IAT = I am thankful
1. A secure home with no rain damage.
2. Good health.
3. Happy children.
4. A devoted husband.
5. Technology.
I was talking on the phone with one of my closest friends today. Funny how our lives are so busy that even though we are in the same town, we don't take the opportunity as much to talk as we used to. Which has nothing to do with my thoughts other than, I was sharing my thoughts with her when something came out of my mouth I've never said before. In speaking of my gratitude to my Heavenly Father, I said, "he's lifted me (and the Bish) on the wings of grace." I can only believe that those words were inspired by the Spirit, because I've never said them before. Never even heard them before.
We have a chapter closing in our life, and a new one opening. The story is we are closer and closer to moving. We have lots of mixed emotions about this. Even though it is probably the best thing, it kind of feels like we are dragging ourselves. Maybe that is normal. We've lived here 18 years, so I don't remember what it is like to have that kind of security, because this is the only time I've had it. Part of the story is, that my dear husband has been The Bish the last five year. Ok, he's been the bishop of our local LDS congregation. For all intents and purposes, he's the pastor. And I'm the sister bishop, which really means nothing other than he has my complete and total support at all times. He will not hear when he comes home from 8 hours of church on Sunday, "where have YOU been???" He will not hear on a long night of interviews with members of our congregation, "Why did it take so long???" And he does not share why or who it took so long. So, I'm probably the most clueless person in the ward.
On occasion, not knowing he was about the Lord's business, I might ask, "where have you been or what took so long coming home?" And as soon as I hear, "I visited someone in the hospital, I stopped to see someone in jail, I had to check on someone," I don't need to hear anymore. He has been my bishop, our bishop, our congregation's bishop for five years now. And curiously, I am feelng ambivalent about his impending release from that position. At the beginning, I would have thought I'd be very relieved. And I would guess he would be too. But we are both feeling this mixture of emotions. I think. Are you dear?
I feel a reluctance because of those beautiful wings of grace. I know in my heart they are available to all. And that, they will continue to be available to me. But it seems, that we have somehow been blessed with an extra portion. Have I miraculously become perfect? Uh, that would be an emphatic NO! But, I feel my patience has increased, as well as my emotional endurance. My natural abilities seem better able to meet the challenges that come from less time together, less family time.
There have been several major trials in the lives of our friends lately. Challenges with life and death, with home security, job security, and for whatever reason, we are being allowed a season of blessing. My gratitude knows no bounds. Once again, not everything is perfect, and we have our day to day challenges, but oh those wings! What a great blessing they are to me. And it's also a blessing to know that if our circumstances change, we can still rely on that amazing grace to lift us. There are no words that can express how I feel about that.
