Norm and I recently took a road trip to Branson with our thirteen-year-old grandson. He was all ours for the first time. Norm let him use a portable GPS while riding in the back seat. Technology is easy for him. While Norm and I were still programming our GPS, he input the destination and the Australian lady started giving us directions from the back seat.

Technology rules my life more than it should. I keep in touch on Facebook with family and friends and love sharing their special moments. Pictures of births, weddings, pets, children, sayings that bring laughter. Recently there were notices from three friends that are now grandmothers posting pictures of their newborn babies.  Two of them were born in California.  Another life long friend and his wife were celebrating the marriage of their son.  Now they have a daughter and more grandkids to enjoy.  I used to be his babysitter over fifty years ago. I love keeping in touch with lifetime friends.  It is amazing how this technology allows me to instantly communicate with my friends in Denmark, Australia and the Philippines.

Suddenly, the electronics quickly change my mood. I get a message that Cindy’s sister-in-law died; my friend’s husband is just diagnosed with cancer. Our ninety-year-old neighbor is in a group home, and family decided to admit her into hospice. Another friend in her thirties went to Tijuana, Mexico, for a last desperate cancer treatment after four other treatments over the last three years failed.

I pause and wonder what the future holds for Norm and me. We aren’t getting any younger. I want to go to heaven, but, selfishly, I am not ready to leave my family on earth. I have grandkids I need to watch grow up, I want to spend more time with my halfsiblings that I just met. My classmates plan to get together to celebrate our seventieth birthdays next year. There will be more special times with Norm and our two sons. Life is full of good moments and future celebrations to share.

Every evening I settle down to watch the news with Norm. I need to quit doing that! Not settle down with Norm–but watching the news. All the negativity about our President, innocent lives lost in Manchester, nuclear wars, global warming. What is going to happen to those sweet babies in California?  What kind of world will our grand children will live in. My mind runs rampant with worry–if I let it.

This morning, while driving home from aerobics, I am thinking about all the above and listening to Enlighten Sirius radio. Suddenly I hear, “Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow.” I find myself driving through traffic, fighting back tears as I sing along, knowing it is a message from God. I walk into the bedroom to change clothes, and there is another sign, the t-shirt I bought in Branson which says Pray More, Worry Less. My phone calendar dings to remind me that tomorrow I meet with my Stonecroft sisters and prayer warriors. I look ahead and Friday I meet with Chandler Writers’ Group, and Saturday I will be blessed again as I meet and pray with the Reflections writing circle.

Thank you, Jesus, I got your message!  I am so happy I don’t need to use technology to talk to You.

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

Because He Lives

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxJuBTHzd3Q