Things Are Not Always As They Seem

The last few weeks could be captured by the movie title, “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” except without the trains. Or maybe the movie title, “Four Weddings and a Funeral” except there weren’t any weddings but there were two funerals.

The past few weeks have been a little nuts around here and this week is ramping up to be another not boring week.  At least no dogs ran through wood floor glue this week – yet! (That blog is coming soon – once I determine a positive spin to put on it.)

I won’t exhaust you with all of the travel details. Just suffice it to say I was burning up the road around Texas – three different cities in four days time. All good stuff. I spoke at a retreat, was inspired at a conference and laughed at my husband’s work event.

I came back home for a few days to chaos in my home as renovations were taking over.

Then I took a flight across the country to meet up with my brother to work an exhibit booth at a rehabilitation nurses conference. Yep, I was a “Booth Babe” to promote a product my brother invented – only the product never arrived and we had to improvise.

And then back home to more chaos in my house as renovations continued. And last night at 3:30am ALL the smoke detectors in the house went off. I called 911 and was instructed to get my dogs and wait in my car in the driveway until the firemen arrived. Good news! It was merely a dead battery in one of the smoke detectors. Why every single one in the house had to go off, I have no idea!

If you see me on social media, it looked like all fun and games. The reality is I saw heartache up close and personal. I even bumped into a little of my own heartache.

I witnessed grieving moms arrive at a retreat who were scared and hurting. They sat with their arms folded. I watched those same moms let the tears flow and then raise their voices – and some raised their hands – in worship to the God of Hope. They left with renewed hope.

I witnessed two families who lost loved ones honor and celebrate their lives. I heard the great impact both of these people had on their communities, family and friends. One died much too young. One lived a long, full life. Both families were sad to lose their loved ones but both had the assurance their loved ones are with our Heavenly Father.

As I worked the exhibit booth, I heard stories of disabled people and their difficulties with daily tasks most of us take for granted. And I heard the concern and compassion for the patients in the nurses’ voices.

As I thought about the heartache and celebrations over the past few weeks, I thought about my place in those conflicting emotions. Was I shining light in the darkness? Was I encouraging those who needed it? Was I just  – literally – spinning my wheels?

I pray I was doing more than just being busy. If you’ve read my post about being busy, you know I try to avoid being busy for the sake of being busy.

I do get busy. I do mess up (thank you, Mouth) and have to repent. But when my life is over and I stand before my Father, I long to hear the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

I strive to make a difference to those who are around me for a lifetime or just for a moment. I strive to live with a purpose to please and serve the Lord – in the fun times and in the hard times.

Whether you are feeding kids in Ghana, working long hours to provide for your family, staying home with the kids or grandkids wiping bottoms and noses, going to school or spending your day another way, you can do it in service to the Lord. A smile to the person at the fast-food window or a kind word to a teacher or co-worker can make a difference.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

 

Have you thought about how you spend your day as an opportunity to serve the Lord and those around you? Tell me how you do it. ~ I’m pretty sure you do it even if you don’t realize it 😉