Fix it nowthere's no later

10:26 a.m. Today's project was to bring our 2005 Jeep Liberty to the dealership where we bought it new in 2005 for a long-overdue basic tune-up service. Since this includes tire rotation for the thrifty coupon price of $17.95, it was pretty imperative that I find a morning when Steve and could take the Jeep in!

Upon arrival, we exited the vehicle, with its key already detached from the ring, taking a leisurely pace for Steve to get out from his seat belt and step down carefully on unsteady feet. Much as I love our caregivers (and my customers), it felt good for just the two of us to get out for a morning. Reminds me of our early years of retirement, always busy, out and about, when he was very capable of everything but remembering details. We had a very pleasant time in the waiting room with our snacks, NO donuts for us! Steve watched TV and I logged on to my lap top on the dealership's wireless network. I always pray for the Lord to send someone for me to witness to, but one couple was having an issue with their RV's replacement motor; another lady didn't speak English, one woman stashed a donut and fed her preschooler one; and another lady was determinedly reading her novel, like some people do on airplanes. I had hoped to get my 4G portable hot spot to work, and it turned on, but didn't have enough "oomph" to let me log on. Onward with the technology learning curve!

Most everything that needed to be done for the Jeep was done, and only a new set of windshield wipers was added to my total. Better to catch the small things, like changing the oil and rotating the tires, before they become big things! We went on to enjoy a little shopping at Super Target for random items, and Steve did well sticking close to me and the shopping cart. Later at home, confusion took over with daily tasks, but he was tired and needed his afternoon doze, instead of wanting to be outside helping around the property. We made the best of it, and did actually get a lot done before picking up Jung from the university.

The small maintenance items checked off today make me think of the maintenance of our Christian walk. Letting a day go by without prayer, reading the Word, praising God's Name, and sharing his love are unimaginable to me. Not because I am super effective in the work of the kingdom, but because I need the closeness for my own growth and "maintaining" that deep joy the Holy Spirit freely pours into a believer. If the joy and stability that Jesus gives me spills over onto someone in listening distance of a blessed conversation with a sister, as happened before tonight's Mary Kay meeting started, so much the better! I (or we) might get a chance to witness to an unsaved person. While it's up to us to open our mouths, it's up to God to bring a receptive person into our sphere of influence, and to give them a listening ear and longing heart for Jesus!

Yesterday's frustrations, today's mixed results, and a hundred like them, have shown me the importance of this Alzheimer's trial to me personally: God is reshaping, reworking, and refining my character! My self-improvement plans are gone in a twinkling; God's relentless refinement will manifest eternal effects, up until I enter the "strait gate" (KJV) into heaven.

You and I need to fix the bad and lazy habits that need fixing before they get out of hand, so we can get consistent and stay consistent in our relationship with Jesus! Because Jesus said, Matthew 7:13-14 (NKJV),

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.