I had to run to town yesterday for a followup breast ultrasound. I have a cyst growing where the one was removed a couple of years ago. So, it turned out ok, I think. The official report isn’t in yet, but the tech says I just have a tendency to produce cysts. As long as they’re benign, I’m ok with that. Just remember…get the tatas checked regularly, ladies.

As I sat in the waiting room, another lady sat the recommended six feet away. I knew I recognized her, but couldn’t place where…and you know, with masks, it’s even harder. I finally asked where I might know her from. We finally determined we live in the same small town, so we probably see each other at the Piggly Wiggly, or maybe Dollar General. 

The technician came to the door with my chart and called, “Ginny?”

“Yes!” I smiled and began to rise. 

The woman with the long gray hair said, “Ginny. Did you go to Bethel Church???”

Bingo! That’s where I knew Judy from. It was so good to see her…it’s been several years. I wished her well and followed the technician. Just inside the door, I stopped and said, “I’m sorry…would you excuse me for just a moment?”

I stuck my head back out the door and said, “Judy, did you know Aunt Peeps passed away?”

She did not. I told her briefly what had happened. In that moment…in a better time…I would have walked over to her and hugged her. Instead, I just gave her my warmest look and said, “I’m so sorry to tell you like this, but wondered if you knew.” She thanked me and I continued in the back with the technician.

When I got home, I made a big pot of chili. It’s going to be cold and snowy and that’s perfect weather for it. I chatted with my son-in-law’s mom for a bit and mentioned what I was cooking. She texted back…

“I wish we were there to have chili with you!”

Tears immediately stung my eyes. Oh, I’m missing my people so.

When will the better days come? How will we be? What lessons will we have learned from this experience? How can we move forward with love and grace in the aftermath of such ugliness of the last few years?

I came across this song yesterday by Dolly Parton. Dolly has a big ol’ heart of gold and I found her words so encouraging, reminding us that maybe…just maybe, we don’t want to be like we were before all of this. Maybe God has shaken up the great big Etch-a-Sketch of life and he’s giving us a clean slate…a new way to act…a new way to BE in the world.

I want to be more grateful for the goodness in my life.

I want to demonstrate my love for my family, friends, and fellow man.

I want to be a light on the hill and shine the true love of Jesus out through everything I do.

I want to hug more and harp less.

I want to smile more and snipe less.

I want to appreciate every gift in every way.

I want to love more…and more…and more, still.

There will be better days ahead, I promise…when life is good again.

Listen to Dolly’s song “When Life is Good Again”.  

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“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.”

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NIV