Untimely

SICK was not what I had planned for this day!

But it appears when you eat a taco salad that doesn't agree with you - At ALL - the choice is not yours.  Frank and I had a lovely al fresco lunch yesterday at a Mexican restaurant where we often eat.  The weather was perfect and we had the outdoor dining area all to ourselves.

About two hours later, my tummy started rumbling but I didn't have time to stop and deal with such minor discomfort.  We had rehearsal for the Tenebrae service starting at 5.  Frank needed me ready to walk everyone through their parts.

The rumbling became more insistent.  While Frank read through his last section, I slipped to the restroom and almost completely unloaded my lunch.  (All the while holding my cute little necklace out of the way, mind you!)

The nausea subsided and I thought that was the end of it.

Oh, no!  Not by a long shot. 

Thankfully, the whole point of a Tenebrae service is reflection.  People enter silently and exit silently.  Greeting, talking, hugging as we leave is discouraged.  Since that is one of my main roles, I was able to slip to the office bathroom.

I'll spare you the details of riding home with a trash can in my lap.  Cody and Kristin followed us to bring home my car.  Frank told them to stay outside!  We were pretty sure it was the taco salad but she only has five weeks left and couldn't risk a bug at this point.

Frank is without a doubt the best care-giver in the world.  He just senses what I need before asking.  Cold cloth.  Trash can.  Blanket warmed in the dryer. Hot tea.  Dry toast.

When I stumbled out of bed this morning, I was more than a little relieved to find he had decided to study here instead of going to the office as planned.  It's the little things, when you're sick.

He made my grocery run for me.  Our dining room was already set up for the flurry of excitement that will descend on us tomorrow evening.  And six little baskets are sitting in our guest room waiting for the grands.

As I mentioned earlier, our normal family sunrise service will be a Skype experience this year. Since I'm usually up by 4AM on Easter to prepare, it's a timely change.

Several things I wanted to make happen for tomorrow will have to be tabled for another year.  I've slept off and on almost the entire day.  Even now I know I won't be back to 100%.  This is an untimely sickness for sure!

But as I rested today, I reminded myself the most important elements are locked into place whether I'm able to assist or not.

The sun will rise tomorrow.  We will gather with our church family and celebrate Resurrection Day with great enthusiasm.  We'll remind ourselves that because of Easter, we have hope for our future.

Because of Easter, I know I'll see my sweet mama again some day.  Because of Easter, all the things in my life that seem to make no sense can be turned over to Christ.  He can explain it all to me or not, the choice lies with Him. 

He has a different perspective on my life and yours.  He sees what we can not.  The key is resting in the truth that He Does Know.

One of my favorite Easter songs is written in a lilting 6/8 time. Tomorrow our family will sing together.  The verse isn't well known so Noni will sing it but everyone joins in on the chorus:

"I serve a risen Savior He's in the world today.  I know that He is living whatever men may say.  I feel His hand of mercy I hear His voice of cheer.  And just the time I need Him, He's always near.  

He Lives! He Lives!  Christ Jesus lives today.  He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.  He Lives!  He Lives!  Salvation to impart.  You ask me how I know He lives.  He lives within my heart!"

My prayer for you is that you'll experience the Savior in a wonderfully timely way this Easter season!