Saturday: Worked at the store that morning, and had a prayer answered less than an hour after I asked! After I got there, I realized I hadn’t yet talked to God that morning, so I excused myself to the bathroom and spent a few minutes just connecting and asking God to use me. Less than an hour later, a customer and I started chatting and I realized that the problems she was sharing were EXACTLY what I had been dealing with last week also. We spent about 20 minutes talking and then we prayed together, at the end of which she was crying, hugged me, and thanked me for being her angel. But it was God who orchestrated this encounter! What are the chances that this random stranger would open up to ME (as opposed to any of my coworkers, even?) and share EXACTLY what I had been tearfully discussing with my husband just 2 days before? After she left, I was so humbled and crying also, but these were good tears. I realized just what God had done and that He is still invested in me and showers me with grace in spite of my inadequacies. He showed me once again that He is in complete control. It was a powerful statement… like, “you asked Me to use you, well, I hope you meant it ‘cause here we go!” and He did not waste any time getting around to it, either! It never ceases to amaze me what God can do through us when we open ourselves to Him. It is an adventure like none other. He rocks!!!
After my short shift at the store, the Donald and I planned to hang out with some of his coworkers to watch the TN/FL game. I turned my attention to more superficial pursuits, like getting all girlied up for the occasion with perfect hair, a bit of extra makeup, and strappy heels to compliment my orange and white (go Vols!) sleeveless top and cute jeans. I hadn’t met these guys before, and I always like to look good in front of Don’s friends (as though I’m a trophy wife or something, LOL!). We grilled out during halftime and enjoyed a raucous afternoon of yelling at the big-screen (the room being evenly divided between Florida and UT fans).
Sunday: I experienced a small victory at the shelter… I visited with a puppy who had been brought in 2 days prior but had not eaten a bite since he arrived. The staff was really concerned about him being stressed and they asked me to give him some special attention, so I took him for a long walk and then out to the kennel run to play. He happily scarfed down a few milk bones I had in my pocket, so I tried feeding him canned food out of my hand. He ate that too! It felt really good! That was pretty much the only thing I accomplished all day.
Monday: Got together with a few other gals for dinner and Bible study. We’ve been doing this weekly for a couple of months now, and I have grown to treasure the time spent with these ladies. They are not people I usually run around with in my free time, but through our evenings together, we have grown close and found true accountability partners in each other. How awesome it is to have these godly women involved in my life and rooting for me!
Today: I'm in a fog. Don’s on night shift this week, and for some reason I never can sleep well when he’s gone. I have also been having horrible nightmares, and I dread even going to sleep. For example, in my most recent nightmare, my husband was stabbed to death, and I woke up alone and COMPLETELY freaked out! I have been trying to detect some pattern, but I have yet to arrive at any significant conclusions.
We had a dinner cruise scheduled for tomorrow night… it was supposed to be a surprise birthday celebration for one of our good friends… but they had a death in their family and had to reschedule the cruise for a date we can’t attend. What a bummer! The funeral’s even on our friend's birthday.
Friday morning, we travel to the SC coast to camp at the beach in celebration of our third anniversary. Can’t wait!
