God is good

Although it was a tough week, I still managed to get a little playtime in. Wednesday, Jessica was here for the afternoon. We had just arrived and started to settle down when she had a seizure. I called the ambulance and we headed to the ER. They decided to admit her so she was there until Friday. Friday night we had dinner with our friends and spent 4 hours laughing as well as eating. Lots of play there. When we woke up Saturday morning, there was a call that Joshua had been hospitalized. He's fine. (Not sure about the staff at his home, but he's good.)

God has been so good through all of this. He has graced each of us with the ability to handle the responsibility that comes our way. Joshua and I were here alone when Jess started to seize. We were scared but still had calm and peace (in the whirlwind) and wisdom to do the necessary. I can tell you that God keeps his word.

Jesus said, "And I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matt 28:20

Rest, Relaxation and Play

I know how to rest. That means I stop doing stuff and sit still. Relaxing is harder. I can stop being busy and still not be relaxed. This leads me to the thing I don’t do well—play. I’ve decided to treat this summer as if I were getting out of school (which I am). The only problem is that I don’t know how to play. Even when I was a kid, I didn’t play well. I like to read and watch television. I like to crochet and cross-stitch. I like to bowl. Bowling is as close as it gets to playing and I haven’t bowled in 5 years.

Middle aged women tend to be engulfed by family commitments. There are aging parents. There are children who are at home or starting families of their own. We can get completely and utterly wrapped up in other people’s lives. Play becomes a luxury or foolishness instead of a way to relax and forget our responsibilities for a few moments.

We have friends that we see every month or so. When we call to make a date, the question is always “Can you come out and play?” When we meet, no matter what is going on in our lives we laugh until we cry. We have health issues as well as parent and child issues. It is our play time. Always. Truthfully, it’s one of the only times we allow ourselves that luxury.

To all there is an appointed time, even a time for every purpose under the heavens………a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 4

This summer, I am going to attempt to cultivate the habit of playing, laughing (and maybe even a little dancing). Join me. We might get from rest to relaxation all the way to the top of the ladder—playtime.

Calm Is What?

It’s easy to say I’ll trust God when things are calm. It’s a little harder when things are crazy. We’ve had car trouble (both cars—my car is repaired and Dwayne’s is currently at the garage). We’ve been a one-car family for several days. It can be done but I find myself getting testy. My independence is something that I guard. Losing it, even for a day or two, is something that leaves me uneasy. The flip side of it is that I’ve managed to get some cleaning done. I’ve also had time to rest a little, read a little and study some.

Aaron’s girlfriend has been having seizures over the last few weeks. It is something that can inspire fear. Watching Aaron take care of her has been instructive for me. When she had a seizure here the other night, he caught her, grabbed a pillow and held her while she was seizing. He was perfectly calm. It was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen—especially in one of my kids. God has given him calm in the storm. It’s a picture of what God has been telling me. “It doesn’t matter what’s going on around you, I have everything under control. You are mine and I can take care of you.” It’s comforting to know that God is bigger than I am. I forget that all the time. Lord, help me to know and remember you.

My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all, and no one is able to pluck out of My Father's hand. John 10:29