Each year at VBS we teach the children to watch for God. We give them bracelets to wear that say just that. We ask them everyday what their God sighting was and we get some generic answers sometimes but sometimes we get real ones also!
This Thanksgiving holiday found our household in our usual condition of illness - Coach Burns, while still recovering from knee replacement in early September, somehow contacted the flu virus. Even though he had a flu shot, this nasty little bug did quite a number on his well being. By Tuesday of Thanksgiving week it was decided that we would be spending Thanksgiving Day home alone....Now that may not seem like a big deal to you but truly it was to me. You see I stay so busy working to supplement the loss of income from Coach Burns that I dont have a whole lot of time to visit with family and friends. Thanksgiving, however, has always been a day of just good food, good fun, visiting and catching up...... except this year homebound with my partner who did not even feel like talking much less celebrating...
Let the pity party begin....so not like me but somethimes you just cant help it! Sometimes you just cant get past the what if or how come or if only... Thankful - yeah right?? Sure I am thankful for all that the Lord has blessed me with BUT a little part of me was resentful and angry and sad and lonely.....Satan was in my head and look out - Laurel Burns was weak and tired and tired and weak...to get thru this four day holiday help would have to come.
So I started to watch for God.....please God show yourself to me somehow...reassure me that you love me and that this is temporary....
The first God sighting came on Tuesday night when a sweet sweet lady friend of mine who offered me an entire crockpot full of soup that she had made. My friend is a wonderful cook, a blessing to all who know her and the Lord uses her daily to show his love. I admire her so much that I overflow with emotion to think that she thinks of Coach Burns and I as much as she does! The crockpot full of chesseburger soup was enough for my office at work on Wednesday and we enjoyed a fellowship dinner together - something that does not happen much in our office. Thank you God for showing yourself to me through Ms. Myra Stewart!
The second God sighting came on Thanksgiving Day when our pastor and his wife prepared and brought us Thanksgiving Dinner complete with cranberry sauce and all the trimmings! I had planned on getting take out from Cracker Barrel for Thanksgiving dinner but once again God showed his love for us through this family that has blessed us for three years now with their friendship, their love and their prayers! They go through so much pastoring a church and their compassion and love never ceases to amaze me. I thank God for them and I am blessed to have them in my life! I believe I saw a Coach Burns smile when he ate his dinner - first one I have seen in a LONG time! Thank you God for Brother Greg and Amory and for showing me that even on holidays sometimes non blood family is truly family!
The next sightings were brought to me through my longtime friends who there simply are not enough words to describe. On Black Friday, I normally shop with daughter but she was out of town (getting engaged - imagine that -Wahooooooo!!!) so my dear sweet friend Sheila and I went treasure hunting - we spent the morning together and it made my soul dance! She is without a doubt an angel - we had an great time treasure hunting and the treasure we found was priceless - time spent with friends cant be bought! Thank you Lord for sending Ms Sheila Hogge to lift my spirits and enjoy the day - I know that the Lord has used her time and time again to help me - she is a treasure!
And finally, leaf blowing....anyone who know where I live understands that we have more pinestraw and leaves than we have dirt and grass....always! Coach Burns has not been able to keep up with the yard work for a couple of years now - we have done just enough to get by. Sometimes me, sometimes Lex, but mostly it just gets neglected. Yesterday after church, I made the comment at lunch that I was going home to blow leaves because the driveway was deep deep deep and it was dangerous to anyone who walked out there - not to mention the cars were skidding as you went in and out of the drive. God sent his faithful servant Chuck Hogge to blow the leaves with a kind heart and a caring spirit and friendly love that was none other than that of Jesus....He quickly volunteered with a smile and an attitude that was contagious! Instead of napping between services, he and his lovely wife spent the afternoon with me! While he worked, we chatted and what a beautiful job he did! No words can describe the friendship - tears of appreciation for all that the Hogge's have helped me through - they are pure angels sent to help me on this path that has been placed before me....Thank You Lord for blessing me with them!!!
Jesus said “
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
I believe that Jesus knows that Myra Stewart, Greg & Amory Sellers, and Chuck & Sheila Hogge are his disciples! Thank You Lord for letting me see the love!
