It’s Friday night!!
We ordered “No Guilt Chicken Fajitas” to go from Chili’s with the notion of eating dinner in our vehicle on this windy and clear evening overlooking the Monterey Bay. After picking up the package we quickly arrived at our beautiful destination and gave thanks to God for our food!! My taste buds were ready and I was about to “dig in”!! And Irene, despite her nausea, was also up to the challenge!!
Well …. much to our chagrin the food container was an order of baby back ribs and french fries …. it could have been worse, but not exactly “no guilt chicken fajitas”!!! So, now we’re at a crossroad …. Do we return to Chili’s and trade our meal for the original order or eat that which we just thanked God for? And this as well …. do we maintain the same grateful heart for that which God put in front of us …. even if it didn’t meet our expectations? We opted for the latter …. and ate our fare with much thanksgiving!!
Irene had dialysis this morning and afterward Sue Martinez took her to a local restaurant for breakfast. Sue and Irene are exploring breakfast cafés and sharing omelets with the hope of locating the best biscuits in Santa Cruz County!!
Irene has been sluggish and lethargic most of the day …. taking a nap late in the afternoon which has become a daily routine. We’re sure that the high blood pressure medications are also sapping her energy. I’m really proud of Irene’s valiant efforts to eat as much as she possibly can, despite the icky and chronic feeling that remains with her virtually 24/7.
There are certainly lessons learned from our dinner experience. Whether it’s a misdirected food order or something dreadfully more significant, i.e. Primary Amyloidosis, ultimately, we know that, as Christians, God is in control and directs our steps.
“The steps of the righteous are ordered of the Lord.” Proverbs 20:24a
We also need to accept the certainty that we are not in control of life’s outcomes.
“…how can any man understand his own way?” Proverbs 20:24b
God also intends for us to be flexible and “go with the flow” …. and surrender to Him.
“…. not my will, but thy will be done ….” Matthew 6:10b
Admittedly we could have avoided eating ribs and fries this evening if we would have checked the container contents when we picked up the order. However, we may have missed the more salient lesson of the day which is this:
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thes 5:16-18
Irene manifests this verse in her daily experience. She has been an inspiration for many with her gentle and loving way in which she has faced this formidable opponent named Primary Amyloidosis.
Thank you for your continued prayers on her behalf.
Caminando con Fé
Dave
Hi Dave and Irene,
We were talking this morning about how prayer and steps of faith by doing go hand in hand with each other. It is a pattern through out scripture. But it also is a dance, one of clumsy stumbling along or sometimes of beauty like “Fred and Ginger” with perfect rythm and step. You are dancing with the grace and flair of Fred and Ginger as we get a chnace to look in on your life. But it is in the daily moment by moment practice of the basic steps of giving thanks, praying always with a the chosen mindset of a joyful heart to the Lord that makes your dance a thing of inspiration and beauty. We see the Lord through your daily journey and are encouraged to continue in our dance for His glory. We hold you in our prayers regularly and ask for God to use every moment for his purpose along with the complete miracle of His complete physical healing.
All our love,
Dave and Edie