Butterflies on the Beach

I'm observing my favorite day off ritual - a day at the beach. I'm seeing something new today - butterflies! I've seen about a dozen - or the same one a dozen times. It flies just above the water. Then just when the waves break and splash high, it flits higher and put of reach. Looks dangerous. And fun!

And the Answers Are In

Decision 1: New complexities to life and future.

Decision 2: Great disappointment and more waiting.

My heart doesn't feel it, but my faith tells me that regardless, all will be well.

~ sigh ~

And the Answers Are In

All Will Be Well

I mentioned a few days ago that two people I love will be on the receiving end of potentially life-changing decisions this week. The first takes place tomorrow, the second on Friday.

All will be well.

Each person in my closest circle of friends is on edge, nervous, and uncertain. I count myself and Rosemary in that circle.

All will be well.

One decision could bring relief and closure, or new complexities to life and future.

All will be well.

One decision could bring unbelievable joy and new beginnings, or it may bring disappointment and more waiting.

All will be well.

We think we have a handle on life and then we learn how everything can change around us with little or no warning.

All will be well.

The waiting is almost over. Answers will soon be ours. We may or may not like what we hear. Regardless, there is nothing to be done but receive the answers. From there we will adjust and move forward. And no matter what . . .

All will be well.

Beetle Bailey

One morning recently I noticed a pile of dirt in the yard beside the driveway. "Please, not fire ants!" was my first thought. I went over to inspect. This is what I saw.

There at the top is a deep hole. Some critter had worked all  night scooping out dirt - or sand, I should say, since it's the lowcountry. It reminded me of the little ghost crab holes along the sand dunes, but I don't live on the beach. No crabs here!

I've watched the pile of dirt grow every day. I got Rosemary to do a little foot modeling to give you an idea of its size now.

Finally tonight we got a glimpse of the critter. It's some sort of beetle I think. It's kind of a rusty red color with black legs. It doesn't much appreciate it when we dribble bits of sand back down into the hole. He's shy though. This is as much of himself as he'll show us.

If anyone knows what this critter is, please tell me. Until then, thanks to my father's sense of humor, we're calling him Beetle Bailey.

Double Promise?

I stood on the carport as the garage door opened so I could take out a bag of trash late this afternoon. What a wonderful surprise was waiting for me on the other side - a brilliant rainbow! I called for the kids to come outside and as we all stood there looking at it, a second rainbow formed above the first.

I'm in need of a double-dose of promise this week. Two people that I love dearly will be on the receiving end of big-time, potentially life-changing decisions this week. The stressful part is that neither one has any control or say-so in how these decisions will turn out. It is literally out of their hands. Because I love these two people so much and because our lives are forever intertwined, their news will affect my life as well. I'm trying to rest in the promise that we're all in God's hands, no matter what. Trying. I think maybe God knew this restless soul might need a visual reminder as well.

Blah

I went for a run/walk last night. It was horrible. Painful. Breathing was bad, like I hadn't exercised in years. My legs felt like lead weights. My joints hurt. It was one of those "why do I do this crap" kind of nights. The usual post-run feel-good rush was noticeably absent. I felt awful. I chalked it up to being one of those "off" kind of exercise days.

Then I woke up this morning with burning sinuses and a headache. Medicine remedied those, but I feel like I've been walking in molasses all day. Tired. Sleepy. Sore. Lethargic. I leave the office at lunch on Thursdays for my dedicated sermon writing time. This afternoon was dedicated nap time. I slept for over 2 hours. I'm still tired.

So for the first time since I started my new routine of making sure the sermon is done on Thursday, I'm going to miss my deadline. Just. can't. do. it. Not today. I'm going to watch the rest of the USC/NC State game and then I'm going back to bed. Then I plan to take my Friday as a real day off. Looks like I'll be joining the Saturday preacher party this week. See you there!