It is when everything falls behind that the true colors appear—the stress and the discouragement, depression and anxiousness.
I’ve had a few weeks here this month that have had its highs and lows.
Having that wonderful trip to Pennsylvania was definitely a “high.” Striving to complete my schoolwork (my master’s degree classes) has been a “low.”
Last weekend our niece was married in a beautiful ceremony down in Des Moines. Her new husband is just a super guy. The people involved with the wedding were just the nicest of the nice. What a blessing!
“High!”
Came home to submit a midterm exam by midnight. Felt that it was grossly under-prepared.
“Low!”
We’ve got another wedding this upcoming weekend. Joyous occasion—again looking forward to it!
And today I have 5 chapters and three articles to read, besides driving up to the university to my evening lecture.
I’ll see you on I-94 tonight… You can wave at the white Silverado.
Today the builders/re-modelers are here to fix the horrible, bad, no-good problem that arose this summer due to water in the basement. New flooring and mold removal. They will be here for a few days.
I have them slated to complete a couple of other unfinished projects too, so I’m hopeful the house will be in great repair by winter.
The leaves haven’t fallen off the trees yet, so I’m putting off the annual yard vacuuming. Brian’s pride and joy was a track-vac that came with the house. We have 2 acres here, and 80 large trees. The attempt to remove fall leaves is formidable.
I’m not even trying. I’m looking for help. I’ll pay. I just cannot figure out the tech this fall.
Too much to do.
I’m showing all my warts today, aren’t I?
Well, I’m feeling a little down. I’m tired.
My friend and I were talking last weekend. Picture the balance between tears and hope/trust.
Tears are real. Jesus wept. We grieve (how many times have I used that word over the past years?) There is a deep sadness in the state we are in. Sin has consequences, and it hurts.
And then there is this command to “REJOICE ALWAYS, AND AGAIN I SAY REJOICE!”
What was Paul thinking?
Was it self talk?
As I hold hope and trust in one uplifted palm, I also clutch my reality and sadness in the other one.
I’m just being “real.”
I’m an old woman now, and I have seen many years of joy and sorrow. I’m still trying to figure out the balance.
I know I have hope in Christ. He is my solid rock, my reason for living, my everything. He knows that I am dust, He knows my needs, He knows my thoughts. I do trust Him.
In a way, it is fascinating to see how He provides in my darkness.
He does. I just have trouble picturing it sometimes.
I’m going to sit by the fire and read. Isn’t that a cozy thought? Even if the reading IS about public finance and budgeting…..
By the way, it is truly gorgeous outside. With the belated frost this color has outlasted any of the years I can recall. The sumac is brilliant reddish maroon with orange highlights. God’s color scheme is superb.
Corgi and Terrier are doing great. Cats are happy.
Students are nose-to-the-grindstone.
Foot note:
As you know, Ed got the Johnson and Johnson shot last week at Children’s Hospital. It was the one they “forced” him to have. He had a bad headache the next day, and over the weekend he had heart palpitations. I would ask you to pray for him as he hopefully recovers from this monstracity. He has the “gold star” now, so he can register for his spring classes at the University of Minnesota. Just an FYI—this was his decision entirely. *Disclaimer*
When I chose to sign Ed off at Children’s for his leukemia I knew I was entering deep waters both legally and in many other ways. He is accountable to God, but I realize I played a role in his destiny as well. Moms do that. God is greater. God can always overcome my failures. Always.