November 18th - "My life was mostly good - I'm thankful for that."

The story...

A close friend of mine met my mother, in her independent-living home, in November 2023.  I introduced him to her and they settled down to a one-hour conversation.  She shared her life story - past and present.  He in a chair and her laying comfortably in bed.  It was a great joy listening to my mother describe her life - mostly good but there was bad stuff too.  She shared her hope that her kids, grand kids, and great-grand kids would go to church.  Her greatest pain was the loss of her husband in 2011 - she described how she missed him every day.  They lived a good life and that made her happy.  The surprises and joys, in her current life, were centered around the different people that cared for her and met her needs.  "I never was around people like that, I really like them and some of them feel like friends."  That was her unexpected joy - she thought that relationships like those might be why she lived so long.

The only church in town will ideally be kinda like that independent-living home.  There will be some paid staff doing their jobs; but, most of the caring and loving will be shared among each other.  People living out their lives and faith, aligned with God's revealed Word, together.  The love my mother felt at the independent-living center surprised me each time I visited.  

What if we spent more time with the folks at church?  We might be surprised at the love we witness, receive and eventually offer to others.  Many of us are clunky and different so love might appear in unexpected and surprising ways.  Love experienced is worth it.

Just for today...

"If I can see nothing but my troubles, I am seeing with limited vision. Dwelling on these troubles allows them to control me. Of course I need to do whatever foot-work is required, but I also need to learn to let go."  Courage to Change (p. 323)

"When I'm uncommunicative or dishonest in my interactions, I set myself apart and feel rejected. Conversely, open, truthful communication nurtures feelings of trust and encourages me to participate fully in life. However, as I begin to change my old habits, fear of rejection sometimes tempts me to respond in old ways."  Hope for Today (p. 323)

"Loved my momma; She sustained me - Loved me tall; We were we."
"She passed on; Achy yet aware - Thankfully abiding; In God's care."   Am I a Poet?