"Doing Nothing"

 I know I have been absent for some weeks "doing nothing."  Actually, my time was spent updating a kitchen floor, painting the kitchen, painting (after drywalling) two living room walls and finally cleaning, washing windows and putting up curtains. And then there's yardwork. 

These activities all began with an unexplained damaging event to the siding, paneling inside and 2x4 board in the wall. This happened right after Thanksgiving. Besides that, my husband was declining.  I was certainly besides myself for awhile.  "Who do I call, what do I do, now what??"

And then when I look in only one direction I get disappointed. My plan to do more fishing this spring/summer was thwarted because of wind and weather.  Hopefully, the rest of the summer will be more fruitful. I know my expectations interfered with my peace of mind a bit so maybe the summer isn't lost after all.

I would like to avoid situations that challenge my peace but try as I might, it doesn't always work out that way.  Case in point:  a second flat tire on my new car this past week, as I was driving to an 8:00 a.m. meeting! Yes, the same tire as earlier in the summer. 

So, I took it to the same place that fixed it the first time, of course, missing my meeting.  The beauty of it all though was he was open and took me right in.  He didn't want to charge me but it gave me an opportunity to donate to a cause of his that I had wanted to support. 

Again, I am reminded to be grateful and "count my blessings" one more time.  One big blessing was in the form of a college friend helping me put up curtains. I was also able to paint the upper part of the kitchen while she was there, for safety sake, in case I fell!

Other blessings with the wall damage were refreshing the looks, changing wall colors, a new stove and new flooring.  It certainly was a domino effect but it was a good thing! With a suggestion from neighbors I also changed furniture around. A whole new look now!

It really is hard to imagine the positive that can come from an event or situation; there are many of life's challenges that are tragic and awful and many years can occur for the silver lining to be found. 

So, when I think I am doing nothing but "eating bon bons and watching TV, acting like I am on vacation it may not be so!  A flat tire, damaged siding and a cracked wall are nothing compared to some things that some of you have or are encountering. 

How have you been blessed because of it, in spite of it...what strength have you found beyond yourself that gives you some peace, hope and encouragement to go on? Faith, family and friends do it for me.  What about you?