Even though the sun has been up for quite some time, I am struggling to rise to the Monday morning routines of laundry, menu planning, and weekend recovery for my home. It is not that I had a bad weekend, it is that we had such a wonderful weekend.

Because we live nearly fifty miles (or more) from most of my husband's family, we do not see them as often as we would like. Their busy lives paired with our busy lives makes getting together a rare occasion. This weekend we had two high school graduations to celebrate and got to see many of our dear ones at both. What joy!

It is sad that people no longer can send a lilting "hello" over the back fence and summon a sister, cousin, or mother-in-law. My husband and I were filled with a small sense of loss over the years missed in the lives of these bright and talented young people. Our nephew Andrew treated all of us to a percussion recital that was incredible, despite thunder and torrential rain hammering at the roof of the school auditorium. Our niece's daughter Marisa shared her plans for attending training for law enforcement, and we were pleased with the opportunity to hear of her plans.

It all makes me wonder about heaven. I think of those who have gone before us and the joys they have missed here. I know that my dear father-in-law would smile from ear to ear if he could see his grandson's and granddaughter's children. I have so much to do here, and I am in no hurry to go there yet, but I hope our Lord and Father gives us all lots of time to "catch up." I have so much to tell them.

We are surrounded by voices that urge us to buy, spend, and continually acquire more stuff. It seems the basis of our so called "economic health" in the United States is based upon all of us being good and faithful consumers of more and more things.

One of the television shows I sometimes watch is called Mission Organization on HG TV. It is amazing how much folks can accumulate, and I do not exclude myself from this reality. There is definitely an underlying note of "giving away" in this show, but an even stronger note of just learning to purchase the "correct storage receptacle" in order to not look like an over buyer. I'm not sure where the shows are that tell us to stop and think before we purchase. Is this an idea whose time has come?

Where does all our stuff come from? And where does it all go? Why do we just keep getting more and more?

I am convinced that folks are trying to fill some empty space with things. I do not wish to paint everyone with a broad brush, but it seems this is one issue that our modern society does not dare tackle. Where would our economy be if we just stopped "buying?" Since we dare not mention God or the lack of His presence in our lives, the hole stays empty and the "stuff" just keeps pouring in.

I made up my mind some time ago that I would always answer the requests from charities for donations. I will try to be a wiser consumer, and I will try to honor God in my purchases. My prayer is that God will keep His hand in my life, as I try to consume less, buy less, and live more.

Psalm 37:25 "I was young, and now I am old; yet never have I seen the righteous forsaken, or their children begging for bread."

Lately I have been a frequent observer of the trials of aging. I have seen the physical and intellectual frailty, and felt the anxiety that unwelcome change brings. I have witnessed joy, laughter, tears, anger, and sadness. I have felt powerless to change circumstances, and have tried hard to listen, love, and help.

What comfort the words of I Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety (cares) on Him because He cares for you."

I do not have to know about the exact details of the future, because God is already there. That is peace.

There is some unchangeable law of the universe that if one plans a move, has a baby, is getting married, or God forbid must attend the funeral of a loved one, the weather will be in some way too hot, too cold, or just plain nasty.


I can report that this particular bit of reality was in full force this past weekend. My husband, my older sister and brother -in-law and I (all folks in our late fifties), traveled to Indiana to help our youngest sister and her family move. The temperature was well into the nineties, and on the way there big sister and her husband had to sit out a severe thunder storm huddled in their car and watching light poles being blown down. (These are the same folks who on their last trip to our youngest sister's home had a huge deer run into them and crash out their windshield.)

Despite the weather the move was on. When you take into account the litany of "old folks" complaints among the four of us such as; always impending gout, a recovered stroke patient, an injured back and one very bad knee, I am surprised we were any help at all! I think we were surprised that we helped as well as we did. I plan on never moving for the rest of my life. Ever.

Now...if I could just pay someone to go into my parents home and take everything away on some dark night. Sigh.

Today we travel hundreds of miles in the first of the summer's heat to help family change their address. They go from a large house to a small apartment. It is one of those big changes in life that we either eagerly anticipate or fearfully dread, sometimes feeling both emotions simultaneously.

In our society of buyers and wanters we often long for whatever it is that we do not have. In magazines and on television we see the glories of palatial gardens, the coziness of homey surroundings filled with careworn antiques, and we think about owning, having, enjoying.

Today I feel with certainty that the place I am now is the home I was meant to have. I pray for the privilege of taking care of it, not for the praise or recognition of a larger audience, but only for the comfort and enjoyment for ourselves, our family, and our friends. So many in this world would see our lives as blessed beyond measure, see our suburban tract home as a palace, our well stocked refrigerator and pantry as largess beyond their wildest dreams. We have so much. We have so much. Make us worthy of these gifts, dear Father.

"Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent."
Psalm 91:9-10

It is easy to get lost in the "what ifs," the fears, the scary places of the mind. It takes courage and wisdom to accept the hand of God in our lives. I must know beyond knowing that God is my refuge and strength and that His plans for me are good. Give me the wisdom to accept His grace, His love, and His mercy. Amen.

I almost never watch the Today show. It is not my cup of tea, but today for reasons obvious I was channel cruising and landed on a health segment. Dr. Oz, a major hunk by the way, says that having chronic reflux can cause one to be the "cold getter/sickie" when everyone else is just fine thank you.

Whoa! No wonder my doc is trying so hard to get me to take those anti-reflux meds. Now I get it. I am most definitely the "sickie" of all the adults in our family. You better believe I will be hitting the Prilosec every day from now on.

And, oh yeah, I still hate being sick.