Sweeping of floors and scrubbing of sinks. Pampers and play dates. Runny noses and phones ringing. Hormones and headaches. Trying and failing and trying again.
And of one of those days, yes THOSE days, Mr. Husband would come home from work and speak those two magical words, "Dairy Queen?"
He may have been tired from a day of physical labor, a demanding schedule or challenging co-worker, but on one of THOSE days he could see it in my eyes. His way of showing the love was the gift of Dairy Queen. A chance to get our family out of the house, skip the cooking and subsequent clean up. Always a treat in the kids' meal for our little one and the splurge of hot fudge for me.
Just. What. I. Needed.
So, as the season for Thanks is fresh in our minds and we look forward to the season of Giving, please join me in turning your hearts toward the needs of others. Keep your eyes open to share the "Queen" with someone around you who may be facing a challenging day. Rather than a sundae, an offer to babysit a few hours may be appropriate. Instead of a few french fries, maybe it could be a casserole. In place of a soda, maybe a listening ear or caring word. You get the picture - just go with it.
And if a hot fudge sundae would make your day, leave me a comment on this post for a chance to win a DQ gift card! A random winner will be chosen December 15th. A sweet treat from me to you in honor of Thanks and Giving and sharing the love.
(Note: Dairy Queen has in no way endorsed this post, compensated me or provided the treat - it's all me and the Mr. - Enjoy!)
Photo Copyright (c) <a href='http://www.123rf.com'>123RF Stock Photos</a>
The clothes in the dryer tumble round and round as my
thoughts do the same. Grandpa fell today. Grandma fell a few weeks ago. They
are in their 90’s and in assisted living.
My parents still provide much of their care. I try to visit often. To run errands. To bring treats. To share love. But can get complicated. And hard.
The oven timer rings capturing my attention. A family member going through a long and
drawn out custody battle. It should have
never come to this. But it has. She is so young and so innocent. What’s best for the child…it’s not always
what happens. And there are extenuating circumstances. This too is complicated. And hard.
The tea kettle whistles its warning. My heart aching for loved ones struggling with
addiction, with anxiety, with depression. Do they know they are loved? There is Hope? There is healing? I wonder how I can best help, best love. Again complicated. Again hard.
And prayers. So many prayers.
The dryer has stopped turning and the oven timer shut off; the
tea kettle removed from the stove and a steaming cup is brewed.
Silence.
Hot tears are near the surface as I savor the silence and
the steam of the cup. Life IS
complicated. Circumstances ARE
hard. But God…our ever-present hope in times of trouble. He is bigger than it all. Wisdom in the complicated and merciful
through the hard.
An anchor for my soul.
One thing I have learned living in the country is to expect
the unexpected.
We may find the river has flooded the bridge across the river
or the creek has washed out the main road to the forest. We lose electricity for the umpteenth time
which renders our pump useless and we are also without water.
There are rock slides and mud slides.
There are groups of mountain bikers and vehicles of hikers
looking for directions to nearby trails and knocks on the door in the middle of
the night from those who have gotten their vehicles stuck in the woods.
There are kids selling fresh picked berries or just caught
fish at all hours of the day or night.
There are escaped cows, horses and chickens as well as the
occasional escaped prisoner from the Department of Natural Resource work
crews.
There are tractors driving slow, pickups driving fast and
ATV’s driving crazy. There are riders
atop horses and even those who text and ride!
We hear cougars and coyotes who rarely show their faces. We hear country, gospel, rock and
mariachi.
We see squirrels, deer, pheasants, geese and ducks. Occasionally we see a bobcat or black bear.
And yesterday these fine Toms paid our neighborhood a
visit.
I love the country life…
Though I sometimes forget, I love using my reusable bags. They are the kind that fold up into themselves and make a neat little package if you choose. I keep one folded up in my handbag and the rest I keep loose in a small cinch-up bag. I can fit at least 6 inside which is enough for our even our big grocery shopping excursions. I also have a new insulated bag for freezer foods and perishables. This comes in handy since we live about 45 minutes, one way, from the bigger grocery chains.
My favorite way for using the reusable bags is buying local though. Bringing my own bags, buying local, eating fresh - all good things. But I have to say, not all clerks are as happy about my "green" bags as I am. Some comment and ask where I got them while others fumble about, choosing not to place them on the bag holders but onto the counter where the sides fall down. It can be a mess.
One afternoon I packed up my bags and headed to a nearby grocery store for about 2 bags worth of items. I placed the bags on the conveyor belt followed by my goods. The clerk grabbed up the bags mumbling under her breath. I looked a bit sheepishly at the gentleman behind me and back at the clerk. I am used to a less than favorable response to my "green" habit but this was different. She threw the bags on the counter and put the groceries to the side and again continued to rant and slam groceries. By now the line was growing and people looked uncomfortably down at their feet and then up to see my response. I chose to offer to bag the groceries myself and she responded, "Good, I HATE those bags!". It was an uncomfortable event for me and those in line but I made the purchase, thanked her, and me and my bags left the store.
I kept thinking about the young woman and what made her respond that way. I knew better than to think it was about the bags but maybe more about her day. I could see her outside reaction but knew her heart needed more than me showing her anger or disgust. She needed grace.
End of story? Not exactly. You see, I was able to show her grace in the store but after I left I proceeded to tell family members my frustration with this clerk and the way she made ME feel in the store and how it was embarrassing to ME and uncomfortable for those behind ME. Somehow the grace disappeared and the focus was about - well, you know...me...and now who needed grace?
This young woman stayed on my heart though and as I began to pray for her my attitude shifted. I looked at her through eyes of grace, the same grace God extends to me on a regular basis. Maybe she was just having an "off" day. Maybe it was much, much more. I may never know. I have yet to see her back in the store after many months.
I am thankful for her, the young woman I do not know. She reminded me about:
GRACE
Showing grace rather than (self-righteous) condemnation, to make the choice to forgo the outside and look inward.
MERCY
Showing compassion, feeling the struggle and showing mercy.
LOVE
Showing God's heart, seeing the pain, knowing the hurt and administering love.
So you see - it's not always easy being green. It's not always easy showing grace. But the world is a much better place for it all.
