The two verses that the email version of the Upper Room gave me this morning were Psalm 91:1-2 “You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” The other focus verse was Matthew 28:20, “Jesus said, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
So tomorrow is the big day. In some ways I feel like this is an even bigger day than surgery day but maybe that’s because I’ll be awake the whole time. I am SUPER excited to get the stitches out. I have already scheduled a fabulous wash and haircut from my beloved Robin at Kuttin’ Up for tomorrow evening. Hugely excited about all of this crusty yuckness out of my hair. Mom and Mike will go with me to the neurosurgeon’s. GiGi is going to keep the kiddos. Whatever they say – I don’t know. I’ve gone back and forth all day but at present I’m just ready to know something.
To stay occupied I had a wonderful breakfast with an amazing couple that I’m marrying in less than a month and we began to plot and plan ways of sprucing up Wesley. They’re having their reception at Wesley and I am beyond excited that we have the opportunity to give it a fresh look for their amazing occasion and to get ready for the school year. We then got to work sprucing up and I had a great lunch with a clergywoman friend – a real treat! Mike and I finished out the day picking out some new lights for Wesley and voting in the primary runoff. So some work and civic duty complete it was time to hang out with the kiddos, take them to the splash pool, enjoy some Brunswick stew, cheer on the Gamecocks (cannot believe we won but so thrilled!), watch an episode of Burn Notice and we’re now flipping between the Clemson game and some crazy shoot em up movie on AMC. It’s been a busy but good day and for that I am hugely grateful.
Dad called tonight after the Gamecocks won and in typical Dad fashion he has now made friends with the scalper who tried to break in line. Today the guy came up and apologized to him for trying to cut and said he’d try to get him good tickets to Thursday night’s game. Hilarious. This is what amazes me about my father. Even when he sticks to his guns and integrity but is kind of a hard rear, he still somehow makes these connections/relationships with people. I guess you know where you stand with him and that is awesomely refreshing compared with plenty of people that just blah blah and placate you.
It’s those relationships that are so important. A dear friend in seminary would say repeatedly, “It’s all about relationship.” And it is. There’s just something about that connection with the human spirit. That which is real in me speaking to that which is real in you. That beautiful hopeful and yet fragile humanity in each of us that calls out. We’re watching America’s Got Talent now and this guy just did this whole kite thing to the music of Sarah McLachlan’s “Arms of the Angel” and it was just astounding. Even Piers was floored by it. He said he was prepared to make fun of it but it was extraordinary. Very cool. Three yes’s. For a guy with a kite. Who would have seen that coming? That’s what’s awesome about the Susan Boyle’s and this kite guy and these random human connections that we make. Remember that hilarious wedding video from last year with everyone dancing down the aisle? Maybe it’s just sappy old me, but there’s just something so moving and human and great about these things. It somehow pierces our cynicism and the layers of dust and crud and stink that seem to sometimes cover our souls.
I just love it. I love when we’re shocked speechless by something and are blown away by the sheer force of joy or passion or just God given poignancy of something. You can’t see Susan Boyle sing and not think – wow – didn’t see that one coming. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk
So as I think about diving into the unexpected tomorrow, I know that….well there are so many cliches I could write here, I’m hesitating. I could say it’s all good or it is what it is or any other random pat answers. Instead though I’m going to say the journey rocks on. And it does. We’ll keep you posted!
Here’s Laura Story’s Mighty to Save – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYqogpLpC5Q
Blessings on the Journey 
I love sappy old you!