Saturday November 5, 2016

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​​​​​​​Check out all the blessings from the week!

May you be blessed to have someone who knows how to love you when you are sad, insecure, or mad. You are never unlovable to the one who sincerely loves you.

What a week. It was Monday, Halloween, and we get a call from my Mom: "Daddy is bad. The worst he's ever been." My dad is almost ninety, he has congestive heart failure, diabetes, COPD, etc. etc. It was time to go back to the hospital - again.

And so we went. Because we are so blessed, medical care is nearby, and my dad is has health insurance. Thank God, there's nothing keeping him from gett‌ing the finest care. The doctors were able to clear the fluid from his heart and lungs that was making him so sick. A couple days later, he was on the way to recovery.

But this is really a baseball story.

I am a 3rd generation Chicagoan, and I hail from a long line of sport nuts. As you may have heard, our own Chicago Cubs won the world series this week. It was a very big deal. Over a century in the making. Thank God, my dad, a life-long Cub fan, lived to see it.

Traditions are important at any age. And even more so when you're in the final innings of life. My dad and mom stayed up late this week watching the Cubs from the hospital room. They didn't miss a single pitch, catch, or run.

Thank God, my Dad was back home by Friday. He was in his favorite chair watching the victory celebration on television. An estimated 5 million people swarmed the city to honor the baseball team by watching the parade, gathering in the park, and listening to awe-inspiring speeches by team members. The emotions and excitment ran high.

It was then that I walked in the house to see my dad. He was crying. Good tears. Tears of gratitude for his Cubbies, and tears of joy for the grace of God who enables him to live these precious moments, surrounded in love and answered prayers.

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.

My son, Zach's brain suffered dysfunction after getting C-diff [rare bacterial infection.] Drs also gave him Klonopin furthering the issues. Please pray for a complete healing of his brain. He needs hope, peace and complete healing and restoration. Pls direct the Drs and renew his spirit. His suffering has been intense and lengthy. Please pray. Thank you. 

 ~ Tammy S.

Just for today I will be kind without expecting anything in return. I'll do it because it feels better to be kind than not. I'll do it because when I act kindly, I'll feel kindness towards myself. I'll do it because I am made in the image of God and our God is a kindly God.