Friday, December 07, 2018

Grace

For Brian's birthday yesterday, Rick got two shiny new stents and a warning that his heart disease has progressed. 😏

The surgeon decided he wanted to keep Rick overnight, so I drove from the hospital to Brian's school by myself to watch Brian's first basketball game of the season. Last year I took homemade cupcakes for his team on his birthday; this year all I could deliver was myself. Brian was great about it all, though, texting me frequently through the day to check on his dad.

Want to guess what this morning's worship study just happened to be about? Forgiveness.

"Forgiveness is releasing another from our condemnation."

"However sorely they may have wounded us, we are not to cherish our grievances and sympathize with ourselves over our injuries, but as we hope to be pardoned for our offenses against God, so must we pardon those who have done evil to us. . . . When tempted to revile, send up a silent prayer that God will give you His grace, and keep the tongue in silence."

I was convicted of the need to forgive my husband, and ask forgiveness for any measure of "reviling" him I have indulged in, including here on my blog. And with that, the sky lit up and so did my heart.








Jackson made it clear he missed me. So before I left for another extended period this morning (to pick up Rick, more prescriptions, etc.) we snuggled:


Chuckie got his snuggle time tonight after chores:


When Rick got home this afternoon, he sat down on the floor and snuggled with Dozer. Now he (Dozer, not Rick) is snuggling with his own cute paws on his memory foam bed:

Our clear, cold spell has broken and it's raining. We're all under one roof again, and I am thankful.

Good-night from . . .

11 comments:

Michelle said...

Onward...

Theresa said...

Yes, onward! Small comforts and large. So glad that Rick is covering and a possible disaster avoided for now. Hugs to all and a couple extra for Dozer for looking so darn cute in paw contemplation!

wyomingheart said...

We never quite know what our gracious Lord has for us to learn each day... What a terrific message and the glorious phots to set that message on a path to our hearts. Thank you for your post today and please know we,( especially me! ) think that Chuckie is just a precious, wonderful gift!

Retired Knitter said...

A good post and a reminder to us all - especially me that forgiveness helps the forgiver more than the forgiven. Peace dear friend.

Leigh said...

Michelle, that is so true about forgiveness. The only one we punish with unforgiveness is ourselves. One thing I've learned is that forgiveness is an act of will, not a feeling. It's a deliberate choice that we sometimes have to keep reminding ourselves that we made, but grace follows obedience.

Florida Farm Girl said...

I'm glad Rick is improving. It's hard to go through those experiences repeatedly. And we can't know what he is thinking or feeling as this happens to his body. AMHIK for a total of DH's 12 stents. Let's hope that this time he'll be agreeable to making changes to improve his disease as much as he can. Hugs to you.

Fiberjoy said...

What a wonderful, timely study/message along with the gorgeous sky show.
Prayers continuing!

A :-) said...

Thinking of you and hoping that Rick is better every day.

Susan said...

Thank you for the reminder. I hope that Rick recovers quickly. All things seem better after snuggle time. And you have three of the snuggliest! Hugs to you.

Anonymous said...

So very true...I do believe these things happen to remind us of what is important in life. Hang in there and tell Rick to take it easy.

Fat Dormouse said...


This is a timely reminder for me too - I see it as part of generosity. As God is so generous forgiving us, so we too should be ready to forgive others. But, oh, sometimes it's hard, especially (bizarrely!) with those we love, who don't do what we wish they would do!!

Fat Dormouse xx