Lighten Up
Matthew 11:30
The Message (MSG)
28-30"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (Bolded by me.)
A few weeks ago, J's stepmom passed away. In spite of it being a difficult one, there were a few moments of lightening up. One, I don't usually view the body in the casket. I would much rather remember the person before they passed away. But, following J's lead as he went up to the casket, I looked. I mean, REALLY LOOKED! I tried to hide the disturbed look on my face but the moment I sat down, J asked, "What???"
I whispered, "She looks wooden!"
He whispered back, "I wouldn't know, I didn't look."
So, then I started to whine about how I wouldn't have looked if I didn't think he was going to look. Then in his best Rickey Ricardo voice, he whispered, "Baaaabe!"
Wanting the last word, I said, "Well she did. Why is it that when people die, they just don't look like themselves anymore? I mean, she looked better when she was alive." Then, realizing what I had said, we both started to laugh. It helped to lighten up a situation that was pretty heavy.
Recently, J had a horrible cough that the doctor diagnosed as bronchitis. He called from the doctor's office to tell me what the doctor said. What I heard was, "I have bigger problems. I'm bleeding from my boobies." (I have no idea why he would say that OR how I heard that from the very beginning.) I hung up the phone and went to Webmd.com and did a search for that symptom in males and it pointed to breast cancer. I couldn't breathe. I started pacing the floor, trying to figure out how to handle telling J that I had already diagnosed him. Finally, I called him and said, "So, how bad is the bleeding?"
J said, "Huh?"
Me: "You know, your boobie bleeding."
J sighed and said, "Babe, I never said my boobies were bleeding. Where did you get an idea like that?"
I told him, "Never mind. I'm just relieved because I had already diagnosed it and it wasn't looking very good for you."
Once more, a heavy situation made light.
Has your load been pretty heavy? Hoping you'll find ways to have it lightened up.
Comments
That was the day I decided to be cremated when I die.
My mother had made arrangements for my father, a career military officer, to be buried in his dress white uniform with all his medals. But in the chaos around the death, that detail was forgotten and the uniform wasn't delivered to the funeral home.
I asked the funeral home what he'd been buried in. The guy said, "In a white sheet."
The best laid plans...!
Thank you for showing the lighter side. I think you just helped me with laughter to take the edge off of tonight's neck pain. Many thanks.
I know I've not been in touch, but you've been in my prayers daily. You are loved by many in Bloggerland and beyond.
Yep, I fear as long as we take breath we're gonna get tossed smack in the middle of heavy situations. I'm so twisted, I can usually make light of such events...I think it's beats the heck outta cryin' and besides...it's good medicine!!!
Loved this post sweetie, it's something we all need to hear.
God bless and have yourself and excellent day!!! :o)
So, what did he say besides the boobie bleeding?
The passage you shared from The Message contains one of my favorite phrases ever..."the unforced rhythms of grace." That always washes over me like a soft breeze.
Have a blessed week, Simone!
That's why I'm still falling in love with Big Daddy everyday.
I hope you and your husband will feel better very soon.
Great post as always, Simone!
The viewing scene is very funny. How do you go up to view the body with your eyes closed, or looking elsewhere. Wouldn't you sort of lose your footing. :)
I love the puppy pics.