The "do-over" (done over!)

I don't quite know how to explain my life these days without using the words "do-over" in some sort of fashion.  It's like the movie from last year is playing over again this summer; like I've been given a chance to try it all over again.  It's that unusual.

I got a phone call from the bank and I finally need to once and for all sell the equipment left over from the bakery.  I should have done this last year after I got it home.  I don't know why I couldn't last year.  Today and tomorrow I'm cleaning out the garage so I can take pictures of it and list it for sale.  I need the space in the garage anyway so I have something to keep me busy today.

Tami Jo made it home safely and it was nice to have her here to talk to and spend time with.  That was kind of a "do over".  Last year after receiving divorce papers from Wendi (and still very early in my Christian walk when I just thought that being a Christian meant believing in Jesus and going to church every Sunday), I started dating Tami Jo.  That we can remain friends after everything that happened last fall is a testament to God's grace.  She was here for almost two weeks. Most of the time I worked so we didn't spend a lot of time together.  This time, in the do-over, we made choices to keep our conduct limited to that of friends; conduct that brings glory to God and not shame to us.  The credit for this is God's.  Through His grace and strengthening both she and I in our walk with Him, He's taught us to believe is to live the Word, putting our own wants, needs, and desires behind His for us.  It's important for me to share this because I know how it could have looked having her stay at the house but it's a big house and we had plenty of space between us and the best chaperones anyone could have asked for (God, Jesus, Miss June, and my job, in that order!)

In the do-over, I'm making better choices and taking care of things more.  I had a really hard couple of days last week but the Lord blessed me and met my needs in some very unexpected ways that reinforced the lesson that I can trust in Him.  My mower died and someone at work told me they have one I can have.  That's a blessing.  The money I needed to take Tami Jo home appeared on Friday which was another blessing.  I didn't win the lottery but that's just as well.  Can you imagine the craziness that would ensue if I did?

Last year, I had a great time over the 4th of July in Gunnison, Co., where Tami lives. This year,  I dropped her off at her home and left.   I put 900 miles on the car yesterday; got home just a little after 11:30 and as I came up the circle, the side of Mt. Ogden was on fire.  The fire dept. put the blaze out quickly, though, but it kind of frightened June a little bit.  Not me.  In the do-over, instead of staying, I came right back home.  I'm trying to respect my circumstances and not exacerbate them.  I didn't fret about the fire... I have insurance.

I have a lot going on in my life that I don't mention on the blog these days.  That's another part of the "do-over".  The truth of some things I think is just better shared with a few close, trusted friends.  That's why I haven't written much lately.  Lots going on, just nothing to share with the world.  God sees all, knows all, and the things that have happened to me lately are for Him to judge and deal with.  Sharing them really serves no purpose.  I guess that means I'm taking the lessons learned to heart.

The weirdest things happen to me still.  I stopped for gas in Grand Junction and this young man in his early 20's came up to me and asked me if I was heading to Utah and could he and his friend catch a ride with me?  You never know how God will use someone to meet a need or to use you to meet someone else's need.  If this would've happened last year, I would have lied and left these boys at the travel plaza. In the do over, I was able to share a bit of the Good News with them/  I need to find some Bible tracks to keep with me to hand out to folks.

That's about it from Lark Circle.  The pool is warm so I might take a swim today.  I might take a nap in my hammock and enjoy the things I've been blessed with.  There is stuff in the freezer that would cook up great in the oven so I might do that later, too.  I made it to church this morning and am so glad I did.  Incidentally, I read the same little message the pastor shared with the congregation at the beginning of the service on my facebook page later in the day.  Odd that I'd come across the same message twice in the span of a couple of hours.  Maybe even random?

I hope everyone has a great 4th.  Stay safe, don't set the hillsides on fire, pray for our nation, give glory to God.  And eat lots of potato salad!

Coop

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