Full Circle

Today was a little eye opening to me...I went to the funeral home to say goodbye to a very sweet lady and then to the hospital to see a brand new baby girl. I thought it was a bit unusual to do both in the same day but it did remind me about how God is in control of our lives. He ordained our days even before we were born. He knows everything that will happen to us from the time we are just tiny babies until the day we leave this earth.

I went to the funeral home to say good-bye to Lena Pate. Mrs. Pate is the mother to one of my friends, and coworkers - Jeannie Evans. Mrs. Pate fought a hard battle with cancer and actual lived a lot longer than the doctors thought she would. Mrs. Pate baked the best cakes that I have ever eaten and fortunately I was treated to her delicious deserts many times at school. When I went to the funeral home, the family had printed some of there favorite recipes to give to everyone and they were burying her in her apron...I thought it was very sweet. God's timing was good as Jeannie was able to spend the summer with her mom, creating special memories (without the stress of school) and care for her in her final days. Mrs. Pate was a faithful follower of Christ so even though her time on earth is through she is now living with Jesus. A place I am sure she longed for!

After leaving the funeral home, we went to the hospital to meet a precious (only a few hours old) baby girl - Callie Faith. Callie is the daughter of our friends Larry and Christy Dickison, and the little sister to one proud big sister, Karisse. When we walked in the room, the room was full of friends and family and you could just feel the love in that room. It was the sweetest sight to see Karisse sitting with her baby sister just hugging and kissing on her. Karisse couldn't stop loving on Callie. When she wasn't loving on her, she was talking about Callie. While I was holding Callie, Karisse (and Nikki) climbed up on my lap so she could love on Callie some more. Seeing this family together with their new baby, along with Larry's parents was just precious. Again, God is good. He brought Callie safely here and kept Christy safe during the delivery!

So as I sit and reflect on today, I thank God for the assurance that when his followers leave this earth, they are taken to a better place where there is no more tears, crying or pain. A place where we are reunited with loved ones that have gone on before us and a place where we can see JESUS and worship Him forever and ever. I also thank God for new life and for the hope that it brings. Each time I see a newborn baby I am amazed at how perfectly God creates us...even if we aren't perfect on the outside, to Him we are perfect. I thank God for friends and family...how in the world would we ever get by without them. So at the end of today, I find myself just being content and being incredibly thankful for God's goodness and blessings...which I don't deserve AT ALL!!