It's the Little Things

“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name.” Pslam 103:1
This is the verse that came to my mind when I sat down to write my journal entry for today. 
I woke up at 2:22am. My thoughts went to praying for my father-in-law. I went back to sleep to be awakened at 4:00am by our new dog that we haven’t heard bark or howl yet, give a brief “Howllll”.  I jumped up to go chek on her and all was well.  So again, I prayed for Wayne and added his boys Tim and Todd, to the list of prayers.  After another brief stint of sleep, my body officially was up and staying up at 5:00am.
As I was laying in bed prayingand thinking I was ready to get up and begin journaling.  But, before I could start putting my fingers on the keyboard there was a knock at the door.  It was my father-in-law.
Today marks the one year anniversary of his love-of-a-lifetime’s homecoming to Heaven.  So Tim, Todd, Wayne, and Hunter planned a fishing trip.  Wayne arrived about twenty minutes early, but I was so grateful for his early appearance.
We chatted in the kitchen and my heart was blessed.  He talked about how the past few days has been real rough, but he is fine for today.  Wayne had a precious visitor, in his dreams, this morning that looked at him and said, “I love you” and then had to get back to busying herself in heaven preparing for us.  The look on his face was of peace and contentment.

I was so glad that God held my fingers from typing, so I could see that it is “all well with my soul” for Wayne at this moment.  My heart was smiling as I could imagine Jany gently touching his face to say those three words as if to comfort Wayne and let him know that she is wonderful, go be blessed and be a blessing.
Each day I have sweet little reminders of my mother-in-law. 

• The light pink brush that her boys teethed on some 40+ years ago, that the handle was broken off at some point.  I can’t remember the story now as to how it happened, but I’m sure Jany would be the first to give me an elaborative story as to the sad day her brush broke.  (It’ll come to me, and we’ll all smile.)
• When I open my make-up drawer, I have her container with all her make-up brushes, a pair of readers, and an eye-lash curler (which Holly still uses).  Jany wasn’t an all frills type of girl when it came to her appearance.  But when it came time for her sweetie to arrive home from work each day, you bet she dolled herself up for him each afternoon.
• The shower cap that she had used for umpteen years hangs in my bathroom.  Holly occasionally uses it herself.  There’s old paint drips on it where I can just imagine her wearing it to complete one of her many projects around her home.
  
  

  Treasured memories.

Yesterday I was looking through my Book of Promises that I carry with me everywhere I go.  As I was turning the pages, Jany’s funeral flyer fell out.  At first I sighed, and then I read the poem titled “Safely Home” we had chosen on the inside.  It reads:
“I am home in heaven, dear ones:  Oh, so happy and so bright!  There is a perfect joy and beauty in the everlasting light.  All the pain and grief is over.  Every restless tossing passed;  I am now at peace forever.  Safely home in Heaven at last.  There is work still waiting for you, so you must not idly stand; Do it now, while life remaineth.  You shall rest in Jesus’ land.  When that work is all completed, He will gently call you Home; Oh, the rapture of that meeting, Oh, the joy to see you come!”
How perfect!  I can totally see her saying these words.  She’s right with Christ and busying herself in Heaven.  And they want us busying ourselves here on earth preparing for The Return when we will all be “Safely Home”.
This year has been tough at times.  But I am always reminded that “we are not alone”, God is with us, He is our comforter and sustainer, and just like Jany would have it, we need to be busy showing the way to The Cross to others.
I pray God’s abundant love and blessing to and for you all!