“I had it, now where has it gone?”
Nothing annoys me more than losing something so consequently most everything has its place and that works for me.
I did however change where I kept my small beany bags (the ones I heat up in the microwave on those cold winter nights…ah the comfort of warmth!)
I decided the laundry area was a better storage area than my linen closet. I decided that a month ago and yet I still look in the linen closet for them.
My minister has the same problem…well not with beany bags I am sure, but for over twenty years I have sung in the choir. My hip replacement surgery was a good time to step back and let some younger voices take over.
Recently I had an announcement to make about the Presbyterian Record and of course he looked over to the choir. Finally he saw me waving frantically about three rows from the back of the sanctuary. It took him a moment to register that yes, that’s where Pat is now.
Knowing where things are is an advantage but we can get into a bit of a rut.
The gift of a large cross stitch scenic view was given me recently. It was done by the mother of a friend…a lady long gone but who had such a sense of laughter and an amazing ability to cheat at cards. How she loved to win!
I had to move a painting I had and put it elsewhere to make room for this new addition and you know, it has changed the whole complexion of the living room and I rather like it.
Change is hard but sometimes it brings a fresh look into what has been a satisfied staleness.
I think it happens in our faith life too. We need to open a few doors and windows to refresh our sometimes narrow and outdated ideas.
No, I probably won’t show up at church on Sunday in jeans but I will wear sandals when it’s hot and I haven’t had a church hat for decades.
I have mellowed, my daughters tell me as my house is totaled as the great grandchildren visit. And I have mellowed in my judgment of others…often saying “I too have messed up so many times Lord, it is only your grace that has saved me.”
So my faith is sitting in a somewhat different place than it has been and so is several of my other old-fashioned notions about raising children. But some things remain constant… my love for the Lord and for my family.
