Floral Disaster
The Lord has been keeping us very aware of His protection these last few weeks. On a trip to Fayetteville and Thomaston, we had car trouble. A friend, Jon, was the only one who ‘just happened’ to be at the church office a block away when the car wouldn’t start. After the car started, it was very rough sounding. We made it back to Cumming with no problems, took the car to the shop, and got the car back in time to pack and take off for Florida the next day.
We drove to my cousins’ house and were diverted by GPS via roads where there was much construction of both buildings and road work. We pulled into Tom’s driveway and a tire went flat. We waited until morning and were able to air it up to get to the repair place. They gave Ronald a rose which I put in a vase when they got back to the house.
Have you ever read, ‘The best laid plans of mice and men gain aft agley’ by Robert Burns?
My version is ‘The best laid plans of old ladies end up in near disaster.’
It was disaster-ever-after as I went outside to get hydrangeas to add to the rose.
Except this time, the Lord’s guardian angels caught me on the first bounce!
It’s those crazy stairs that get me every time.
Falling down Melissa’s stairs a number of years ago started my physical slide into old age decrepitness. (Yes, I know that is not a word, but that is what I mean!) I was watching to make sure Mama got down okay instead of watching where I was going. Five steep steps and I have been a mess ever since.
This time, I remembered the first narrow step, then I got to concentrating on the hydrangeas to add to the vase with the rose. I forgot the next step. One misstep had me on my side with face to ankle hurting.
Since we were going to sail the next day, we took the precaution of getting x-rays. Nothing was broken, just sore, bruised, and scratched up. My facial scab washed off in the shower this morning and the little bruising is covered nicely by my hair. The rest, no one has noticed and I’m not telling! No one needs to know of my latest near disaster.
Maybe I’ll rename myself Calamity Kara! That has a ring to it.
We arrived safely aboard and got settled. Lunch ended up with me knocking Josie’s full glass of lemonade across the table. My very expensive collagen powder spilled inside the suitcase with all the meds. I was off to a good start, and we hadn’t even sailed!
We got off the ship this morning. I think my final spill count was three. Not bad for 4 days.
Again, God takes good care of us.
As we reflect on the week, we were blessed by the staff who waited on us with such sweetness. Spoiled, we were. (That’s my Yoda impression. ‘May the fourth’ was while we were on the ship. The ‘force’ wasn’t with us, but God was. Life may have its bumps and bruises along the way but Psalm 46:1 reminds us, ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.’
I firmly believe Joshua 1:9 applies to me and every believer. ‘Be strong and courageous, Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’
So whether on sea or sprawled out at the base of some stairs like some roadkill, God is with me.
Blessings
Kara Beth
