Last week I had 22 lengthy interactions with people. I counted. I was exhausted on Sunday, and a bit down. My energy was sapped, but my spirit was full.
This was a week I’d intended to “get stuff done.”
Time is in the Lord’s hands, though, and I followed His lead. It’s easier to say “no” these days, as I get older and realize how short time can be!
But I said yes, and I had a fascinating week. It was full of surprises.
Some of the people I got to be with were family, but mostly they were old friends, new friends, good-byes…
I did karaoke with six students. I was the only American. First time singing karaoke and it was fun with them. We went to a Korean restaurant down by the University. There is a karaoke place upstairs. I didn’t know any of the songs they knew, but they had a few John Denver songs that I recalled. One of my favorite songs in high school was “Sailing” by Christopher Cross. They had that one too. 🙂
I got to sing it for my new friends. Being sixty-ish with a bunch of younger students has its privileges. They were so warm and sweet. I hope we can do it again!
As I chat with friends my age I realize how much we all have in common with the general cultural and societal changes. We evolve into entropy. We all have problems.
And the answer is Jesus. Always.
He is love and power.
He gives us the hope to face our issues. He is the fullness that fills our emptiness.
I was listening to Jackson Wang, of GOT7, talk about his lovely family and all the love he gets—yet still has this space for SOMETHING else.
IT’S JESUS, JACKSON!
We must spread the good news. How will they know without a preacher?
The sun is shining on this early August afternoon and it’s beautiful on the lush green of Minnesota. What a beautiful world.
I thank the Lord for all the sweetness, and I will trust Him for accomplishing the tasks that remain before school starts.
By the way, the hotel is for sale and I am pretty sure I will not stay when the new ownership takes over. Another end. I am too old to learn new tricks.
I am experimenting with playing Scripture all day long in the background. I have DVD’s with the New Testament, and a little device called the “Wonder Bible” which simply reads the Word with the press of a button. It’s a great experiment. I’m not always cued in on what is being read, but it is interesting to catch something throughout the day.
I feel that the spoken Word is powerful, cleansing.
This is an experiment. I will see how it goes. I’m living alone right now, so I feel I can do this. It might irritate someone, but for me it is interesting. I will try to report next week.
I would think Corwyn, Yuki, and Topi would benefit too. Why not?
Scripture is powerful!
This is an edit, an add-on: On Sunday I was surprised by a very REAL dream of Brian! I have not dreamed of him since he passed away. I don’t know why. I guess I was just too mentally drained for dreams. I didn’t remember anything. On Sunday I dreamed of him. He was SO REAL. He didn’t say anything, but I said “Don’t go!!” The dream ended and I was left alone. Still, I saw him briefly. If only we could change the past. Maybe. What we think we want or need isn’t always what God planned. I know Brian is in the presence of the Lord and I doubt he would want to be back here. That seems to be the story most tell.
I am promised that I will see him again.
Let’s be surprised!
MARANATHA!