Good Saturday to you on this first weekend in January 2023. The weather is pretty mild considering how it has been the past two weeks! In the low 20's today......we'll take it. It is January, after all. Although, all across the country the weather has been wild.
Speaking of weather, Tuesday was my appointment with the Retina Dr. here in town. We were supposed to have 1/4 in of ice, freezing rain, and then snow so we expected the doctor to cancel because he was coming from two hours south. The ice did not show up here, he made the drive, and so many patients canceled that my 4 o'clock appointment was moved up to 11 am. Things continue to slowly....s.....l.....o......w....l....y move forward in the healing department. The steroid treatment drops cause me a lot of burning, watering and stinging eyes, which is challenging. It helps if I avoid bright sunlight or the reflective white snow, and we finally found an ointment that is giving some relief. Yes!
I have tried to find a way to share what happened on Tuesday morning as we experienced three encounters with three different people who were rude, aggressive, or just plain angry. It blew our minds. (I was involved with one) The last incident was in a drug store where Joel had gone in to find me an ointment for my eye. While at the counter checking out a man came up to Joel and said, "Hi Pastor". Joel recognized the face but did not have a name or place.....Joel asked how he was doing and the man replied..."Better than YOU". Then the guy went from friendly to angry and yelling at Joel in seconds over a perceived rejection he felt years ago when according to him Joel refused to do his mother's funeral. He then accused him agreeing with a woman steal money from his mom? It ended with the man yelling at Joel twice while pointing his finger at Joel, 'YOU should NOT be a pastor"......This was very disturbing, and Joel was stunned at the attack. As we discussed it later, we realized this man had some mental health issues. It has taken us awhile to stop thinking about it...those were strong accusations. So not like Joel. Joel tried to calm him down and talk to him about the accusations but he left. I finally told Joel, we just need to pray for the man. It is obvious he has issues (when Joel apologized to the clerk for the confrontation she said, he was angry at her too) and he needs prayer! I confess that I was concerned the man would come after Joel when we left, but we did not see him.
I thought back over the first few times I started walking at the mall or going places with Joel again after Lyme. I remember telling Joel, "You know everyone" because so many people would stop us and say Hi to the "pastor" or to Joel. He had been called as a pastor, or staff support, interim, or fill-in in over 24 churches within a radius of 60 miles or so and I will say, he was and is well liked by most everyone. So definitely you cannot let one man's anger and misperceptions linger.
Wednesday we got our bi-varent booster shots. Most everyone we know had them and were fine. Joel slept extra hours Wednesday night and Thursday and Friday morning naps were included. He's fine now. I had a sore arm and then Thursday afternoon had chills and low grade fever. Felt fine Friday and crappy this morning. Seriously this body does its own thing. We are ready to move on. I debated getting it but we have several extended family members who had Covid and still have symptoms from loss of taste and smell to brain fog and hair loss. To be truthful this virus reminds me a lot of Lyme....It goes where it wants, does what it wants and lasts as long as it wants.
Moving on, On New Year's Eve we watched the movie, "Fisherman's Friends" which is the 2nd British movie based on a group of fisherman who end up famous for their songs they sing. It was pretty good.
Joel gave me a battery operated small table light that is making it possible for me to attempt a puzzle again. I love doing them, although I need more patience now as having one wonky eye makes it challenging. Challenges are good, right?!? It is a great light and you just recharge it in a USB port. Nice.
Speaking of challenges, the Lutheran Church of Hope has one for this year...to read the Bible in a year. They have set up a program online for you to follow and their podcasts, Sunday Services, etc. are all connected to encourage it. We have taken up the challenge and have already learned a few new things in Genesis!
Did anyone see the Steve Hartman story of the young boy with autism who can listen to anything and play it on the piano? He parents came from Ghana, and they could not afford a piano or any lessons but a news story picked it up, a man who tunes pianos watched and he took an inheritance from his dad and bought this boy and his family a baby grand piano. The young boy was asked how he could play like he did and he responded, "It is a miracle. It is from God". Love this story of giving, and how God connected the dots for this young immigrant boy to share his gifts!
Speaking of gifts, I have much to be thankful for this week. A movie we enjoyed, a challenge we have taken up, an ointment that soothes the eye, an interesting movie, grateful the "angry" man did not go after Joel physically. Grateful for stories that remind us of good people everywhere. Grateful for a warm house, some sunshine for Joel, phone calls, texts, emails, and a few more Christmas cards. Grateful for all this and so much more..
Enjoy your weekend!
