Midnight Musings

So it's actually quite a bit after midnight and, as usual, my mind is filled with a great variety of thoughts. And my thoughts are good thoughts---content and pleasant thoughts---except for the one about the dirty dishes in the kitchen sink. (That one keeps popping up, but I just keep ignoring it. There's simply too much other good stuff to think about.)

I just spent quite awhile looking at photos and reading over profiles of friends on Facebook (thanks, Sho, for coaxing me into that one! I'm really enjoying myself there.) And as I sat here at my computer, I was thanking God for the people I've been blessed to know in my life. People who have touched me spiritually over the years. People who have helped my family, especially my Mom- and my Dad before he died. I am so grateful for my friendships and for the encouragement that I have received from people who give their time and energy to edify those around them. I yearn for the time when we can all have fellowship one with another, in the absence of sin and its curses. What that will feel like, AMEN?!?! I read Revelation 21 over and over and don't get tired of imagining it. I want Jesus to come so badly!!

And I guess I'm sentimental tonight, maybe overly so. I am missing my nieces and nephews in Texas something fierce! I am so proud of each one of them, and of their Mamas and Papas. And I'm thinking about my Mom in the hospital and wishing I could visit her. She has endured the worst pain of her life this week and she will be having another procedure tomorrow, on her right kidney. This will be the 5th procedure in a 3 week period. She's been in the hospital several days--she is in God's hands and continues to surprise me with her strength. I can say the same for my mother-in-law as she has continued her chemotherapy and has had to adjust her whole lifestyle around her cancer. And she's done so with a sweet smile on her beautiful face.

I am also thinking about the classroom that awaits me tomorrow as I will spend the day hanging up pictures and creating an ambiance for my students to enjoy their first few days of school. I want to have a "pretty" classroom, but above all, I desire to reach my students spiritually and form meaningful bonds with them. They are my ministry and I love them.

And I'm thinking about my own kids, starting school in six days...getting so big and capable of so much. Hannah is a 4th grader now and it's a precious time. Her emotions are more complex and deeper than they ever have been. She is so mature and so less like a "little girl" every day. Matthew is anxious for 2nd grade and has recently taken up an interest in cooking. Yes, cooking. And all four of his appendages are scraped up from riding his bike every day. It's toughening him up!

And I'm thinking about how blessed I am to be Mark's wife and to be completely loved just the way I am. He accepts me with all of my imperfections. He has stepped up to the challenge of being Mr. Mom this entire week, in spite of his pain. He's been through the muck and mire this summer--and we've all gotten a little muddy hanging onto him. But it's made us stronger in some ways. Sometimes I feel like our love will get us through anything.

And lastly, I am blown away tonight with thoughts of my Lord. I am continuously impressed with His goodness toward me. I have so much to praise Him about! His glory is shining. He is ministering to me daily and I know He is with me. I know I will rise up one day with wings like an eagle, to meet Him in the air. I don't think I could have survived the past few years without Him in my life. He truly has kept me going in the dark times.

Now it's time for me to sleep and put my thoughts to rest---at least until the morning comes. Good night and like it says in the last verse of the Bible: The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!