The Peace Circle

It was something that happened in a moment that changed her. And it changed everything else. My Mom had a stroke. A STROKE. She went from being extremely active and independent to not being able to touch her nose, feed herself or sit up on her own.

Her stroke pushed me past my limits. I was forced to switch roles without a warning. I didn't get the opportunity to weigh in on the situation. My right to choose was revoked. I instantly became her advocate, her defender and it was hard...really hard. Did I mention that it was hard? I can't even begin to imagine how she felt.

Nausea and a severe case of vertigo were symptoms of the stroke. She constantly felt like she was spinning and falling. She was spinning....and so was I. Lord please make it stop

Prior to the "moment", my devotion was sweet and intimate. I was surrounded by God's presence. He was well aware that I would need what He was depositing in my storehouse. He knew that in the coming days our time would be almost be nonexistent. Those times with the Lord prevented me from completely falling apart. But fear, anxiety, worry, frustration, mental and physical exhaustion this is not a good combination crept in. I felt every emotion except for peace.

And then, after several days, the Lord called me into His counsel. He lifted the heaviness of it all so that I could focus on Him. Of course, I wanted to talk about what was going on, you know the elephant in the room. But no. His words were, "You've moved outside of my peace circle." heavy sigh Don't you just love it when you're waiting and needing to hear from God about one thing and He has a completely different agenda? respectful side eye

It wasn't what I expected or wanted to hear, but it was true.

Somehow I arrived at the notion that my Mom's health and recovery was solely my responsibility. I was doing things in my own strength and sinking under the weight. How had I ignored 1 Peter 5:7? I was supposed to cast not carry. God had sweetly enveloped me with His presence and peace months before but, I stepped outside of his circle. Take it from me, you don't want to go outside of his covering. it’s crazy out there

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Desperate to get back to a place of safety, I repented for not allowing the Lord to reign over my life and circumstances. I tried to make my own way so, that was on the list along with a whole lot of other unspiritual things. Lord have mercy

Then, I started reminding myself of who God really is. Not some small wimpy being but, a BIG God that can do...."far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of - infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes." - Ephesians 3:20 TLB. Chew on that for a moment. It's delicious right? And then, I resumed my position of worship and gradually water started flowing in my desert.

What’s your "moment"? Have you lost your job or received a bad report from the doctor? Are you experiencing a broken relationship, caring for an aging parent or just downright overwhelmed with life? Whatever it is, I'm praying that God will hold you close and give you his peace while he does what seems impossible.

Remember there's a seat reserved in the Peace Circle just for you. I pray that you will join me there.

Your Sister Friend,

Sandra

Corn & Such

Growing up in the country just think lots of trees and no traffic light Sunday dinners were the norm. Even though I no longer live in Greenville, the tradition of preparing a meal on Sundays for my family makes my heart happy.

But, trying to come up with variety every week is sort of like wrestling an elephant to the ground. Just recently, I found some corn casserole goodness that I wanted to share with you.

I dropped the link below. Give it a try and let me know if you and your family love it.

Let's eat!

https://www.thisgrandmaisfun.com/5-ingredient-corn-casserole/

Your Sister Friend,

Sandra

Loving Blu

Meet our son Blu. Well actually he's our 7 year old, 60lb Pitbull who thinks that he's a little boy. Every time November 21st rolls around his birthday we contemplate telling him that he's not human but, ultimately decide against it. We don’t think he would take the news very well. Boy or canine Blu is loved more than he could ever imagine. But, it didn't start out that way.

My husband called and said that he was going to pick up Bayley from school so considerate. My schedule was overloaded like a suitcase packed an hour before a red eye flight. I had no idea this good deed was actually a setup. Frank and his 8 year old co-conspirator were about to completely traumatize me.

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When they finally came home after dark side eye. Frank burst in the door with a dog crate, food and a myriad of other things confused side eye. Then Bayley came in with a black and white creature that had one brown eye and one bright blue eye. Enthusiastically she held him out to me saying "Look what we got Mommy. His name is Blu, Here hold him." crazy wide eyed mama

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Now I would like to say that my sanctified self said, "Praise God, we get the opportunity to care for one of God's wonderful creations." But, since I know that lying makes me a prime candidate for hell you can read it for yourself - Revelations 21:8

"Get that mutant dog away from me!" were my exact words as I walked away. Now if you're wondering if I'm Cruella Deville’s long lost sister, I am not. But I was a worn out wife, Pastor's wife, Mom, business owner and daughter who had been traipsing up and down I-75 from Building A to C at Emory meeting with my parents' oncologists.

That night I could tell that Blu wanted my affection. But, I was conducting a serious “no pet protest“ and being sweet to him was not a part of the plan. I went to bed only to be awakened by high pitched nonstop yapping and wimpering sleepy eyed mama.

The next day it was just the two of us. He was so little. I had to pick him up to help navigate the stairs. It was cold outside, so I held him close. Somewhere in the midst of going to the potty countless times, we developed a bond. And then I knew that God was teaching me something I didn’t even realize I needed to learn.

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There’s more room - I just knew that I couldn’t add anything or anyone else to my plate. Do you ever feel that way? It was already overflowing. And, I was positive that my reasons for not wanting a dog were more than valid...until I allowed myself to see things differently. Blu was a little eight week old puppy separated from his Mama in a strange place. He was the runt of a large litter and now he didn't even know where any of his brothers and sisters were. Whew! that grabbed me

He needed to feel loved not abandoned...accepted not forsaken. He needed all the things God so generously provides for me every day. - Lamentations 3:22-23

I had the capacity to care for Blu and God knew it. I had room to love more.

Blessings are often disguised

Blu’s unexpected arrival could be accurately described as an inconvenience. It stretched me and completely rearranged my schedule. But at the same time, he made Bayley’s face light up when she came home from her new school.

And I’ll admit that watching him scamper around with his toys was the cutest thing. I was rejecting what God was using to bless me. What I thought I didn’t want or need brought loads of happiness to our home. He came at the right time.

Loving Blu made our family complete and honestly I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Are you rejecting what God is using to mature, push or bless you? Ask God to give you his perspective. You might find that you are missing out on something really precious.

Your Sister Friend,

Sandra