Sunday Afternoon Tea

Another Sunday Afternoon Tea written on Monday...

We had a very nice time with my husband's brother and sister at our annual dinner at the "nice" restaurant near the Interstate. It is a favorite place of our family. We were seated in the room next to the small banquet area where my daughter and son-in-law held their wedding reception. A beautiful evening with classical musicians playing in the background. Yesterday was just five of us laughing and remembering old times.

When we parted ways, three of us to our home in the Northern part of the county, the siblings heading South on the Interstate, it was just beginning to get a little dark. We were all thankful the heavy rains had stopped and at least we didn't have the ice we'd had on Saturday. Christopher was able to drop us off at home and then head for one of the libraries at the University to study. He left his computer for me but my mind (as well as my body) was too fatigued to write. I think the prime rib dinner and the cold rain had something to do with the fatigue, too. :)

So I'm taking mouse to laptop this morning... the 21st Century version of pen to paper. I happen to have some cranberry orange mini scones, purchased at Target earlier this morning. There is very strong coffee in the carafe. I can brew some tea if necessary but this day I need more caffeine than usual.

My ponderings this week have had a lot to do with my daughter's 30th birthday and where I was on my 30th. It has reminded me that we live this life one day at a time. I get quite the chuckle when I think of the one year... five year... ten year plans I used to make when I was in my 20s.

When I turned thirty, my husband and I were a two career family and we had one six year old daughter. Christopher never knew a Mom who wore suits, heels, and carried a brief case each weekday. Our weekends were usually spent together... the three of us combining fun and errands on Saturday with Church and "Sunday Dinner Out" on Sunday. There were challenges during those years but I mostly remember good days.

Never in a million years would I see myself in the future with a son added to the family (by this time we didn't think we could have any more children) and being a stay-at-home homeschooling mom. I would face agonizing trials in coming years but also amazing joy. None of these were included in my five or ten year "plans".

I'm glad the Word says God guides our steps. We just have to take that next step right in front of us. If we try to move ahead too far, He always lets us know. The Shepherd has to nudge us back into the fold where we belong. If we don't listen to the gentle nudges, He uses more pressure until we are back on track... walking the path He has set before us.

I don't know about you but that gives me a lot of comfort. An infinite number of choices and options are before us but all He asks is we follow the very next step... the next open door... the next nudge. We do all that is necessary, after all He wants us to be walking for that next step to take us where we are suppose to go. We do our research, send out resumes, look at houses, see the need to take the position at church, decide to volunteer in the community, read the recommended "how to" book, take the class, teach the child, take care of friends or family, do that which is set before us... immediately.

But when it comes down to what must happen... we pray and we wait... for it is in that period of life called "waiting" that we spend most of our days. That is why we must learn to live in "today" because our entire life is made up of that twenty-four hour period. We never live in yesterday or tomorrow.

When I was thirty, I didn't know that within a couple of years God would be calling me to become a stay at home mom. I didn't know that within six years, I'd have a son. I didn't know his extreme ADHD symptoms would lead to a homeschooling lifestyle that was a challenge at times but also a wonderful experience. I didn't know we'd leave Holland, Michigan to live in Northern Indiana... then four years in Iowa... then home... then Detroit... then back home (I've told the Lord the next time I leave here, I hope it's to a Heavenly abode where I don't have to pack).

There is an old proverb that says, "If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans". I think it's another way of saying... live for today and pray about tomorrow.