Blowing Winds

After experiencing day after day of dry, sunny, unseasonably warm days, something is blowing our way. We hope it's rain. Hopefully, it won't be anything violent. Unfortunately, we can't say the same about Kentucky politics. After blowing through the Commonwealth for weeks now, last night the most hotly contested race turned just that, violent. I'm embarrassed to see that Kentucky political supporters of an unnamed candidate physically assaulted an opposing candidate's backer. Regrettably, this all made the national news this morning. The majority of Kentuckians are sick and tired of all these negative ads and are having a hard time making sound, political decisions because of all this negativity by campaigns on both sides. We know that college behavior should be ignored as irrelevant to today's races. I just pray that God will give us the wisdom to make the best decisions when election day comes.

I've been having continued health issues of a periodontal nature. Simply speaking, I've had gum surgery this past week. It hasn't been pleasant and I'm hoping and praying for positive results ahead. This, however, did not prevent me from attending the last UK game, which was really painful to witness. Many UK fans simply headed for the exits when things went from bad to worse in the third quarter. We remaining fans kept the faith as there were real attempts at coming back. We will hope for a more competitive game in Starkville this Saturday. Go Big Blue!!!

This mornings UpperRoom was a favorite, familiar devotional, the story of the prodigal son. This son takes his inheritance early and goes off and foolishly squanders it. When he realizes that he is at rock bottom, wanting to eat even the pigs' meal for sustenance, he makes the decision to return home. He is willing to become a hired servant to his father, knowing that he has become unworthy of his former position of a devoted and loved son. He approaches his father with a fully repentant heart, asking for forgiveness and mercy. Remarkably, the father welcomes him home with open arms and restores him, with celebration, to his "rightful" place.

This is a wonderful story and parallels how God will welcome us back into his loving arms after we have gone astray and ignored his loving guidance in our lives. The best part is that it is so true. As long as we are repentant and ask for forgiveness for our sins, it doesn't matter how long we have strayed from Him, He is just so thrilled to have us back, He celebrates our return!

If you haven't read this story in a while, it is found in Luke, chapter fifteen. Many of us can relate to the older brother in the story. He, who has always done everything exactly right, is not feeling very much like partying over his little brother's return. I hope we will see the return of the "lost sheep" as God does and party on.

I'm not sure what to expect in today's weather, but I do know that God is in control of it and everything else. So, I know it will be a great day. I hope you have a great day and stay safe no matter which way the wind is blowing. luv, Susan