Take a breather...

Last Friday and Saturday, I took a little break...a break from sadness, a break from what is. I got to go to Jacksonville Florida with my dear friend Dianne to visit my wonderful counselor friend, Debbie Dunlap. We hung out, we went to see Walk the Line which was significant because when Debbie was a little girl she actually toured with June Carter and Johnny Cash. She told us little snippets of her life then.

We spent all day Saturday walking, talking (and boy, can we talk), touring St. Augustine, the oldest city in the US. We had some great meals, saw some of God's beauty on a sunny, bright day. Especially sweet was having little Abby with us, the youngest of Debbie's ten children. In the evening we took the hour and a half walking tour of St. Augustine hosted by no other than Debbie's handsome son Josh, a talented actor who actually makes his living doing this, something he loves.

And as we spent that time together, we discussed some of the heaviness in our lives: The too recent loss of Debbie's dear husband, Don and the changes that has brought about to the Dunlaps. The exciting news of Debbie's becoming a conference speaker. The upcoming anniversary of Laurie's death. The whys of Katie's leaving her husband and children. Debbie knows Katie pretty well having flown to Chicago in July to counsel her. And what can we do about all these things? Take a breathe, say a prayer, and know that God sees it all and is our constant source. He sees our tears and our fears and our doubts and holds us in the palm of His hand.

Thanks, Pete for holding down the fort and caring so well for the Michel kids. Thank you, Dianne, for making the arrangements. Thank you Debbie for your unfailing wisdom and support even in your own grief. Thank you, Father.