This is a post that I wrote on Facebook several months ago:
Today was the 2-year anniversary of Mom's death. I spent some quality time with my sister and my beautiful niece this morning on a brisk walk. This was followed by some quality time with the rest of the family for a LONG, sunshined lunch at McCallisters. We didn't really mention Mom much today, though I knew it was heavy on our hearts. In keeping with the spirit of a good day, Jeff suggested we go try a little shopping. Then, while trying on jeans and becoming very frustrated (they all either show my crack or hit my boobs), three pennies fell out of the STORE'S blue jeans. Mom used to hide pennies in odd places when I was in college so I'd find them at just the right moments. She would send them in letters and tell me that if I ever found a penny, it was from her. It was her reminder to me that she loved me always. Since she's been dead, I have found pennies when I've needed them most. Once while huffing to my van after a particularly bad school day, I opened the van door and a penny fell right out onto the pavement (head's up, too!). Once after feeling like the world's worst mom because I snapped at Grace when I should have been more patient, I stepped on one in the middle of my bathroom floor. Today, she sent me three to let me know that she loves me still. I love you Mom and miss you more than ever! Keep sending the pennies, too; my piggy bank heart is far from full...
(Posted on February 19, 2011)
Well, in the past several months, I've continued to get pennies in odd places. But I haven't found as many as I'd longed for. It could be that I have just been too busy to notice. Isn't that usually the case? When things are going pretty smoothly, we get a little lazy-eyed; we breeze through easy terrain missing all of God's wonderful handiwork. What happens when things aren't so easy, great, wonderful?
Last week, Jeff and I had the opportunity to take a day trip to Stone Mountain, North Carolina. Yes, North Carolina. We had climbed Stone Mountain in Georgia before. Well, this hike made Stone Mtn, GA, say, "blah, blah, blah." I was a little pouty when we made the decision at first though. I wanted a true vacation, not just a day trip. Preacher duties kept us close to home, however, and it was what it was. God must have known that my eyes had gotten a little lazy lately. He decided He had something to show me! After viewing the park map, we decided to take the 4.5 mile hike route to the summit. The hike was labeled "strenuous" so Jeff was questioning if I'd finally lost my mind. I think he actually said, "Um, just who do you think I am?!" Oh, get over it, preacher man, it won't be that bad. Besides, he'd been doing my tabata interval workouts with me; he could handle this. At this point, I need to clarify two things: 1) strenuous doesn't necessarily mean strenuous. Preacher man only passed out once; and 2) nothing, I mean, NOTHING, could have prepared me for this hike, not because it was tough physically, but because it played a number on me spiritually. The hike started off rather easy. After we read the sign warning that black bears had been "very" active recently, we knew we'd be okay (oh, snap!). About a 1/2 mile in, we happened upon an old farm where four generations had built their lives. The original house, outhouse, tobacco shed (it wasn't called this, but I can't remember the name), and other farm places were all still in tact. We even found the spring box and washing place near the creek down from their home (I'm so thankful for washing machines!). Then we saw the VIEW that this family had daily. Oh my goodness! There was a reason these people built here! We did a little praising, then continued on. We saw the bottom of a waterfall, then climbed to the top. Everything along the way seemed so perfectly put in its place. There were several times along the hike where we would be encircled by nothing but trees and all of the sudden come into a clearing that would literally take my breath away. Once I stepped out into a granite clearing and could see for miles all around. We were up where the hawks were. At least, I think they were hawks. They very well could have been vultures coming for the preacher--he was pretty stinky by this point. I tried to get a picture, but my cell phone died as soon as we reached this point. It doesn't matter. Words cannot paint the picture, a photo cannot describe the God that I saw up there. Praise Him! "The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands." (Psalm 19:1) God quickly put my pout out and I began praising the picture that He had so perfectly painted for me this day. I asked for forgiveness for not walking faithfully and attentively. I prayed that He would continue to open my eyes to His handiwork.
Fast forward to today. I started my new job. Praise God for a job! But, I'm not in the classroom this year which bums me a little. For His reasons, I started in this county as an "Exceptional Children's Program Specialist." No need for a complete job description. What matters is the fact that by today, my fourth day on the job, I'd forgotten to pay attention to His handiwork. Since I'm working in an old school building (or gym converted into offices--I'm not sure yet) that is about 400 degrees below zero, there aren't many "pretty pictures" around me. But I had two chances to see His handiwork today. The first was when I was able to share the "Sarah Miracle" story with a new colleague who is experiencing a difficult pregnancy. The other was the pile of pennies I collected today--brand new pennies, all face up! Pennies may only be pennies to you, but they are priceless to me! Good to see you again Mom. And, wow, God sure does paint some pretty pictures here on this earth. It makes me long for heaven! If I'm allowed to see such here, what marvelous things I will see there!
In any event, all this reminds me that there isn't a reason under the sun that I should ever feel slighted, not by life, my preacher man, or by God. His ways are perfect! He also knows my heart before I do sometimes. He restores my soul, opening my eyes when they get droopy from all the pains of this life. Amazingly, He loves me no matter what as well, even when I fail to pay attention. What an amazing God I serve! Finally, what are we called to do in return? Glorify Him in all things! How could I ever forget?! (P.S. Read and pray Psalm 19...it will revive you.)
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