Hi, everybody. Pneumonia seems to be a recurring issue for me, and it’s back
for its latest visit. Talk about an unwelcome guest! That’s why I’ve been
signed out of Skype and had my cell phone turned off. It hurts to talk, and
I’ve been doing my best to get some rest. Sleep is hard to come by, and I
didn’t want anything to wake me if I’d managed to get to sleep. Knowing the
symptoms, I caught it early this time, and that means I don’t need to go to
the hospital for oxygen. Been there, done that, and I don’t want another
T-shirt.

There is one thing different about this time. All the times before, I felt
the need to keep pushing myself to do stuff both around the house and
online. I felt like I’d lose my value as a person if I didn’t perform and
that I couldn’t just sleep and be quiet. This time I don’t. I feel more like
resting, letting God deal with things, and waiting to see what happens next.
I don’t have the energy to rebel, against God or my doctor. My to-do list is
on hold and hasn’t been opened since Friday. I’m not sicker than last
time. My reaction is just different. I’m counting on my value to be ok with
God while I rest and that He’ll take care of the details. I’m even too tired
for my mom’s typical guilt trip about getting things done to work. I
recognize it but don’t feel the need to rise to the bait.

My friend Laura Ann and her mom, Lucile, sent me some tea and spearmint
leaves for my birthday awhile back. I’m making cups of lemon myrtle tea and
steeping spearmint in the tea as well. That feels good on my throat and
helps me get comfortable. What a wonderful gift they gave me.

When I couldn’t sleep last night, I read part of a book I think my friend
Lisa scanned for Bookshare. It’s a Bible study about the letters of
Galatians and Ephesians. I haven’t spent much time in Galatians at all, and
I learned some really important things last night. I even got some of my
questions answered about the purpose of the Jewish law and how we can know
for sure that Salvation is extended to Gentiles. I asked God to teach me
something important and then sort of mentally let go and started to read.
God answered my prayer. I’m not exactly sure why what I learned is important
right now. Maybe it’s one of those foundational pieces of the puzzle I need
before I can learn or understand something else. I do at least understand
now why I am not required to observe the Jewish feasts or live under the law
of Moses. I also have a new appreciation for the dedication of my friends
who are observant Jews.

I’m spending this afternoon drinking hot tea and broth, catching up on
email, and reading a mystery called Blood At The Root, by Peter Robinson.
It’s well-written with a good plot so far. I’m about halfway through the
book at this point. It’s one of the Inspector Banks series set in Yorkshire.
I have a passion for British mysteries.

My next shipment of Netflix movies has some Perry Mason episodes and a movie
based on Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple called A Pocketful Of Rye. It’ll be
fun to lie on the couch and watch them with my mom and aunt. They will get
here Tuesday.

I’m headed back to bed. Have a great day, everyone.