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This past weekend I helped in a funeral for a baby that only lived ten days. It was a very sad time. I really cannot imagine how I would react if that was a part of my family’s happenings. As I walked through the difficult time with this family I thought of my own grandson and how healthy and full of life he is. I had the overwhelming feeling of how grateful I am for him and for life itself.
It is too bad that sometimes I have to see such misery to appreciate all that I have. So, this week I am going to look around a count more of my blessings. I have many.
This
past Saturday I was blessed to be a part of a clergy flight ride.
The United States Air Force allowed me and some other clergy to take
a ride on a tanker and be a witness to how they refuel another plane.
All of this took place at Scott Air Force Base and was a trip that
certainly opened my eyes to a world I had not been privileged to see
before.
Seeing
the refueling operation I gain a real appreciation for those who are
a part of such a delicate happening. From my perspective I saw a
crew work together and work in perfect unison. With my own eyes I
saw one plane put fuel in another and do this in the air. What a
sight!!!!
But
that was not all I witnessed. I also saw many military persons who
gave of their time willingly to be a servant to a group of clergy
that they really did not know. Those individuals showed me that
there are individuals in life who are willing to give of themselves
for others. My eyes saw kindness and compassion wearing military
uniforms.
Of
course I had God sightings in many other places besides humans. I
was able to view the earth from a plane and the from that view I
witnessed again that creation is beautiful and amazing. God has
created a wonderful world indeed.
Today
and in the days ahead I am going to keep my eyes open to have some
more God sightings.
While
babysitting my grandson in Chicago, I received a phone call informing
that my mom had a stroke. Actually the words were massive stroke. I
could not just leave my grandson and run to my mom’s side. But I
did the only thing that I could do and that was to pray and pray I
did. That night I did not sleep well. I could only think of my mom
and as I thought I prayed.
The
next day I drove to the hospital to visit my mom. I could not
believe what I saw. She was tired and looked like she had been
through a battle but she was talking and could move her legs and
arms. She was already on the road to recover. As I write these
words she is going through physical therapy and getting stronger each
day.
I
know that the doctors and hospital were of great ‘help’ in my
mom’s recovery. But I am believer that my prayers and the many
prayers of friends were the biggest factor. God brought and is
bringing the healing. So, at this moment in my life, I thank God
that for now my mom is a vital and living part of my life.
Today as I type these words I am physically tired. I went on a retreat with a Sunday School class and did not get home until late Saturday night. So Sunday I was tired as I went through the regular schedule of services. Sunday night I helped with a youth activity and did not get caught up on my needed rest. So, today as I begin my routine of work I feel tired.
However there is more to the story than the above words. For me the retreat was a spiritual refreshing time. The leadership did a wonderful job of leading and I felt refreshed in many ways. Also the youth activity was wonderful. To see so many young people enjoying themselves and God working in their midst was a pure delight. So, today I feel refreshingly tired and I am happy about it.