Greetings from Austin Street

Happy Monday and a lovely Labor Day!  I hope you got some rain at your house. We got some, but not a lot. I cooked my first ribs today.  They were pretty delish if I do say so myself. Because of the rain they were cooked in the oven and under the broiler. (and the thermostat has gone out on my gas grill and it only heats to one temp.  500 +) Bruce did not have rehab today as the clinic was closed. So we got to spend the whole day together.  Nothing exciting just a bit of grocery shopping, some house cleaning and a wonderful late lunch with Geni and Cody. I like days like this. God is good and love wins.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3: 22-23

From my evening devotion tonight titled, BROKENNESS “YOU ARE FEELING BROKENHEARTED AND BOUND; ENTANGLED IN WEBS OF DISCOURAGEMENT.”  

My favorite part of the day is when I sit at the table with Bruce, or Geni or a guest. Our dinner table is holy ground. We have gathered around it with the kids, friends, family and other guests for all of our married lives.  It is the space that occupied Casey’s hospital bed for a year and we did not have a table. I never realized how much I missed that time and space until it was no longer there. Our table when filled with family for friends is a place of love, welcome, laughter, sometimes tears , fun, silliness, listening and a place to work things out.

When we bring the pieces of our broken hearts to God it is as if we are being invited to sit down at a prepared table with Him and work things out, laugh, shed tears and talk as friends. It is a place filled with love because we are in the Presence of a loving God whose love is limitless. Just as the wonderful hymn says, “His compassions they fail not.” When we feel like giving up we remember that God has great faithfulness and never gives up on us. And even if we walk away from the table we are always welcomed back at any time.

Yes, our disappointments are real and are broken hearts seem to hurt so hard they almost take our skin off. The Presence of the Living God is very real.  We can never overstay our time at the table as it is there that our broken hearts are mended and our hope is renewed. 

Take joy in the journey remembering that hope does not disappoint. Wear comfortable shoes, pray with a heart filled with gratitude, let us cast our cares upon the LORD and get some sleep. God is up all night anyway and there is no reason for all of us to be awake. Love you all, Bruce and Gaylene

 

Please continue to pray for Dave Russell. He will go to rehab for two weeks and then have another surgery that will keep him in the hospital until sometime in October.

Also, keep my Dad in your prayers as he is recovering from surgery to amputate his little finger. He goes back to the doctor for a check up tomorrow. He says he has had minimal pain and is doing well.  Thank you all, gc