All In A Day

Funny how a day can make things different, a moment really. But this morning, in my morning devotion time, that quiet reflection time that I must have to find my center, ask God for the strength and peace to face not only this day, but all the days of my life, this month choosing to read about strong women in the Bible, because I feel weak and minuscule, vulnerable and sad, and I have come to learn that all in a day, life holds much. And for all of it, I need strength. And that strength comes from only one source. God above.

All In A Day...look what happens. The good, the bad, and the ugly! I was talking with Jen last evening and she was sharing the "annoyances" of life, just those little irritating things that do add up, from the bank deposit mix up, to hitting and killing a raccoon late at night on the road, which really upset her, of course, to the early morning gushing of water gushing in the bathroom that had the potential to flood, had it not been right over the tub (again, always something to be thankful for...)!!The little irritants of life! They really mean nothing, but they can often be the "straw that breaks the camel's back". We can shake our fist, curse, yell, or even cry when these things happen, and all of that only represents what is really deep down inside, the emotions, the pain, the loss, the frustrations, all that binds that we don't take care of along the way.

All In A Day...along with what life hands us, and where life takes us, for me, if I don't stop, reflect, read, write, pray, listen to music, get a massage, put my feet up, drink a large glass of water, use my aromatherapy oils or sprays, get in "tuned" with what God wants from me, I cannot cope. I cannot cope, or handle, what comes my way. This is why I have always been so thankful I knew God so well when Allison was diagnosed. What would I have done, we had done? How would we have made it through, but more importantly, how would SHE have, without God as her guide?

All In A Day...we receive news that is difficult to bear, in the blink of an eye, the phone rings and life changes forever, that moment in time stands still, and things are never to be the same. We also receive those calls, like the one I did from my nephew when he asked Sarah to marry him, or when my daughter received the job she desired, or when someone calls to say another grandchild is on the way, and so many other "good news" calls. It's not all bad. But it's the "bad" news that we must be prepared for, in our heart and in our soul. Life is good. Life is meant to be lived. We live it and one day it becomes our turn to leave this world, for the next. We might be 21 years old like Allison, 52 years old like Michael, 62 like my mother, two days shy of 30, like Kate's cousin, a few days, like Faith and Clare and Lilly, and so many other babies. We make our mark, God grants us the opportunity to live and make choices, and then, this world, as we know it, ends, and the next one, the REAL life, the eternal life, begins. All in a day, life keeps swirling and the world keeps turning.

All In A Day...these thoughts are whirling today, for I need no calendar to know, that just a year ago, I packed and prepared for the call of that day, when my sister had shared some news about the cancer invading her husband's body. I had come to understand terms and medications and the path from experience with Allison, thus, I headed out to visit, while I had the time, and more importantly, while Michael had the time. We had a wonderful visit, extended once again, until the spirit let me know it was time to go. Time to leave the family of four together for what would become a week of opportunity. I left on July 4, and not before having several talks with Michael, not before hearing from him what his deepest thoughts were, and not before knowing it would be the last time I would have that chance. I thank God above for that time and the resources He has afforded me to be there, for a loving husband who never asks WHY and for friends, neighbors and family who rushed in to help make it happen by taking care of Rex or making meals for Joe. It's all coming back to me. I don't necessarily wish it were so, it's just here, perhaps because my heart is heavy on Father's Day weekend, perhaps because it is summer and I miss my girl, and I miss him, and I feel my sister's pain, and I pray for the boys to get through this weekend with as much honor and dignity and love for their father as is possible in their loss.

All In A Day...I had the beautiful chance to say good-bye. How blessed. Good-bye to Michael, good-bye to Allison, Mom, Dad. We never know when it is our turn to say good-bye. It may be when we get in the car, or an airplane, or just move room to room. The stories come soaring in of loved ones lost. So, why is it that we don't change or we "assume" we will see each other again? What has to happen before we realize that life is fragile, precious, and to be treated like a china doll? Anything can happen, all in a day. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Some of us hold experiences in our hearts that make us look at every day differently. We learn the lessons, or we try to, anyway. We look around and understand and see clearly what God intends. But, in the next minute, we don't get it, and we ask God, why? That's life. That's how it's supposed to be. God understands. And He has given us this day to live and figure it out.

Our Father, who art in Heaven...Hallowed be Thy Name...Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be Done...Give us This Day.....Thank you, Father, for giving me this day. Pain or no pain, loss or no loss, I will do my best to seize it and make it pleasing to you.