Winds of Change

(That's an evil sailorman snatching away the blushing bride to carry her out of Dixie to "Yankee" territory....)

On the 4th of July, 8 years ago....



"As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him." Deuteronomy 32:11-12


Tonight in Bible study, we will be in Deuteronomy 32. As I was reading over the chapter, I came across the above verses describing God's relationship with the children of Israel. I got goosebumps thinking about the imagery here, because, as you know, I am a big fan of eagles.

The eagle was our high school mascot, and I guess we all thought a little about eagles yesterday (July 4th). I was just thinking about how the eagle could not fly without the wind under her wings, and yet sometimes, the wind conditions must not be at all favorable for flying.

It seems to me that the winds of change are blowing again. I guess what got me thinking on this subject were the events of yesterday, when my dad and I were sitting outside minding the "4th of July meat" on the grill. Dad has been deathly ill, got better for a while, and is having a rough time again. We spent the last 6 days over there, vacationing a little, hanging out in the pool and just being with my father as much as we could. Even though he has been having periods where he is sitting in an air conditioned room with 3 fans blowing on him (and we installed a window unit in the adjoining room to blow in and make it that much cooler,) he is still gasping for air at times. He gets so tired that he falls off to sleep, breathes more shallowly in his sleep, and awakens with a start unable to catch his breath. We sit and helplessly watch.

At any rate, Dad had decided that HE was going to barbecue ribs and tenderloin on the 4th, even though it meant sitting outside near a hot grill in the July heat. Add to that the smoke billowing from the smoker and the grill, and I was just sure he was going to do himself in. Somehow, he managed to sit there (God was good and sent a cold front,) and we rigged an outdoor fan to blow in his face.

He and I were sitting there quietly together, listening to the rest of the crew splash noisily in the backyard pool. The smoke was coming right at our chairs, and I was having a hard time breathing.

"Dad," I said, "you know that people do die from smoke inhalation, right?"

"I'll be o.k.," he replied, as cavalier as ever.

Then, as I sat there watching the smoke, it changed direction and started blowing 180 degrees east, off into the garden.

"Isn't that weird?" I commented as we breathed easier. "I guess that is what they mean by 'winds of change,' huh?"

The winds of change are indeed blowing, I perceive. At least they are in my life. I happily celebrated my 8th wedding anniversary yesterday with family all around. We ate ribs and Mom's marvelous potato salad and Steph's scrumptious squash dressing! We watched the news with one eye as North Korea launched missiles in our direction on our Independence Day. My older boys chatted online with the newly-rediscovered-and-much-appreciated-opposite-sex, while the young ones made anniversary "cake" out of blocks and tinkertoys. I got showered with jewelry, perfume, and dietetic candy by my sweet and doting husband! :)

I'm trying to do better about "being anxious in nothing" and maybe someday I will actually master the concept. But my mind wanders to what it will be like next Independence Day, if the Lord wills we stay here that long. Will the den still be overflowing with the offspring of two people who began their love affair 45 years ago? Will the pool be filled with overgrown sons and son-in-laws wrestling like bear cubs? Will I be holding my new little niece or nephew? Will my big old boys have found TRUE love? Will I go off to sleep wrapped in the arms of my beloved?

I counted my blessings yesterday, as the winds of change blew gently on my back. I thanked God for one more day to live in a free country. I was also thankful that I have a man who is true and honest and strong, and I don't think that anything but death or circumstances beyond our control could separate us. I hugged my husband and my kids and my brothers and my sisters and my parents and my nieces and nephew, and I thought fondly of my other family in far-away places. As we drove off into the night, watching the whole world celebrate our anniversary :) , I was grateful that, for today, the winds are calm and straight out of heaven.