Back in 1980 after spending the night in the Salvation Army shelter I was just finished getting ready for the day when one of the staff came up to me and said I had a visitor. It was Mrs. Farley, come to collect me and take me to her home. The staffer told me that I was "very lucky" to have someone come pick me up! As we drove back to her house in Carlisle, I realized that I had a new "Mom" (at least for a short while)!
The first order of business when we arrived home was to feed me. Food was abundant and I was spoiled unmercilessly! One of my favorite books at the time was "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien. In that book, a group of travelers arrive at a place called "Rivendell". There they rest and are refreshed before returning to their journey. The few days I stayed at the Farley's house was a lot like being at Rivendell. I rested, I read, I ate, I slept. It was a time of physical and emotional healing.
One thing I remember clearly is sitting in the back yard, soaking my injured foot in a tub of water with Epsom Salts. While I sat, the Farley's young son ran around the backyard playing with delight. Giant shade trees made the backyard a cool and restful oasis. Day by day my foot got better and better. Being in the presence of people who showed unconditional love made a powerful impact on my life. It was one thing to TALK about being a follower of Jesus, it was quite another to see people put their genuine faith into ACTION.
Here in 2011 I weighed in at 174.6 pounds this morning. I checked it twice to be sure, but that was what it said. Wow, as of today I have lost over 12 pounds! I couldn't go jogging, but I did spend time working on the cars (changing oil & filters, and flushing the radiator on the Mazda). This afternoon I helped a friend paint the inside of his mother-in-law's new house (she is a widow). It may not have been jogging, but it was certainly a workout! I'm still watching what I am eating and hope to keep making progress!
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