I am a truly blessed woman. Sometimes I have to "pinch" myself in order to know I am not dreaming. Speaking of dreaming, I awoke just a short time ago because of a dream. Yesterday I copied the Spanish flag and titled my next blog, but this morning when I was dreaming, I knew how I was going to formulate this blog. Here we go.
Dreams are silly sometimes and make no sense but this one was freeing. I dreamed I was driving an open top army type jeep. I was on a beach with a large frontage. There were hills and tall grasses and I was maneuvering my way over and around these thrilling landscape features. It was very windy and my red hair was blowing wildly in the wind. That in itself is very exhilarating because in times gone by, my hair would have been secured with a scarf, hair spray or I wouldn't even have allowed myself to be where my hairdo would be compromised. My hair was like the flag pictured, I was free. BLESSED!!
Many times it seems I have given of my time, money, home and my energy until I was physically and mentally exhausted. I do recall having felt like a sponge totally wrung dry until there was nothing left to extract from ME! I have sacrificed myself to hurting people who were not capable of giving in return. I have walked through sorrow and pain with a very dear friend who took care of her husband through cancer and she later suffered hip surgery and a malignant brain tumor. I write about this not to receive accolades or a pat on the back but to remind myself of just how blessed I am.
'When I moved here to Texas four years ago, I again opened up myself to be and do whatever was presented to me. I have given my home on many occasions to be used for whatever. It has been used for family gatherings, lady's parties, fund raisers, a safe haven for young ladies, quilting lessons and just two or three ladies meeting to share their hearts.
Yesterday I was sitting on my patio looking into my backyard and feeling overwhelmed by the beauty and feeling so BLESSED! Kainoa was working diligently finishing a beautiful patio, Mike was digging and planting and everywhere I looked, I realized I was blessed by the strength of others and the beauty of spring flowers and butterflies fluttering from flower to flower.
There are many reasons and ways I am blessed. Now the reason for this blog. The Spanish flag is shown above and therein is my blessing. I am off to Spain on Tuesday! How incredible is that?
Some years ago, at least seven, I saw a dear cousin that I hadn't seen in many years and even longer since I had seen her husband. I saw them at a family reunion in Texas and it was at that time I learned about Ray's ministry in Spain. He for many years had taught in a conference twice a year. This conference was/is a program for a drug rehabilitation ministry and many are suffering from the consequences of drug abuse. Ray and Sharon were pastors for many years and very suddenly last July, Ray was taken from us. I met up with Sharon last August in Houston and she at that time asked me if I wanted to be traveling partner with her. I responded, "of course."
We have talked about this trip for seven months and it is now becoming a reality. We will spend two weeks in Spain and the lovely people will be totally at our disposal to take us site seeing and we will have a place to stay. It will be a wonderful experience getting to know the local people and staying in their home.
If you are feeling totally spent and feel like you have given until there is nothing left to give, your day will come when it will be given back to you. The message Bible says it very eloquently in Luke 6:37, "Give away your life, you'll find life given back, but not merely given back--given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity." Sow your seeds of kindness and I promise you will reap kindness.
I can't wait to tell you about my blessings when I return from Spain. Keep reading and count your blessings today and I send blessings your way.
