I would stop and think before writing this post but, I honestly don’t know if I would remember to start again, so I think I’ll just jump in and see what happens.
August has arrived around here like a bat out of H-E-Double L. (My people are fond of that spelling. You do know it stops just short of cursing, right?) No lazy last days of summer on this end of the screen. My farming husband, together with our son, his father, and the other employees are knee-deep in the harvest. I usually have his lunch packed by six A.M and he staggers back through the door anywhere between 8:00 to 10:00 P.M. Harvest is always challenging and this year is no different. While our region has been incredibly dry throughout the growing season, we did escape the extreme drought plaguing our cohorts in the Midwest. Lack of rain there, however, has left us with a thirsty river that’s much too low for barges to take our crops to market. Right now, the jury is out as to whether the river will be successfully dredged by the Corps of Engineers in time to rescue the millions and millions of dollars of grain at risk on our area farms.
Meanwhile, it’s hard to believe, but Tuesday will be two full weeks since my mother had back surgery, extensive back surgery. We know the extensive part is true because the doctor said it at least two hundred and fifty-three times before we quit counting. Clearly, he wanted Mama to know that she’s sporting a considerable amount of hardware and looking at a slow recovery. She was released into our care with instructions not to lift anything heavier than a toothbrush. So far Mama has been in too much pain to misbehave but my sisters and I are skeptical about her being this compliant throughout the four months of rehab the doctor prescribed. That’s experience speaking. This is the same woman who has been known to vacuum her attic. You may want to reread that. I’ll wait. I could use the breather.
I hope it doesn’t sound like I’m complaining. These are “just the facts, ma’am.” The larger and blessed reality I relish celebrating with you is how faithful Father God is to renew the strength in our bodies and the peace in our souls. The picture collage here is of a sunset I witnessed last night while driving in from my parents’ home. He fills me with awe, this God of ours. Like so many times before, He took one of the most familiar scenes in my life and breathed fresh perspective into my concerns. I bow down.
Hugs, Shellie
Shellie Rushing Tomlinson is an author, speaker, and radio host. She hosts allthingssouthern.com and bows down regularly from her home on the banks of Lake Providence, LA.
Have you seen something familiar in a whole new way lately? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Meanwhile, it’s hard to believe, but Tuesday will be two full weeks since my mother had back surgery, extensive back surgery. We know the extensive part is true because the doctor said it at least two hundred and fifty-three times before we quit counting. Clearly, he wanted Mama to know that she’s sporting a considerable amount of hardware and looking at a slow recovery. She was released into our care with instructions not to lift anything heavier than a toothbrush. So far Mama has been in too much pain to misbehave but my sisters and I are skeptical about her being this compliant throughout the four months of rehab the doctor prescribed. That’s experience speaking. This is the same woman who has been known to vacuum her attic. You may want to reread that. I’ll wait. I could use the breather.