Mystery of the Tissues

There were tissues all over the place. Every coat Mom owned had numerous Kleenexes stuffed in each coat pocket. They came out of the dryer in particles having been tumbled about with her clothing. When cleaning her bedroom, I checked under the bed and counted over two dozen of them--some used, some partially used, some in waiting.

Why all the tissues? I wondered.

Mom died about ten years ago, and over my own passing years, I've solved the mystery.

Eureka!

THE RUNNY NOSE





Sounds disgusting, I know. I'm not sure if this is genetic or just something aging people put up with. When I googled the reasons for chronic runny nose, I learned that it can be caused by anything that irritates our nasal tissues. The common cold, allergies, and the bottom line is that some of us have a drippy nose for no apparent reason.

There are no tissues underneath my side of the bed; however, they can be found up my sleeve (okay, both sleeves), in my waistband, and in a pocket or two. Yes, they are in both coat pockets of any outerwear I pull out of the closet. There's a Kleenex box in most rooms and in our car.

Where am I going with this?
Give me time....

Okay, just got it. (It's amazing what the mind does when the fingers are flying across the keyboard.)
With time, we figure a lot of things out.
There are things that are not that difficult or impossible to understand, one just has to "be there" to get it. More often than not, this takes time.

Elizabeth Bowen wrote, No object is mysterious. The mystery is your eye.
In this instance, the mystery is your nose.
More on that at another time.

Psalm 139:14...I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 

Steadfastness

Words like creme-rinse, smorgasbord, and thong are words from my growing-up years that are no longer used in the same way. Thongs used to be flip-flops. If I use it now, my children say Mom in a weird way. In school, we took Typing I and then Typing II. Now, it's Keyboarding and it is taught in elementary school. Hey, even "floppy disk" is out.

House dress, overshoes, and overalls were common words in our family household. Supper was the last meal of the day. We wore "chore clothes" after school and "church clothes" on Sunday.

Some words become obsolete and others stick.

One of the words from the Bible that I appreciate is steadfastness. We don't hear it much. Merriam-Webster defines it as faithful, loyal, constant, resolute to whatever one owes allegiance. 

A person can be steadfast in a belief, an effort, a plan or even a refusal--sometimes under dire circumstances.

And sometimes, steadfastness comes across as drudgery. Biblical examples of steadfastness include:


Moses' extreme patience with the Israelites
Daniel's courage in the lion's den
David's consistent dependence on God for guidance
Job's perseverance under the most dreadful circumstances
Paul, who my dad referred to as "the Moses of the New Testament"
And, of course, Jesus, our Sacrificial Lamb

Perhaps you want to think of a loving, positive way to apply the word "steadfast" to your day.
*Your family's schedule that prevents a time of peace
*The co-worker who tests your patience
*An illness that worries your body and soul

Second Thessalonians 3: reads May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

No matter what your care, what a comfort to know that our hearts are directed to the love of God and Christ's steadfastness on our behalf.

Coincidences and Janet

Janet has been gone for six months.
I think of her often, especially when we go to Rochester for appointments.
This is where she lived; this is where she worked; this is where she died.
She was my friend since before our children arrived....when we were both young, naive, newly married, newly everything....

I hadn't heard from her for weeks which was not uncommon. We connected with each other by phone or texting every couple of months so not hearing from her didn't send up any red flags.

However, six months ago, when in Rochester for appointments and eating in the Mayo cafeteria, Janet arrives spontaneously at our table in her wheelchair, oxygen tank attached. What a surprise. The "how have you beens" were exchanged, but her answers were careful. We wished each other the best and were off to our individual appointments.

Two hours later, as my husband is waiting in the pulmonary unit, Gonda Building, floor 18, for his appointment, Janet is leaving from hers--same building, same floor. (If you're familiar with Rochester's medical facilities, you understand the hugeness of this.)

We both express surprise. Again, we meet!
However, she has tears. The news she received was not good.
Her doctors suggested she not go home; they suggested she go immediately to the hospital for care.
Janet went home.
She ended up in the hospital a few days later and never left.
We texted and face-timed almost daily during her time with Hospice care.
I met her loving sister; became re-connected to her beautiful daughter.
Coincidental timing in all this?
I think not.

Bernard D. Beitman, M.D. defines coincidences as "a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection." And further states, "Biblical coincidences can confirm belief in a personal God."

There are numerous "coincidences" in the Bible:
Joseph, Jonah, Moses, Ruth, Isaac finding a wife, Jesus being born in Bethlehem...

What appears as a random chance is in fact overseen by a sovereign God who knows the number of hairs on your head (Luke 12:7)

Humans explain that which is unexpected as "coincidental."
The closer you get to God, you'll understand that there are no coincidences.
As, "All things work together for the good who love God and are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Not some things, all things.
Guess who is in charge?
Should be a comfort to know that we are not.
Miss you, Janet.
And, I thank God that we had these last moments together.