Have you ever noticed that it’s either feast or famine? Emotionally, it’s been a full week, and the week isn’t finished yet!

For example – this week has held some interesting experiences:

There’s a dog lying at my feet. That’s unusual. Our Katie has been gone for almost a year now, but today is special… we’re dog-sitting! (just for the day)  To hear the clicking of nails hitting the hardwood is wonderful. Sake (pronounced like the Japanese drink) walks down the hall from my office to Robert’s office – just checking us out – then settling for a bit. Oh, I love dogs.

Yesterday I was moved to tears. (Those silent tears that just pour down your cheeks, unchecked.) We visited the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC, and were overcome with emotion. Before we walked through the multi-media experience I was concerned it would “idolize” a man – but that wasn’t the case. Though Graham’s life’s mission as an evangelist was the vehicle, it was God who was glorified. (I’ll write more about the experience another day.) The afternoon provided a huge reflection opportunity for Robert and me – and brought up questions, concerns, affirmations and lessons. To read more about our experience click HERE.

Tuesday I visited two women. Both ladies are in a new time of their life. One is navigating “retirement”, and the other is immersed in new motherhood. In the morning I heard stories of finding Christ, serving Him as the wife of a church leader, and then leading alone in widowhood. Now she’s retired from pastoring, and the Lord has put her on the front lines of living a Christ-like life while she serves her family. In the afternoon I was privileged to hold the miracle of a new life in my arms. This mom is basking in the experience of loving her boy. And while she’s living with a  plethora of emotions, the quiet peace of holding her boy, nursing him, watching him sleep, singing and talking to him provides a joy that’s incomparable.  Two beautiful ends of a spectrum…

Last weekend we visited Charleston, South Carolina. It was a quick trip, where Robert was serving, but we were able to sneak in some husband/wife time. While in Charleston, we were surrounded by happily married husbands & wives. The weekend became a reminder that just being who we are, can translate into encouragement.

And we were blessed. Have you ever experienced an overwhelming affirmation? Have people you admire and love ever tangibly given you their blessing, and invested in you? Robert and I experienced this as last weekend began. We know we’re being covered in prayer, and we speak with these loved ones often – but their affirmation of our direction in life came as a complete surprise. There are no words except a heartfelt “thank you”.

In feast and in famine – give thanks.

Sometimes feast and famine are about emotion. Life experiences. Learning. Growing.

What has this week reminded me? There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: