Happy Hope

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At the start of the summer travel season, here’s a re-post affirming that God goes ahead and prepares our way, from May 26, 2010:

In my quest to fly home from England after visiting with Hans and family there, it was all bad news.

My Buddy Pass from friend Kevin was free, though it did put me on standby status. But I’d made it onto the flight over on the first try, so when it was time to fly home, I walked into the airport with confidence. After all, there had been 20 open seats the night before.

The agent glanced at my status and said, “Oooo, ma’m. It doesn’t look good for you today. We’re overbooked, and you’re at the bottom of the standby list. We won’t even check your bag, because you probably won’t fly today.

“Take your bags and find a place to wait,” he said. “Come back in an hour, and we’ll see.”

“Is there any hope?” I said.

“It’s always best to hope.”

Stand-byI wheeled my bags across the airport in search of an empty chair and plopped down next to a woman whose luggage tags matched mine. We were after the same empty seat on the same crowded flight. She eyed my tags and said, “Who knew the airline would strike this morning?” Twenty empty seats: poof.

Feeling powerless, I prayed, reminding God he’d promised to go with me on this first trip after Nate died, preparing my way.

An hour later, I took my bags back to the counter, “Mr. Hope” was gone, but the woman in his place said, “Put your suitcase on the scale, ma’m. You’re listed on this flight.” I didn’t even ask.

As I rushed through the airport toward my gate, loudspeakers urged passengers to heed “the final boarding call.” Stopping to get a boarding pass, I wondered if I’d be plucked from the flight at that point, but the agent just smiled. “Here’s your seat now, love.”

I didn’t look at it but headed for the plane thinking, “It’s always best to hope.” I was the last one to board. While urging people to find their seats quickly, the flight attendant glanced at my seat assignment. “You’re right here,” she said, pointing.

First row.   First seat.   First class.

That trans-Atlantic flight was one pampered ride: a bed-sized pillow, down blanket, gourmet meals chosen from a menu, my own TV, and a travel bag filled with goodies. Though I don’t know how it happened, I do have a hunch:

Kevin’s email the day before the flight had ended with this line: “We’ll be praying for you to get on, and to get a seat in first class.”

When there was no way, God had made one, proving the ticket agent had been right: it’s always best to hope.

”Many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” (Matthew 19:30)

Praising and Praying with Mary

  1. Please continue to pray about my feeding tube, which is acting up again.
  2. I’m thankful to have been able to address wedding invitations with Stina today.

Learning or Leaning?

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This week I’ve been thinking a great deal about someone precious to me, someone I love dearly, my sister Mary. We’ve all heard the expression, “You can’t out-give God.” I can say the same about her.

Hard workerMary is a giver. She never “arrives” anyplace without something special to give, a flower, a small package, a framed photo, cupcakes, or any number of other things. She’s creatively thoughtful and not just with material gifts. Her greatest giving is of effort: a willingness to sit with someone who’s hurting or to serve others by chauffeuring, making a meal, or running errands. That gift of effort also demands time, and Mary cheerfully gives big chunks of that to others, even if it means quietly setting aside her own agenda.

Youthful sistersShe’s my older sister (not by much), and ever since childhood I’ve followed her around, counting on her to have the good idea or take the lead. For example, when I was three and still sucking my thumb, my parents tried to solve the problem by pinning my pajama sleeves over my hands. Mary had a better idea and took off the pins. No wonder I wanted to stick with her.

Now that we’ve grown up, had 14 children between us, and lived separately for more than 50 years, you’d think I could maneuver through life without leaning on her, but no. I’m still calling for advice, still loving time with her, and still appreciating when she comes up with an efficient plan to reach goals… even my goals.

She’s forever organized, the kind of person who doesn’t lose track of her phone, her keys or what’s written on her calendar, and while I’m often caught scrambling, she brings calm to every storm. After decades of watching her give to others, I’m still hoping some of it will eventually rub off on me.

Mary is an excellent example of doing what God wants us all to do. He set the original standard, then sent Jesus to model what earthly servant-leadership should look like. Mary takes time to study the life of Jesus and learn from him what she’s supposed to do. But beyond that, she’s willing to actually do it. The result is a demonstration of what faith in God looks like on an everyday basis.

???????????????????????????????When we gravitate toward people like Mary, in the process we’re actually leaning toward the Lord, because godly people have become godly only by living close to him first. Their counsel is a reflection of him, and their actions mirror the behavior of Jesus. I didn’t deserve such a fine sister, but I sure am glad to have her.

“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7)

Praising and Praying with Mary

  1. So thankful for answered prayer about the nausea! Today I had none and ate normally!
  2. Pray I will feel real gratitude for each good day God gives.
  3. Praise for the many cards and letters I’ve received, some of which I re-read today. A great blessing!

A Suggestion, by Jack the Dog

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It’s been 9 months since I got to sit at Midge’s keyboard, but tonight she’s turned it over to me. After all, I don’t know how many chances I have left to write, being over 80 years old now.

???????????????????????????????The other day I overheard her tell someone she might start giving me medicine for my painful hip joints. I sure need it. Watching me get to my feet after a nap is proof-positive. Or, should I say proof-negative.

There is an upside to this, though. My new sedentary lifestyle allows me extra time to study Midge, and I’ve been able to tell a great deal by the pace of her footsteps. In the past if she moved quickly, it always meant she was about to leave the house. Lately, though, speedy steps are her norm, even when she isn’t going anyplace.

For some reason she always seems to be in a rush. When we go out on our walks, my pause-to-sniff time has become newly limited. She tugs on my leash and says, “C’mon, Jackie. Keep moving.” Our regular walking route is getting shorter and shorter, too.

A week ago I overheard her telling a visitor she just got a new book contract. I’m not 100% sure what that means, but maybe it’s the reason for all the hurry-up. Although her #1 pleasure is writing and she’s very excited about another book, it could be she doesn’t have the time she needs to get it all done now, with the blog and the book competing for the same hours each day.

So I gave her a little advice, something she could do throughout the summer to remedy the problem. She could go back into her archive of older blogs and re-post some of them rather than writing a new one each night. And she went for the idea.

I hope none of you readers will mind. And I especially hope no one will think negatively toward me for having made the suggestion. Of course you know I have a vested interest in the idea, longing for the leisurely walks of my past when I could take my time with the scents of the neighborhood. But I also recommended the archives thing because I want Midge to do a good job on her new book.

I’ve read all 1422 of her blogs and look forward to seeing which ones she will re-use this summer, hoping she’ll let me in on the action. After all, I’ve written some pretty spectacular posts in past years.

???????????????????????????????I do know she’ll break from the archive plan if anything unusual happens to my Aunt Mary, and she’ll write new blogs accordingly. She also plans to continue posting Aunt Mary’s prayer requests at the end of each blog for those of you who are praying. And by the way, we’re all incredibly thankful you are.

And now I’m going to ease my weary old body onto my plump doggie bed for a good long sleep.

“God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:33)

Praising and Praying with Mary

Pray that the antibiotic ointment will clear the tube infection, which seems to be in surface stitches. Pray for patience with the negative sides of chemo.

Praise for only mild nausea and for friends who send words of encouragement at exactly the right moments.