No regrets

I thought I would be blogging about being ok with not getting to visit my old stomping ground in last week’s trip to Temple, Texas. 

Instead, I did find a small window of time to make a loop from the hotel to the Temple Daily Telegram, past the VA center, Temple College & mall & around to Magnolia Square Apartments, which I thought were long gone but were still there, looking much as they did 41 years ago from the outside. 

I didn’t see bluebonnets in town nor did I connect with any old friends. 

I did try to take pictures of a few bluebonnets spotted along the interstate as we cruised by. 

Speaking of flowers, it was hard to leave my irises at home while we gone. When we returned, it was cool to see that every bud (or shoot or whatever they are) appeared to have bloomed. I regret not cutting more to bring back when we stopped at the farm on our way home. 

Actually, I don’t regret not cutting more. It was a decision I stand by, as I’m comfortable with my decision not to go back outside after our pre-sunset walk to see if the sky showed a brilliant display of color. It’s OK to miss beautiful things. I don’t have to experience every beautiful thing I’m aware of. I want to appreciate the goodness & beauty & opportunities that come my way. I want to be selective about going out of my way in pursuit of these things. This thought brings me peace tonight. 

Easter follow up

It was a good decision to stay in Norman on Easter. I relaxed that day & was refreshed to visit & deliver lilies to Jerrie & Gil on Monday & to Ann on Tuesday. It led to thoughtful & meaningful decisions about choices later in the week. I am grateful for each step of faith & progress. 

Easter 2023

I love that we sang my 3 favorite Easter hymns to celebrate the Risen Christ! “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today,” “Up From the Grave He Arose” & “He Lives.” Plus two anthems, with one also at the early service with Communion.  Pastor Stephen’s sermon was a message of grace & hope I needed to hear. I think a quiet rest of the day at home was also what I needed, although I’ve had some doubts as I’m still up past 11 & it could well be midnight before I get in bed. I trust in the love & power & life of the Risen Lord! Alleluia. 

Holy Saturday reflections

 I’m sitting in the sunshine on a cloudless afternoon, the Saturday before Easter. Reading Holy Week Scripture. Hearing God tell me He loves me & accepts me just as I am. 

He knows I am regretting my choices that led me to not attend the church Easter egg hunt today (& the Good Friday worship service last night). My fear of missing out is real, & it intensified when I saw how pretty the day is & read that about 150 people attended.  

He wants me to trust Him & to trust my ability He has given me to make decisions. Sometimes my decisions will cause or allow me to learn & grow — such as today when I recognized feeling a sense of sadness & loss from missing out on the church event; & letting God lead me to see it’s OK to miss out & feel sad, disappointed & then to consider that it is in fact good for me to feel those things as I spend time alone with God today in my house as well as in the sunshine in my backyard. 

God is well aware of & I thank Him for helping me see my tendency to make choices based on fear of missing out, & how that often ends up with me being places but not fully present; staying on the fringes, superficial, rather than taking time & effort to engage & experience & interact. 

He’s telling me it’s ok if I need more time alone w/Him than I think I should to get spiritually set for true worship & service. 

I thank Him, as a welcome breeze helps me sense His presence & receive His spirit. 

That was after reading this: 

“It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world &  go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. … Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power & that he had come from God & was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing & wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he … began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them w/the towel that was wrapped around him. … Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, tho  not every one of you.” … When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes & returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ &  ‘Lord,’ & rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord & Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John‬ ‭13:1-17‬ 

““Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After 3 days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come & steal the body & tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went & made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone & posting the guard.” Matthew‬ ‭27:63-66‬

They were so ready for this Jesus distraction to be over!  But God’s plan would not be thwarted. 

In some strange way it is good for me to feel alone & confused this quiet, Holy Saturday. Continuing to rejoice & praise & have faith in God. Waiting & watching. The waiting includes praying to know & do what God would have me know & do in the meantime & always. 

——

Now what? I don’t want to read ahead to Sunday & Monday. Put away breakfast dishes? Do core exercises? Shower? Wash hair? Eat dinner? Vacuum? Slice bread? Buy groceries? Inhale. Exhale. Listen to the birds. Trust that God will guide me & empower & equip me to follow where He leads. 

No foolin’

I forgot to post on April 1! 

Or did I run out of time? I think that’s what happened, after we left Norman at 7:30 to go fishing & didn’t get home until about 10:30. And I wanted to get a good night of rest before Palm Sunday worship. 

As I posted on social media, it was a good day. In addition to catching some fish, I went to Brandi’s to pick up the chicken spaghetti I ordered from Whaley. While at Brandi’s, I ordered makeup to support Madison’s cheer fundraiser & I hugged (bugged) Madison, Aiden & Lane. Then I visited Mom. 

It was a long day & I was very tired Sunday night. I’m still very grateful I took advantage of one calm, warm day amid a string of windy, rainy forecasts to enjoy fishing with my love.