the vine, but it's the meal and oil for one last loaf of bread, a cup of water given in His name, the widow's mite, kindness shown to the stranger who may be Jesus or an angel, and it is the time spent with family and friends that can show us His love in action.
I'm happy for you and your Dad and your family, Rose. I know it's good to have him back. I love you.
Suz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Good evening my dear friend.
I wanted to tell you about what I would term a 'miracle'. It started last Wednesday and came to a head on Friday.
Wednesday, my sister, Paulette, and I took my dad back to the hearing aid center so that he could tell them whether or not he would keep the hearing aids that he was trying out. There was no doubt that he can hear somewhat better using the new hearing aids, however, they are not very cost effective and knowing my dad's history of being cheap...ahhhhhh, frugal, I was prepared to go into the doctors office checkbook in hand.
When he found out how much the hearing aids were going to cost, he immediately went into lockdown. I asked the doctor to step out of the room and I told her to just make a bill out for what my dad had expected to pay and my husband and I would pick up the balance. My dad still had a difficult time writing the check but after some assistance he signed the check. I'm just glad we were able to help.
While we were setting up for his next appointment in 90 days, he keep saying to me "I want to talk to you when we get out of here."
He suspected that I had written a check for the difference of the hearing aids, and I didn't want to argue with him so I kept telling him I didn't have time to discuss things right now, that I needed to get back to work. I said this in a teasing way.
When we left the building, he said, "You wrote a check in there, didn't you?" I told him, "Yes."
Suzanne, he looked so upset, and so I said a fast prayer for God's strength and this is what came out of my mouth:
"This isn't just for you, Daddy. This is for all of us. We miss you. We want you to be part of our lives. You have your health, Dad, and, even more, you are very blessed."
He looked at me and after a moment said, "Well, I don't know about my health (laughing), but I know that I am very blessed."
I answered, "We are all blessed. Welcome to our world."
He smiled and he was truly happy. (But not with having to write such a large check!) :)
On Friday, Louie, Amy, Louis and I met Dad and Paulette at a restaurant for lunch in Keller because we needed to pick up some parts from them. When everyone first got out of their cars, Dad greeted everyone with a big smile and a hug and was actually able to know what everyone was saying to him. The look on their faces was priceless.
But that isn't the best part.
When we were waiting for our meal, for the first time in many years, Dad actually had a conversation with his grandkids. Somehow the conversation got around to buildings or something like that and....get ready...my dad suddenly started singing a song from the movie Oklahoma!!! It was absolutely incredible. I looked at him and he looked at me and we both had tears in our eyes. I don't know when I have loved my dad more than that moment. I will never, ever forget the look we exchanged from across the table.
I realize it was a simple, everyday occurrence for many people to have lunch and have a conversation with those people that they love, but for me it was a dream come true. To witness the joy that my dad brought to my family and himself...it was priceless.
Thanks for listening.
And Suzanne, yes, God is very, very good.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What a beautiful story! The Lord shows us that it is the small thing that can harm or bless us. The little foxes spoil the vine, but it's the meal and oil for one last loaf of bread, a cup of water given in His name, the widow's mite, kindness shown to the stranger who may be Jesus or an angel, and it is the time spent with family and friends that can show us His love in action.
I'm happy for you and your Dad and your family, Rose. I know it's good to have him back. I love you.
Suz
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