Britton, “Eli, tell Grammy what happened at church today.” Eli, “I saw Jesus outside the window while we were singing ‘Open the Eyes of My Heart.’ He had on a white robe, had bright white eyes, dark hair, dark skin and brown scandals. He told me to obey my parents and only pray to Jesus and no one else.” I quickly ran to get my Bible because that morning I had been reading in Mark 10:46-52 about the faith of blind Bartimaeus. I am using a new Bible every year for each of my grandchildren. As I read through the Bible I underline things that stick out to me and write messages in the margins. This year I am working on Eli’s Bible. I will give the Bible to the kids when they turn 16. (Thanks for the idea Pat H.!) Back to the story, Bartimaeus had asked Jesus to have mercy on him and that he wanted to see. Jesus said to him that because of his faith he was healed and instantly the man could see. I had written in the margin that morning, “Eli, ask God today to open your eyes to see Jesus and understand all that he has done for you through the death on the cross for you. That is my prayer for you today.❤️ Grammy, 3/7/16.” I relayed that incident to Eli and his daddy. Coincidence, I think not but the work of the Holy Spirit. It gives me the goosies.
Open my eyes to see Jesus, to see God’s handiwork, to see those in need and open my eyes to see what is important. A couple events happened recently causing me to think about what’s really important. My girlfriend’s husband died suddenly of a heart attack January 22 and Neal’s brother, Karl, died January 31 after a long battle with brain cancer. Listening to what people say about the deceased person at visitations and funerals made me wonder what people will say about me at my funeral. Am I so busy doing my own thing that I don’t open my eyes to what’s truly important?
People ask me quite often, “So what are you doing with your time?” Sometimes my perception Is that I need to be working or volunteering or doing something of importance with my time. I have come to realize that being available to run my mother-in-law one day a week to her appointments, or being available to meet a friend for coffee who needs some encouragement, or being available to babysit my grandchildren, or being available to teach a bible study, or being available to take a trip with a friend is also important.
“If I were to let my life be taken over by what is urgent, I might very well never get around to what is essential.” Henry Nouwen
“May the choices I make today bring happiness to my future rather than regrets!” Dale L. Smith
“Live a good life and in the end, it’s not the years ia life, it’s the life in the years.” Abraham Lincoln
In the in the midst of traveling I had a “Galentine’s Day” party. That’s an opportunity to celebrate gals for those of us that are single.? We had a full fondue dinner, did a craft, watched a movie, and had a sleep over. After breakfast we had breakfast and played cards.
I don’t know if any of you were Downton Abbey fans but it was as show Sunday nights on PBS. It takes place in the 1920’s in England on an estate with a castle. Sunday March 6 was the last show of the last season. I had a viewing party. We had a formal dinner with four courses. We completed dinner in time to watch the last show. It didn’t fail to disappoint!
As we enter into this Easter season may we open our eyes to what Jesus has done for us. Out of gratitude hear his voice daily, listen to his instructions, walk in his ways and trust in his love.
On the journey,
Trish
