Day After Thanksgiving Shopping Recap

My Thanksgiving would not be complete without a recap of my after Thanksgiving Day shopping.  As we do every year, my niece (Keri), my sister (Lori), my mom (Mom), and I  met early for a day of Christmas shopping.  This year, we were joined by my niece-to-be (Kendra), her cousin & new baby (Molly & Todd, 3 weeks old) and her aunt (Stacy).  I really enjoyed talking with Stacy and Molly, over breakfast and linner (lunch/dinner).  I hope to see them again sometime soon.  Stacy appears to have a big heart and will open her home to others unselfishly.  I love that!  Molly is a new mother that is just beginning to see the rewards of motherhood.  She is so attentive to her little guy, it was fun watching her with him.   

My sister has been banned from driving on this shopping day.  In the past, she has been known to become very... let's just say.... she is no longer allowed to drive.  So, instead she sits in the back seat and tells me how to drive, where to drive and where to park.  Being the younger sister, I of course, do not listen to her....  In the afternoon, as we were driving down Walnut Avenue toward Kohls, the traffic was really thick and backed up.  I was waiting for the light to turn green on Mooney and Walnut a little west of the mall.  As I came close to the mall entrance and exit, I decided to stop and let some cars get out and others cross traffic to go into the mall.  I knew I was going to be there a while due to the traffic anyway, so why not show a little Christian Spirit right?  Well, you can imagine this made the car behind me upset and she sat on her horn.  But the other 15 cars that were probably stuck for over 20 minutes trying to get in and out, were waving and smiling as they passed me by.  My sister started getting nervous.  I said to her, "Hey, I believe that I will get a good turn from this."  My niece said, "Yep, what goes around, comes around".  My sister just exhaled.  I then said, "Lori, just wait. When we get in Kohl's parking lot we will find a great parking spot, because now I have favor".  

When we pulled into the parking lot, it was extremely full.  Cars driving in and out trying to find parking spots, but I just kept saying, "Just wait, a spot will open up for me".  Seriously cars were everywhere.  I drove to the last isle and what did my faith-filled eye's see?  A parking spot, waiting just for me and not far from the front door.  I turned to my sister and said, "See? I have found favor".  

Later, we were leaving the mall and ready to eat our linner (lunch/dinner) at Casa Grande.  I was driving down Mooney Blvd in a sea of cars, bumper to bumper.  My darling sis once again began to tell me I needed to move over as soon as I could or I wouldn't be able to make the turn to Casa Grande.  I,  however being a smartie now,  said, "Oh ye of little faith.  When I need to get over, these cars will part for me and let me in, just watch and see".  About a block from Casa Grande, I put on my blinker, the cars parted and let me in without a problem.  I looked in my mirror and my sister sat with her mouth open.  I said, "See, everywhere I go, I have favor".  In my mind though, I said to God, "Wow! Thanks for being a show off today".  

Well, we started the morning at K-Mart and finished the day at JC Penny.  I always love this day, not for the shopping, but for the chance to spend time with my family and the opportunity to watch people.  I really do enjoy watching people interact, or not, on this day.  I have seen many funny things and many sad things through the years. Yesterday did not disappoint me.  A few things always amaze me though: 

1. The amount of people that bring young children shopping with them.  Most of the time the small children are crying because they are so tired and the parents don't know when to go home.  
   
2. The number of people that walk around with frowns on their faces.  I truly believe they think their happiness depends on that one item that is on sale.
3. The amount of "stuff" put in shopping carts.  I can't help but wonder how much the gifts are truly appreciated by the recipients.  
4. How long people will stand in line, to only give up just before they reach the check-out stand.
5. How long people will stand in line and never speak to the person in front of them or behind them.  Do we miss opportunities to meet knew friends?

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and remembered to thank God for the many blessings you are enjoying, just by living in America.  As I am finishing this, a news report gave an update on the situation in Mumbai.  Please let's remember to pray for those that have lost loved ones in Mumbai.  Also continue to pray for the safety of America and our soldiers keeping watch.  

Psalm 144:2

Is This All There Is?

I was humored a couple of days ago when I received a text message from my son, Tim.  He had posted the following statement on his Twitter account and it sent me a text message.  It read, “I think I was switched at birth; I cannot be destined to work for the rest of my life- I was meant to be a spoiled rich brat...”.  Soon after, Carissa replied with, “I have been saying that for a long time. I think I belong in a palace somewhere, getting pedicures and wearing diamonds on my head for a living.”  I, too, have thought many times that I was really destined to live a lifestyle of the rich and famous.  In any event, my life was not suppose to include financial woes, job worries, health issues, or serving others.  

It really made me start thinking about how many of us really expected something great in our life and only received disappointment.  As a young teenager, I couldn’t wait to get married and have children.  I was going to stay at home and be the best wife and mother in the world, while my husband brought home a lot of money for me to spend.  I was raised in a middle-class family, with parents that encouraged me to dream big.  I had everything a young girl could want and more.  In my young mind, I could never imagine my life being any different when I got married and began a family.  I was going to live my big dreams.

At the age of 18, I married the man of my dreams (minus the money).  Within the first 10 years of our marriage, we experienced the birth of 4 sons, the sudden death of Dan’s father,   the loss of jobs, financial strain, many health issues with oldest son and myself.  This was not what my BIG dreams were.  I remember at one point in my life wondering, “is this all there is?”  The reality of life was striking me right between the eyes and I didn’t like it.  

The following 10 years became a completely different ride.  My boys became the focus of my worry.  The pressure of raising teens wasn’t anything I was ready for, yet it stared me in the face daily.  The aging body, weigh gain, feelings of isolation, day to day maintenance of a home, working full time and unbalanced priorities.  Completely overwhelmed is how I would describe this time.  I asked again, “Is this all there is?”  I even decided to run away one day and leave it all, but found myself in a position of dependency upon my husband and children.  Love prevailed.  

The last five years have been speckled with illnesses of self, parents, and mother-in-law.  Children leaving the nest, girls hanging around the boys, job change, spiritual growth, old relationships restored and deepening love for my husband.  Although good has been speckled with the bad, it would still be easy to ask, “Is this all there is?”  But, the difference now is, I can answer.  My answer is, “no, this is not all there is”.  

My life isn’t anything I had dreamed.  I have found happiness in surviving my reality with those I love, right beside me.  My dreams are now about seeking a personal relationship with God, through His Son, Jesus Christ.  They are full of watching for the prince that has gone to prepare a place for me in His Fathers house, not about settling with the prince in a castle of this world.  My Prince says that He loves me, I can have life in Him; I can ask for anything in His name, He sent me a helper , I can have peace and not fear anything.  All these now, are what my dreams are made of.  With God there is always more.  John 14