Twelve Wild Days

The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. John 3:25 (NIV)

Almost two weeks have gone by since I posted and after receiving comments from readers inspired because I wrote everyday. I responded by dropping off the face of the earth, or so it seemed. I was not hanging upside down in space, but desperately trying to keep from being overwhelmed by my little world. In the last twelve days, every minute counted. There was no time to write about what was happening. I was too busy living it. There is no way I can play catch up this time, so here is a brief summary of what the last few days have been like. Professionally, it was a difficult time. We lost another one of our historic homes to the wrecking ball. In the process, an out of town attorney chose to personally attack my credentials. My first response was anger, but after thought, I let my work stand for itself. Rather than continue with the debate and defend myself as some advised, I chose to ignore the onslaught and focus on my mission, saving the house. Unfortunately, we lost that battle, but we will be stronger the next time. The support that the fight generated helped me to realize that the people who I really care about trust and believe in me. My staff experienced personal trials that have been difficult as well, and I have been stretched thin supporting and encouraging them. Their frustration is compounded by the fact that we are in our busiest month and approaching our biggest event of the year. Personally, my dad is ill again. He is undergoing more tests and seeing more specialists. Thus far, he has avoided returning to the hospital. My horse colicked from eating too many acorns, and the vet made an emergency visit to pump him full of $225 worth of medicine and mineral oil. He is still acting puny so I am keeping a close watch on him as colic can be deadly. I was organizer of our Sunday School class’s auction which is our biggest fundraiser of the year. The money that it brings in supports missionaries around the world as well as benevolence projects in our community. The committees worked very hard, and God was good. We raised $16,000 in one night. In the midst of it all, I went to a great niece’s first birthday, and we celebrated youngest son’s miraculous, marvelous, outstanding report card. So, what do all those things, both happy and sad have in common? Each one was an opportunity for me to make a choice. Would I become anxious and stressful or remember Who controls my world. If I choose to believe that God is in control and He loves me, then, no matter what happens, professionally or personally, I can stay calm, waiting on Him to act. Someday, maybe I will have time to write in more detail about all I learned in the last twelve days, but remembering that everything including me is in Christ’s Hands is the most important lesson of all.