Stick Like Glue

Riley and I have driven to Kansas to visit my parents while Rodney is on a mission trip in Guatemala. I love going on mission trips and would have loved going on this one with him but this silly Lupus of mine and the sun closest to the equator do not mix. 

Mission trips are very special to me for many reasons, First you can really shine Christ on them as you serve the persons you have gone to be with. Another is, that it is a great bonding time within the church, as members work side by side to complete the tasks set before them. You also get to see parts of our country and world you might not have seen for any other reason. And the last one, for me, is that I truly realized how much I cared for the man that would become the love of my life, on this earth, on a mission trip. He and I have been kind of glued together ever since.

Speaking of being glued together, Riley can't seem to get enough of my Dad. Where ever he is, there Riley is too. It has always been that way with Riley and Dad. There is just something about my Father that Riley can't seem to get enough of. Riley seems to be hovering and if it was me I might get a little annoyed with him. Dad doesn't. He just keeps smiling and letting Riley be Riley.

I was thinking about this this morning and trying to truly understand, because I was kind of feeling bad for Dad. But as I was watching them it occurred to me what is going on. Riley feels the unabashed love my dad has for him. He feels the non judgement from my dad. He feels free with my dad. My Dad does not care if Riley is fitting into the norm of life. He wants him to be the silly sweet Down syndrome kid he is. 


Most of the adults that Riley deals with, including Rodney and myself, are all trying to help him grow up enough to maybe get to be out on his own in this world. So we are always directing him in that direction. "Don't do that", "let's do things this way", "Come on Riley, don't be so silly", are just a few things he hears from most of us. I'm not saying this is wrong. It has to be done to help Riley survive in the adult world. But as I try to keep Riley from what I see as picking on my Father, Dad just keeps looking at me and saying "It's OK".


We silly humans have the same understanding from our God. We do not have to change into something we are not to come to Him. Look what Jesus said when the disciples were trying to discourage the children from getting to him....

Matthew 19:14

Common English Bible (CEB)

14 “Allow the children to come to me,” Jesus said. “Don’t forbid them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like these children.”

My Dad gets this verse. In fact he has a little child in him himself, that he is not ashamed to show. I guess I need to let up, be kid like myself, and let Riley relax. It is his vacation too!

When Riley is with my Father, he doesn't have to change anything. He can just be himself. How wonderful for him!!! That is how it is when we come to God. We can be our child like selves too! 

I love this reminder from my Dad!!! I guess I am still learning from my wise father. All of us can. 

Blessings!

The Sunbeam

 

 

James 1:17

The Message (MSG)

^17-  Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. 

 

Because of my diagnoses with Lupus the sun is now my enemy. Well not just the sun but lights of many kinds can make me sick.  To counter act their desctructive power over my body I wear long sleeves and sun screen and try to stay inside during the middle part of the day. 

 

When I was younger I was a sun worshipper. I loved to be outside whenever I could. I loved the feel of the heat on my back and loved the glow of my skin when I turned tan. Now I am white as can be and if I feel the heat on my back I start to panic. Kind of makes me sad but I know I feel better if I watch my exposure.

I have to tell you about one of the miracles of our trip to Israel. I prepared for this trip by making sure I packed long sleeve everything, even had a couple of shirts that had the UVA and UVB protection built right in the material. I packed a hat and tons of sunscreen. But there was nothing I could do about the touring schedule. I was going to be out all day, even in the  afternoon.

I was prepared to spend most of my afternoons waiting on the the tour bus. I knew that the sun would just be too hot and this was my only solution. But it turned out that I only had to rest a couple of times and my Lupus never acted up. I was amazed at my energy levels and how I could always find a shady spot to be in as we listened to the guide. What a miracle that was.

On the day we were standing in line at the Church of the Nativity, I looked up and saw this sunbeam shining through the window above. The amazing presence of God was so strong. The light was so beautiful. I could feel Him saying I am the light but my light is safe, my light is life. My light is always there for you.

This may sound far fetched and a little self absorbed but I know that He showed me that that day to remind me, and to remind you, that He wants us all to feel safe in His light. He wants us all to feel safe in His love. He wants us all to feel His protection.

Do you see His sunbeam for you today. Just look up!

Blessings!



 

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