Happy Monday

I know, I know - old people again. But I just can't seem to help myself.

Click here and enjoy the clip.

May you feel His grace today,
Gail W.

The last Word:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him!
Romans 15:13, NIV.

You Go, Girl!

Old people are my favorite hobby. I found this picture over the weekend. I was just trolling through images of old people on the web. This picture sparks my imagination. It makes me wish I could sit down and feast on this woman's company.

Elders have long been a sustaining force for me. As a child, I was nurtured by my grandmother. My entire professional life has centered on elders. The folks I work with now are mostly in their nineties or above. They scoff when I tell them they are beautiful.

They are beautiful. Wrinkles on top of wrinkles, white hair, joints swollen with arthritis. It all tells a story. It is all a testament to endurance. Elders are walking pictures of history.

I love to think about the events that each one has lived through. How has the world changed in their lifetime? What great events in history did they witness firsthand? What do they know about the world that the rest of us are too young to know?

I am blessed by elders every day. What about you? How do they figure into your life? Who would love to just sit and enjoy? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter.

May you feel His grace today,

Gail W.

The last Word:

Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a life of righteousness.

Proverbs 16:31, NIV.

Strenthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear. Your God will come."

Isaiah 35: 3,4, NIV.

She's Back

Dear Friends,
I’ve been away for several months. That is another story for another day. I am so grateful to those of you who sent notes, wondering where I was and praying that I was alright. I am happy to return to Blogland. I had been waiting to dive back in when God sent me a day I could not keep to myself. I love you all and pray my words will cheer your heart.

Three years ago, my daughter Katie and I went to a doggie adoption fair at a local pet store. We met a little fellow who was half pomeranian, half cocker spaniel and 100% heart. Katie instantly fell in love with the dog. But there were two families who had already expressed an interest in him. We added our name to the list. Over the next few days, my daughter asked a dozen times, “Do you think we’ll get that dog, Momma?” I dreaded her response if the dog went to another family.

Two days later, I received the phone call that Mr. W had been found dead of a heart attack. It was a horrible day. That night, the animal shelter called, “Do you still want that dog?” It was a miracle. So at a time of great sadness, Sammy entered our lives, bringing with him a world of comfort and love. Knowing about Katie’s loss, the woman who fostered Sammy ordered a medallion for his collar. It was engraved, “Katie’s Guardian Angel.”

Six months ago, I took a new job. It was my dream job but very demanding of my time. With one daughter off to college and the other immersed in her social life, I watched as Sammy grew sadder and sadder. He stopped following me to the door in the morning. He knew he wasn’t going anywhere. He spent his days alone, whimpering in delight when anyone came home.

This would not do! Sammy had been a ray of sunshine in our lives when we needed it most. I couldn’t bear to see him so sad. Six weeks ago, I knew what I had to do. I had to find Sammy a new home where he would receive the love and attention he craved. After all the joy he had brought us, he deserved nothing less.

Finding Sammy the right home was not as simple as I had hoped it would be. I put out the word, hoping someone in my circle of friends would want him. Nothing happened. I registered him with the adoption group that first brought him to us. I took him to a doggie adoption fair. Nothing happened.

As the weeks dragged on, I was in agony. Every time I hugged and kissed Sammy, I would think, “Soon now, it will be the last time.” I prayed that God would send the right family to us and that He would do it quickly. Just when I thought I couldn’t bear another week of this, God once again showed His love through this little dog with a big heart.

Today, I met a family looking for their first dog. Their twelve year old daughter had been begging for a dog for months. The mom told me how they had agonized over the decision. She had prayed to find just the right dog. I explained that I had been praying just as earnestly for God to send Sammy a wonderful new home.

When the young girl sat down on the floor, Sammy jumped into her lap and stayed there. The girl beamed, her smile made more adorable by a gleaming set of braces. Not only had she found a dog, she had found a friend. A furry, cuddling friend with a warm tummy and plenty of kisses for her. A friend to love her unconditionally through the turbulence of passing from child to young adult.

I told the story of how Sammy had earned the medallion, “Katie’s Guardian Angel”. I explained that I believed his work with us was through. It was time for him to move on to another family in need of a loving pet. I shivered when the mom turned and said, “This is my daughter, Katie.”

So tonight, Sammy has a new home. The medallion I had thought we would keep to remember him went with him. Another Katie has found her guardian angel. Another Katie is rubbing his belly and assuring her mother that Sammy sleeping on her bed would be a good thing. As he sat in his new family’s car to go home, I joked, “Gee whiz, Sammy. You could at least muster a tear or two!” But in my heart, I was thrilled as he smiled. Without a single look back, he rode away to the next stop on his journey of love.

Tonight, two families’ prayers have been answered. God has once again revealed His mercy and His own sense of timing. While the parting is painfully bittersweet, it affirms that God is in control of all things. When we call, He answers more abudantly than we could have wished.

May you feel His grace today,
Gail W.

The last Word:
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29: 11-13.

A Mother's Job

For more reverential ponderings on Mothers Day, stop by Angie's place!

From the dawn of the human race, mothers have struggled with guilt. Mothers have made mistakes. Mothers have wondered which of their children's woes could be ascribed to the hand that rocked the cradle. This Mothers Day, I think of the age old tradition of mother-guilt.

Can you imagine what Eve suffered in this department? Eve blew the family's chance to live in the very best neighborhood. She let her husband run around without a clean shirt and slacks. She raised her sons, but one turned out to be a murderer.

Poor Eve! How many times did she replay her mistakes in her mind? Did she worry what the other mothers must think of her? Did she resent Adam for her own bad judgements? Did she look at her polar opposite offspring and wonder where she went wrong?

Mothering is the biggest job on the planet. Tonight, I am thankful for Eve, the mother of all mothers. No offense to her, but her story reassures me I'm not doing so badly after all. Here's to every mother who ever did the best she knew how to do - a blessed and guilt-free Mothers Day to us all!

May you feel His grace today,

Gail W.

The last Word:

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31: 28-31, NIV.

Back from the Brink

We all have distinct signs that we have officially gone "over the edge." Friday morning, I dashed off to work with a million things on my mind. Work, family and my expanding thighs vied for the lead in my racing thoughts. By midmorning, I realized I had not even visited the ladies room.

Thankfully, no one was walking by to hear my belly laugh from this tiny retreat. You see, it was the first time in the day that I had occasion to look at my feet. Looking back at me were two different styles of shoes. In my defense, I have several pairs of white work shoes, allowing them to "breathe" a day or two between uses. And I did have a right shoe for my right foot, a left shoe for my left foot. They just weren't the same make.

As I drove home Friday evening, I noticed the slogan on this panel truck. "AAA Batteries Delivered and Installed". From the dense fog of my mind came the question, "Why on earth would somebody need a tiny AAA-sized battery delivered and installed?" Once I recognized the AAA emergency road service logo, God treated me to another belly laugh. I knew I shouldn't be operating a motor vehicle, so I carefully drove home and hung up my keys.

How about you? What are your "Stick a fork in me, I'm done" signs? I'd love to hear I'm not the only maniac out here on the loose!

May you feel His grace today,

Gail W.

The last Word:

So the Lord scattered them from there all over the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel - because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world.

Genesis 11: 8, 9, NIV.

Bubbles for Sydney

Sydney believed in God and the precious name of His Son. She loved her dog as well as all other animals. She rarely argued with her younger brother. She always took her friends' side in teenage breakups. She mugged for the camera in the lingerie department of Target.

She was an honors student and a formidable athlete. She went to her junior prom. Two weeks later, a speeding tractor trailer with a distracted driver sent Sydney into the waiting arms of Christ. One year ago this week, I answered my phone and heard my youngest daughter sob, "Mom, one of my friends got killed on the way to school today."

This afternoon, we stood in the cold rain to see a garden overlooking her childhood soccer field being dedicated to Sydney's memory. As the rain subsided and the ceremony closed, the crowd blew bubbles into the air from tiny bottles provided by the family.

Tonight, I have more questions than answers. How do you put one foot in front of the other? How do you continue to breathe? How do you ensure the shock of a child's death does not eclipse the joy that was her life?

Tonight, I covet your prayers for everyone touched by Sydney's journey through this world. I thank my God that you are there to ask.

May you feel His grace today,
Gail W.
Photo credit

The last Word:
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. . . And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Revelation 21: 1-4, NIV.

Dollar Store Delights

When my daughters were little, the Dollar Store was my best friend. There I could dazzle the tots I loved without breaking the bank. I think of those days wistfully, especially when paying a teenager's car insurance or a semester of college tuition.

Tomorrow, my youngest daughter takes her SAT's. I wanted to do something to encourage her. So tonight, I once again enjoyed the thrill of a Dollar Store bonanza. If you promise not to tell, I will share my recipe for a discount boost of an anxious teen's heart.

Assemble the following Dollar Store items and label them as indicated:

• Bratz Doll Lip Gloss - SAT Tip #1: Look Good to Do Good.
  
  
• SpongeBob SquarePants wrist watch - SAT Tip #2: Be on Time.



• Mickey Mouse Car Keys - SAT Tip #3: Drive Carefully to the Test Site.



• Squirt gun - SAT Tip #4: Take Care Against Cheaters.



• Deck of playing cards - SAT Tip #5: Take a Break During the Test.



• Snack bar - SAT Tip #6: Keep Up Your Blood Sugar.



• Blowing bubbles with wand - SAT Tip #7: Enjoy Yourself When the Test is Finished.
  

Place the labeled items into a tissued gift bag. Watch said teen smile and protest the silly gift while you know she's loving it. Praise God for His great mercy and care.

May you feel His grace today,
Gail W.

Photo Credit

The last Word:

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!

Matthew 7: 9-11, NIV.