The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard

Matthew 20:1-16 1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle,[a] and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’[b]8 “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ 9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 11 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ 13 But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”[c]

After reading this for the umpteenth time, I once again had to repent before the Lord. I am so much like the first set of workers and so much like the Lord. I would easily give the last workers the same money (if I had it to give) knowing they needed it for their family's welfare just as much as the first workers, yet as the first worker, I would feel cheated. Why can't we just mind our own business? Is that human nature, part of the sin/selfish nature? And what do you think Jesus meant when he said at the end "the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen." I always thought that meant something way different because it was spoken out of context, but here in context, it is clearly saying something important. What is it? Don't be so darn selfish? Think of someone besides yourself for a change? Am I called or am I chosen?

Lord, help us to answer these questions and be in the right place at the right time for You.

We love you! Amen.

9.20.06 Daily Entry

I had another nerve injection in my back yesterday. I don’t mind them because after the initial down time, they do make me feel much better and I get some longevity out of my day. OH...I lost two pounds from my last visit. I knew I had lost, but I had also gained and lost and gained and lost, but having an overall loss on the books is a good feeling. :-)

Gary is such a good nurse! I know I drive him crazy even when I’m not needy, but he is very good natured about it and takes it all in stride. I’m so glad he’s mine and that we don’t fight. We are such a suited pair. Thank You, God, for connecting us. I really don’t know what I’d do without him. (And I don’t want to find out!)

I’m feeling better today, even though I couldn’t sleep. I’ve been stirring since about 2:30 this morning and decided to get up. My internet is down, so I couldn’t get my favorite Christian station, http://www.kvtt.org/, but I have plenty of music on my computer, so me and Terry MacAlmon are being mellow together with God. Both kids are sleeping, Lucy is on the couch snoring away and Wrigley is under my keyboard on my lap. He is contented to stay put until I start moving too much then he gets aggravated and moves to a more peaceful place…his own bed.

I’m hoping to get some stuff done around here today. I have a bunch of craft stuff I want to take to Brookhaven. Since my writing career took over my life, I don’t have time for crafts anymore and they are just collecting dust. I know they can bless someone and Mom suggested the nursing home. When I called they were delighted to receive them, so I went downstairs and put them all together. Now I just have to get them up there.

So, that is about it for now, still job hunting, please keep that in prayer. Thanks and God bless!

Journey Back to the Lord Book Signing

Saturday evening I had a book signing at my friend Gentry's house. It turned out very successful and I sold a few books. She and her granddaughter cooked up a feast of fried chicken, chicken salad dips with crackers along with veggie and fruit trays. I brought the cake.

The group started small and gradually increased as the evening went along until there were about seven of us total. It was nice and personal. I was able to read some of my book; we talked about how I got started and why. One lady, Erma, has been writing her book for several years and asked me for pointers and advice! I was flattered and honored. God moved very strongly that evening. Folks prayed for one another and for me. I needed a night of fellowship with the girls and with the Lord. Selling books was just a bonus.

I came home very inspired to keep writing and to get back into God's Word. I've always known God's Word and had it in my heart, but if you don't use it, you really do lose it and well, I'm ashamed to say, that I've lost a lot of it. I don't think I'd fall for false teaching, but I know I couldn't quote Scripture like I could once upon a time and that only comes from reading the Bible, so that is what I've been doing and it feels so good!

I like doing the book signing in people's home rather than in a store. Much more personal and people know what they are there for...to buy books. But, my books, being Christian books, I usually will have a Christian crowd, so it easily can turn into church!

Isn't God good?

General Week Catch-up

It's been one busy week. I got my unemployment set up, not too hard but you really have to make sure all of your i's are dotted and t's are crossed so it doesn’t get goofed up. I do NOT anticipate spending the next six months unemployed, even though it sounds good I know it won't get us where we want to be.

After registering on Monday, I pretty much took Monday and Tuesday off and hung around here messing around. Wrigley had a nail appointment on Wednesday, so we took extra time and walked a couple of extra blocks before we got there. He really needed some exercise! He's been so hyper lately. I don't think the rainy weather has helped him.

Lucy had a mild seizure on Sunday while I was at Church, thank God; Gary didn't go and was here with her. That is such a fear of ours is that she will have a seizure while we are gone. To our knowledge this hasn't happened. Dr. Carin increased her meds from 1 1/2 twice a day to 2 twice a day and she seems a bit sleepy and somewhat sad sometimes, but much better.

Thursday and Friday were kind of "wash" days as I did NOTHING around the house. We had errands to run, but did have some fun. We got to see Thom when we went to get my last check. Also, we finally used my gift card for The Station restaurant. WOW! They sure have good burgers. Gary and I got them to go and went to the channel and had a picnic. Once again, I didn't have a fleece in the van and I was cold! Gary laughed. We keep promising to keep something in there but always forget. Sometimes to my advantage because last time we did this, I had to buy a sweatshirt. We ate quickly and fed the seagulls our leftover bread and came home.

Here it is Saturday and I haven't done any writing! I have just about gotten Journey Back to the Lord ready for publishing. Now, I wait on the Lord.

I have a book signing today at a very good friend’s house. It will be with a bunch of her friends from church. I'm looking forward to it! So, today will be getting the last of the things ready for that. It is from 4-7. Somewhere in there will have to be a nap! :)

Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow

Yesterday was my last day at work. Running through my list of final task made the day go pretty quick. I packed the remaining few things in my van then went on a fast "Good-bye" tour through the plant. With a lump in my throat and a smile on my face, hard hat and safety glasses in hand, I marched on.

I was met with a lot of "well wishers." The ones I saw were divine appointments. I had said "Good-bye" to the other shift and there were a certain few that I really wanted to see before I left and God made that happen for me. One guy in particular I had prayed about having a face to face meeting and then got so busy leaving that I forgot to make that happen. In my walk through, I walked straight into him and said what I needed to say. It was good and so is God.

Finally, my day at work ended after lunch and I went home to prepare for the party. I was unsure who all would show up from work at the local pizza place, but I knew it would be fun and it would be the right mix. Sure enough, folks started drifting in; I think there was someone represented from every area of the plant. Some of the folks that were no longer working there came to the party and it was great to see them. At one point there were more of the ex-employees then current workers.

As the evening drew to a close, the moment I silently dreaded all day came; saying bye to Thom, my best friend at work, my defender and my confidant. I was going to miss our time together. We were a good team, either in accounting or IT, we worked well together and I was sad to see eight years go. I'm thankful that Gary and he are friends too. We'll do lunch and hopefully more than that, but it was just so final and sad.

So, with a kiss and a hug we said good bye and went on our way...

Seizure Number Two

Last night after another stressful day, I went to bed very tired, but couldn't sleep. I lay there for about ten minutes and got up, leaving Lucy in the cool room. After about thirty minutes, Gary heard her and looked at me with the look I know all too well. I jumped up from my chair and ran to the bed and sure enough, she was having another seizure! This one didn't seem quite as bad as the one from the day before, since she didn't have the heartbreaking cry which usually accompanies them, but still the more she has, the harder they get on her and us.

Reassuring her that I was there and that she was okay is basically all we could do until she comes through it. Once she is done, she is so happy. She is clumsy and very confused and often blinded, but still very happy.

I don't know if she remembered the treats from the previous night or not, but after she had her medication, she was ready for more. I reached into the freezer and she knew she was getting the orange treat. Wrigley wanted some too. This time, I used a very sharp knife and cut it in chunks for slower eating, but still she gobbled it down pretty good. Then she got more food and within forty-five minutes she was sleeping.

I'm so glad that it is not lasting the three hour sessions like before. I'm very glad I read: http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/. This site gave me some great information on dealing with an epileptic dog.

Lucy seems fine this morning. I'll call Dr. Carin again. It may be time to increase her meds.

Seizures and Stress

Stress Relief

Friday is my last day at work. I am very excited to move forward in what God is planning. After all of the mounds of stress that I have felt over the last several months and then the last couple of weeks, I have been very worried about Lucy. You see, she has epilepsy. Dr. Carin says that they can come about if she feels the stress of her humans

So, you can see why I’ve been so worried about her. But…no seizures! Although, the last couple of days have been a bit different about her, and I can’t tell you what the difference has been, but I have been expecting and watching her carefully out of the corner of my eye. Gary has too. We didn’t talk about it because we didn’t want to “jinx” her, not that we believe in that kind of thing but we just didn’t want anything to come against her.

Last night, I was talking to Mom and telling her about my “release” from my job and our plans going forward, along with trying to help her fix her printer, (while she is 1100 miles away) when I looked over on the couch and Lucy was just beginning to go into a seizure. Quickly, I dropped the phone and ran to her aid, as she lay paralyzed on the couch, in one huge muscle cramp.

Gary turned down the TV and ran and got an ice pack and an wet rag to wipe her head. She was overheated. Did that make her have a seizure? I don’t think so; it wasn’t that warm in here, but maybe. Was it the release of my tension that she somehow felt? I don’t know. I think it’s awful coincidental though, don’t you?

Anyway, the seizure lasted about a minute and seemed very intense, more so than any in the past. It always blinds her and makes her very confused when she comes out of it. As I was talking to her, she sniffed me as if to say, “Is that you, Mom?” But then she dropped her head back to the couch and wait about twenty seconds and do it again.

Once her eyesight returned, she wanted water and plenty of it. Gary was already getting her extra pill ready. She had just had her evening medication an hour earlier, but she got another dose, just like the doctor instructed.

I read on a website somewhere that after a seizure it’s helpful to give them something sweet like ice cream because it brings up their blood sugar. Well, with Gary and I doing the Weight Watchers thing, I don’t have ice cream in the house, but…we had creamcyles! And they worked perfectly. They also said that going through a seizure was like running a marathon and that they burned a lot of fuel and needed replenishing, so I gave her another scoop of food. (Of course, little brother Wrigley had to have some too.)

She drank at least one bowl full of water if not two. Gary is the water bowl filler, so I’m not sure, but it was a lot. And she paced the living room for a little while, but not nearly as long, I’d say a quarter as long as ever before after applying the little tricks we read from the web. I think cooling her down, which we did with an ice pack and the cool rag and the creamcycle along with more supper made a huge difference in her recovery.

It seems so tragic to watch her go through such a thing. Gary had to immediately kennel Wrigley. He wanted to play with her cuz he didn’t understand what was going on. When he came out of the kennel, (he wasn’t in there ten minutes) she sniffed him in her passing as she paced, as if to say, “Oh, you’re my little brother.” It was cute to watch them.

Of course, now that she’s had one, Gary and I won’t get a good night sleep for a while, both will be on guard waiting and watching every twitch she makes. Usually, she has them at night as she is going to sleep, so when she had it last night, it was close to her bedtime, 7:30. Hopefully, and prayerfully, this was a fluke and we won’t have anymore.