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My friend, Leon, lost his mom this week, so please pray for him. I provided music for her funeral this morning, and I tried to incorporate her favorite hymns.
My pastor did an amazing job today. He not only officiated at the funeral but also sang a beautiful solo that I'm sure she would have loved.
I think she would have been pleased to see folks enjoying fellowship with one another afterwards.
She would have liked that.
Goodbye, Eleanor. We will miss you, and I look forward to seeing you again someday.
My son asked, "Hey Mom, can we go to the movies?"
I had to decline; although I'm feeling much better, it will take me two years to pay off a $2,000 hospital bill, and that's after my insurance took care of the other $15,000!
My budget was tight before my surgery, but it's even tighter after that unexpected medical procedure. I explained that my budget simply couldn't allow for a night out for three people right now.
He replied, "No, Mom, I want to treat you."
Wow.
Isn't he sweet?
So in a few hours, we will head out the door so that my son can treat his momma and brother to a movie. We're making a pit stop so that I can get them a "treat" as well, and then we'll enjoy a movie together.
I will need to turn off my phone, though. My ex has been calling all three cell phones today, and it's getting tiresome. I'm more than ready for a relaxing evening with my boys. I hope you have fun too!
This morning's prayer was incredibly encouraging for me. I was able to listen as a pastor shared his reason for being absent from a prayer group the previous evening: he made his family a priority, and he chose to enjoy some family time since his daughter was going out of town soon.
Wow.
I would have given ANYTHING to have my Dad put me first once in a while. I know that he loved me, and I'm sure that he's in heaven right now because he gave his life to Christ when I was a teenager.
Still, it would have been nice if he had shown me (by spending time with me) that he cared.
Brion is a blessed little girl to have a father who doesn't allow ministry to overshadow his responsibilities to his family.
After all, we should be able to minister to our own families before anyone else, right?
I give my boys a great deal of freedom as long as they don't cross the boundaries I've set. However, we still do things together as a family, and I'm pleased to say that my son gave me a kiss in front of his friends yesterday. WOO HOO!!!!! I was beginning to think they were choosing friends over me because they didn't want to be "Mama's boys," but I think they're simply stretching their wings a bit. In a few short years, (less than five....Lord, help me!) they will be out on their own.
What will I do then? When I'm not doing ministry-related activities or working, then I'm cooking, cleaning, fussing at them to get their homework done, etc. When they leave, that "empty nest" feeling will smack me upside the head.
Oh boy....
Instead of worrying, I'll just try harder to enjoy this time. They grow so quickly, don't they?
Happy thoughts....happy thoughts....
Ummm....
Oh yeah! School was canceled today since our basketball team made the semi-playoffs. They will hit the court at 5:15 p.m. in Columbus, Ohio, and a huge chunk of our staff and students are traveling to support them. I, on the other hand, am typing this blog before getting our church bulletin done. I usually type the bulletin on Saturdays, but we have a funeral tomorrow morning. Sunday is full because we'll have our regular morning service in addition to an evening one in Alliance, Ohio.
Let's pray:
Father, thank you for such a moving, enjoyable, anointed prayer time this morning with my friends. We only gather for an hour, but it goes so quickly! I kept wanting to pray about more stuff, but I didn't want to interrupt other folks. Isn't that wonderful, Lord? We're all looking forward to time with you in prayer! :o)
Please be with the Coach, who is a dear friend of mine. He's such a sweet person, God! After the pep rally, I was rushing across the school to my classroom when someone tapped my shoulder: it was Steve! He's so excited, God, and I pray that you keep them safe as they travel this weekend. Even if we don't win, we know that you have placed Steve in the lives of these players because he is a strong role model, someone who doesn't just give lip juice but actually lives the life of a godly, friendly, kind gentleman. Be with him as he coaches the team and mentors them, perhaps even as father-figure, and allow them to be proud of coming this far, even if they don't win the game. If they are trimuphant, Lord, please don't let them come back cocky and arrogant. Instead, help them to stay humble and lovable.
I also want to thank you, Lord, for relieving the pressure I've been feeling about some personal issues. You are so wonderful! I pray for the administration, staff, and students in our school district, and I also thank you for the testimonies of some folks who were bursting to share stories of answered prayer! That's so exciting, Lord!
I love you, Jesus, and I hope you stick close to my side over the next few days. Holy Spirit, please comfort my friend who lost his mother this week. Help him and his sister to feel your peace, in Jesus' name. Amen.
Today was the first time in three weeks that I've gotten home by 5:15 p.m.!
I had dinner done in the crock pot, but my children were with friends in the beautiful sunshine this afternoon. I ate alone, but it was relaxing...I was chatting on the phone with pastor while I nibbled on the pork chops and veggies before savoring a homemade cinnamon roll for dessert. (I love making those...they're cheap, and the boys think they're yummy too!)
Although it was tempting to stay at my desk and get more done at work, I chose to come home shortly after drama club rehearsal. Then I did some reading, watched a bit of t.v., and came downstairs to type this entry.
I'm planning to be in the bed early so that I can get up at 4:00, put chicken in the crock pot for supper, try to do one of my Taebo workouts for the first time since surgery, shower/dress/put on make-up, go to 6:00 prayer, and be at work by 7:15. Actually, that morning schedule looks entirely too hectic, but it really isn't as bad as it sounds. In fact, after Easter Sunday I'll be able to sleep in until 5:00 every morning. ;o)
Since it's 8:38 and I'm already sleepy, I suppose I should jump into prayer:
God, thank you for allowing me to slow down today! Thank you for kids who come in, hug and kiss me, and actually talk to me about what's on their minds.
Lord, you are so amazing! You see each of us where we are, whether we're happy or depressed, content or distressed. I like spending time with you, and I LOVE when your spirit ministers to me (especially in my lonely moments...like now).
Help me not to get too involved emotionally with anyone but you, Lord. I don't want to need anyone. You and I can do this together, right God? Help me to remember that.
Perhaps you can help me with boundaries. Maybe I need to stop carpooling when visiting other churches, which has been often due to Lent. Driving alone, listening to worship music, and praying calm me quicker than anything else. Would you like more time with me that way?
Father, I pray that you bless every person in my life, especially those who have hurt me. They didn't know any better, God. Some of them are just irritated at the world, and I seem to be a convenient punching bag. Others have difficulty listening to me because I'm so much younger than they are, but bless them anyway, Lord.
Clean me up, Lord! I want to be pleasing in your sight at all times, but I need you to help me. I love you, and I praise you with every breath that I take. In Jesus' name, amen.
It seems unbelievable that I haven't been on this computer since Tuesday. Wow.
I've been incredibly busy at work, but I'm happy to report that God has been showing off lately. ;o) He has gotten me in touch with some folks I haven't had opportunities to see, and he has allowed me to meet some folks I probably wouldn't have spoken to before my journey through the word this year. He is helping me to get along with some folks I used to argue with on a regular basis. And, yes, he is showing me parts of myself that simply need a bit more work.
What is he up to in your life?
I had fun today! Let's see...
1.) I went to prayer, which was nice. Then I went to prayer at my job and made plans to visit my friend, Annette, tomorrow morning before a staff meeting.
2.) I was asked out on a date this afternoon. Yes, I've been wanting someone with whom I could enjoy dinner and movies, but I just don't feel God urging me to date this particular guy. Believe me...if God isn't in it, I don't want it, regardless of his wealth or looks. Still, it's always nice to feel beautiful.
3.) My other friend, Chris, and I were able to chat for a while this afternoon. He is just a coworker, not a boss, so he never asks me to do anything for him. Man, it's nice knowing that he is interested in me as a person. He doesn't seem to care who sees us chatting; in fact, he isn't uncomfortable coming to my classroom for a good laugh.
4.) Yet another friend, Matt, told me about an open invitation to see Fireproof at a church. My older son was ill, and my younger son didn't want to go because, for the first time in a while, the weather was nice enough to play basketball with his friends in the driveway. So I went alone, and I'm glad I did. I highly recommend it! (Someone told me that I'd cry, but I didn't. Really. I didn't cry. I just had something in my eye...)
5. I received lots of compliments on the suit I wore to work today. It was a gift from a friend, and I'm sure she'd be pleased to know that folks like her taste. :o)
Sorry, folks...I'm sleepy and can't even think straight anymore. I suppose I'm done for now. Sweet dreams!
I love to worship God!
When I'm blogging or working on the computer at work, I'm usually listening to some kind of worship. My taste varies from gospel (like "Melodies from Heaven" by Kirk Franklin, which I'm listening to right now) to hard rock (Family Force Five is amazing) to soft rock (Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin).
What do you listen to on a regular basis?
After prayer this morning, I went to my favorite cafe to get some work done before a 9:15 meeting....but it was closed! :o(
So I went to church a bit early and finished the bulletin. While I worked, I praised God and lifted my voice to him. Simply blasting some worship music is all it takes to get me hyper, and I'm pleased to say that God was with me this morning! What fun!
Keep lifting your voice! He hears you, and he loves it!
