Unexpected Twists and Obedience

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Eccl. 3:11

Yesterday found me cleaning out cupboards and closets and sorting through stuff. There was a pile to trash (no pangs about that!), a pile to donate (a few indecisive moments), and another to sell (liked, but no longer needed). Down-sizing is a challenge, but a good one. I like cleaning out "stuff". The part I find hard is letting go of things I don't need now but maybe will "some day". Will I be able to find something else I like this well?

A week ago I had no idea I would be packing up and planning to move, but one morning this thought came to me that I just couldn't shake. It wasn't that I hadn't ever thought of it before but this time it seemed doable, although there were things I knew would be hard. So I wrestled with God, he won and we are both very happy! I know the rewards will far outweigh the sacrifices!

So...just in case you wondered...I'm moving back HOME! The tears in my sister's eyes when I told her, made it all seem worthwhile. Mom's response with her limited understanding, made me laugh. Her thought was, "Well, it wouldn't hurt."

I'm excited about getting to spend more time with Mom in her last days. This will also enable me to help Ann more with her care. It won't be as lonely for me and yet I will still have my own "space". There will be some adjustments but God who called me is faithful.

"Now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face. Now we know in part, but then shall we know, even as also we are known." I Cor. 13:12

Connections

Yesterday was my Aunt Elda's funeral. She was 83 years old and had been battling cancer. She was never divorced but married 3 times. Her first husband, Abe, was Dad's brother. Funerals are good places to connect. Hearts are soft and open and you often hear things you've never heard before. It's a place of vulnerability and letting others into the places of pain.

I was so encouraged by the testimonies of her 2 sons that had seen the hard things their mom went through but they also saw her strong faith in God. They testified to God's faithfulness in the hard things they had also gone through. Her daughter stayed with her to the final breath she took.

I thoroughly enjoyed talking with aunts and cousins that I have seldom seen over the years. Since Dad married late in life, most of my cousins are a notch older than I. That didn't seem to matter as we visited yesterday. We still have common interests in people and events that have gone before. Someone is always sure to bring up new stories that connect us in deeper ways.

It made me feel closer to Dad and the sweet presence of Jesus. Even though he's been gone 3 1/2 years, the memories linger on.

I was surprised about 2 other non-relative connections I made.

After lunch a lady and her mom came over to talk to me. They had heard about me over the years but we had never met. It seems she and her mom were competing with me and my mom, 49 years ago, for the "1st Baby of the Year" prize at McPherson hospital. Melinda was born December 29, 1969 so I got the prize, arriving January 2nd! (Melinda was also a niece of Elda's but on the other side.)

Then an elderly gentleman came and introduced himself. He told me he was a former roommate of Dad's in Nebraska many years ago! (He is married to Elda's sister.)

I love connecting with family, and others that know my family, but the greatest connection is with Jesus himself and how he draws us all together, family or not! This song that was played at the funeral says it well. Who You Say I Am  What really matters is who He says I am.