Good News

For months my shoulder has been hurting. The chiropractor hasn't been able to help, and suggested I see an orthopedic. I dreaded being told I'd need surgery.

I postponed the visit for awhile, trying to see if a better diet would help. No change.

Today I saw a doctor we used years back, who has the nicest bedside manner of any doctor I know. I enjoyed seeing him again.

And I enjoyed even more being told it's tendonitis, not a tear requiring surgery. What a relief!

Still a Dream (for Wed)

Recently I finished reading Mark Batterson's book, Prayer Maker. Much of his book I like, Jesus suggested bold praying like the widow who pommeled the judge with her insistence.

But much of it left me discouraged. For example, Mark's church needed a drummer early on. God told him to get a drum set. He bought a drum set, even though funds were tight, and the next Sunday a professional drummer showed up.

I have a drum set at church, and my son played until he left for college last year. I have prayed consistently for a new drummer, to no avail as of yet.

Mark marched around DC and prayed like Joshua for wherever he put his feet. We have done that kind of praying here in our neighborhood...but not had the same results.

However when God was directing my playlist on prayer day (see Soundtrack of My Soul) I heard "Still a Dream" a Nicole C Mullen song I created a video for about our church.

We may not be huge, but we have accomplished something rare in this country, an integrated church. That was our dream, and it still is, and I appreciate God reminding me.

Soundtrack of My Soul

This morning on my walk I started my music without realizing it was on shuffle. Of course I like everything on my playlist, but today God sure picked what I needed to hear.

The first surprise song was Still a Dream, which reminded me of my dream for a diverse church being realized, more on that tomorrow.

I also heard Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone, a favorite at our church which we just sang Sunday as we prayed for folks to be set free.

Another was Joyfully, which is one of my favorite joyful songs, based on Psalm 23.

Then Never Once, which reminds me I am never alone. I first loved this song when I heard it after Junia's accident, so it has a special meaning for me. I noticed for the first time an extra phrase Matt Redman says in his recording that's not in the music, "we shall not be overcome." I have been feeling overcome, so that was a good reminder.

I am grateful for God's orchestrating my soundtrack this morning.

Helping

This morning I was thinking about a particular young person I know. Later she texted me because she needed help with how to file her taxes.  I was able to direct her to what had used for my kids. She did the work herself and got a great refund, which she never had received before. I was glad to help in a small way and even more gad she got a refund!

Praises

Each week at church we share our praises. Today one of our folks shared a job promotion! This is a great blessing for her financial situation. Premature twins we have prayed for both are now home from the hospital. A woman and her daughter we haven't seen in a year came to worship. Another young man we've been praying for came for his third time. Praise God for these blessings and more.

Welcome March

Welcome March.

Beneath your petticoats hides spring.

As Sun rises sooner

And Moon retires later

And Rain soaks your skirts

So that flowers burst forth to herald approaching warmth

May Spring have courage to step out and receive

A hero’s salute

For valiantly rescuing us from the captivity of Winter.

My Dog

Today I had to catch my dog when she almost tumbled down the stairs. She's 14, in regular years. A shepherd mutt.

We got her at Christmas 2000; she was two years old and her owner was getting remarried and his new wife had a cat and didn't want the dog.

That coming February my mom died unexpectedly, throwing me deep into a paroxysm of grief. Sunny sensed my pitiful state and brought me great comfort. She's been "my" dog ever since.

I'm glad I could catch her today. I'm not sure where this is going, sadly. But I am grateful for the comfort this furry creation of God has been to me over the years, my constant companion, the Holy Spirit with fur, not that the Holy Spirit inhabits my dog, but she has been a concrete expression of unconditional love and regard that I appreciate.

We humans are created uniquely in the image of God. But certainly all of creation reflects and "images" God in some fashion.

I've been carrying her up and down the stairs ever since. She took a turn carrying me, it's the least I can do.