It's amazing how time changes things, isn't it? Yet, in the midst of all the change, things never really change at all. This is what I'm pondering these days, especially in light of the last 17 days. There are several "lessons" I'm taking home as souvenirs from this trip, and over the next few weeks, I'll probably share a few of them here as I process through them all. But today, I want to give you the back story.
Early this year, my mom's step-mom (aka Grandma S.) mentioned that she wanted to go visit my great-aunt in Washington because her health was deteriorating, but that's a long way to drive from California. Since Grandma S isn't in the best of health herself, the trip seemed like an impossibility. That's when I opened my big mouth and said, "I don't have any money, but I have plenty of time, so if you want to fly me out there, I can drive you up to Washington for a visit." Grandma S was thrilled, and began making plans immediately, and I just kinda went along. Honestly, I really thought it would be just talk, but that the trip would never materialize. And, I really did want to go visit my great-aunt, and see the town where my grandfather had grown up, where his parents and grandparents are buried, and the lake where they homesteaded (I'm a sucker for family history!), so I felt that either way I would be ok.
Well, on July 21, we booked the ticket, and the Great Green Bean Getaway was set in motion. This was exactly one day before my precious puppy and I had a disagreement on where we were going to walk. I lost, ending up on the bottom of a hill with a pretty severe sprain and bone chip in my ankle. This certainly was going to make our getaway interesting.
By the time August 23, rolled around, I was hobbling ok in my walking cast as I boarded the first of my 3 flights from Maine to California. After 12 hours of traveling, I was greeted by Grandma S, who was anxious to get this show on the road. But that first night, as my body fought to figure out which time zone I was supposed to be on, I started to realize that this was not going to be an easy trip. I had flown out to be a companion, but it became very clear that I would be taking the role of caregiver. This was a reality that I was not prepared for this physically, emotionally or spiritually.
The next 17 days were spent driving, dragging luggage in and out of the vehicles, dealing with housekeeping issues, and struggling to find time (and cell service) to connect with my hubby who was 3 hours ahead on the other coast. Every minute, it seemed, stretched every last thing in me. Yet, every time I felt like I was losing it, Abba showed up and proved again that He is more than enough and His grace is sufficient. I watched Him be strong in me in a way that I can't even really put into words. And my heart expanded in ways that I never expected. My love for Grandma S grew exponentially, as did my love for family that I never really knew before this trip. I learned more about my family's history, and a new compassion was birthed for those who have walked through some heart-wrenching tragedies and loss.
Before I left, I prayed that God's Kingdom would come on this trip, and that Grandma S would come to know Him and His love while I was here. I don't know if that happened, exactly, but I know that I experienced His Kingdom and His love so lavishly, and I got to see a whole new side of my Abba. His loving-kindness is better life, and His mercies are new every morning, and He is close to the broken-hearted, and He truly is Emmanuel, God-With-Us.
So, now I'm going home. When I left it was summer, and now it is autumn, the season of harvest. And the seeds that were planted in my life over the last 17 days will continue to grow, because He is faithful like that.
There is so much more to say, but I'll save it for future posts, so stay tuned! For now I'll leave you with a picture of my lovely Grandma S and Green Bean.
