Good morning Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! The sun is shining brightly, the wind is blowing the trees and it looks like a beautiful but hot, as usual, day is here.
My weekend was a bit unusual for me. I had lunch with some dear friends on Friday, with lots of laughter and fun at the Olive Garden. "(when you're here you're family") and brought home some soup which I had enjoyed for lunch.
Then Saturday, Brian and I drove to Orlando to attend the funeral service for my sister-in-law. It was definitely different than the church memorials I have been privileged to attend. While Ruth was a believer, her two sons are not, and were civil to each other, but not agreeing on much of anything. The service was held in the very large funeral home that had a snack bar nook with Starbucks coffees, (Aren't they everywhere) all free for those with services there. We took the free water bottles.
The preacher did the best he could under the circumstances, not knowing Ruth or her family personally. He did read some scripture, though and read some quotations and then asked for people to speak who wanted to remember Ruth. All in all, I think it satisfied the sons and their family. Gary(the son) lost his wife a few years ago, leaving him twin girls and a son to raise, which he has done very well. They are really into soccer. Gary's brother has a wife but no kids and lost his job a couple years ago. I was chosen by God to listen to his problems...this in the midst of the gathering at Ruth's old house. Difficult to hear over the noise of all the conversation, but , anyway, tried to offer the best advice I could, which was for them both to get together sometime with a counselor and iron out their differences before a third party. Life's too short for feuds between brothers. I will keep praying for them, but they live some distance apart, so I can only hope.
Well, this is probably more information than anyone really wanted to hear, but it was an unusual weekend, as I said.
I did enjoy the church service yesterday, which was a DVD of Pastor Rick's daughter's wedding and his sermon to them. It was funny and poignant and I was teary eyed at some points. God is good!
From the Message.
Psalm 121
I look up to the mountains,
does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God,
who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.
He won't let you stumble,
your Guardian God won't fall asleep.
Not on your life! Israel's
Guardian will never doze or sleep.
God's your Guardian
right at your side to protect you--
shielding you from sunstroke,
sheltering you from moonstroke.
God guards you from every evil,
He guards your very life.
He guards you when you leave and when you return.
He guards you now, he guards you always.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
