I LOVE MY NEIGHBORS

Yesterday seemed to me to be the first normal day of the new year.  Yes, I still have to put the Christmas decorations into their closet today, but everything else seems to be back to routine.  I went to the Amen House, where we volunteers were getting food and clothing ready and distributing it to those who qualify at this location.  Afterwards, I was able to visit a friend who is temporarily at a health care facility.  We had a great time visiting and sharing our holiday and family stories.  Afterwards, I ran the rest of my Monday errands and headed home to four frantic dogs and the dishes that awaited me from the weekend.  It hardly seems like I got much done at home before it was time to head to Paris to meet with my former classmates for our monthly gathering.  I can't tell you how wonderful it is to be able to spend once a month with the same friends I sat around the lunch table with in elementary school.  

Today's UpperRoom reading brought me right back to my discussion with my friend, Dorothy from yesterday afternoon.  I had told her how blessed I was to not have had any real health concerns in my life except for those that came up during menopause, the worst of which was anxiety.  She was surprised to hear that was an issue for me.  1 Peter 5:7 states, Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.  I know this can be understood to mean the everyday anxieties of life, but it also can express the deeper, darker form of anxiety that can overtake one's life.  I experienced that about the time I turned fifty.

My health issues up until then had always been minor and my doctor appointments had always been routine, so when I was hit with overwhelming anxiety and a feeling of total detachment from myself, my regular physician tried to help me as he helped any woman at that point in her life, put nothing seemed to work and I simply retreated to my sofa on a daily basis, figuring there was no help for me but prayer.  I prayed over and over Psalm 51:10-12 (see below ), asking God to help me.  Finally, my dear friends and neighbors, Pam and Bethany, came over one afternoon and took me, unwillingly to the emergency room where my recovery began.

The ER doctor thought I might need to be admitted, but instead had me promise to find a psychiatrist to help me get back on track.  My dear friend and neighbor, Jane, gave me the name of an excellent doctor in Owensboro and even took me on my first appointment.  I am so thankful that God had not abandoned me.  He brought me help right to my doorstep in the form of my loving friends.

Earlier this week I was also saved by some neighbors.  After enjoying the first half of my walk with Riff and Pudge, I realized we were in big trouble as we had turned around and headed back home.  One of my neighbors has a couple pit bull mixed breed dogs.  The black one is usually chained up and the white one, who is currently nursing puppies, was in an enclosure on their carport.  She is always jumping up and down as we pass.  Well, as we were heading back toward this particular house, I saw her out in the road, sniffing and following our scent coming in our direction.  I immediately retreated to the nearest house for safety.  I visited with Nina, who in her eighties couldn't help me get by, but suggested Barbara Jean across the street.  Eventually, Barbara Jean drove me and my dogs past this crazy mama dog as she chased the car, barking and carrying on, til we got past her to safety  We then thanked our driver and finished our walk home. I called Nina to let her know we made it home safely.  Believe me, you never know when you're going to need your neighbors for help.

Today I hope to get all those Christmas decorations safely stored for the next eleven months.  I wish you a great day.  Stay safe.  luv, Susan

Psalm 51: 10-12

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.