ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE

“As we pass through the trials of life, let us keep an eternal perspective, let us not complain, let us become even more prayerful, let us serve others, and let us forgive one another. As we do this, ‘all things [will] work together for good to [us] that love God.’ ”
~James B. Martino

CATCHING UP...

I fell off the blogging wagon... and now, in an attempt to re-create the past, the next 10 days of entries will be things (scriptures, videos, quotes) I love and need.

Feel free to reply to one of these posts with your own 'favorites' that you need and love in your life.

PERHAPS IT GETS EASIER

As I sat in church today... they sang two of the songs that were sung at Chris' funeral.

It is hard to sing those songs without my mind's eye returning to that moment over 5 1/2 years ago that those very songs were being sung as a testimony to the life my husband led and the faith we had of what would come.

One of the songs, There Is A Green Hill Far Away, was sung by his youngest brother. A song that testified of our Savior's atonement. The other, God Be With You Till We Meet Again, was sung by my sister-in-law and brother-in-law. They came close to making it through the song without being choked up.

I sang them in church today. I was strong, void of any emotion except fond remembering. Perhaps it gets easier.

FIRST FOOTBALL GAME

My youngest is playing football this year. I am glad. He is built for sports and has always had a good throwing arm, but has never wanted to get involved with sports. It is good to see him doing that this year.

I watched his first game today with mixed emotions. He wore his uniform proudly on the sidelines until the 4th quarter. They put him in. That is all I can tell you. I don't know what position he was playing and whether it was on offense or defense. I don't know if he did well or not. I don't know what kind of solid advice I should have given him as we drove home. And on these days... I am frustrated. Frustrated that I don't understand more of what my kids love. And frustrated that everything is my job to know. But, proud.. proud to see my little man starting to come out of his shell and develop and grow. Happy to see him beginning a life that challenges him and brings him happiness.

EVER BEEN TO A CEMETARY?

Visiting a cemetery was a new experience for my niece and four nephews who were recently in town.

The youngest in the clan, Zach, age 4, had a couple priceless comments:

Zach recognized the crosses on the stones as the cross he sees on the St. Luke's hospital near their home. He went down the rows saying solemnly as he pointed to each cross "Died from the hospital...died from the hospital" It was cute how after a while he then stopped and said, "Hey, do you know who died ON a cross? Jesus!"

When he saw a stone ...with an etching of Jesus he said, "Oh, and that's where they buried Jesus."

BEING GRATEFUL

My sister was in town visiting this week. On their last day here she wanted to take the kids to the cemetary to see where Chris is buried. While attempting to capture the moment with her camera (which she is very good at capturing most moments in life...) my youngest son started running around. I called to him, but he was enjoying the game and didn't surrender. My sister called to him as well, with no luck. She then commented..."poor Chris". We come to his grave and the children don't behave. My sister's oldest son (11yrs. old - same as my youngest), found that to be an odd statement. "Why does he care, he is dead."

My sister seized the opportunity to explain how hard it must be for Chris. His body is dead, but his spirit is alive. She then asked her son what his Dad would do if he were misbehaving. Then tried to make him understand that Uncle Chris sees what goes on, but because he isn't HERE with a BODY, he can't say anything in the same way. She asked him how he thought his Dad would feel in the same situation. To which he solemnly pleaded, "Don't talk about Dad being dead."

When we arrived back to the house from the cemetary, my brother-in-law was greeted with a big hug from his oldest son. A son who was grateful to have a father to discipline him.

SAYING THANK YOU

It is not often in life you meet someone you don't know who truly cares about you. Maybe that is a harsh statement, as most good Christians have a charitable heart and are loving, right?


Does that include the lady at the DMV? I don't know why most government workers get such a bad rep. But, they do.


When Chris was ill, we signed up for disability benefits with Social Security. He stopped working in April and we had been told it was best to file the paperwork, even if you were never going to need to draw on the benefits... so we did.


It turned out to be a good thing, as once Chris passed, the paperwork was mostly filled out. The lady I worked with at Social Security was nice. She seemed to be conscientious and wanted to make sure I understood everything. I liked her. As I left the office that day she had made a comment that perhaps she would review my case as it appeared there may have been a mistake in it.


I never heard anything... so that was that.


Now... fast forward five years. I start a blog. My friend reads my blog. My friend posts a link to my blog on her Facebook. My friend's friend is the same lady that helped me five years ago. She has since retired and had recently been asked to return to work for a limited amount of time. She sees my picture on my blog and reaches out to find out if that was indeed "me". It is and she expresses her concern that my case was never reviewed for errors as she sensed there was one.


This friend of a friend who I feel has since become MY friend... took the time upon returning to work to pull my case and review it. She was right. There had been an error. She took the time to correct the error, and file the paperwork so I could receive the due benefits. She sent me this little note...

I was looking down at my tablet while I was computing the benefit amounts . . . all of a sudden I felt someone watching me . . . I paused . . . I kept my head down but raised my eyes . . . I could FEEL Christopher sitting in front of me saying "Thank You for helping my family". I whispered "you're welcome".

I am grateful for my husband... who loved and loves me and the kids enough to watch over me continually. And I am grateful for angels like this lady who accept the errand of service.