A Goldilocks Life

Milestones and Reminders

I felt anticipation as I headed north on Route 45. In just a few minutes I would be picking up a gift for my son and me that Michaela at his former assisted living place called and said she had for us. Behind me a siren blared, and I moved over as an ambulance zoomed past me. Still driving north, I reached the next turn and parked at Ray’s former home.

At the nurse’s station, the manager and nurses greeted me. I hugged each one as they said how much they missed Ray. I told them Ray and I appreciated their great friendship and care while he lived there. Michaela approached me with a large present, and my eyes widened as I opened an 11 x 17, framed photo of Ray dressed in a dapper English-looking outfit (photo above). My heart filled with joy as I thanked her and asked them all to sign the back of the picture.

As I turned back out onto Route 45 and headed to visit Ray at his new place, the ambulance that had passed me earlier pulled out of an auto repair shop, turning on its lights and siren, heading to the hospital.

It struck me that everywhere at every moment people are facing many different circumstances. Some are working hard in their offices or school rooms, and others are bending over the engine of a car working with their hands. Somebody had a serious medical emergency at the repair shop that day and needed to be rushed to the hospital.

God’s word tells us in Proverbs 27, “Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring.” While I was enjoying hugs and presents, a person four blocks away was in serious distress, perhaps needing life-saving care. Let’s pray: Lord, we don’t know what the future holds, but we know you hold our future. Please help us face whatever you bring to us today, whether good or bad. Give us thankful hearts for special blessings. May we be aware of the people around us and pray for those in need of help in any way. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Home Sweet Home

Steve and I took a week away, driving to Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. On the way home we went to the Western & Southern Cincinnati Tennis Open, and we met with family and friends along the way. What an amazing country we live in. I’d never seen the green, rolling mountains of West Virginia or Chesapeake Bay near the First Landing of John Smith in 1607. Don’t get me started on the historic significance of Williamsburg with many original buildings from the early 1700’s, including the Bruton Parish Church where George Washington’s pew is marked. It is an inspiring place and worth the trip.

Tennis is my favorite sport. I played regularly in my young adult years. When I didn’t use my racquet for more than ten years, I left it behind on one of our many moves. I like to watch tennis championships on TV, so the fact that the Cincinnati Open was on our way home inspired us to get tickets for two days of live professional tennis. Seeing famous players like Venus Williams and Gael Monfils in person was inspiring.

Once back home, we unpacked and settled in. We slept better than we had in a week. There’s no place like home. It reminds me of life with Jesus Christ. Most days go along one to the next with little changes, but with Him in the center, we have guidance, peace, and joy even through the down days. We look forward to when we will spend forever in the Lord’s presence and we will truly be home—not just to sleep better or have our routine back, but to enjoy being in God’s presence with our brothers and sisters in Christ for eternity. The Bible says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9) I can’t wait to truly be home in heaven. Now that will be sweetest of all.

Who’s To Blame?

I have faced one challenge after another lately, a time of major change in our son’s life, all the while looking to the Lord for direction and comfort. It would be easy to ask Him, “Why, Lord?” Ray takes it all in stride, and we keep moving ahead and face each moment, every day.

That could be said for anyone who knows Jesus as Savior. I’ve prayed a few times, “What’s the point of this, Lord?” The Lord doesn’t owe me an explanation, and once in a great while I have begun to see what He might be doing. The first two chapters of the book of Job bring insight, especially when illuminated by good commentary by biblical scholars [1]. Satan the accuser was trying to discredit God by attacking His godly servant, Job. In verse 8 of chapter 1, God said to the accuser, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” Satan challenges God saying, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has?” Verse 1:9.

Thus, Job’s tests began with the loss of his oxen and donkeys, sheep and camels plus servants caring for them. Worse yet, his sons and daughters were killed by the collapse of the house where they were feasting and drinking wine together. Job shares his remorse saying, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” V 1:21. Test passed!

For test 2, Satan pointed out that Job had losses, but his own body was not harmed. “But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.” V 2:5. And more troubles came for Job, this time health related. Once again, he refused to curse God. Test 2 passed!

I have wrestled with these chapters, thinking of the medical challenges our son has faced since birth. The commentary notes and cross-referenced verses helped me understand that Satan is doing all he can to discredit God through Job. One note said, “The author of Job… gave encouragement to godly sufferers by showing them that their suffering provided an occasion like no other for exemplifying what true godliness is for human beings.” Satan is bent on “driving an irremovable wedge between God and humans to effect an alienation that cannot be reconciled.” The following comments encouraged me: “The author’s pastoral word to godly sufferers is that God treasures their righteousness above all else.” We are called to continue “to trust in, acknowledge, serve, and submit to the omniscient, omnipotent Sovereign, realizing that some suffering is the result of unseen, spiritual conflicts between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan—between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness.”

[1] Zondervan NIV Study Bible