““Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?””
1 Corinthians 15:55 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/1co.15.55.NIV
This verse came to mind today. after seeing a Facebook post about my dear sister Lou’s husband who passed away a short while ago in Virginia. It has been a year of sadness for my family, starting with my sister Angie unexpected death last October, then a dear friend, Mary Ludwig dying in May. My husband’s sister Melodi passed away in July. It has a been a year that makes me think of the short time we have on here on earth, and no one knows how long that time will be.
So getting back to that verse…the sting of death is just that, a sting, something that goes away in time. Some need more time than others, but still it is relatively short for those of us who know the promise from God of eternal life with Jesus. We miss all those who have passed away, and their not being here with us makes us sad, but hopefully remembering the times we were with them makes us smile, too.
Was it though, FABULOUS? I have to say yes, because I am in sunny Florida where our cold temps got down to 40s but only the very early risers would have complained. By the time I got out of bed between 8 and 9 AM the temps were already in the 60s most days. And those cold temps were followed by days of 70s and 80s so FABULOUS! (I am sorry anyone else who may be reading this north of me.)
February had Valentine's Day and our 47th anniversary and Tim's mom's 90th birthday, so three of my favorite celebrations. I enjoy making Valentines and made a set for Isa to give to classmates as well as some for my sisters and friends. (If you are interested in seeing those check out my other blog.) Tim gave me a funny card on our anniversary along with a FABULOUS bouquet of flowers.
Happy Birthday Mum Feb. 19, 2021
I don't snore!
We were fortunate to get our first COVID vaccine shot at the end of January by driving 45 minutes to Tampa and spending a couple hours waiting with hundreds of others, in our cars, not standing fortunately. The next week our governor made an appearance here in Sun City Center to show how he brought shots right to our senior community, so FABULOUS for our friends who only had to drive a few minutes away in golf carts to get their shot. When the time came to get our second shot, we had not received a second appointment, so we drove back to Tampa, like hundreds of others who had not received "the call" only to be turned away after waiting almost two hours. The days went by and I got obsessed with getting that second shot, checking the website and registering again and again. In the meantime my Sun City Center friends got their second shot without any effort. The sins of envy and doubt were taking hold of me and I was miserable. Then Iopened a little journal where I written scripture from devotions that I would want to illustrate in my Bible later. These were written on facing pages:
May the God of hope fill you up with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
When I said, "My foot is slipping," your unfailing love LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:18-19
I stopped registering, let go and let God, (a cliche but really what I did). Then, finally, an email yesterday said to click this button to schedule an appointment and it worked! I got appointments for both of us on this coming Tuesday. It will be 33 days instead of the recommended 21, but still trusting God always. I woke up this morning feeling FABULOUS!
This is the year that didn't happen. Isn't that what many are saying? This is certainly true for Tim and me. The year we didn't go on vacation to see the family in Oregon and Hawaii. The year we didn't go to PA to see family until Tim's dad passed away and we went to grieve with them, praying we were not going to bring covid to them or home with us. The year we didn't attend church services most Sundays or receive communion frequently. We are thankful that services were available online and that a Christmas Eve service had masks required to be worn for all, so we felt comfortable attending. But it didn't feel the same, because we waved hello to many members but didn't stay to chat or hug.
The pain in my leg finally diminished enough to walk without a cane and sleep for more than 4 hours the first of December. Then my shoulder started hurting, so much that getting dressed was too painful, so Tim became my dresser and began calling me 'Queen" with affection of course. And after months of sitting more and walking less, the lower leg that had vein issues 4 years ago was painful enough that I made an appointment with the vein doctor. These past few weeks, I have not had a full night's sleep, waking after a few hours in pain. That's when I move to the living room recliner and fall back asleep under a heat pad on my shoulder.
So this is the first year I think since joining Resurrection in 1977 that we did not attend church for Christmas Day service. Because the mask rule wasn't applied today and because I was in such pain this morning, I followed Tim's insistence we stay home. We have been using Amazon for many purchases, needs and wants, and I have spent more on stamping supplies this year than any other, so we both agreed we wouldn't buy gifts for each other. I did get Tim a new mug so he would have something to open today and I had gifts from my sister, my niece and my friend Diane to open. We bought candy for our stockings.
Tim has been doing the grocery shopping since the spring because he can do it so much faster than me (I read too many labels and buy stuff not on the list) so he picked out a couple of steaks to grill for our Christmas dinner along with russet potatoes and peas. We also had a store bought pumpkin pie and cookies that were given to us for dessert. But I was not feeling great after sleeping most of the afternoon so had a small piece of one steak and skipped the pie. I think this is the first time that Tim and I were alone for Christmas Day.
But this is Christmas! It is the day we celebrate the babe in the manger who became our Savior on the cross! I started the day watching this video from Time of Grace that helped emphasize that for me:
And then I ended the day listening to the Christmas Day service from a WELS church in California that was put online because that state is on complete lock down. They did an excellent production incorporating members of the congregation and music from two of my favorite bands, Branches Band and Koine. That is one of the blessings of this pandemic, that many churches across the country and in Canada are making their services available online.
So Merry Christmas everyone and Peace be yours because God sent His Son to earth for us to be saved and one day live with him forever in His Kingdom. JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD HAS COME!
