As I’ve grown older (and hopefully wiser) I’ve obviously endured and witnessed tragedies. No one is immune. Often I’ve tried to make sense of things with the notion that everything happens for a reason, even of it’s just to comfort myself. But I began to really think about that phrase. By everything happening for a reason, that somehow implies that God authored the senseless bombshells that come crashing into our lives. I don’t believe He did. But I do believe He picks us up, comforts us, takes our situations and makes something(s) beautiful of them. It’s easy to believe or think that these things happen for a reason in retrospect, because we see the good that has evolved with our own eyes. However, sometimes things just happen. It would be the same concept as my son falling off of his bike. It’s nothing I, as his parent, caused to happen, but you’d better believe that I’m going to do what ever I can to make him feel better. I will wipe the blood off of his knees, clean off the dirt, cover it with Neosporin and a Band-aid, kiss his tears away and maybe give him a popsicle.

God knows about each of the tragedies that wil befall us in advance because He is God, but He did not inflict them upon us. Nor is our God a vindictive God. He does not punish us for something we did or didn’t do. It would be senseless for Him to have gone to the cross if that were the case. Jesus already paid for our sins with His life. On the opposite end of the spectrum — we cannot win God’s love and favor with good deeds. He loves us regardless. Our only duty is to accept and reciprocate His love. Sounds easy enough? That is where our trust and faith come into play. Have trust and faith that God’s love is true! It is real and it is alive in us. Never in my life have I been so sure of it! With each bump in the road when I lose my balance and go crashing to the metaphoric sidewalk, God is right there to pick me up and fix my wounds. He kisses my tears away and gives me my “popsicle” in the form of the three birds. Always there right when I need Him.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
(Romans 8:28 NIV)

Friday

We spent lots of time in the tub again. I know… Big, huge surprise!

All deez baffs make me tired!!!

Saturday

William’s relatives drove in from White Plains, New York. We had a nice visit with Aunt Jane, Uncle Sal and Pop yesterday evening and today. They were very excited to meet the Little Miss. Earlier in the day William and the kids took everyone out to show them around the town. Nora and I stayed home.

Since it was such a nice day today, I took Nora on a little trip down to the creek! This was her first time down there, and my first time since she’d been born. A blanket of autumnal leaves covered much of everything. We walked along the edge of the creek until we came to the big rock I used to sit on with my paints back in the day. We sat there for a little while taking in the crisp fall breeze and listening to the birds.

I looked up at the patches of blue sky through the tops of the trees and smiled, “Thank you for this, God. Thank you!!!”

The hill back up is always steeper for some reason (???), but we made it! Just in time for a major poopy diaper! Poor Nornor lost one of her booties on our way back. We wonder if a prince is going to show up with it tomorrow for everyone to try on. 😉

Later in the afternoon everyone was back from their miscellaneous adventures. We picked up Montgomery Inn and spent a nice evening together.

Uncle Sal, Aunt Jane and Nora

Gavin, William's Mom and Aunt Jane with Nora

Nora had to excuse herself for a bath that she was very insistant upon. While in the tub she made a phone call to place a delivery order from the kitchen. At length she decided upon the milkies.

And now she sleeps, as I must too! Goodnight!

Oh, and Happy Birthday to Aunt Jill in Texas and Auntie Brenda in California! And Auntie Maggie (Oct 9) in Texas!

We love you!