Here we are, at the end of another month. I am wondering how I seem to have "lost" October. For sure, it has been a crazy, busy month - one filled with family, friends and activities. More than than, it has been a time where I have been re-focusing on all that I believe the Lord has ahead for me.
The beginning of the month, I got to have a "Grandma Lyn sleepover" with Anna and Grace. These cousin girls have so much fun together. This two night sleepover was not long enough for the girls, who begged for another time to be together. This was a great opportunity to get the girls together since Gwen and Tim had the other kids on their church Fall Youth Retreat and for Doug and Susie who were celebrating their 11th Wedding Anniversary. During this "too short" time, the girls played, did crafts, sang and danced, we went to multiple parks, ate lots of treats, and we ended the time at The Rock (Sunday School) and church. I loved seeing the girls together. It made this grandma's heart so happy. Waiting is hard at any age, so these girls will have to have patience and perseverance until everyone's schedules allow for another sleepover.
Somewhere around the middle of the month, I had a surprise visit from Gwen and Tim! They were in my area picking up their new minivan and decided to stop by for dinner. It isn't often that I get to visit with the "adults", so this was a real treat. I got a "viewing" of their new car (which has some really amazing features that would take me a long time to learn) and we got to eat our favorite Chinese food together. They have been waiting a very long time for this new vehicle since their current minivan is almost as old as Lia! The Covid delay in getting new vehicles caused perseverance whether you wanted it or not!
A couple of days later, I watched Gwen and Lia run a half marathon and Tim run a marathon. It was a beautiful fall day, a bit "brisk" at the start of the day but warming up as the sun came up. I marvel at the perseverance of all these runners, who train for weeks to prepare for this event. The fourteen runners that I knew, did an amazing job, completing this race. I loved standing on the sidelines, cheering for all the runners while keeping on eye on the younger kids.
Now that Grace is in school (I can't believe she is in Kindergarten!) it's just Jimmy and I during my once a week care time. After taking Grace to the bus stop, Jimmy and I find lots of ways to have fun the rest of the day. At almost 18 months old, Jimmy is really starting to play with his toys. He actually spent almost 45 minutes one day, "cooking" pretend food in his pots and pans! He loves music and recently has started really "playing" his piano!
I can see the change in him each week, as he grows from a baby into a toddler and soon to be preschooler. His vocabulary has grown and he loves to shout "BUS, BUS" as we wait at the bus stop for Grace. He is persistent and never gives up with each new skill he is working on. This perseverance isn't always welcome for this grandma, when the skill is a doorknob or a child proof latch on a cupboard! None the less, his stick-to-it-ness will serve him well as he grows!
Rounding out the month, I attended a four day conference called "Favor Fest". I have attended many conferences presented by Chicago HUB and they have all been wonderful. This conference was, indeed, another wonderful time. There was a continuity and connection from speaker to speaker that is sometimes lost at a big event like this. Each message built on the last, adding another layer to the understanding of God's favor as well as how and why to receive that favor. I have a notebook full of notes that I will be "digesting" over the coming weeks.
As I was preparing to write this blog, the thought that flashed through my mind was the entire month was a "Favor" fest for me! Every opportunity that I have to be surrounded by my friends and my family, covered by the presence of God, there is always favor. The definition of favor that mostly applies, is a kindness beyond what is due or expected. I am so grateful that my family is close by so that I can have these amazing times with them. The amazing speakers, the wonderful long time friends, and the new friends I meet at these conferences make HUB Ministries an example of God's favor to me. There were many more, small things that are really BIG things that have made this a month of favor for me. The next couple of weeks will be just as full and busy as the past month. I have a three day writers conference coming up that will hopefully encourage me to persevere towards my goal.
In all honesty, this has also been a month of my procrastination. I have found so many reasons to not write, as evidenced by the delay in this blog. I have also been SLOWLY writing, when this should be a time when I work harder to complete my project. A long time ago, a wise pastor once said "Busy is just another way of saying "Being under satan's yoke" - just being distracted from what God really wants you to do. It is so easy to find reasons and excuses for not doing the things that you know God is asking you to do. In spite of my procrastination and my "busy-ness", God has been faithful to me and shown me favor. Actually putting those words on paper has been exactly what I need to move ahead. So I am setting out to make November a less busy and more productive month, and looking forward to continuing to see God's favor in the days ahead!
Jesus, thank you for your constant care and love for us - even when we procrastinate and fill our days so full that there is little room for the things you have asked of us. Holy Spirit, remind us to set aside the things that distract us from your good plans for us. Thank you for family and friends and time in your creation. But Jesus, help us keep our eyes on you, the creator of all things. Amen
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