To appreciate the sun, you gotta know what rain is. (J. Cole)
Or snow or sleet and hail. Or even the gray winter skies that February can sometimes bring. My daughter once insisted that in Kentucky we have more gray skies than sunny skies in February. She doesn’t like long stretches of no sun. I said I don’t think that’s true, but then I started keeping count. That particular year she was right. 🙁
But as our preacher is found of saying the sun is there. We just don’t always see its face. And when you’re in the hospital, you sometimes don’t notice if the sun is shining or the clouds are thick. My husband had a medical emergency with a gallstone on Friday and I’ve been in the ER and then the hospital for nearly all the daylight hours since. Not the most fun. Especially with somebody that sick. I have to confess that being there with my mother when she had dementia was worse. She fell several times at the nursing home when she was there a few years ago and had to go to the hospital for x-rays and stitches. And since she couldn’t remember why she was there and did not want to stay there, I had to continually stand over her with answers and reassurance while she was determined to get up and go home. Now!
Darrell doesn’t have those problems, thank goodness. He just felt awful. But he is improving although I expect his recovery to take a while. So sometimes the rain falls in one’s life too. Maybe that helps us appreciate the sun coming back out when we feel better. I can also appreciate all the prayers and good thoughts coming his way. I’m always humbled by the willingness of people to send caring prayers when they see a need on Facebook or social media. And you know what? Those prayers matter. Whatever the outcome of the illness or crisis, prayer can be a lifeboat to help get one through the storm.
Several of my books have had a theme of prayer. Especially my Shaker book, The Innocent. When I autograph a copy of that book for someone I always put “Pray anyway and always.” The “pray anyway” comes directly from the story since Carlyn’s mother taught her that no matter what was happening, good or bad, the way she wanted or not, to pray anyway. That’s great advice. I don’t always remember it but I do believe it.
Now in my new story that will be out in July, I have a character who says to “pray believing.” So this new book, River to Redemption, also has a theme of the importance of prayer. I do love the character, Louis, who does pray believing.
And now so many are praying that Darrell will soon be feeling better. What a gift! What a blessing! I’m thankful for POP – the Power of Prayer.
What’s the Caption Game
My grandgirl in the picture up top isn’t praying, but she is concentrating. That’s the new picture for my Caption Game. I do thank all of you who have been playing. The little piano men have gotten the most caption suggestions so far. But many of you came up with captions for Wednesday’s picture too of my mom and my daughter. I know you all saw the love between grandmother and grandchild. I did like what Becky said her grandmother used to tell her, “as you are now, so once was I…..as I am now, so you must be….” So very true if you are fortunate enough to live long enough to enjoy grandchildren. My mother certainly enjoyed hers. I certainly enjoy mine. And I know those of you with grandchildren enjoy yours.
My caption for this would be “Granny, I love you!”
Thanks for playing my caption game. Remember, each time you leave a caption for a new picture, you get another entry in the drawing for one of my books and a grab bag book by a different Christian author. Only one more picture to go after this one. Deadline for entries is midnight February 10, 2018. You have to be at least 18 to enter. I’ll contact the three winners on Sunday, the 11th, or at least intend to if no new emergencies come up. But whether or not I pull your name out of my drawing hat, I hope you have fun playing my “What’s the Caption?” game.
Thanks for reading.
Comments 30
“Getting my words just right”
Prayers for you and Darrell.
Author
Fun caption, Rebecca. I try to get my words just right, and it does take work. Also, thanks for the prayers. Darrell is home from the hospital but still needs time to recover.
It’s homework, homework all the time!
Author
That’s a great caption too, Connie. All of you have come up with great ideas. Love them all and really love you playing my Caption game. One more picture on Wednesday and then the 3 winners next Sunday.
‘Hold still Frankie, I’m almost finished drawing your head’.
Praying your husband is feeling much better today….and, will soon be home!
Author
You may have hit the nail on the head, Marji. This girl does love to draw, and for sure Frankie would sit still for his portrait.
Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. Darrell is better but has a way to go to get well.
This is important. I’ll be finished soon.
Author
That caption could fit, Loretta. We do like to finish what we start or should, anyway.
“Grandma, you’ll never guess what happened at school today!” 🙂
Praying for Darrell to feel better soon and for you to have strength as you balance many things in the midst of taking care of your husband, Ann! (Smiles and Hugs) ~Isaiah 40:28-31~
“Grandma, you’ll never guess what happened at school today!” 🙂
Praying for Darrell to feel better soon and for you to have strength as you balance many things in the midst of taking care of your husband, Ann! (Smiles and Hugs) ~Isaiah 40:28:31~
“Grandma, you’ll never guess what happened at school today!” 🙂
Praying for Darrell to feel better soon and for you to have strength as you balance many things in the midst of taking care of your husband, Ann! (Smiles and Hugs) ~Isaiah 40:28:21~
Author
That’s a fun caption, Emily. It’s always fun to hear what happened at school today and having it written down would be even better.
Thank you so much for your prayers for Darrell and for me. Spending long days in the hospital is no fun. I think he may come home soon. He’s much better.
……..”and all lived happily ever after!”
Author
I like that one, Evelyn. That’s the way the best stories end.
Ten take away two equals ?
or she could be writing out a prayer for Grandpa Darrell
“please throw away that stone that is hurting my Grandpa!”
Author
Pat, she does look as though she’s doing some concentrating. Could be math. 🙂 Or that prayer for Pa. We’re ready to get all the stones gone!
I’m going to write about Oscar so I don’t forget him.
Author
Ola, you win the prize for the most touching caption. What a sweet thought. I do miss Oscar.
My new Diary! This is my favorite time of the year, spending time with Grandma!
Author
That’s a great idea for a caption, Edith. Girls that age do love the idea of having a diary and coming to visit grandma too.
The story is going to be about a Amish dog named Frankie. Who gets in trouble while chasing rabbits! While on our farm he finds some treasure. Grandma will be surprised when she sees this story.
Author
Love it, Diane. What a fun story. Hope he digs up that treasure and drags it to the house. That would for sure surprise Grandma. Very cute caption idea. And her story is sure to sell if it’s about an Amish dog. 🙂
My first thought, too was ‘I’m gonna write a book like Grandma’ which someone mentioned so my second is, ‘Connect the dots 1, 2, 3, hmmm let’s see where’s 4?’ I personally loved dot-to-dot as a child! Glad Darrell is doing better. Take care of you as running back and forth can wear a person out! Blessings!
Author
That writing a story like Grandma is what I thought several of you might think, Linda. Glad you came up with a unique one. I used to love doing the dot pictures when I was a kid too.
Darrell is better, but you’re right about running back and forth getting old or maybe making me old. For sure it gets old fast.
Author
Thanks for your comments and captions.
Margaret, I was just waiting for that writing like Grandma one. 🙂
Paula, actually I’m sure this girl was drawing although she also likes to write stories too. She likes to share with her grandma too.
MH – The greatest novel – oh, the dreams writers have!
The greatest novel ever told. And I’m writing it all by myself!
Want to read my story Grandma? I’m gonna be a writer just like you when I grow up! And see my pictures? I’m gonna be an artist, too!
Two of my favorite of the healing scriptures are Isaiah 53:5 and I Peter 2:24. God’s Word is true and worthy to be declared over any situation. PTL!
As a retired school teacher, I love to see a child “hooked” on reading, writing, drawing…something requiring them to use their own “brain power” instead of watching videos &/or playing video games all of the time.
Author
Hi, Connie. Thank you for the healing scripture references. I appreciate that. I was really glad when my kids and now my grandkids got hooked on reading.
Let’s see if I can write a book just like my Grandma does!