Afterglow


We arrived home from England on Saturday at 6.00 p.m. just last week; funny how that seems so long ago already!  I called Rob almost as soon as we got in, so that he would know that we were safely home, but I waited until Sunday morning to call Mum, because of course, she was already fast asleep when I called Rob.

 I thanked her for the wonderful time that we had together and she said, "Thank you; it was the best time; better than all the other ones." This is a lot for Mum to express in words.

 Rob came on the phone then to say that Mum had been really happy all day. While we were there, Sam, one of her wonderful young carers, told me, "Oh, your mum was ever so unhappy after you left last time." My heart dropped at knowing that, so Rob's words were a gift.

 What made the difference I am not sure. Having Paul there was an added blessing to all of us, but I also think that this time, more than ever before, I held true to my main reason for being there; simply being with Mum, Rob, and a very few other close family members and friends. 


 I accompanied Rob on shopping trips to Tooltime and Screwfix and got out of the car to go inside with him, without reluctance or him having to ask. With all my heart I wanted to do what would make him happy. And I lavished Mum with as much love as was possible in two weeks. 

 There was not a single regret. In case it sounds as though I am tooting my own horn, I don't mean to, because the "old me" would have gone less happily and purposefully to buy tools, and would have been divided her attention to Mum, tempted away to spend precious time on other distractions.

 God is changing me, bit by bit, and my heart to one that is undivided. The honour goes to him, but the blessings are all mine as he reveals his Son in me.

Philippians 3:13-14

The Message (MSG)
Focused on the Goal
 12-14I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

Fill the garden of my soul with the wind of love, that the scents of the Christian life may be wafted to others;then come and gather fruits to thy glory.So shall I fulfill the great end of my being--to glorify thee and be a blessing to men
Valley of Vision p. 325

Comments

mercygraceword said…
Wonderful - glory to God! Hopeful as well - I'm also praying for that undivided heart - although the ways he is forming it can be painful.

Thanks "Bo-linda"
1:30 PM
Belinda said…
Blessings to you dear Deborah. God is good and the source of all hope.
8:09 PM
Violet N. said…
Belinda, this is such a sweet post. I too know the resolves one makes to change old habit patterns and how easy it is to give in to them. I love it when there are "no regrets" whatever the crucible.
8:32 PM
Belinda said…
Dear Violet,
I so rarely have "no regrets;" it was sweet fruit to taste! :)
9:39 PM
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