An Extended Absence

The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

They are planted in the house of the Lord;

they flourish in the courts of our God.

They still bear fruit in old age;

they are ever full of sap and green,

to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no

unrighteousness in him.  Psalm 92:12-15 ESV

Yes, it has been a full 8 weeks since I have posted to this blog!  During my absence. . .

I severely injured my back, and had surgery to remedy the problem;

I became a grandmother for the second time (my two daughters had their babies 32 days apart; one in AK and one in OR)

I lost a friend to cancer;

I turned 52;

I celebrated my 30th wedding anniversary (since I was recovering from back surgery and my husband subsequently injured his back again, we didn’t do much “celebrating”);

Of course, 56 days of “life” happened during my hiatus.  Paying bills, cleaning house, visiting the sick, listening to hurts, comforting the grieving, holding a baby, drinking coffee with a friend, church, work, home, family. . .

So, why this passage?  During this particular season, when I have been home because I can’t drive or sit up very long, and am weak from surgery and must very gradually build strength so as not to do further injury —

I find myself wondering, Lord, my work for you isn’t over because I’m still alive; but I certainly can’t “work” like I used to.  What is my place now?  Where do I fit?

I can be that flourishing cedar in the house of God.  Ever-growing, still lush and green even though years and years from a sapling.  I can be rooted and grounded in God and His Word.  I can declare, from my years of walking with Him, that He is absolutely upright; there is no unrighteousness in Him.  He is faithful; He is good.  As long as I have breath in my body, I will tell of all His wonderful works!