Welcome to Friday’s Fave Five, hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story, in which we can share five of our favorite things from the last week, wonderful exercise in looking for and appreciating the good things God blesses us with. Click on the button to learn more, then go to Susanne’s to read others’ faves and link up your own.
It’s been rather a heavy week here, as friends on several fronts are facing various battles. In our old church in SC, one friend discovered she had thyroid cancer and is facing surgery, another had a massive heart attack, and one of the star athletes from the school there died unexpectedly. In our own family, my nephew that I mentioned a few weeks ago as having multiple tumors and undergoing massive amounts of chemotherapy discovered a new “knot.” It’s hard to fathom that some new tumor could spring up with all the chemo he has had, so perhaps it’s something else. They can’t see the doctor til next week.
In the midst of all the heaviness, God has placed some bright spots:
1. Faith, hope, and grace. I’m so thankful that when we believe on Jesus Christ as our Savior, we have the surety of heaven, even though it is still painful to be separated from loved ones through death. It would be unbearable otherwise. And the grace God gives to endure as we undergo hardships is priceless.
2. Facebook has been great for disseminating news to large communities of people at once and for keeping up with what’s going on. Since we’ve moved, I probably would not have heard of some of these issues for a long time, if at all, without Facebook. It’s a blessing to be able to keep informed and to pray as soon as possible for each one.
3. Camaraderie. Jim’s first day back at work after his eye surgery, he faced this:
4. Less rain than expected. When I looked at my weather app on my phone at the beginning of the week, it showed not just rain but thunderstorms almost every day. Thankfully we haven’t had nearly as much as predicted, and so far it’s been mostly gentle rain rather than storms.
5. A good helper. I feel for Jesse being the only son left at home sometimes, but he has been a great help as Jim is still not supposed to do any lifting or straining. He just spent his first morning of summer break cutting the grass. He changed his first flat tire last Saturday – I had meant to mention that as a fave and forgot, that it went flat in the garage and not while I was driving.
Happy Friday!
Stray Thoughts 
I laughed out loud and showed Roy the picture with the patches on everyone’s eyes! That was terrific! It shows love and a great sense of humor, wrapped up in one. Thanks for sharing!
Our weatherman is mostly wrong ! When they announce sunshine it rains and the other way around, lol !
I don’t like Facebook, it’s such a waste of time for me. I very seldom go there as most of my friends don’t like it either ! I had to subscribe because my son publishes pictures there from time to time, and I found myself suddenly with hundreds of people who wanted to be or pretended to be my friends I prefer blogging by far ! But that’s a choice.
Facebook…sigh….SUCH a time waster for me. But I go on a few times a week to catch up on family news, see what my college girl is up to (she’s on MUCH less than I am) and catch up with old friends who live far away. It IS fun to connect with friends and family though isn’t it? That’s awesome about your hubby’s coworkers…LOVE that pic! YAY for your son and WHERE would we be without faith, grace and hope? Have a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend.
Hello Barbara, so sorry about the hard times some of the folks you love are going through. Sooooo glad you have the “rocks” of faith,hope, and grace to stand upon.
I enjoy Facebook every day. It keeps me in touch with church members and family members. It is easy to get entangled , but I usually have good boundaries.
Hurray for your only son, and how helpful he’s been. praying that God blesses him.
Your photograph made me laugh too. So glad hubby is now cleared for work.
Have a great Mother’s Day.
Just LOVE that picture of your husband’s coworkers! That’s great. So glad he’s back to work. I know what you mean — how does one face life without faith, hope and grace. Hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day, Barb.
I’m sorry that it’s been a heavy week for you! But your fives were wonderful to read. The picture of Jim’s co-workers made me smile. What a wonderful blessing to have such supportive people to work with. I hope Jim is doing well after the surgery!
LOVE that photo of Jim’s co-workers. People who would do that are certainly fun people to work with.
I’m sorry you have so many pressing issues among friends–yes, how could we cope without hope and The One on whom our hope is based.
Happy Mother’s Day!
It’s great when modern tools help keep us in touch and support each other through difficult times. And even better that our God has so much for us beyond this life.
Boy, your husband must’ve had a huge laugh — and encouragement — to come back to such solidarity 🙂
Awww – your husband has the sweetest bunch of co-workers!!!
Oh, I am SO sorry to hear of the “knot” re: your nephew. That is indeed very hard to fathom. And must be so discouraging. I hope that the doctor is able to assess the situation quickly and accurately. Praying.
On the flip side, that photo of Jim’s co-workers is absolutely priceless.
Highs and lows. Always it seems, huh?