1st Sunday Devotional – A Week to Forget

This picture of a little fawn has nothing at all to do with my post, but I needed to pull up a picture to give me a smile. This week has been, as I said in my blog title, one to forget. I came up on this baby several years ago. I actually had Frankie on leash, but he never caught sight of this little fellow. That’s the thing about baby deer. They don’t have an odor to draw animals to them. They lay very still and play that game some human toddlers will. You know. The one where they put their heads under a cover and think if they are very still, you can’t see them when you’re playing peek-a-boo.

This little guy was told by his mama to stay where he was and not move no matter what. Eventually, she came back to collect him at the end of the day. Sometimes people get nervous and think the fawns have been deserted when the mama deer hide them behind a bush or against their house. But unless mama has come to a bad end, she’ll be back. So, it’s best to leave the babies where they are and not bother them. I was really glad Frankie didn’t get to bother this one when I spotted it.

Anyway, now that I’ve had my smile, I’ll let you know that Darrell is still awaiting surgery, but we have high hopes that after seven long days, it will be tomorrow. But when that does happen, we’ve been assured that he will be treated by a great orthopedic  specialist. That’s worth waiting for, we hope. Hope. Hope. Hope. Darrell is ready to be at home healing and that is going to happen soon. Maybe tomorrow.

A week sitting in a hospital room is no fun. A week being the one in the hospital bed is even less fun. Then last night, my phone just up and died. It went out in style, flashing the phone symbol and a green color all night long. I had just talked on it ten minutes before. I guess it said enough is enough and gave up. Made me wish for an old fashioned landline that we got rid of years ago. The hospital wouldn’t have been able to reach me if something had gone wrong. I headed back early this morning, took possession of my husband’s phone and then found the nearest phone store. Of course, they couldn’t repair it. Can they ever? That means I am the proud owner of a new phone and back in the loop with my kids and the doctors, if need be.

But what is is. And in Thessalonians 5:18, the Bible says to be thankful in all circumstances.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

That can be difficult for those who have faced those mountains in their roads instead of mere bumps. It’s not that difficult for me after this particular bumpy week. I can find plenty of reasons to be thankful. First, that so many people came to Darrell’s aid after he fell in the parking lot. Second, that the emergency rooms got to him without delay. I’m thankful the ER nurse knew how to get his wedding ring off his swollen finger. I’m thankful the ortho doctor on duty at that first hospital realized that the break was too serious for him and sent him on to trauma orthopedic specialists. Then I’m thankful for all the kind, considerate, and caring nurses, doctors, aides and more who have tried to make my husband comfortable and for their pleasant demeanors and kindness. I’m thankful for hospitals like the one where he is being treated that train more nurses and doctors to care for those in need of treatment. I’m thankful my son came with us that first night to make the trip between hospitals easier. I’m thankful for my daughter who came home to be with her dad and to help me. She had hoped that she’d be able to help him come home but had to leave to go back to work. I’m thankful my other son drove five hours to come visit his father. I’m thankful and relieved that none of the roads I had to travel were flooded in spite of an amazing 11 inches of rain. I’m thankful for my granddaughter helping out with my dogs and for her boyfriend helping with a needed project here at the house before Darrell comes home. Today I was thankful for a phone store only five minutes from the hospital and for the three employees there who were patient and helpful with getting me a phone even when I wasn’t sure about my very necessary password. I did finally figure that out. The Lord surely helped me there. I am always thankful for His help.

And I’m thankful for all of you for reading my posts and praying for us. You are the best.

What are you thankful for today?

Come back on Thursday. I’m going to be taking part in one of those fun Scavenger Hunts where you can find out about new books from writers you already love and other authors new to you. I’ll be sharing about my book, The Pursuit of Elena Bradford. As always, there are great prizes. Here is an early peek at books on the Scavenger Hunt.