I stand in the living room and look around....
My Dad sits uncomfortably in his chair, with his back brace tightly wrapped and his walker right by his side.
Teagan walks around, closely turning corners around the coffee table's sharp edges, pointing to anything in sight, repeatedly yelling "I want thatttt."
Sadie looks up at me, pacing the room, wanting to go outside and kick her green ball in the yard.
How in the world have I gotten myself in this situation.... caring for my one day out of surgery Dad, a one year old niece and an energetic dog.... all three all completely dependent on me to provide their basic needs.
Well, luckily my sister returned from her errand about an hour later and somehow, someway everyone was safe and sound! Look at me go!
Initially, I felt overwhelmed at the task of caring for everyone's needs. But then, those fears quickly turned to gratitude.
What a beautiful thing to be given opportunities to give back to my Dad, the one who has given me so much and has always been so quick to serve me. From driving to help me move or coming to my soccer games or participating in my birthday party or instilling valuable lessons, he has always been someone who consistently shows up. Therefore, pouring his orange juice, giving him his medicine in the middle of the night and running errands for one week was the least I can do for him.
What a beautiful thing to be given opportunities to give to Teagan, the one who has brought me so much joy for the past year and a half. Being an aunt has been absolutely one of my favorite things! Unlike my Dad, Teagan has technically not "done anything" for me. Yet, it's a special opportunity to serve her, protect her, and contribute to showing her that she is loved. Pouring her a bottle of milk, picking her up when she falls, and playing tiles with her (sorry, I still don't do diapers ok...) are all worth it, for her to have the confidence that she is safe and cared for.
What a beautiful thing to be given opportunities to care for DOGS amirite!! The one who is aways within eyesight, who excitedly greets you, and loves us as we are! Sadie is brilliant, noticeably being more gentle in recognizing that Dad was in pain. So of course I will play fetch with her!
I look at the calendar on the table....
I just got back from a week in Macon.
I leave to go to Houston in two days on Tuesday and then off to Mexico on Wednesday.
I will then head straight to camp from Mexico for meetings.
How in the world have I gotten myself in this situation... three weeks back to back away from Chattanooga. I am already pretty tired, missing my routine and consistency. Yet, just as quickly as my anxieties about caring for Dad, Teagan and Sadie were turned to gratitude, the same thing has happened with my restlessness when looking at my schedule.
This morning, I walked into church weary. Yet, I left church completely refreshed. Today was the Thanksgiving service, where the mic is open for anyone to come up and share gratitudes or ways they have seen God work. Y'all know I'm alwaaayssss down for an open floor, especially since it was a similar setting in which my faith really clicked for me.
As I listened to story after story of God's provision amongst his people, I slowly felt lighter and lighter, experiencing Him lift my weariness.
Stories of an adopted grandson graduating from marine school and accepting Jesus, just four years after being adopted from an orphanage in another country.
Stories of finding a turtle, naming him Captain Crunch (because they found him while he was eating leaves), letting him go, then thinking about him the next night and went outside and found Him again! (Childlike faith!!)
Stories of coming home to flowers and being surrounded by prayer.
Stories of faithfulness of waking up at 2:30 AM to delight in God.
Stories of finding the right pair of sheets at the 3rd Marshalls.
Stories of getting a puppy a couple of weeks ago and knowing he was going to be a good dog as soon as he looked him in the eyes. (Childlike faith!!)
From 5 year olds sharing "I'm thankful for God" to 70+ year olds sharing about grandchildren and kids, each person, led by the Spirit, shared testimonies of God's faithfulness. And what a powerful encouragement for anyone listening! I know it was for me.
As I hear all of these gratitudes, I am more quick to reflect and give thanks for what God has provided in this past week, in this year, and in my life!
Rather than allowing myself to be overwhelmed, I am thankful.
I am thankful for this past week in Macon - for the whole week with my family, an amount of time we haven't had all together in a while.
I am VERY thankful to get to go to Mexico!! And looking forward to a staff dinner with over 50 of our former staff who I love dearly and I know it will be so special.
I am thankful to get to be at camp and see everyone! And be at a place I love in a much slower pace and allow our minds to think of new ideas and improvements!
May we trust God more and more every day, allowing us to more easily turn our worries and fears into gratitude. For by laying it all at His feet, we can find true rest!
The New Testament reading today at church was Mark 5:18-20:
"As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you. So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him."
And that's exactly what we did at church today and hopefully do often with the people around us - tell how much the Lord has done for us!
I've read this passage many times, but today, something stood out to me... That is actually not the end of the section.... it goes on to say:
"And all the people were amazed."
May we never underestimate the power of sharing the ways God is moving in our lives! What may seem boring or ordinary to us may just be the exact thing someone else needs to hear! May we be a body of Christ who is quick to share and proclaim the good news of Christ and give thanks!
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