Unexpected Blessings

Have you ever wanted to just be by yourself and not leave the house? This past Sunday, Chad was going to Georgia for three days. He and other staff at our high school left at 5:30 a.m. Let me just say, that I love my husband very much and I love being with him. Chad is my best friend, BUT I love it when he goes out of town. I use this time to do one of two things. First, I love spending this time with my family and friends. With Chad gone, I don't have to feel guilty for spending not being with him. Second, I love being by myself. I can be lazy and do nothing except read or watch movies that I want to watch (you know -chick flicks), or I make plans to do something that needs to be done (major cleaning) or that I want to do (scrapbooking). Being my myself is what I really wanted while he was gone. That did not happen. Instead, I got some unexpected blessings.

I really considered skipping chuch on Sunday morning. We are there pretty much every Sunday. Don't get me wrong. I love going to church and it is not a "have to" sort of thing. This was going to be the only non working day that Chad would be gone and I really wanted to stay in my pjs all day long. Very close to heaven in my opinion. That did not happen. A very dear friend called to remind me that I promised to pick up the breakfast that she made for our Sunday School class since she could not go. Ok, so I would go to Sunday School then go home. At Sunday School, I remembered that we (the choir) were singing two great songs that morning. I can't pass up these songs. Ok, after the choir is released I will leave. But the sermon is about grace- ok I will stay. I was very blessed that morning. Through our pastor, I was reminded of grace. I know about God's grace, but how often do I demonstrate His grace to others? Blessing number 1 that weekend was time to praise God and time to hear His voice.

On Saturday, I did make arrangemets with my mom to go to my grandma's to eat dinner and play cards on Sunday night. I knew they would not care if I came in my pjs. My dad is an over the road truck driver and is only home about every three weeks for only a few days. Unfortunatly, there are times when he is home that I do not get to see him because of other commitments. In the past year, my grandma has gone from a very energetic and active older woman to beign on oxagen and weak. We are reminded that her time with us is shorter than we would like. Spending an evening with the 3 of them would not be a hardship. On my way home from church, I called to double check the time for dinner. Mom suggested I stop by their house on my way home and have lunch with them. Let me just say if you have the chance to have my dad's pulled pork, DO NOT TURN IT DOWN! It is delicious! I ended up staying the entire day at my parents then going to grandma's. Blessing number 2 was spending time with people that I love very much and having a great time. I am blessed to have these people in my life.

Monday came and it was sleeting. In fact, they had an early dismissal at school and that ment that I would not have to go to work. Yea! Blessing number 3! I came home after a meeting and doing a couple of things for work and took a nap! Naps- if you get them - are wonderful!

I had made plans the week before to have dinner with a friend. She and I have not gotten together in some time. We were long overdue. Have you ever really been looking forward to doing something and then as that time approaches finding yourself not wanting to do it? It sounds stupid and selfish, but I really wanted to just stay home. I knew that I would regret not going. Blessing number 4 was being able to have this time with her. We were able to catch up and share things that we aren't always able to share with other people. I love this friend dearly and am so blessed to call her friend.

I did not get want I wanted during this time. Many times what we want is not what we need. Instead, we are blessed. Thank you to those that blessed me this week.