Strange Day

Saturday was a strange day.

My husband and I went to his aunt's funeral. The service was lovely and there were over a hundred people there. We went to the graveside and finally saw his aunt's new baby afterward. We drove straight from there to my son's birthday party. The party was simple, and not many attended, but he told me this morning that he had a great time. After that we headed straight to a Young Life leader BBQ and talked about our roles in transforming the lives of teens in the Allen area.

It just felt weird, the range of emotions of this day were exhausting. We mourned a death, celebrated a birth and came together to change lives of Allen youth. I am still trying to find a way to go to camp, they spoke about it in front of everyone at the BBQ, that they needed me and wanted everyone to pray for a way for me to go. At the funeral we found out that Dusty's cousin got good news from the hospital. He's still in a coma, but after tests, they have found that there is no pressure or damage (that they can find at while he's unconscious) to his brain that should keep him from waking. They expect him to wake up any day, then they will see what if any brain damage he has. His family went to his graduation Friday night in his place and they were telling us about how supportive everyone was and that even though he was absent, they still called his name and took time to honor him.

The pastor at the funeral recited a poem that I liked...

GOD IS NEVER BEYOND OUR REACH by Helen Steiner Rice

No one ever sought the Father
And found He was not there
And no burden is too heavy
To be lightened by a prayer,
No problem is too intricate
And no sorrow that we face
Is too deep and devastating
To be softened by His grace,
No trials and tribulations
Are beyond what we can bear
If we share them with Our Father
As we talk to Him in prayer -
And men of every color,
Every race and every creed
Have but to seek the Father
In their deepest hour of need-
God asks for no credentials,
He accepts us with our flaws,
He is kind and understanding
And He welcomes us because
We are His erring children
And He loves us everyone,
And He freely and completely
Forgives all that we have done,
Asking only if we're ready
To follow where He leads -
Content that in His wisdom
He will answer all our needs.

Verse to Ponder: Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message) "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."