Where did this week go?

Wow.  I can't believe it's already Saturday.  It has been a full week.  In addition to our usually craziness of ballet rehearsals, youth groups, worship practice, etc., Mark and I also spent several evenings this week working on his parent's house.  Mark's folks are getting on in years and his dad in particular can no longer manage their stairs up to the bedroom.  We've spent all week converting his downstairs art studio into a bedroom.  This will keep him on a lower level of the house and help us sleep a little better at night...

I hate change.  Always have.  I don't mind the little changes, like the seasons or a new hair style.  It's the biggies that get to me.  Like seeing our parents age.  I don't like that one at all.  I miss the days when Grandma and Grandpa would take the kids for the evening - or the weekend...  Not just for myself, but it was such a joy for the kids and our folks.  I hate seeing my kids grow up so fast.  Don't get me wrong.  I love who they are and who they are becoming.  It is exciting to watch.  But there is still that part of me that says, "Wait!  Slow down!"  I'm not ready for this season to pass.

Moving Mark's dad downstairs is a major milestone.   It makes me face the fact that things are changing.  Time is marching on. 

But what is the bright side?  There must be a bright side....   I am learning to savor the days as they come.  I know this is not my first post about this, but I guess that's just where I am right now.   I don't take our time together for granted as much as I used to.  I make the effort to say the things that need to be said, that I want to say now.  To honor our parents as they deserve to be honored.   The bright side is being able to take a step back from the business of these days and appreciate the fact that Mark's folks are still here and need us, and my kids are still home and need us, too. 

In Luke 2:51, after the various events of Jesus' early life on earth, we're told that Mary "treasured all these things in her heart."  I'm sure that wasn't the last time either.  I'm learning to do that too.  Taking time to process all that is happening around me is the only way that I can really savor the moments.

Philippians 4:4-9 says,

"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!  Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.


Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you." (NLT)

Here is something that never changes....God's peace guards my heart.  A dear friend of mine told me once, "God is my only constant."  She is right.  God's unchanging nature gives me peace for today and strength for tomorrow.  Fixing my thoughts on Him, I can face anything that comes.  Ahh....