A roller coaster day.....

WARNING:
wordy post

I don't like roller coasters.

Actually, I'm not fond of any types of carnival/fair rides because they have a tendency to make me sick.  By the same token, I don't really care for days that leave me feeling like I've been on highs and lows, just like the twists and turns of the roller coaster track.

Yesterday was such a day for me.

It started off with as soon as I bowed my head to pray during my devotional time, I couldn't quit crying.

I wasn't even sure where the tears were coming from,

but I just kept pouring my heart out to the Lord and felt His comforting arms around me.

A short time later, Pappy called to tell me that he had locked his keys in his car.

He had me search for a key here at the house and bring the one he thought would work to Knoxville.  I stopped and picked up my Mom to ride with me.  I was a nervous wreck, because I don't like to drive in Knoxville.  I'm used to driving in the country, not the "big city", although I used to do it every.single.day!!!  Anyway, I had prayed before heading out and when I pulled onto the lot, there were 2 men there who already knew the situation with Pappy's car and would you believe I never even got out of the truck because one of the men did it all.  The key didn't work.....and our insurance didn't cover road-side assistance on that vehicle because we got the cheapest coverage on an old car....sigh!  Well, this man got out his cell phone and started making calls, asking me if I had the money to pay for a locksmith....which, I did not, but my Mom spoke up and said she had cash, so I was just going to pay her back.  The man walked off and was on his phone for quite some time.....and when he came back, he told me that he had called Triple AAA and they would be coming to unlock the car and it wouldn't cost us anything.  I tried to pay him, but he wouldn't take anything.  I assured him that God would bless him for his kindness and how good God is (ain't that right?)!!!  As I was backing out of the lot, he said, "oh, by the way, I'm Jack's boss".  WOW!! What an awesome boss to do that for his employee!  

So....Mom and I head home and I talk to  Pappy and tell him what just happened and how I was still about to start crying all over again and we decided that we would at least buy this fellow a gift card.  I stopped by Cracker Barrel (who doesn't  LOVE Cracker Barrel) and got one for him as a "thank you".

I get to Mom's and she asks me to come in that she has something to show me.
She goes into her bedroom and brings back my Daddy's billfold.  Mom told me that she didn't know why after all these years she hadn't looked in it, and my Dad has been in heaven for over 20 years.  As I unfolded the pictures that he had so carefully placed into the slots, I found one of Pappy and me and Jess.....3 of Jess  (oh, how he loved that girl).....one of Mom when she and Daddy were dating....and one of him and Mom, along with his driver's license and several other cards that meant a lot to him.  But, what I saw was my Daddy's heart.  Holding his billfold in my hands.....one that I'm pretty certain I bought for him because it was leather with ducks and reeds on it, something he adored.....the tears started again.  And, then Mom opened up the place where he kept his money....and there were three $100 dollar bills.  Still as crisp and new as when he placed them there.  She gave one to me....one was going to my brother....and she kept one.  I hugged her and told her how much I loved her and we talked about how much we  both missed Daddy.

Then, I get in the truck to come home.....
FINALLY!

I decided to check my e-mail before I left Mom's driveway and read one about the death of a sweet, dear lady I used to  go to  church with, Ms. Norma. We still kept in touch.  She sent me a text just a short time ago  telling me how every time she saw a cardinal in her yard, she thought of me (if you know me well, you know I adore cardinals....and owls). That brought on more tears.  I had to call our former Sunday School teacher and my mentor, Ms. Thelma to share the news with her.  Oh, what an awesome conversation we had.  This woman is so wise and truly knows her Bible.  I just love and admire her so very much.  She cheered me up and  confirmed some decisions I had made that I was doing the right thing.  I sat in the truck and talked with her for over 30 minutes.

Then.....
I come in the house and get ready to keep 4 kiddos for about 5 hours!

So, see why last night I went to bed feeling like I had been on a roller coaster ride all.day.long?!?!
I also didn't sleep because I had so much to PONDER on!

But, this morning, all I could think of was this verse of scripture.....



Amen!!!

Breathing in Grace,