Circles

It's funny sometimes how life can go in circles.

During our courtship, Brad was in Illinois. I was in Texas.

We made plans- big plans. Plans like, when would we meet face to face, who would fly up or down over the next school holiday, what size my ring finger was, what style of tuxedos the groomsmen would wear, where to spend our honeymoon, what mortgage company to select.

We've still have been making plans- big and small plans. Plans such as going to Disney World with Brad's family in February, making appointments with urologists (ahem- no more babies; three is enough!), plans about dance classes for Haley.

And a week from tomorrow, we'll have made a full circle. Big plans will be made. Except Brad will be in Texas and I'll be in Illinois. After a lot of prayer and tears, we will know one way or the other. Either he takes the job or we stay put. Either we move or we stay in our (cute, but small) home. (That's not to sat that if this job doesn't pan out we won't ever be moving to Texas; we'll just put it on the back burner for a time.)

We're closing in on another circle: fall. I can feel it coming. It's cool and damp. Summer is gone. We're in limbo right now- one day is nice and warm, the next cool and cloudy. And it makes me angry. Right-in-the-pit-of-my-stomach angry.

I hate winter here in the Midwest. The cold gets into my bones and I'm chilled all day. My socks and legs of my jeans get sopping wet from the snow when I drag the trash out to the alley. I've slipped on the ice rink that forms in the Target parking lot more times than I can count. I become a virtual prisoner in my home. It takes an act of Congress to get the kids out of the house on day that doesn't require three layers, two mittens, one "systems" coat, and a hat that will invariably find its way into a gray slushy mess that had been glistening, white snow a day before.

I'd like to think that my anger about winter is just a God-given biological instinct to keep me from shutting down completely, but I'm not sure. I think I may just really hate winter.

I really hope he gets the job.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps (Proverbs 16:9).

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11)."

In Memory

Artist/Band: Foster Radney
Lyrics for Song: Everyday Angel
Lyrics for Album: Another Way to Go

Miss Laura fed the hungry in the church house basement,
After she retired from teaching school.
She'd pick my son up in her arms on Sundays,
To teach him all about the golden rule.
I heard those stories about Selma and Tuskeegee:
How she helped Martin fill the jails.
All I know is she had the strength of ten grown men,
Even though her hands were small and frail.

She was an everyday angel, the kind without wings.
Walking around in this world, just like you and me.
Angel, living out love.
The kind of people we could use a lot more of.
Just an everyday angel, everyday angel.

Marilyn was waiting outside my old man's office,
Trying to hide the bruises on her face.
He said: "You don't have to get knocked around anymore,
"You can come and live at our place."
I didn't know till I had kids of my own,
But I learned a big lesson that day.
What you do means a whole lot more,
Than anything you have to say.

Go be an everyday angel, the kind without wings,
Walking round in this world, just like you and me.
Angel, living out love.
The kind of people we could use a lot more of.
An everyday angel, everyday angel.

Dave was gonna meet his wife at a coffee shop in Brooklyn,
When he heard the alarm sing out.
911, he was running up stairs that he never got back down.
Down, down.

He was an everyday angel, earnin¹ his wings,
Trying to save people who are just like you and me.
Angel, living out love.
The kind of people we could use a lot more of.
An everyday angel, everyday angel.
Everyday angel, everyday angel.

Everyday angel, yeah.