Farewell to a Dear Pet

Today has been a traumatic day for our family. About a week ago our guinea pig Squeakers developed a respiratory infection. I took her to the vet and got some antibiotics, but she never recovered. When I went to give her the medicine this morning I could tell that she was dying. She held on for several hours and fought until the last moment for breath and to stay alive.

It hit all of us hard. We've had her for about seven years, which is pretty long for a guinea pig. We buried her under our cherry tree, which was one of her favorite spots to be, because she was in the shade and loved to eat grass.

Even though we knew that she was dying, it still was difficult to watch her suffer. It has affected each of us. It made me realize the importance of sharing our faith. Death is an ugly thing, unless we have the assurance of spending eternity with our Heavenly Father. You never know when you will be facing death. Are you ready?

A God of Detail

I was on the road quite a bit today as I drove back and forth several times to take care of getting our van inspected. During one of the times that I was driving I happened to notice all of the various shades of green along the side of the road - leaves, grass, trees, bushes, weeds, etc. Each one was a varying shade of color. It made me think about the beauty of God's creation and the fact that He chose to have multiple colors and not just one single pigment.

I love that God is a God of detail. He took time with creation, and He takes time with us as well and doesn't gloss over one single detail about our lives. Matthew 10:29-31 says, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." This verse came to mind as I noticed all of the fine details of God's creation. It also made me think about my poor sweet husband who has lost hair since he had his pelvis surgery. We aren't sure why, but he has lost a patch of hair. I realize that God even knows about each hair that my husband has lost.

I don't know about you, but I am thankful that God does care about detail. He knows about all the things that weigh me down and consume my thoughts. He knows about each of my aches and pains. He knows when I am hurting or feeling discouraged. I am thankful too that He is a God that cares about us. He knows about everything and also cares too.

When was the last time that you thanked God for knowing and caring about the details in your life?

Weary Woman

I just can't seem to keep up with things lately. Maybe it has something with turning 44 a few days ago...all right, that's not it either. Life has been pretty busy in our household lately. We are still trying to finish up our school year, work on evaluation paperwork and portfolios for homeschooling, as well as taking care of my husband's daily needs, etc. We also are in the midst of several doctor appointments, x-rays, occupational therapy three times a week, and the list goes on and on. I get weary when I just think about all that needs to be accomplished.

It's been a long day and I find myself very weary. It probably has something to do with all of the running I have been doing today with taking my husband to his various appointments. Each time we go somewhere it means I need to haul the wheelchair out, and then back into the van. I am finding new muscles that I didn't know that I had. The other day we were heading into a building that had a steep downhill ramp. I didn't realize how many muscles it took to hold back a wheel chair that is quickly gaining speed!

Tonight even though I am weary I rest on the following verse: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 Aren't you glad that when we get to those times where we are too tired to even think, we know that God promises to give us rest when we come to Him. What a reassurance!

My dear sweet husband is worn out from his long day of doctor visits, x-rays and therapy. My prayer for both of us is that God will give us rest!

God Knows All About Us

I have shared some about the difficulties that my family has been facing this past month since my husband had a skiing accident at the end of March. Funds have been tight because we have not known what will be facing in the future since my husband has used up all of his leave and still can't return to work for quite some time due to the nature of his injuries.

On Sunday evening while attending a parent social at our church, I had someone come up to me and told me to write up a big grocery list and that she wanted to pay for it. So on Monday morning I began to compose the list. I debated on what to write, and was just trying to write basic needs and not desires. The list was still in progress when she called me to ask if I had room in my freezer. I said that I did and she said she would be by in about an hour.

When she arrived with many bags of groceries in hand, I was astounded. Almost everything that I had written on my list (and had not given to her yet) was in those grocery bags. Even a lot of the brands that we use, she picked up. She even had things we wished for too. My husband had been craving a ice cream and a certain brand of chips, but we hadn't gotten them because they weren't a need. She had those as well as pistachios, which he loves. She even bought the brand of laundry soap that I like. I hadn't bought it personally in quite a while because the cost had risen so much.

As we opened all of the bags of goodies, my husband and I wept as we realized how good God is to us to provide for our physical needs as well as our wants. I stood amazed as I thought about too how God had prompted this woman on what things to buy for us. I told my kids that day to never forget the goodness of God and how He knows everything about us. Even when the future is unsure we know that He is faithful and we can trust Him!