I woke up yesterday morning in my grandma’s bed. I looked out at the trees…their naked fingers reaching for the murky sky. A flash of copper zipped by the window and I scooched over to see if I could find it again. An Eastern Towhee was flitting in and out of the Carolina Spice Bush and the Flowering Quince on the creek bank…its wings rustling the crispy leaves underneath, looking for something tasty. I smiled.
This is what I come here for. I rolled back on my pillow and pulled the covers up under my chin. At the moment, everything was still. No furnace, no pump, no logging trucks. Just Bluejays and Carolina Chickadees and a Hairy Woodpecker up in a dead tree somewhere. *sigh*
Someone shared here yesterday that relinquishing everything to God is like flexing a muscle. The more you do it, the stronger it gets. When God miraculously lifts the heavy burden of anxiety off you in a situation where you have always had anxiety before…you notice that. And, you want more of that peace. That “peace beyond understanding.” The only thing I did differently during my procedure a couple of weeks ago was A) I handed it over immediately and B) I didn’t ask for it back. That worked so well, I’ve been practicing it over and over and over and it’s really helping!
I slept like a stone.
“Thank you, God.” I whispered. “Thank you for carrying my worry basket last night.”
I thought for sure I would lay awake all night worrying about my Colorado peeps. When I woke up refreshed, it further reinforced just how strong that “giving it to God” muscle is getting. It’s a behavior modification. Something works and it’s easier to do again the next time you’re faced with the same challenge.
I checked in on my brother yesterday and got to talk with him on the phone. He said he woke up with a stuffy head, but by the time I spoke to him, he felt better. I was so relieved. Then I heard from Daughter #2 and they do have Covid. This was their fifth day and I think they are turning the corner. Thank you so much for your prayers and concern. I would very much appreciate it if you could keep lifting them up over the next few days till they’re all feeling better.
It felt great to get home yesterday. It feels like I’ve had a two week vacation. The weather man is predicting a huge snowstorm at the end of the weekend so when I was finished with my doctor’s appointment in town, I headed for the grocery store. I knew it was packed when I walked in and there were no buggies up front. Someone brought one back into the store (don’t you just love that when people bring the carts in?) and I tried to do a quick sweep around the store to pick up necessities. I wore two masks and stayed away from people as much as possible and slathered my hands with sanitizer when I got back to the truck.
When I got home, I did that dreaded chore…cleaning out the fridge so there would be room for the new stuff. Mr. FixIt took out the trash and I loaded the empty storage containers into the dishwasher. Then we had some time together, sitting in the family room, watching the news and old Big Bang reruns. I knitted a few rows on this pair of socks. They aren’t going as fast as the other pair. That’s because the yarn is much finer. Gail thinks I’m ready to try a sweater next!
Oh, and I lost seven pounds since the last time I saw the endocrinologist! Hooray for me!!!
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“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Matthew 24:13 NLT