Well Blessed

Wednesday, like Sunday is a favorite day for me. I teach a Bible Class in the morning and we have either "Back Yard" or Small Group in the evening. I love being with God's people. Anthony preached tonight and spoke on Church Family. He always does a good job, but this talk was especially meaningful to me.

Our Small Group served the meal tonight and it was wonderful. We used Tom's unbelievably good BBQ chicken -- all drumsticks, ham, green beans, corn - all left over from our big Easter feed. I had thawed it all in the frig so just had to heat it up. The sides and desserts were provided by our Small Group members and the food lasted through all the people yet we had almost nothing left over except a bit of ham and chicken we sent home with folks.

When we first got to the church there was a lone, out-of-state car there and I figured it was just a weary tourist, but it turned out to be a sweet lady, new to the area, who had visited church Sunday. I had sent her a welcoming email and invited her to Back Yard, and lo there she was. "I came hungry," she said. She was physically and spiritually ready to be filled. Praise God!

Pastor Mike did a cool thing at the beginning of our devotional service. We learned that a member's father was near death's door, so he used his cell phone set to speaker and with the mike, enabled us all to hear and then led us in prayer. They are dear friends, so later, Richard and I went over to see them and drop off some macaroni salad. They had a hospital bed set up in the living room and it brought back memories of when we were caring for Henrietta, a time both painful and fulfilling... a time when I was blessed to know and love my mother-in-law more deeply than ever before.

I am praying for my friend, her father and the whole family. I am praying for my friend Nell, as well. There are others, too, but I ask you to take just a moment and, right now, please join me in seeking God's mercy over these two situations. Thanks... I know our Father will hear and respond in love.

Yesterday, we had to buy more pet beds. When the flea man came, we had taken out all the pet beds and thrown all but one away. The remaining one was still airing out and its cover awaiting laundering, so no critters had beds. Snooks had been acting down, perhaps ill, I thought, ever since the flea man treated the house. It wasn't until we bought her a new bed that we realized she was upset about losing her old ones.

As soon as we placed the new bed in her usual spot next to the sofa, she attacked it and drug it out into the middle of the room where she continued to try to tear it to shreds. I took it from her and placed it in our room where her second bed had been. That made her happy and she promptly made herself comfy in its soft fluffiness. It is sort of hairy like a plush toy.

It wasn't long before Snooks was back in the living room standing where her bed used to be and giving us the evil eye. Callie, the cat had taken over the oversized cat bed we had bought thinking both cats could use it. Jasper tried to join her and was quickly put in his place. We made a second trip to Wal-Mart for two more beds, one for Snooks and one for Jasper. We bought him a bed just like the other cat bed so there would be no bed jealousy.

Now everyone has new beds, so where do we find Callie this afternoon? You guessed it, curled up right in the center of Snooks' living room bed.

Life is full. I am well loved and well blessed. I pray the same for you.