Sweetness on Turkey Day

I had a bona fide meltdown last Sunday. After a shower, church, and lunch in a restaurant with a very slippy floor, I arrived home exhausted. My leg hurt. My heart hurt. And I wasn't sure I could make the trip to South Georgia to celebrate Thanksgiving with my husband's family. So I cried and prayed and asked God to show me what to do.

My answer came in a phone call Monday morning. After a short conversation with a family member, I knew I was supposed to go.

So I packed lots of pillows, rode in the back seat, and propped my foot in Sam's lap - all the way to Bulloch County. While I enjoyed several sweet moments with family, this one remains my favorite.

We arrived at the "River House" about thirty minutes before meal time. While all the other women scurried to prepare the food, I sat with my achy foot on a stool. Before long, Lawrence, our nephew-in-law, walked over and handed me his new born son, Tripp. Tripp is only about two weeks old and as I gently traced his tiny fingers, I marveled at the miracle of life.

Soon after, Baby Catherine crawled over to meet tiny Tripp. Baby Catherine is a miracle herself. Doctor's didn't expect her to live. But after months in the hospital, she defied the odds. When I'm close to her, I feel like I'm connected to a concrete miracle of God.

So as I sat holding Tripp while Baby Catherine checked him out, I was overwhelmed with wonder, and thanked God for all that's good in life.

Nikki, my step-daughter, caught us film and posted the photo on Facebook.

The Psalmist once said, "But as for me, it is good to be near God." (Ps. 73: 28) As I cuddled with Tripp and Catherine, I felt near God and it was good.

New Shoes

I have two new shoes. The right one provides stability for my loose ankle. The left one anchors the weight bearing ankle and foot. Both have made my life easier this week.

It took me a while to remember that this morning. While my right ankle seems to be calming down, I'm still overcoming painful memories from last week. The slightest motion in the wrong direction pulled on a tendon no longer stabilized, triggering an intense spasm of pain several times. I taught all my lessons and even showed my house twice to potential buyers, but this morning I was just wearied by it all.

So I put on some make-up, drank some coffee, and took a picture of my feet on my colorful Guatemala throw. And since it's that time or year, I'll take a moment to count my blessings.

For one, Nathan's at Lee University today, playing with their honor band. My first in-laws drove him there and have spent two days toting him to and from rehearsals. I had plans to be there today, but other's are there for me instead. He's in good hands.

Sam is at the Dreamer's Conference at Riverstone Church. So while we're both dealing with odd physical issues, he's still dreaming big, swimming like crazy, making good grades in school.

And as I've struggled to get around this week, I've often thought of those who don't have access to special boots or doctors or surgeons who can tighten their loose ligaments. I'm inconvenienced. But I have hope. Imagine being crippled with no hope.

Some other blessings... Baby Catherine is thriving (see www.letterstocatherine.blogspot.com). Baby Hazel (grandchild #2) is adorable. Our store, "Go Fish" has survived during the economic downturn thanks to my husband's relentless dedication. And the God of heaven that we serve is simply more than able.

As I wobble through another day, hoping not to ignite that tendon, I will "hold unswervingly to the hope that we profess, for he who promised is faithful." (Heb. 10:23)

Changed Hearts

Meet Lily, the Cavalier King Charles puppy my parents recently acquired. She's adorable, a ball of happiness that flits about chasing shadows. She runs like the wind and then collapses like a blob of jello molded to your lap.

There's nothing unusual about someone liking Lily, except when that someone is my dad.

Growing up, we always had a dog. Pele, an Airedale Terrier, ran long and hard for sticks but lost two litters of puppies, the last of which died on an Easter Sunday morning. Pepper, a small Cockapoo, filled our home with flees on more than one occasion and loved to tear up trash when left alone for too long. Still, both dogs brought humor and fun to our home well into my adult years.

But after Pepper died, my dad vetoed another house pet. He bought my mom dog statues and paintings, but wanted to live pet free after years of animal maintenance. And they did, for almost thirteen years.

Then came Lily.

My niece, Jessica, was asked to sell Lily and her sibling after their owner tired of caring for them last summer. Farm girl Jess was the right babe for the job and carried the two pups to the Marietta Square on July 4th, hoping for a sale. No one would have guessed Lily would melt my dad's heart, but she did. Within the month, she began life in my parent's abode and I continue to hear stories that amaze me.

Lily greets my dad with a flying leap to his lap after he returns from work. Then she climbs up his chair and nestles like a warm scarf around his neck. And he loves it. I even heard a rumor this week that she slept in my parent's bed, nestled on a soft fleece.

And I wonder who this new man really is...

But just about the time I got comfortable gloating about dad's changed heart, God did a radical work in mine. I'd sworn I wouldn't move to Don's old home. Living where his former spouse radiated God's glory through her life and death seemed a hurdle not worth trying to jump. The blended families textbook scenario strongly suggests we should to sell both homes and start over with a new one. But just when the house was about to sell, we stopped by and God changed me. In fact, the realtor had called that very morning during church and my heart lept at the thought that someone had made an offer on the house. Little did I know that by sundown, I would be planning a move, trusting an inner peace I still can't explain.

Are you up against a wall? Can't see beyond the brick and mortar you face? So was I.

Take heart. Be of good cheer. God changes hearts, yours and mine.

"The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power... and you will be changed into a different person." (1 Sam. 10:6)