Adequately Acquainted with Grief.

 Adequately Acquainted with Grief.

 

Sometimes things we read pitch us right into the pits of feelings that we would rather not consider or remember. The last Sunday school lesson for the month of May is about the death of our savior and the horrors involved in His death. Having heard and read descriptions of His prayers in the “garden,” the illegal trial, the mockery before and during His crucifixion, and then the strange sequences of the darkness, the earthquake, the tearing of the temple veil, and the broken tombs of several who were later raised from the dead, these things stay in one’s memory. But the descriptions were written after the fact of the resurrection. In my estimation, the grief felt by so many but especially those disciples and family members of Christ had to have been the kind that took away their feelings of hope entirely. Yes, He said that He would rise again. They remembered Lazarus. They had witnessed all the many miracles of life being restored, but they were living in the absolute most grievous time of their lives. Their master, their Lord, the son of God, was dead and buried. How do you suppose they handled their grief?

 

Grief has a way of taking one’s breath away and squeezing one’s chest tight against each attempt to breathe. It’s not just the initial heartbreak; it is the realization of death’s finality. Even knowing that we can look forward to a resurrection, losing a mate, a child, a dear friend, parents are all things that shock our heart and leave us trying to breathe without deep sobs. Nothing in this life can ever mean as much to us as those we love and feel we have lost. And maybe that is why God has given us so many promises to tell us that He has kept us and planned for us before we were even born! HE will never have to grieve for us since God gave HIS son as a sacrifice to guarantee our return to life. Abraham taking his son to be given as a sacrifice was a forerunner of what God would do with His son—a sacrifice. But Christ made it known that no one TOOK His life; HE laid it down as the sacrifice as His Father had asked Him. Even so, Christ was more than adequately acquainted with grief. He knew what His disciples would face in this world. He knew of those who would die for their beliefs. But He also knew that they would be in heaven with Him.

 

As humans, we know so many people who have been called Christians. And then there are those who have been baptized while just as addicted to whatever as ticks are addicted to blood. We cannot judge them—any of them. Our work is to spread the love that has been shared with us and encourage others to be led to God’s kingdom. Meanwhile, while many of us are also adequately acquainted with grief, we must breathe with joy as we learn to be filled with God’s love. May we continue to be encouraged and to be encouragers.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Mouse House?

 Mouse House?

 

Patty has been fussing about seeing evidence of a mouse. Around here some strange noise made me think that a mouse was in my house. Now the critter has left its calling cards! Cleaned that up and have poison out to try to take care of this problem. The poison is not supposed to kill a cat or owl if it gets ahold of the mouse, so there’s that. Think there is still a mouse trap somewhere but can’t remember where it was last seen. Oh well. Mom always said that mice were drawn to food bits, but she kept her kitchen clean and still had a mouse from time to time. Around here the blame would go to the dog food in their bowls, but that is not where the droppings were. Really think that mowing all the grass around here as short as possible is the reason we are getting the critters in our houses. And the spray the man put out has not killed all the wasps yet, either. Argh!

 

Picked up “Gerber” the cactus that Laisha left here with me and managed to get a sticker in my finger. How that happened is beyond me, but can’t imagine where else the sticker would have originated. Hmm. Moved the cactus and discovered tiny little ants. Great day in the morning! Now need to put something down for ants! Really don’t like killing spiders, but had one right over my bed that could not just be caught and removed easily. Now he is no longer on my wall. Sigh. Deadly old woman!

 

Michelle Malay came today and got two new tires for her truck. With road hazard and all that kind of insurance, her four new tires cost her a bit over $900. Yikes! Hate to think about having to replace mine anytime in the near future. These were made in Oklahoma by my friend who worked in the factory. She had them shipped to me and Discount Tire put them on for me. No factory warranty, of course, but they are still looking good. Hope they last another ten years. Not likely, but maybe they will last as long as the old woman.

 

This has been another “no news, no internet” day for me. Oh sure, checked the emails, but otherwise have not looked to see who did what to whom. It is absolutely just too much lately! If we were as careful about what we hear and read as we are about what we eat on a daily basis, we would all be much healthier mentally and emotionally. Reading some books that Sterling sent to me and another called The Promises of Heaven that was loaned to me by Sybil Moser at church. That one was very uplifting. These are much better than most of the books on my Kindle. The wonderful thing about the Kindle app is that books don’t have to be stacked or rearranged or dusted! Have also discovered some wonderful authors from way back before my birth that Mom and Dad had probably never known. When we could not get to Henrietta to the library, Mom’s bookcase was always stuffed with the good things from years earlier. Read The Robe and other good books back then. Lloyd C. Douglas was one of Mom’s favorites, so most of his are way back in my memory. It was great to grow up in a house of readers!

 

Have decided that cashews are just not one of the nuts that need to be in my handy dandy nut mixes. The ones still in the sack ready to be mixed with others will get sent home with Maria the next time she comes to clean this hairy house! Hazel nuts are ok, but pecans, walnuts, macadamias, dried fruit, and patience are much better. Need to go to the Pecan Shed to get some really good pecans. Expensive, but delicious! The last ones from there were a gift from my friend Maggie Sewell. Sweet lady!

 

Looking down at this keyboard with some sunlight across it has told me that the old woman needs to turn it off and clean it good with a denture brush! Earlier today the AC unit in the living room that Lance got for me last year got a good cleaning. Took out the front cover, the filter, and brushed out the coils that could be reached. What a nasty mess. Dog hair in the filter! Sigh. Love these two critters, but they certainly do need a good bath and brushing. Not sure if it would be worth it to take them to be groomed, but it might not hurt to try. Thompson would deal with it. Sylvia is another song and dance altogether. The old woman simply can’t handle washing them in the bathtub right now.

 

 Michelle told me that her oldest son called and wanted to come see her. It made me feel so good for her. She went to his high school graduation, but otherwise had not seen him since he was ten. Think he realizes now that he is 40 and has learned more about what happened back in those days that his mom was absolutely not the bad guy. Just takes time and experiences that make things clear about others. Anyway, maybe God will continue to bless their relationship.

 

Because the trash truck was backing up the road and Michelle’s truck was parked in front of my house, she had to go out and back down to my driveway. When she got ready to leave, the old woman offered to go get her truck. Had not realized that my left knee now has a crunk sound to it for every step taken. Doesn’t really hurt all that much, but it makes me wonder why it is doing that. Just what is needed around here! Oh, and that was the first time the old woman has ever “started” a car without a key! Wild. The gear “shift” is a dial. Simply cannot imagine what that would entail should it need repair!

 

Tonight will be another experiment. Going to “soak” in hot water again and see if that helps. Last night Sylvia’s tummy was upset and she would not settle down, so we were up and down at least four times. The last time she came in and the old woman must have slept right through it when she got back on my bed. Got up this morning and the back door was wide open!! Good thing the neighborhood skunk did not come to visit!

 

Have been enjoying green beans and “new potatoes” from cans for evening meals. Used the last cans of potatoes tonight. Think the last bowl will go in the fridge tonight. Just not all that hungry when taking these little pills. Guess it might be a way to lose weight, but would rather not do it that way. Oh well.

 

Let us pray for our nation, for the mess the world has become, for God’s people to stand up for what is right in every circumstance. We need to come together to show love to others in any way that we are able. May God help us.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

The Bingo and Thinking Day.

 The Bingo and Thinking Day.

 

The minister at Lakeside Baptist Church decided that his wife needed to talk to those of us who showed up for some snacks and a game or three of Bingo. Now this old woman had never in her life played Bingo, but found it amusing. However, the minister’s wife gave us a sweet presentation on what it means to be a Christ-like woman. She spoke less than ten minutes and had us nodding our heads and agreeing with her and encouraging her. What was pretty encouraging to me was the fact that she didn’t act like she knew it all and was not going to talk down to us. That happens in some situations, but it did not today. Ronda didn’t stumble around or add any extra expressions that were unnecessary. Given time and interest, she would be a good teacher.

 

The “snacks” were interesting. Cheese! Pepper cheese! Crackers and stuffed black olives, grapes, pimento cheese cut up sandwiches, and packages of chips with French dip and other types of dips were mighty tasty. Brownies! Coconut crème pie! Wow! It would be easy to mess up a diet with those kinds of goodies—not that any of us really give a rat’s hind leg! At our age, what difference does a pound make?

 

Came home from the ladies’ luncheon and decided to just rest my back for a while, but found no position that felt restful. My friend Michelle is having much of the same problems and bewailed her inability to use her deep bathtub for soaking. So, maybe before bed tonight the old woman will try Epsom salt and hot water. For sure the pain pills and arthritis meds are not doing much!

 

Have not looked at local or international news today and just spent some time reading. Did notice one headline without going into depth on the subject. It said that a new “National Police” would take the place of local police. That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. Maybe it meant in Europe. Nevermind; it was in other countries. For sure it would not work in Texas.

 

Today has been another “bird song” day! The mockingbirds have simply been ecstatic in their songs and dances from tree to tree! And here in WF we have had at least three different kinds of painted buntings visiting neighborhoods. Some tiny little finches have been flying around the trumpet vines and rose bushes in our neighborhood, too. The wrens are not as noisy, but they certainly seem to be busy. We may not have as many bugs this year with all the birds feeding babies.

 

Oldest son turned 56 today. Sent a song message to him that he could open at his leisure. Did not think he would want the entire office to hear his mom warbling. His WIFE has a beautiful voice, but him mom still sounds like a veritable toad. Oh well. Know that Tracy is making him a peanut butter cheese cake tonight! Neat!

 

One thing that made me smile today that we should all consider: Be an ENCOURAGER. Let God’s love give you a good shove in the right direction because you never know who needs just a bit of encouragement!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.