Keeping your hand on the throttle and your eye on the rail.

The last two days I have been to Athens to St. Mary's hospital. My uncle is there. He was taken Sunday evening. my cousins thought he was having a stroke, (very scary) Early in the morning Monday they moved him to ICU, decided he was having a heart attack. Well I took my Dad to see him yesterday and today. This uncle is my Mom's brother. He is a very special person to my dad, as well as me. Anyway today he seemed better, more like himself. He was talking more and laughing. While we were there he had to be taken for a CAT scan and MRI. then had ultra sound on his legs. Now they are saying he will have heart cath and possible open heart surgery. Praying for peace and wisdom for all the family to make decisions. My grandfather, his Dad always had a joke about serious things, my uncle is no different. He was saying "I had a skitty scat scan," that is how my grandfather would talk about the cats around the yard. Also a "jack hammer was going over his chest" that was how it sounded to him, the MRI.
Anyway today we drove Daddy's vehicle and he has a CD of old gospel hymns. One of them has lyrics that say "Life is like a mountain railroad." one line says, "Keep your hand on the throttle, and your eye on the rail." Well my grandmother used to say that to me, especially after I started dating my husband. He lived in Dacula and to get to his house from where I lived in Hog Mountain, I had to go Dacula Rd. She and my Dad referred to this road as "Sims' Creek road." It was then a deserted and little traveled road. She would tell me, "Keep your hand on the throttle and your eye on the rail." I often wondered where she got that from. Now I know, that old song. That CD has a lot of songs on it I remember her singing and playing on her organ. 'What a Friend we Have in Jesus.' Amazing Grace' 'In the Garden.' 'On the Wings of a Dove'
So friends, 'Keep your hand on the throttle and your eye on the rail as you go along.' That is what I am doing.

Where are my roots set?

As I was reading an email from one of my daughters, I was reminded just how thankful I am for my family. Even though my roots run deep in North Georgia, I am reminded that they go even further than this little plot of dirt. Scientist are now thinking we all come from the continent of Africa, the area around the Mediterranean. The Bible has always told that. I am always interested in "where my family came from", but not only 'where we came from,' where we are going. I am reading over one part of my Family Tree. (more exactly, my maternal grandfather) Just because this one I have the most info on, thanks to a wonderful cousin. She has compiled a lot of info and spent a lot of time tracing our roots. We have several pages that she compiled in 2000, then another part in 2003, she is still digging too.
I had the privilege to attend Homecoming at Bethlehem First Baptist today. Tremendous praise and worship, God's anointing, God's message through a splendid young man, whom I had the opportunity to witness his life as a child and teen. His legacy from his precious parents, one of whom is now in Heaven, and the other as friend and fellow follower of Christ, has afforded me the knowledge of how God works when we are obedient and (as he put it) "aware of God's Presence".
I came away blessed beyond measure, and renewed in my belief that God is indeed in the here and now, and IS already where we are headed. So I am encouraged by the scripture, 'don't grow weary in well-doing, because in due season we shall receive our reward.
At my home church this morning I was able to go to a ladies' Sunday School class. Ephesians 1-4, Paul was trying to teach the church about working in unity, both Jews and Gentiles, to achieve His Purpose. So my challenge as I walk and work in this life, 'do I work in unity with my family of believers, to accomplish HIS Purpose, or do I work to achieve my own agenda." Our choir sang "Feels Like Redemption." After all, that is really what our life is all about. Jesus said, "If I be lifted up I will draw all people unto Myself." Do I walk like I believe that?
Keeping track

Favor with God and man

Today, with my sister's permission, I want to share something we both discovered about God's favor. I recently read a book about blessing people. Often we ask someone, "what can I do for you?" only to become judgmental in how we want to bless them. I believe if we ask someone that, then we should do what they ask as long as it is not illegal. Recently my sis asked one of our family member's, "is there anything I can do for you before I go," the response was, "will you go to the store and buy me a coca-cola and a pack of cigs. (cigarettes). So she did. Now we all know cigarettes are not good for anyone, but that is what was requested. For that matter, we also know coca-cola is not good for us either. While on her mission to buy these things, she was asked if she wanted 3 packs for a certain price, but she was only given $10. so she declined. Well when she came back with the afore mentioned supplies, she not only had one pack but three, the coke, and $4. in change to give back. While at the store she was shown favor, we believe because, first God saw her heart and her attitude, one that was truly wanting to bless the recipient. We both came away from the conversation, with a new revelation, 'not only did she bless this family member,' but she came away blessed, and then blessed me by sharing her story. So with her permission, I hope I have blessed someone also.
Just keeping track till next time. Truly in HIS grip of Grace.