Allergies and Colds

It's that time of year when everything starts to bloom and breathing fresh air takes on a whole new meaning.  It's pollen season, but with the boomerang temperatures, it's also cold season - at least for me.  I finally accepted the fact that I had a cold and I was not happy.  Rest and fluids were the prescription for the weekend.

I did do the laundry, but otherwise I camped out in my recliner.  I tried to catch up on some reading but couldn't concentrate for long periods of time because the sneezing kept interrupting me.  Even now as I'm writing this blog, I find myself covered in a blanket and surrounded by tissues, even though it's a sunny 60 degrees outside.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18  Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

I could sit here and feel sorry for myself, but I'm not going to do that.  God has blessed me with very good health this year.  I'm thankful that I had no plans this weekend, that I could take the time to rest and that I have medicine to help alleviate the symptoms.  I'm thankful that my church does a live stream so I could watch my pastor's sermon this morning.  I'm thankful that my family checks on the progress of my recovery.  I'm thankful that I had defrosted a turkey to cook this weekend, because that meant I had really good food to help restore my strength.  And I'm thankful that I will begin a very busy week with plenty of rest and a body that's on the mend.

A Recipe for Every Day

Since I've been on this dairy-free, wheat-free, and gluten-free diet, my biggest complaint was the lack of a satisfying dessert.  My friend Sandra came up with the solution when she gave me a recipe for old-fashioned chocolate oatmeal drop cookies.  The only substitution I had to make was almond milk for milk and they are wonderful!

In the past, I might have made these cookies only on special occasions, like Christmas or Easter. Now I have them on hand every day.  When the last one is gone, I find myself craving those goodies and making another batch within a day or two.  (Obviously losing weight has nothing to do with losing my sweet tooth.)

Psalm 119:103  How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Some might read the Bible only on special occasions, like Christmas or Easter. How much more satisfying would life be if we craved the Word every day?

Taking Time to Listen

I ended my trip to D. C. by taking a bus tour of our nation's most famous memorials.  My favorite was the one marking the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima, but the most emotional was the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  This is a photo of the Wall with the Washington Monument in the distance.  The Wall is not illuminated night, but has only dim lights along the sidewalk.  You'll occasionally see flashes of light on the wall as people take photos of a precious name that is inscribed.

I stood watching as a Park Ranger helped one man from our very own group find his cousin's name.  After the Ranger walked away, this man just stood alone staring at the dark wall.  I had to turn away, but after a few minutes I walked over to him and quietly asked if he got the picture.  "Not yet," he said.  Then I asked if he wanted me to help him find the name again.  He agreed and together we spent the next few minutes located his cousin's name and getting a good photo with his phone.  We slowly walked back to the bus together and he told me about his cousin, his own enlistment and his service as a medic during the war.  His recollections gave real meaning to the experience of seeing the memorial.

Luke 2:46  Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.

Sometimes listening and asking questions are the very things you need to do to turn something special into something unforgettable.

On the Road Again

You might recall that I was recently away for a business trip to Jacksonville.  Today I'm writing you from Washington, D.C.  I actually got on a plane for the first time in 15 years!  This was a quite a big deal for me because I have a panic disorder and I've been dealing with it since 1996.  It's very much like a chemical imbalance that is triggered when I am in stressful situations or just unaccustomed to my surroundings.  I've spent time mentally preparing for the trip, discussing it with my doctor, asking friends to pray for me and working on an online Bible Study using a book called "Unglued".  "Unglued" is a study on how to deal with raw emotions, so I think this qualifies.  The leader for my study group (Danielle) has been phenomenal over the last few weeks, checking on me and sending me Bible verses.  This is one of my favorites.

Psalm 91:14-16  “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.  He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble.  I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."

This trip was a big deal, but He is a big God and took care of me.  He gave us good weather and a smooth flight.  I was very thankful for all the prayers that went up for me this weekend.  It is good to be loved by God and by your family and friends.

Digging a Hole

On Saturday my 13-year-old son wanted to dig a hole in the yard.  Why?  He was bored and wanted to do something.  Hey I had yardwork, which I gladly offered up.  When I told him I would not pay him to do the yardwork, he said, "No thanks, I'll just dig a hole."   So he found a spot in the yard where no harm could be done and commenced digging.  It wasn't long until my 8-year-old daughter joined him and began digging a hole of her own.

I stared at them out my kitchen window knowing I had never ventured out to dig a hole 'just because' and wondering if I had ever wanted to do so when I was growing up.  Again, I was asking, "Why?"

Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:  (v.6a) A time to gain, And a time to lose; 

What was the purpose of this?  Well, they gained time spent together and lost their boredom, which for me was worth the red clay marring my yard.

As dusk arrived, I marched out to tell them it was time to fill in the holes.  I was actually impressed with their efforts.  She had dug down about 18 inches, while he had made it at least 4 feet.  I took pictures, bragged on their feats, then they happily filled up the holes.  You know, this could be one of those days they will always remember.