Have you ever been glad to have your electricity go off? I’m glad ours went out tonight.
The last couple of days have been so mentally and emotionally exhausting — in addition to all of the usual hassles and challenges we face from day to day, our company is reorganizing and we all swapped offices today; my son’s car has been in the shop so we’re sharing two cars for three people; and we attended the funeral of Wayne Carter this evening. I was totally exhausted (in fact, you might say MY power was out).
We had just gotten home from the funeral and grabbed a bite to eat when the lights went out. At first I was so frustrated! I needed to update the Billy Blog and do some reading, and now the power was gone. We lit some candles, and stepped out on our covered porch where it was cool. We sat on the swing to watch the lightning approach. No television, no computer, just Leah and me and the pups enjoying a cool evening breeze. By the time the lights came on a couple of hours later, I was refreshed and relaxed.
It was a reminder to me how sometimes things can happen that we would never plan — things that frighten, or discourage, or infuriate us at first; but in time we may come to understand that blessings can grow out of those situations.
I don’t know what blessings may eventually come from Billy’s injury, or from the shock and agony of Wayne Carter’s family losing him so suddenly. We just have to wait and see what will happen, and lean on God’s promises — that he’ll be with us no matter what, and that all things will work together for the good for those of us who are called according to his name.
In all of my busy-ness, and my subsequent exhaustion, I never got around to calling Gina today. Leah called just about the time the lights came on, though. Billy’s doing fine, but this was one of his “tired days”. He slept through most of his visits; on one occasion he did wake up and smile at Gina.
We plan to get up first thing tomorrow and go to the hospital. I’ll post again when we get back. In the meantime, pray for that time of refreshing, for yourself and for others you know of who are going through challenges today. And consider taking the dogs out on the porch with someone you love, to enjoy the breeze.
-joe
