Sunday, August 3, 2008

Thankfulness And Laughter

Since I have been stuck at home in bed for so long now, I have had plenty of time to think. I have tried to find the blessings and the joy in all the little things in my life right now.

Some examples are:

1. Shannon makes my breakfast and my coffee and brings it to me in bed each morning. Sigh.

2. I am thankful for my home, and now I realize what a blessing it is to be able to clean it by myself.

3. We have plenty of food to eat, and I can't wait until I can cook a meal for my family again. (I know, some of these things are just as shocking to me.)

4. I love my family and friends so much. They have called me, sent me cards, emails, and prayed for me while I have been recovering.

5. My boys have surprised me by really helping out after being forced to a lot. They have really helped me so much each day by taking care of Allie, preparing my lunch, doing dishes, vacuuming, and helping out with the laundry. And they have done all of these things with minimal complaining. :)

I could keep going, but you know what I mean.
As I was making this list, I was reminded of some Scripture verses in James.

James 1:2-4, 12
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.


I have definitely learned a lot about myself and God through this trial. I would love to tell you that I always considered this time of recovery a gift, but that would not be true. But I have realized so many more things in my life that I am thankful for, that I am sorry to say when I was in perfect health, I most of the time took for granted. So realizing that now is a gift, amen?

I wanted to tell you all about a way God blessed my family through this trial.

Last week, one of our good friends from church, Michel, made our family salad and spaghetti for dinner, and her daughter Heather made us some chocolate chip cookies for dessert.
We were thrilled to receive such a gift (especially Shannon). The food was delicious, and it was so nice for Shannon to come home and not have to immediately start cooking dinner. And we had enough spaghetti for three nights of dinners. We felt so blessed that someone took the time out of their busy schedule to do that especially for us.

Then this past Tuesday night, another couple from our Sunday school class, Stoney and Kim, came by our house (all the way out in Crazyville). They came loaded with food. We could not believe our eyes. They brought us 2 rotisserie chickens, potato salad, rolls, lima beans, corn on the cob, white cheese dip with tortilla chips, and a homemade strawberry cake. Unbelievable! We have never received so much food in our lives. We felt like we were kings and queens while we were eating our dinner.
And we had enough left over for several nights of dinner, not to mention all of the chips and dip. With two teenage boys in the house that is always nice to have on hand for their 24 hours a day snacking routine. :)

Then Friday night our friends Alecia and John from Sunday school provided us with a meal of a wonderful baked spaghetti dish, garlic bread, salad, and brownies.

John 1:16
And of His fullness have we all received, and grace for grace.


Talk about receiving the fullness of God. We were full spiritually as well as physically! :)

Shannon and I have been so touched by our friends and their acts of kindness to our family.
So much so, that now we hope to be able to do the same things for families in need in the future. We want to pass the blessings that we received on to others.

Last but not least, I feel like God finds a great deal of humor at my expense sometimes.
When Stoney and Kim arrived, I walked into the living room to greet them. Needless to say I had been in bed all day, so the house was quite a mess, but that is not what bothered me. As I walked into the living room it dawned on me, "I must look like Thelma Harper with my house dress and circulation stocking knee highs on."



Oh well, like my favorite lady Erma Bombeck says, "If you can't make it better, you can laugh at it."

So I'm laughing, God; I'm laughing! :)

Thank you, God, for the gift of laughter. It makes the trials of my life so much easier to bear.

I also want to say thank you to my son, Matthew; he used his Photoshop skills to give Thelma Harper my face. :)

Before I sign off on this post, I just wanted to let you all know that I am going to the see the surgeon tomorrow morning at 11:30. This will be my first visit with him since I had my surgery, so if you feel led to do so, please pray that the visit goes well. I have no idea what to expect, but I know that God already knows the outcome, so I will trust in that.

Luke 6:19
"Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone."


26 comments:

diane b said...

Just love your daisy curser. Hope you get well soon.

The Laundress said...

Awesome.

Thank you for being inspirational.

Mia said...

Isn't it great how the family of God comes through for us?!! So much yummy food!
I will continue to pray for you dear friend...especially tomorrow at 11:30. Let us know how it goes, Thelma : )
Oh by the way hobble over to Paula's and read her post "The Fall" if you haven't already...AWESOME!

Dee said...

Not matter what's going on, you always seem to have a smile and keep your sense of humour. It inspires so many poeple, including me. You have our prayers and our love.

Kellan said...

You have lots to be thankful for - so do I - thanks for reminding me on this beautiful Sunday, to stop and remember that.

Good luck at the doctor visit - see you soon - Kellan

Tina said...

What a blessing you have with all those sweet people bringing you food. That is such an easy way to minister to people...I just took dinner to a sweet lady from our church. She was greatly injured when she fell off a horse!!

I'm glad you're looking for the positives in all of this...I'm sure it isn't easy!

Take it easy...and I'll say a prayer for your appointment tomorrow.

Have a great day, friend!

Tracey said...

It's amazing how food can make you feel so much better! God Bless!

Gina said...

I will be praying for your Dr. appt. tomorrow. Please let me now how it goes. :)

God bless,
Gina

Dee Dee Wike said...

Amy,

Just wanted to let you know that I'm praying for you. Your Mom forwarded your blog address to our Sunday school class a couple of weeks ago, and I've been getting prayer requests for you. Lots of people at Central are praying for you!

Also, I wanted to let you know that I found your blog inspiring -- in fact, I was so inspired that I created my own and am now beginning to see the writer's block lift from my foggy mind.

Praying God's blessings for healing, peace, purpose and provision as you continue to wait on Him,

Dee Dee Wike
deedeewike.blogspot.com

Karma said...

You are so amazing and positive! I love it! Best of luck at the surgeon! :)

Paula V said...

What blessings...not only in having the wonderful food and having it prepared for you, but what a reminder from God above that He has not forsaken you nor left you. He is providing these loving people not only to show their love for you but to show HIS love for you.

In all things He works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purposes. Rom 8:28 AMEN.
Much love,
Paula

Unknown said...

You know receiveing the food and everything not only made ya'll feel good, but also made the people giving it to ya'll feel just as good.
Also the Thelma Harper look is understandable now, just make sure you don't get used to it.

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

When I was on bedrest a couple of years ago, we were treated like royalty by our friends. I am reminded tonight that I need to do better at returning the favor. I'm such a taker some days.

Hope all goes well tomorrow. Let us know.

peace~elaine

valerie said...

I'm so glad that you've been blessed like you have during your time of recovery. You are definitely a very loved family.
How nice of your friends to bring y'all such wonderful meals.
I'll be remembering you in prayer tomorrow.
Love,
Valerie

Nicole said...

I will be praying for you, Amy. I will check back to see how you are doing.

Once again, thank you for your humor, even if you don't necessarily "feel" like it you still try to find the positive and the humorous.


God Bless,
Nicole

Laura said...

Amy,
what an inspiration you are, my friend! you have handled this whole situation with such grace. you blessing list really shamed me, and made me take stock of my own blessings! (I can't believe your son actually got your face on Thelma's!) You truly are a special lady, and I think your Sunday school class feels the same way! I'll be praying for you tomorrow morning. Maybe you'll be released from bed rest? Hmmm. He can do anything...

Anonymous said...

LOL! Amy, I need to check here before the start of every morning. You make me smile and laugh each day. I love the Thelma Harper pic!
Praying for a great MD visit. Keep us posted. :)

sa061545@bellsouth.net said...

Hey, baby girl! As usual, you had a wonderful post! I'm so thrilled at the outpouring of love from your friends from Sunday School! What a wonderful gesture! I know that it was appreciated by all of you!!! I pray that all goes well with your doctor visit today - I'm ready for you to feel better!
WE LOVE YOU!!! Mom & Dad :)

Unknown said...

God is so good! I just got back from a work trip and am catching up. I'll start praying for an excellent visit wtih good news frothcoming from it.

Denise said...

Hi Amy. I've been away from a computer for a few days so I'm just catching up on you today. Happy belated birthday, sweet friend. I'm so sorry I didn't know; I would certainly have wished you a happy birthday on time. Sounds like you have had a great few days with your company that came a callin'. I know it must have cheered you up so much and probably made you feel a little better physically too. I love your new blog header - very cool! I'm thinking of you and praying for you as you visit the doc today. I look forward to an update on you and on Allie. Have a great day! HBB again!
Love,
Denise

Denise said...

Hi again, Amy. About this post in particular . . . I really enjoyed it. Sounds like you have a wonderful church family, and I know they love you guys very much. You are such a inspiration to me and also I'm just so in love with your sense of humor. That Thelma Harper picture is a real hoot! Take care, and I'm expecting a good report from your doc. God bless you and your family.
Love,
Denise

Pleasant Living said...

I LOVE the book of James. It always speaks truth into my life!

Hula Girl at Heart said...

My mom always used to say, "If you don't have your health, you don't have anything." I used to think that was silly...then I grew up.

Kristen said...

Praying your Doc Visit went well.

You friends are so dear. I tell you... I love my friends as well, and the gifts from the Lord that they are! I am blessed beyond measure with treasured friends and it sounds as if you are too@

Laura said...

Praying your appointment went well...

Jamie said...

I'm eager to hear how your appt. went.

I'm so glad you are able to see the blessings during this hard time. I love those scriptures...thanks for sharing, they really spoke to me.