Running but not weary

7:30 p.m. Today's project was to take our grandsons to San Diego after church and return home with enough energy to attend our Home Fellowship at 5:30.

God multiplied our time on this unusually busy Sunday morning, with Steve's and my devotions completed in phases as we settled sibling squabbles, prayed, made four different breakfasts, got the boys off the computer, made sure they dressed nicely, and had them pack their suitcase for the ride home. We even managed to read the funnies!

Xavier had been sick last week, so he had a pocketful of cough drops to take along and water to sip along the way. He and his brother would be borrowing Bibles--might make good Christmas presents this year. Off they went in their Aunt Heidi's Mazda. When Steve and I got to church with their forgotten Bibles, we rushed up to the secondary Sunday School area where a sign greeted us: Jr. High meets in the sanctuary today." "That's right!" we remembered. "Most of the kids are gone to the Jr. High Retreat!" So we sat in the row in front of Pavel, Heidi and the boys. "I can watch you from here," I laughingly told our younger grandson Xavier. Adrian was sitting quite nicely, attentive to the worship service just beginning. What a difference the two years between 12 and 14 make!

Then Xavier's coughing flared up, and I made a plan to take him to sit outside with me in front of church during the sermon. This did not go over well, as he attempted to claim that he wasn't coughing, hack, hack!! Right...So at the last song, when Xavier got up to got to the men's room, I greeted him in the foyer and he reluctantly, to say the least, allowed himself to be led out and seated with grandma on the front bench.

We followed the sermon perfectly well, he resigned himself to obedience, and was content. Parents, never lose the determination to make your children and grandchildren do the right thing, the polite thing, the considerate thing! God has given you this ministry, and we are to acquit our duty with honor and courage, especially in their teen years. When you're prayed up, you can stand up!

On the way home, we schemed with the boys to get the most food for the least money from our handful of saved-up coupons from Carl's Jr. Would it be "free burger with purchase of one combo," "buy one get one sandwich free," or "free medium drink and fries with sandwich purchase." By the time we got to the drive-thru, we ordered enough meals for two hungry teens and two adults for just $12.00. One thing about these slow economic times, the competition for the consumer's dollar is fierce!

Time came to hit the 215 south, and both boys were asleep by the time we got to Perris. An hour and a half later they woke up in time to greet their mom in the parking lot of another Carl's Jr. where we settled on stools, Kippy and I had a sorely needed cup of coffee and we all enjoyed a great visit. Xavier was still hacking, but the boys were now in Mom's capable hands.

God saw us home safely, allowed me a brief nap, and Steve and I freshened up for Home Fellowship. So much of my time had been spent in the car over the last three days, what with picking up and returning the boys, the baby shower in Orange County yesterday, and traveling back and forth to Moreno Valley for fellowship today. But I am blessed, because each effort of this weekend "road warrior" was rewarded with teaching from God's Word, sweet fellowship with the saints, and precious family time. I am looking forward to a day at home tomorrow, however!

Lest I feel too put upon, I'm recalling the passage we studied at Home Fellowship this evening, Mark 1:29-45, where Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law, casts out demons, heals and preaches to multitudes, and cleanses a leper. Despite the tremendously busy and lengthy day before, Jesus still got up long before dark to pray--no sleeping in for Him! May we follow His example and be found faithful because Isaiah 40:31 promises:

Those who wait upon the LORD

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.