Distant Caretaker - Pastors and good books

Whew!  The phone is buzzing today as I've tried to arrange some small handyman jobs for my mother who is almost 92 and lives 5 hours away.  Got two half steps installed so she hopefully will not fall again, as there is a carpeted step between living and dining rooms  and in the utility room and Mom is short - so short her inseam is 19"!  Seems there is always something wrong. The dryer finally got hooked up and now they tell me it smells like something is burning.  Also need some windows fixed before winter so have had estimates. Hard to do all this from only Social Security income (seems like making something from nothing sometimes)...  I have to be careful not to get caught up with the seeming never ending demands, people who do not want to work with my mom, and stretching her income while not making Mom feel like I am holding back on her care.   It made me think of our pastor and how he must look over his congregation and see the multiplied needs, the aching hearts, and yes, the joys too, but what a challenge - knowing that without God he is helpless to remedy, let alone assist in all of these situations. I do not ever wish for his job!  But, I know he would tell me that he has a close caretaker, one who already has the architect plans and schedule.  Yes, I have all the resources of God too, and know that He has directed me to people, resources, and plans so many times already. Why is it that each new circumstance takes my eyes from the solution-maker to the situation?  It is so comforting to know that it takes as little movement to turn my eyes back to the Lord, and to remember what He has already done, to get recharged for what He will continue to do, because He does not change.  Join me, would you, in taking time to encourage our spiritual shepherds, and thank them for their courage and their constancy.  There is much they cannot share with another as we can, as their work must be confidential, but we can let them know they are appreciated and respected and prayed for in their state of constant challenge and focus on the only One who can make something happen out of nothing!

Met a man at a wedding reception last night. Dank's lean, well-groomed body belied his 70 years and his thick German accent intrigued me as he spoke of the Lord.  His blue eyes lit with a passionate fire as he shared how he discovered that "God loved me, just to love me."  I felt like those blue eyes were peering into the back of my soul, he was so intent on my understanding his message. The gist of our conversation was that so often we imagine (I know I am guilty here) that God saved  us to serve Him, to tell others about Him, or so we can use our talents and gifts for Him, but to stop and savor the fact that He just loves me to love me. . . well, it feels, almost egotistical on one hand, unbelievable on the other. True that His love will beget a response of love in my heart just as my husband's love does, but knowing that his love does not depend on that response... what a gift. God's Word confirming it came from shared verses. As we talked, I felt like a little girl in a field of daisies, plucking the petals, but this time, every one said He loves me, He loves me, He loves me.

I'm reading more good books - The Transformation - Wow! - Hope to finish in a day or two between working and get a review up.  I also read Max Lucado's book  Fearless yesterday. (the reception crew was behind on setting up for the wedding and the book called me from an open check-out shelf near the church entry.  I finished the last chapters while the wedding party took photos).  I enjoy reading Lucado books as they are an easy read for me, focusing as He does on basic truths that always penetrate current heart or life issues in an unforgettable way.  It's a blessing to have some lessons taught so quickly and efficiently.  His stories remind me of Jesus parables - using current or past known events to illustrate truth in a way that makes the heart ponder.  I needed to hear the message he gave and I highly recommend this book.