Monday, May 24, 2010

My Temporary Task


This weekend we celebrated my baby’s birthday. My baby is fifteen. I am preparing now for the empty nest in three years. I'm discovering that my life is like that gripping novel you can’t put down. The one where you are emotionally connected to the characters and the events and circumstances surrounding their lives. That novel in which you find yourself anticipating the next page, wanting to rush through to find out what happens next. But as you get to the end you turn the pages more slowly because you don’t want it to be over, you don’t want to say good-by to the characters.

Like the final chapters of a great book, I’m wanting to turn the pages of my “life novel” more slowly, savoring every moment, not wanting it to be over so soon. I cherish the time when I have both my children home, something I probably used to take for granted. I thank God intensely for eight feet under my kitchen table. I’m a little weepy when my daughter goes back to her college life. And I realize from this point on there will be many good-bye’s.

When I find myself saying, “I’m not ready to turn the page Lord, I’m not ready for this chapter to be over!” I can hear my precious Savior gently telling me that He has entrusted His children to me for a short time.

I’m eternally grateful for this temporary task.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

The Dog and Butterfly


My son managed to snap this picture. A beautiful butterfly descending upon my flowers next to our front porch. This delicate, graceful creature perched upon the flowers brought a smile to my face and such a sense of peace. Ahhh, nature, I love it.
It just took a second for my son to capture the beauty of this butterfly, and it just took a second for my dog to capture it and eat it. Suddenly my smile turns to a scream as if I just witnessed a murder (well, I did). How could my faithful golden retriever be so, so unfaithful? The neighbors came running when they heard my scream and I had to relive the horror all over again to them.

Isn't it odd how our day can go from calm to chaos in a second?
Thankfully, our Lord remains with us to hold us up whether our chaos is minor (ok, I'll get over the butterfly) or a storm that is so dark we can't seem to find our way. Jesus' words comfort me both in my ever day real life chaos and when the storm is so treacherous that my ship is sinking.
"I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid. John 14:27