[Sally's Jubilee] Cycle of Life

[sallynava]

It has been a while since I have written on this blog, so what I want to do now is go back to October.  I had been back in Costa Rica for less than two months after spending time with my family during July and August.  I had called a dear friend (who, by the way, I had never called before, but felt led to do so that night) and the result of that call was that on October 14th I was on a flight headed back to Chicago so I could help her with her husband who was disabled and she needed help with his care.  This was such a provision because when I left IL in August I had to tell my granddaugthers that for the first time I would not be able to make it back for their birthday in late October.  My friend helped with my airefare so I was able to spend their birthday with them and get in some quality family time with my sons and their wifes!  My only regret is that I didn't get to see my daughter an my very famous grandson Silence!!  Plus I was able to help with the care of my friend's husband.  But, I need to digress for a moment...a couple weeks before I left Costa Rica, I became a great grandmother...Costa Rican great grandmother, I should add, since my granddaughters turned 12 in October!  Grace, the director of the women's center that I had worked with for almost the entire 6 years I have been here, was going to be a grandmother and I was the "token" great grandmother!  D'Angel was the sweetest little guy I have seen in about 4 years (since my grandson Silence was born!!)  I went with Grace and Randy (daddy) to take mommy (Dayana) and baby home from the hospital...what a joy!  Fast forward to October 14th when I am in the presence of a man who is nearing the end of his life.  My first recollection of this wonderful man was at a bible study that he led and I was often in awe of the counsel he gave us...what wisdom he brought to the study! So, in a matter of three weeks I experienced the beginning of life and also the final phase of life...what wonderful conversations my former bible study leader and I had about the bible, family memories, going home to be with Jesus.  Then I get back to Costa Rica the first week of December and my experiences have run the gamut -  I have visited D'Angel and was amazed at how much he had grown and developed while I was gone; yesterday I had to take my housekeeper (who is also a recovering addict and a VERY dear friend) to the ER with the possibility of a heart attack; another very dear friend had a neighbor who was killed by her husband, and tonight I got the news that a member of my church is in the hospital because got caught in crossfire at the park near my condo and shot. Wow!  God, this world has gone loco...how do YOU stand it???  I know I barely can!
So, what is the cycle of life??   A baby is born into into a loving family with his whole life ahead of him. A godly man living over 80 years honoring God with his life.  A young mother making bad choices resulting in her leaving her children way too soon.  A young man being "at the wrong place at the wrong time" (is there really such a thing for a believer?..I think not)  and getting shot. A 69 year old woman fulfilling her 40 year old dream and leaving her country to serve her God in a place so far from what she is  accustomed to, fulfilling the dream, a dream which involves leaving children, grandchildren so very, very far away.

Tonight I am feeling fullfilled/happy/blessed/sad/scared...so many feelings...in the middle which is a sense that my Lord is so in control of everything and that in the end HE wins/WE win!! 

Happy birthday, Jesus!! 

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Posted By sallynava to Sally's Jubilee at 12/22/2011 09:39:00 PM

[Cheryl Hanson]

AMEN!!!!!!!

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