Making Each Day Better

 

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Wow. What a week this has been in our nation! It was within an hour after I published my last post, Documenting Real Life,  that life issued some hard knocks with the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, the serious injuries to some innocent bystanders, the shocking death of another bystander, and the quick fatal shooting of the sniper who caused it all. 

A few short days later the announcement was made that our current President was diagnosed with COVID, adding more fuel to the conversations regarding his suitability to run for re-election. 

I assure you, my readers, that I won't get into political talk here. It's not that I don't have strong opinions but rather, I just don't want to get into the varied rhetoric that would inevitably follow. 

framed photo in hospital room

But I will share with you something the Lord has been telling me recently and how the location of that bullet was another confirmation to me of how God is in control of all that happens.

A few weeks ago we had to make another unplanned trip to the hospital some 90 miles away, spent the night, and came home with questions about why this was happening and what could be done to improve the situation. 

During the long hours of waiting for doctors, enduring tests, and waiting for treatment, I sat leaning against a wall staring at the picture straight ahead of me. The ocean waves reminded me of a conversation God and Old Testament Job were having where God said the following:

Who kept the sea inside its boundaries

as it burst from the womb, 

and as I clothed it with clouds 

and wrapped it in thick dark?

For I locked it behind barred gates,

limiting its shores.

I said, 'This far and no farther will you come.

Here you proud waves must stop!'

Job 38:8-11 (NLT)

It is God who tells the ocean waves just how far they can swiftly roll up the sandy beach. 

It is God who tells our troubles how much they can attack us. 

Therefore we know it was God who told that bullet how close it could get to Donald Trump's skull. To apply this thought to each of us, it is God who is in control of the damage our troubles give to us. 

So as we turn over in our minds the issues that challenge us, we do well to remember the God who loves us is in absolute control of our lives in every detail. Whatever He allows, good or bad, is for a purpose for our good. We can trust that He is in control. I love the illustration of God-ordained boundaries for ocean waves and our troubles. 

bench in my neighbor's yard

Now I'll move on to more pleasant topics, starting with some of the questions posed by Joyce at her weekly Hodgepodge blog earlier this week. I won't respond to all of her questions because I have other things to share and need to keep this from getting too long.

Question #1: What is an adult problem nobody prepared you for?

I have been mulling this over for several days and have to admit that just about anything that has given me a disturbing challenge as an adult, I had actually seen in some ways illustrated to me in my growing up years. Had I paid more attention at the time, perhaps the upsets would have been less. 

But with that said, the relatively sudden death of my husband of 50 years did hit me with a distinct feeling of being unprepared. 

Conclusions I have reached about that are to accept what cannot be changed and to "live in the moment" now. It also helps to not borrow trouble from the future nor to get stuck in sadness regarding the past. 

2. Without mentioning any tech, what's your most prized possession? 

Photographs

4. (skipping question 3 for the sake of brevity) What makes a friendship successful? 

A good friend knows how to handle words and listens without judging. When advice is given, it is with kindness and gentleness. Harsh words, belittling, guilt-inducing accusations cannot be taken back, hurt the listener like the dickens and are hard to forget. Words can kill or heal. They flow from wisdom or foolishness.  

Facebook wisdom

Leaving the Hodgepodge questions, I've got more to share from this past week:

new couches, new rug

The new area rug arrived earlier than expected. (how often does that happen?!!!) Neighbors who are younger than us helped lift the heavy furniture so we could tuck the rug under. We plan to order another rug just like this one, only in a smaller size, to put under the dining room table and chairs. Then we expect to be done with home improvements. 👍🏻

movie poster

On another day, Gary took me on a movie matinee date, which is a good idea for people our age. Nighttime movies can turn into an expensive nap when viewed other than at home! Fly Me to the Moon was enjoyable, clean, and had a good moral ending. Yes, it was a 'chick flick' but with science and space, so Gary was okay with it. (and it was his idea to go!)

I've seen Scarlett Johansen in a lot of movies but this one was my favorite. Set in 1969, the costuming was a sweet memory, when fashions were definite all-girl or all-boy (with the exception of one eccentric character in the story). I was 19 the year this story took place, so it brought back fun memories.

Mary and me

Since marrying Gary my (already large) family has grown to a blended multitude. I have a couple more sons, two more daughters-in-law, at least 4 more grands and their spouses, and I'm even a step great-grandmother to three little ones!! I lose count every time I try to add them all up. 

This week Mary drove up to see us for a few hours. Leaving Gary at home, I took her to our golf club grill for a lunch of French Dip sandwiches with coleslaw. We had a wonderful time getting better acquainted. She knows how to bring out the best in people and I am blessed to have her in my life.

one of my current hobbies

Now that the Republican National Convention is over, I spent a couple of hours catching up on some of the speeches we recorded this week. Living in the Eastern Time Zone, much of the activity we wanted to see happened at our bedtime. But just sitting to watch one speech after another can be boring, so I gathered my pencils and one of my coloring books. That made the time more pleasant.

I close with this graphic that has helped me deal with some of the "stuff of life." Maybe it will be an encouragement to you as well.

The Lord be with your spirit. 

Grace (blessing) be with you. 

II Timothy 4:22