I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD

A few days ago I told a story of praying to God to let me live until Josh graduated college.  This took place several years ago when Josh was in high school.  Then a couple of days ago, one of my youngest daughter's friends was over.  I wish I could remember the whole story he told but it was about being made well, or whole, or being patched up so I can go a little farther.  It was mainly about a person's attitude.  His thinking was that I was made whole.  It's like  my carburetor has been rebuilt and now I'm good for another 100,000 miles.  Then yesterday it got me thinking maybe I should try to make a new deal with God.  I could ask that I be spared long enough to see all my grand children graduate.  I could ask to see Bethany and Chasity get married.  I could ask to watch my grandsons set career goals and their excitement when they reached them.   I could watch Cindy and Vicki and Josh become grandparents, although I don't wish to rush this, and let them experience this joy they have given to Peggy and me firsthand.  I don't think any one understands this joy until they are grandparents.  As I thought of all this I asked myself,  "Am I asking for to much?".  After all,  I would only be in my mid 80s.  Many people live productive lives this long.  I'm only talking 22 or 23 more years.  These seemed like reasonable request to me.  And just then, as if by magic, it came to mind.  One of my all time favorite bible verses.  A verse I have quoted so many times.


                  "THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE,
                      LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT"
                           

As I looked through the window,  I saw the morning sunshine.  I walked over to the front door,  opened it and felt the fresh sunshine on my face.  Oh what a feeling.  I don't know how you discribe that feeling in words but you know what I'm talking about.  You've felt it before.  And I looked up to the sky and again thought "This day has the Lord made". He made this day for me and you.  And what a wonderful day it is I thought to myself.  And as i stood there at the door,  I counted 7 squirrels scampering through the trees.  Healthy squirrels with fluffy tails.  They seemed to be playing a game of chase.  And as my eyes followed them,  I caught sight of some birds going in and out of a couple of my birdhouses.  They were building nest in anticipation of the soon to come baby birds.  And then on top of one of the houses sit two red birds.  They sit there singing a beautiful tune and for some reason I decided it was a tune praising God,  and you will not convince me otherwise. 
Since my surgery,  I've stayed at home more than I should have.  Oh,  I've gone outside a few times but probably not like I should.  But for some reason,  yesterday I had to go out.  So I asked Peggy to drive us around to do some errands.  The first place we went was a new tool store they opened here while I was in the hospital.  As we entered the store the first thing to hit me was the smell.  It was new.  You know the smell.  And everything was bright and shiny.  And as I looked at the tools I would like to have when I get back to building,  I noticed the employees.  They were excited about being there  Was it having a new job?  Was it just being in a new environment?  I don't know but they were happy.  And it hit me again:

                             "THIS DAY IS GIVEN BY THE LORD"

This day is my life.  It is new like the store.  The outlook is bright and shiny like the tools.  And there is an excitement in the air like the employees had.  I'm excited!!
We then went to the grocery store to pick up a few things.  As we walked around the store we came upon a young boy and a lady I assume was his mother.  He was riding in a buggy shaped like a car and was driving the wheels off of it.  There was a sparkle in his eyes and a smile on his face that never left.  As his mother would make a selection she would include him in making the decision.  You could easily see they were enjoying being with each other.  This put a smile on my face.
It was now time to go home.  As we pulled into the driveway, I  thought to myself how
lucky I was.  I would be inside in a few minutes and sit in my chair.  It had been a busy time for me and I was tired,  but it was a good tired.  Our house would be cool and Peggy would take care of my needs as I healed  I would probably talk to some family on the phone.  Again I thought to myself  I'm a very lucky man.  Then another reality hit me.  I wasn't lucky,  I WAS LOVED!!!!!   I'm loved by  God.  The one and only God.

And just then I decided.  I don't need to make a deal.  I don't need to ask for 22 or 23 more years.  My God will give me what I need.  My God will take care of me.  My God has given me this day ,

                      "AND I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT"

A SPECIAL LADY NAMED PARIS

Her name was Paris.  I hope I've spelled her name right because she respectfully deserves it to be so.  She was in my hospital room at Well Star Douglas everyday I was there.  Her phone rang often, a sign of her importance at the hospital.  Her first words were always to say hi and ask how I was feeling.  She had been employed by the hospital for 27 years.  One day as she left,  I really began to think about the 27 years of service.  I have never worked at one job for 27 years.  No, I was not a job hopper. I mean I was in the convenience store business for 13 years, real estate for 12 years and sheet metal for 8 years.  I considered myself pretty stable, but 27 years at the same job?  I know many of you have been at the same job for that long, But to me it's something I can't speak of with a knowledge of experience.  And I'm sure many of you that have been in the same profession for a long period of time, have changed employers.  So again my thoughts went to 27 years at the same job at the same location.  What keeps someone in one place for that long?  They must enjoy what they do.  You could easily see that Paris liked her job as she always entered my room with a smile on her face.  As I continued to think of things that would keep me on the same job that long another that came to mind was a sense of accomplishment.  If I didn't feel my job had a purpose,  I would be gone yesterday.  I would have to assume I was accomplishing something.  I would also need the respect of my fellow workers.  Respect can cover so many things and in a hospital environment,  I would think it must be present.  I could tell Paris had the respect of her fellow employees by the way they spoke to her and did as she instructed them.  As I continued to contemplate the place I was in,  I thought how each and every one of these people that worked here must have a special 6th sense.  Besides being very busy, each time they leave one room and enter another,  they are entering the domain of and serving a different person with a different personality and different needs and on different pain levels.  STOP here a minute and really think............these hospital employees are seeing us, in some cases more open and venerable than even some of our own family members have ever seen us.  Some of us patients yell at them, even cuss them, expect our every need to be met 10 minutes ago.  When we push that button,  we want some fresh ice water NOW.  And we want, and need and expect all this service with a smile on their faces and with no expectation of a tip.  As with every person that served me during my hospital stay  Paris wasn't there for the money.  I didn't have to ask them why they worked there.  The love of serving others shown not only in their actions but also in the smile of their faces.  Paris was and is a very special person.

So now you ask:  " Who was this lady named Paris?  Was she one of your nurses?  Was she a supervisor?  Maybe your physical therapist?  You may think she worked in the business office and made my checking in and checking out easier. Or in transportation and took me down to get one of the thousand of X-rays I had.  No No and No again.
Paris worked in housekeeping.  She cleaned my room.  She always wanted to get me what I wanted.  My bed had broken one night and the next morning when she came in I asked her about getting it repaired.  She was on her phone with-in 10 seconds to maintenance, and in about 10 minutes I had a new bed in place and a lecture from Ms Paris not to ever lay there in a broken bed that long.  When the men were bringing my new bed in,  Ms Paris would tell them to do this or that and their answer was always a yes ma'am or no ma'am.  You could see the respect they had for her.

So many times in life,  especially in someplace like a hospital,  we place so much emphasis on titles, or letters that follow a persons name.  It's  Doctor so and so or LPN or RN or on and on and on.   And don't get me wrong  I so respect these professionals.  Every Doctor and nurse I had was top notch.  My stay could not have been any better.  I thank these people so much because I know it is because of God working through them that today I am writing this.  And as much as I am thankful for these Doctors and nurses and PAs and on and on and on,  I realize.......NO  I don't realize....I KNOW it was a team effort with each and every person that had a job to do when I was going through this,  doing their job.

This is a thank you note to the whole team...

    THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.........AND TO YOU PARIS....A SPECIAL THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!


"We can do no great things, only small things with great love."  ~Mother Teresa

AND THE SPIRIT OF GOD CAME UPON US

In my last post, I told you of the peace that came over me during my time in the hospital. This perfect peace came over me in a flash but I really think it was manifest in different prayer moments leading up to my surgery. There was a prayer here by one person, and a prayer at another time by another person, and then, all at once....BAM.... Let me explain it this way. Sometimes when I'm building a birdhouse, I get all the pieces of wood cut out. Then I will paint the different pieces. If you are familiar with my work you know color is a very important thing on my houses. I probably get more comments on my mixing of color than anything else. Next is the roof. Sometimes it will be a very simple roof and other times I go to great pain making individual shingles. Then the decorations. This may be the most fun part because of the self expression of reusing older materials.  Now finally it's almost through. The shape, the color, the decorations. Just one more little detail. Probably the easiest part of the birdhouse. You may have already guessed what still needs doing. Peggy and I are always amazed at the difference this one last detail makes. It's a very small thing but it brings a conclusion to the birdhouse. It makes it complete. It's the drilling of the hole into the house.

This was how so many things happened the week leading up to my surgery. One of our very good neighbors, and I have many, saw the fire and rescue trucks in front of our house. They came down to see if everything was OK. One of the firemen saw them in the yard and mention to Peggy that they were outside. As Peggy went outside to explain the situation, William immediately said "Can we have prayer?" Before I had ever left the house. Before I was ever on the stretcher. Before a doctor had ever seen me or listened to my heartbeat, the healing had begun. I had many neighbors, many family members, many old friends come by and many of my friends on facebook praying for me and I am so thankful for each and everyone of these prayers. Each and everyone was needed and I believe each was heard by God. There was one prayer in particular that I remember. My Daughter's Assistant Pastor asked if we could have prayer before my heart cath. I of course told him I would really appreciate it. All of my family was gathered there as Kieth began to talk about the power of prayer. He talked of the power of God and the love of God. He spoke for maybe two minutes but to me it was one of the most powerful sermons I have ever heard. He then took my hand and went to his knees. As he went to his knees my niece placed her hand on his shoulder and also went to her knees......... AND HE PRAYED!!....... Not a really long prayer, Not a prayer spoken in the Kings old English. Just a simple prayer. A prayer praising God. A prayer thanking God for His love. A prayer truly from his heart.   As he prayed you could actually feel the Spirit of God fill that room.  When he said amen, I don't know if anyone had a dry eye. I know I didn't and I also knew without a shadow of a doubt that as Jesus had promised in Mathew 18 : 20, "For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them." I knew He was present.

As I finish writing this post, I stop and think to myself. It was one week ago today that the Doctors "cut me open". During that time I've had four bypasses and a pig valve put into my heart. The heart surgeon said I was very lucky to be here. He said the valve which is normally the size of a garden hose was closed to the size of a pencil lead. I have heard all the Lewis Grizzard quotes and have learned to hold many of my laughs in because it hurts laugh out loud. At the hospital they gave me a heart shaped pillow that is never far from me. I hug it tight to my chest when I cough to easy the pain. All the grand kids seem to like the pillow so we may have to have a contest of some kind to decide who gets it. I feel good and am looking forward to do a few festivals this summer. I have had orders for birdhouses from Mississippi and the Lovett School since I got home but everyone seems to showing patience.
I also have a cousin that had a heart procedure Monday, and another cousin very ill with cancer. My brother-in-law has a brother that is very ill and a sister that had surgery the same day as I did. I ask that you join me in prayer for these people. Prayer is powerful....prayer works...I'm living proof.

My God Is So Good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE PERFECT PEACE

As I lay on the cot at Douglas Well Star on last Thursday afternoon, my mind ran in a thousand directions.  It had been a normal day.  I was a little tired but had worked hard the day before so I felt that normal.  Since waking up from passing out I really felt better than before the fainting.  The EMT and ER Doctor both said I had not had a heart attack.  I had told everyone I was fine and didn't want to go to the hospital but the EMT insisted.  Vicki insisted.  Even Peggy insisted. I knew I was fine.  I had never been ill.  Never been in the hospital.  Didn't even like doctors and hospitals.  So I made my plan!!!!  I would show them all I was OK.  I would joke and cut up with the Doctors and nurses.  I would make light of the whole situation with my family (Cindy had met us at the hospital) and be home in time for the results of American Idol that night.  But as they did EKG after EKG,  the ER Doctor kept saying all was not normal.  More test would be needed.  Oh well, I thought to my self,  here we go.  But the longer I laid there, the more my mind rushed around.  Cindy, Vicki,  Peggy and myself sat (and me laying of course) stared at the walls.  We would say something, me again trying to make light of the situation, and then stare some more.  Just then,  in a spilt second,  in the twinkling of an eye it hit me.  I could no longer hold it in and I blurted out..."THEY ARE GOING TO CUT ON ME".  Every body laughed.  With this sentence I wasn't trying to be funny but everyone thought it was.  Sometimes God gives you the words that don't really seem right at the time but are the exact right words. 

The Doctors told us I would need more test and some would be done Monday at Cobb
Well Star, then I would be moved to Kennestone Well Star for surgery if needed.  There,  the dreaded word had been used.  SURGERY...And here is where the first big miracle of my week came.  Our son Josh had come along later in life for Peggy and I.  I always worried if I would be there for him.  Although I seemed in fairly good health,  I hadn't made very healthy life choices.  For some reason I thought I could make a deal with God.  During Josh's high school years I often prayed "God,  just let me get Josh through college and then you can take me at anytime.  I will come to heaven to be with You for ever with no fight, no harsh words and no regrets.  Let's make a deal God."  Did God accept my deal?  I have no idea but a year and a half ago Josh graduated college.  When I get to His throne I intend to ask.  More likely is He knew how important this was to me and it was because of His love for me and Josh that I'm still here.
So where is this first miracle you ask?  During these few moments, God's love for me was reaffirmed.   His providence was made complete in my life.  His mercy was manifested in my life.  I had no reason to fear anything.  If I lived I would be here on earth with the best wife, 3 loving children, 7 beautiful grandchildren,  the best sisters, brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews any man could ever have.  I have the greatest extended family of aunts and cousins in the world.  I am a very rich man indeed.  And my option to staying here on earth and watching these children grow and love between family and friends grow is going to heaven.  To be with my Heavenly Father for ever.  To see my Savior Jesus face to face.  To see family and friends that have gone before me.  I think you would say I'm in a win/win situation.

You may still ask where the miracle is?  Some of you know.  Some of you will say "I've known this for a while."  others will say " I have knowledge of this,"
I could also say before that moment in the ER, I had the knowledge of this and have had it for some time.  But in that split second the words of the old gospel became real:

"BLESSED ASSURANCE JESUS IS MINE, O WHAT A FORETASTE OF GLORY DIVINE................................

I now have that assurance that Fanny Crosby was writing about in that hymn.  I now have a peace I never had before. I have nothing to fear.


                                                  MY CUP RUNS OVER!