The Last Word: “And Many More.....”

Are you one of those who has to have the last word? If so, then at the conclusion of singing "Happy Birthday" to someone, you probably added the big finish: “and mannny more!!" I always sing “and many more” under my breath in hopes that my quiet wish might help to safeguard the birthday boy or girl’s longevity. I know it’s not a sure-fire-guarantee because life has taught me we can never be sure of “many more”. So, each and every birthday we have with our loved ones is a gift. I realized this when my sweetheart received the diagnosis that changed his “many mores” to only “one more.”

“No more” is a sad thought, and I suspect if you’re reading this, you understand what I mean. Even though their passing means our loved ones never grow a year older, to those of us who are still here on this side of heaven, their birthday continues, for us, year after year. Though they’re gone, their birthday still belongs to them. And, to us, there’s no such thing as “no more”. We’re still here on this earth to REMEMBER there will be “many mores”. I’m here to tell you – significant days like birthdays, anniversaries and other special celebrations mean we still love our loved ones despite their absence. That’s one of the things I love about FB and seeing posts about loved ones, years past their “going home” date. We are fondly remembering.

All of that explanation is to give justification for celebrating my one man: the one love of my life once again on this, his birthday. Our family celebrates each other’s birthdays by pulling out the “Special Plate” and telling the honoree what they mean to us. I have it out this morning with biscuits, chocolate gravy, bacon, and eggs made for the boys and I. We'll be celebrating Papa and sharing what he meant to us. We're keeping his memory alive. As for me, I’m looking up to heaven and singing "Happy B/D and many more" to my Sweetheart! I'll let you listen in as I say to him:

“My Sweetheart, you are still so loved, honored, respected, and admired by me and all those who knew you. I’m celebrating you and the mark you made on so many lives, the least of whom is ME! I am more today than I could have ever dreamed possible because of you.....your relentless urging, pushing, prodding, and encouraging me to be all I could be. You always made me feel beautiful -- especially when I didn't feel it. When I didn't believe in myself, you believed in me! I am so thankful for the amazing husband, father, and grandfather that you were. You always gave yourself so freely to so many. I will never forget the precious, caring and giving way you treated others. You not only opened the door to them, but you fed them and clothed them and tolerated them and truly gave them the Father's love. You really were a "life enhancer" and a beautiful example, on earth, of Christ's love. There's not enough room here to tell you how much you meant to me, but one thing's for sure, you received your ultimate reward by getting to go on the fast track to heaven. My greatest determination is to be there with you someday and have the ultimate in birthday bashes with you there! And, to all my FB friends and family -- YOU ARE ALL INVITED!!!

By the way, maybe it's time you and your family have special plate days, too. It is sure a confidence builder to those we love! And, maybe it's time to get out the special plate for your loved ones in heaven and reminisce and celebrate how they made a difference in your life. It will keep their memory alive, and bring gratitude back to those who helped make you who you are today!

How Long is it Until Naptime?

Preservation -- to keep alive or in existence; make lasting; to keep safe from harm or injury; protect

All of us have an innate desire to do everything we can to make this life last as long as we can. While we know this life doesn’t hold a candle to what awaits us on the other side in heaven, we, instinctively, want to hang around on this side a little longer, so we try to eat healthy, stay active and think positively.

Along with the weeks of traveling back and forth to Tulsa, with little sleep because of the many hours spent on getting Mom moved and her estate sale completed, I've been needing naps when I drive there and even after I’ve made it back home to catch up on the sleep I lost. In fact, on the way home recently, I had to stop at a Walmart parking lot in Atoka, OK to shut my eyes just a few minutes. When I finally made it home, I didn't even unpack my car. I headed to my bed and took a 3-hour nap.

Fortunately, this season of my life affords me the opportunity to take a little nap every now and then. I remember looking forward to Sunday afternoons when my husband and I would have a sweet nap. That was our only naptime because of our busy work schedules, family and home responsibilities. I’m quite sure God was pleased with our Sunday routine, because, after all, Genesis 2:2-4 says “And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made.” He set the example for us.

With busy, full active days of meeting my young children's needs, oh how well I remember so wanting to take a nap when they did. I loved looking forward to their naptime so I could doze a little myself. I'd tickle their eyes and faces until they'd drop off to sleep....and so would I. As Moms of young children, no doubt, you, too, may long for a little down time to just have a few minutes of R&R. I think naptime might have been what the Psalmist David meant in Psalm 23 “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He restores my soul.” How often do busy Moms and Dads put everything and everyone else ahead of their own preservation?

Here's what I know. It's okay to have a little time when we can just BE. After all, we were created by God to be human BEINGS, not human DOINGS. I know that many of my younger friends dream of days like this. I was you in my busy working days, wife and little children days -- and now I am here, in these days. You'll be here one day and I urge you to savor these times, because tomorrow can be amped up, full-on, all-out exhaustive days. In between all the hustle and bustle, for our own good and our preservation – we MUST find time to refuel and get ready for firing up for the next call-of-duty.

There are many things to be concerned about in our lives, our family's lives, our city, country and world. How can we REST when there's so much to do for God? After all, we are His hands and feet extended. After all, if we don't go, who will? After all, if we don't take care about this and that, who will take care of it for us? Then, loud and clear comes Isaiah 30:15: “For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel says: in returning and rest shall you be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength….”

Little pull over to the REST AREAS of our lives can PRESERVE our lives for the long run. I've been at this journey of faith long enough to be convinced that in quietness and confidence in God’s faithfulness, we will be renewed and strengthened daily. Maybe it’s time for a little POWER nap – and tap into our POWER SOURCE Who brings us peace and rest – even if it’s only for 10 minutes at a time.