This morning, I woke up in a “funk” . . . which is not
normal for me under most circumstances.
I CAN get crabby, that I know (just ask my girls), but usually it’s not
a lasting “state of being”. As I got
ready for church, I prayed that I would let GOD fill my every thought and that
I would focus on HIM. The girls all
seemed a little “off” as we got ready as well, just “one of those days”. I told the girls that I wasn’t going to ask
them “what was wrong”, because that is glaringly evident. There is one HUGE element of our Sunday
morning getting ready routine that is WRONG . . . DADDY is missing from
it. What I wouldn’t give to be picking
up that stray coffee cup that was always left sitting in some strange out of
the way spot! Before we left for church,
I reminded the girls how much I love them, that I KNOW that I can never take
the place of Daddy in their lives, but that I’m doing the best that I know how
to do. I reminded them that I am always here, and they can talk to me WHENEVER about
WHATEVER they want . . . We headed off to church, a little later than we had
planned, but still on time, and at least being together and assured of our LOVE
for each other!
Once at church, I was able to share some of my heart with my
dear Aunt Peggy who always lifts my spirits, and encourages me in the Lord and
in my faith and in my day-to-day walk. I
had planned to leave church after Sunday School (I guess to go home and have a
“pity party”), but did not end up doing that and we stayed for the sermon which
was from Luke 2, primarily verse 11, “For unto you is born this day in the city
of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”
What magnificent words and what a beautiful promise. He wasn’t just the “adored” little baby in
the manger, He was OUR Savior, CHRIST THE LORD!
We also sang a beautiful song before the sermon called “Speak O Lord” by
the Getty’s. One part of the song goes
like this:
Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us—
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we'll stand on Your promises,
And by faith we'll walk as You walk with us.
Just more reminders that
HE is there, HE is always with us, SPEAK to me O Lord, and RENEW my mind, help
me grasp the HEIGHTS of Your plans for ME . . . truths unchanged from the dawn
of time . . . and by GRACE we’ll stand on Your Promises and by FAITH we’ll walk
as you walk with us. HE will ALWAYS walk
with us, I just have to remember to reach out for HIS hand in my times of
“desperation”. HE will NEVER let go, but
I often let my gaze wander and my grip on His hand begins to “slip”. When that happens, I’m DOOMED! The remainder of the afternoon still found me
kind of “weepy”, but not so much in a “pity party” type of way. Just in the reminiscent way, they missing
“how things were” way, the reaching up to God for direction kind of day! And those feelings are absolutely fine! I know these days will (and have) come,
sometimes hitting at the most unexpected times . . . so, there is even peace in
the knowing – when they DO come, I know that they will pass, and if I hang on
TIGHT to Him and not let my gaze wander from HIM, I’ll make it through! Besides the wonderful service, we received a
beautiful card with a “CHRISTmas” gift in it from another family that Rick had “greeted”
many weeks. Because I’m usually running
in 10 different directions on a Sunday morning – he had pointed them out to me,
but I’d never actually ben introduced . . . that didn’t matter to them, they
chose to bless us with a Christmas card which contained memories of Rick as
well as a CHRISTmas gift for us … I also “needed” to see and give a hug to Jim,
Rick’s “boss” – the guy who Rick has worked with since before Kajzi was born .
. . hadn’t really gotten to do that since the funeral and he really feels like
a connection to Rick for me – after their working together all these years, we
are all more like family – I can’t believe I actually miss those early morning
calls from Jim reminding Rick what he had to run down to Wallace (building
supply) to pick up! I was also hoping to
be able to see, talk to and hug Kevin – the guy who Rick was working with the
day of the accident – the person who spent the last hours of Rick’s life here
on earth with him! Thankfully, Kevin
& his sweet wife Helen were at church today and we got in hugs and a nice
little chat. It was nice to let him know
that I so often think of and pray for him, as I’m sure he has his own bad
memories from that day to work through . . . GOD is GOOD and I want Kevin to
know that he will remain in my prayers – for restoration and healing as well as
thanksgiving for his friendship to Rick for a long time to come.
After being at school for
the girls to make sub sandwiches, and me to catch up on some work, we delivered
subs and came home to watch the 1st half of our GREEN BAY
PACKERS!! All I can say is I’m sure if
they are watching football in heaven, Reggie & Rickey were doing some “hootin’
& hollarin’”!! Tessa commented in
Sunday School today that if the Packers played on a Monday night “when she was
a child”, there was no going to bed, because as “quiet” of a person Rick was,
he was quite VOCAL about his PACKERS!!!!!!
Another SWEET memory – watching a game will never be quite the same
without all the high-five-ing we did each game day! But, they are now 13-0, another fact that
would bring a smile to Rick’s face (his “lucky” number was 13 ~ not that he
honestly believed in “lucky numbers”, but he always went against the grain that
way and LOVED the number 13 (and, funny story, so did Nick and Ashley – WITHOUT
knowing it was their dad’s number), that and the finding of 4 leaf clovers –
which I could NEVER do, but you can bet next summer I’ll be on the lookout,
with Rick helping me to find one!
Shortly after the 3rd
quarter started, we headed to church for the Sunday School Christmas program
(after the traditional “girls in front of the tree” picture – yes, we HAD to do
it, it is a TRADITION!).
CHRISTmas
program . . . something we have been doing forever. We grew up “doing” and then “going to” these
programs. For the past 20 years, as “Rick
& Sheila” . . . so this year was another FIRST – this time it was “Sheila
& the girls”. And this first had me
concerned because I wanted to enjoy it, relish it, soak in all the goodness of
the season, but being “teary” all day, how was I going to do it? Especially when just after I got there, I
quickly checked my phone and found this picture that Taya had put up on her
Facebook wall with the caption, “best dad ever . . . can’t wait to see him
again ♥
“ . . . yes, there is a “hole”
in our lives, in our hearts, in our home, in our church . . . yet, even in the “sadness”
of the photo and the comment, it also held HOPE . . . “can’t wait to see him
again”! YES, baby, you are right, WE
will see your DADDY again . . . when the Lord will wipe EVERY tear from our
eyes . . . what a promise to hang on to!
The service was BEAUTIFUL,
the gospel message was brought forth CLEARLY, the girls all did their parts
well (Tessa had a reading/speaking part and played the piano, Taya was a shepherd (in a hot pink
bathrobe)! And Kajsa played her flute (barefooted with one of the Northland College
girls). The program ended with me
feeling so “filled”, so thankful that I had been there, that I had been “still”
and let Jesus speak to and calm me! I could go on
and on with songs and verses because there are so many, but I’m getting TIRED
and tomorrow starts a new week . . . the last full week before CHRISTMAS
BREAK!!!!!!!!!! But, to wrap it up, the day that started out with jitters and teary eyes ended up being a beautiful day with many beautiful reminders (again) of the LOVE that God has bestowed upon us!
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of
things not seen” Hebrews 11:1
The splendor of a King,
clothed in majesty
Let all the earth
rejoice
All the earth
rejoice
He wraps himself in
Light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His
voice
Trembles at His
voice
How great is our
God, sing with me
How great is our
God, and all will see
How great, how
great is our God
Age to age He stands
And time is in His
hands
Beginning and the
end
Beginning and the
end
The Godhead Three
in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the
Lamb
The Lion and the
Lamb
Name above all names
Worthy of our praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
How great is our
God, sing with me
How great is our
God, and all will see
How great, how
great is our God
Simply beautiful.
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