Mornings with New Mercy

It's Saturday morning! I just checked in on the little frog and lady bug who live on my Google homepage, and they were having sandwiches and sodas. They are so cute I can't stand it! It might be a little sad and cat ladylike that I am obsessed with these critters, but I don't care. Although quite warm, this morning began with such a beautiful pink tint to the sky and a nice breeze that I was instantly refreshed. I cleaned the house this morning and ate some Special K with strawberries. Later, I will sit on the back porch and enjoy the trees and the roses my grandmother planted and God grew. Living in Granny's house makes me think of her all the time, and I wonder what she loved about this house. She lives at Morning Point now. It's an assisted living home which she used to call "Mourning Point" when she first moved in. She was easily agitated then as she was grappling with losing her mind to Alzheimer's. She's to the point now where she doesn't know what's really happening to her and she's much more peaceful. My family and I ate dinner with her on Thursday night. It was delicious chicken pot pie with wonderful, spicy rolls. Before we ate, my aunt Joyce asked her husband Bruce to "return thanks". She made sure we all held hands, and that note of intimacy got at my heart. Then, Bruce began to pray and we all had to strain to hear him. He later said that he does not shout when he speaks to God. Anyway, Bruce prayed for a sentence or two, and then Granny began to pray over him. I cannot tell you how that moved me. It was like breathing for her. She thanked her Lord for the time with her family. She thanked Him for the food, and then she asked Him that He would help everyone get home safely. She closed with: "In Jesus' name I pray, Amen." It was all I could do not to lose it right there. So, I stuffed my face with the dinner roll and washed it down over the lump in my throat with some sweet tea. I was so touched that she, of all things, remembers Who it is that takes care of her. I was so thankful that the Lord gave her a life throughout which He has been the mainstay. She doesn't remember how old she is or the names of her children all the time, but she remembers who her Father is. She knows where to go for help. I'm so thankful that for so many years she walked closely with the Lord because He became her good friend - the only one who knows the intimate places of her mind and still reaches the innermost areas. What a pictures of our Lord's faithfulness! And such a reminder that hope is constant. We are eagerly awaiting a savior whose presence is here even now to guide us, protect us, and provide for us. And all this relationship, loving, living, eating dinner, and praying is possible because of His great mercy. Because, at just the right time, while we were still sinners, He died for us that we may be called sons and daughters of God. I'm praying that He'll remind me this week that even in a situation that seems as hopeless as Alzheimer's, He is the all powerful and consistently loving God who holds His children in His hands and hems them in behind and before. On a side note, I went grocery shopping last Saturday, and I have had a phenomenal week. Coincidence? I think not.

Because I Said So

It's the first Friday of school and I'm at home watching Because I Said So starring Mandy Moore. And, I had Miss Betty's for dinner. What could be better? I mean, honestly, I have the job I've always dreamed of, I'm close to people I love (geographically and emotionally), and the God of the universe loves me and takes care of me. Yet, somehow, in all that blessing, I still worry about things. I guess that's part of being human and not being home yet, but there really isn't a reason to worry. At the end of the day, I have everything I need, and any time I want I can approach the throne of grace with freedom and confidence. It just doesn't get better than that. The icing on the proverbial cake is that the Lord is intimately involved in my life. At just the right time this week, He reminded me of Hebrews 10:39 which says: "We are not of those who shrink back, but of those who believe and are saved." Amen and amen. This is Truth, and it means that when I'm worried about school and whether or not I have the chops to teach, He is sufficient. When I worry whether or not I will ever get married, He reminds me that the church is His bride. When I worry about whether or not the check I wrote for my insurance will clear, He sends His peace with the reminder that He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and that I have not because I ask not. When I worry about worrying too much, He reminds me that He said not to worry because He is on His throne and He is in control. So, this week, by His mercy, I'm going to make an effort not to worry, because He said so. And His word is good. Also, I'm going to watch Mandy Moore struggle through finding a mate and I'm going to laugh at her and Diane Keaton with facial mask on my face and joy in my heart. I might also do the dishes. They are starting to smell a little.