What really matters....

Tonight the pastor of our church from Indiana and his wife came into town. They are on their way to south Florida to visit his parents and wanted to stop in to see my mom and dad. They have been driving for 18 hours but did not want to drive through without visiting.

The girls and I were already there when they arrived. They came in and hugs were shared. I don't really know how to explain these people except to say that they are two of the kindest, most genuine people you will ever meet. I think Betsy said it best when she said, "Hugging Pastor John is like hugging God. He has a feeling of peace around him."

Within minutes they were sitting with dad, gently talking to him, reminicing about the days when they would work in the church office together, my dad's affinity towards duct tape (his motto was 'if it's broken, use duct tape!'), along with hello's and prayers from all of their friends back home. I could tell my father was enjoying the visit when Pastor John remarked what a good grip dad has. Being that he rarely talks anymore, he will squeeze your hand if he is trying to "say" something. Before dad went to sleep we all stood together holding hands, and John and his wife prayed with us. If ever I felt the hand of God, it was then.

I am so thankful that my girls were able to experience this prayerful time. We go to church and wee one enjoys Sunday school. She goes to her little friend's church every Wednesday for a weekly fun time, and we pray at home. However, tonight was different. They actually felt God. I don't know any other way to explain it. We learn about Him, we sing to Him, we pray to Him and we know He loves us. But it's times like these, when we are reaching out to Him for strength and courage to face the road ahead, we need to feel Him. And I thank Him for sending a faithful servant, in the form of our Pastor, to let us know that He is right here, waiting with loving arms to comfort and console us in our time of sorrow....and waiting with open arms to welcome my father, whenit's his time to go home.

When the girls and I left, my mom was sitting at the kitchen table serving coffee and cake. I hope that they are able to talk to her and calm some of her fears that I know she has, but won't admit. She is a strong woman but she is human....she needs to know that it is okay for her to be sad or angry or frustrated. If anyone can help her through it, they are the ones. They say that God works in mysterious ways....and this visit, at this particular time seems to fit that criteria!

 

It's been a quiet and rainy day. It has rained for a few days now which has been really nice. I believe ther is more scheduled for this week as well. I'm glad because it's getting to be the time of year when the green pollen settles on anything and everything outside. I wanted to go get our new patio furniture, but decided to wait until the green is gone. Those in Florida and Georgia know what I'm talking about....the stuff is all over! I can clean my porch from top to bottom and the next day everything is covered with a green film....you can only imagine how this is affecting me....lol.

Oh, and today my dh discovered the joy of my new vacuum! He moved the couch to clean under it....then decided it was so much fun that he would work with the attachments . He was all over the place....sucking up bug cadavers and errant pieces of lint. Betsy thought we were crazy being so excited over a vacuum....I told her to just wait....one day, after the romance and newness of her married life has faded, she will be calling me with tales of super suction and hepa filters....