Y’all are gonna crack up. I’ve really challenged myself today.

My dear friend Rhonda, who is the director of our tee-totally fabulous library system, is who I am honoring and praying for especially today.

Rhonda and I could not be more different.

She has spent her life serving the poor, the needy, and last but not least, her children….who are also poor and needy, come to think of it {looking at you, Miss Caroline!!}. Rhonda is a levelheaded and terrific friend, a wonderful cook and homemaker, a Disney Aficionado, and a stalwart leader of many. She has a ready smile or a cocked eyebrow, depending on the discussion.

Baker, Beth, and I are just a little bit scared of her.

So anyway. It should surprise no one that her prayer request, first and foremost, was for her children. She has sent them both off to college, and while Logan has completed his degree and returned home safe and sound and created a family of his own, Rhonda worries. There is no end to the worrying. While she dotes on her little princess of a grandchild, she worries about things that are not even in her control (she also thinks about bows, but that’s neither here nor there). Caroline, on the other hand, has gone off into the big dangerous city of Knoxville (insert derisive snort here) and has left Miss Rhonda with a bit of empty nest syndrome.

It’s really not funny. For someone who built their whole world around these children, I know her heart is sore. We tried to drown the pain with some of our favorite fruity (or spicy, in Rhonda’s case) adult beverages a few times but the funny thing about being heartsick is the pain always returns. You can’t stop worrying any more than you can stop loving and unfortunately the two go hand in hand. She even worried last summer that Caroline had been eaten by a shark because she was out of her sight for approximately nineteen seconds. Yes, the three of us ridiculed her mercilessly about that for some time, always ending with, “But seriously, what are you gonna do when she leaves for college?”

What she did was what all good mothers do, whether they admit it or not= wad up on the couch watching sappy movies, constantly texting her daughter to check in, and baking for all the people in her life. Oh, and it goes without saying, crying in the shower.

The struggle is real.

Caroline is her sparkles, she says it all the time. And I say, thank God for that grandbaby a few miles down the road.

So today I pray that the Good Lord will watch over Caroline every day for the rest of her life, to be there with her because her momma physically can’t. Please ease Rhonda’s worries that she will leave this Earth before either one of them are ready. I ask for a hedge of protection around Caroline especially, Lord, as she dances and frolics her long-legged way around campus and her future endeavors. On every road, river, camel, train, and airplane, be wholly with her Lord. I ask that you give Rhonda’s heart peace that she is safe in your hands. Please guide Caroline, Logan, Leanna, and Fiona all the days of their lives and make sure they know that You are with them ALWAYS. They will never be alone, as long as they have You. And You never leave, as long as they seek You. I pray that they will all go on to live fruitful lives, leading others to You through their light. I pray that Rhonda and her children remain healthy and happy and will live long prosperous lives, always seeking You first for their decisions. I ask for favor and blessings on them as they pursue their dreams. I thank You for the gift of my friend, Rhonda, and her pure servant’s heart. I pray that she will always do as it pleases you, Lord, and to put the needs of her patrons above any red tape that she constantly battles. I pray her legs to be swift and her arms to be soft when helping children, guarding them against the evil in our public spaces as she opens doors to dimensions through her work in the library. I ask for plentiful funding to keep the building warm and the doors open to all that need it. (She didn’t ask me to pray for that, but I know she wants to). Because librarians and libraries change lives. They sure changed mine. This set in particular. I love her so, Lord, and I ask you keep her safe until you need her with you. Thank you for my true friend and ally. In Jesus name. Amen.

Now that I’m crying…

I asked her what she wanted me to fast. I was ready for something super imaginative and totally weird. Imagine my surprise when she said for me to pick it, because I knew best what I would benefit from.

So it would be no easy sacrifice. I had to hunt a hard to swallow pill.

And once I landed on it, I was unable to shake it. So I knew it was the right thing to do.

Today I will list ten things that give me hope in the next generation.

I thought I would go over to the library before spin to observe and get ideas, but that’s just like jabbing myself in the eye. And I didn’t want to get my blood pressure up and then go give myself a stroke. I can do this.

• I have hope that the children of today will be active conservationists, creating less waste and being more mindful of what pollutants we distribute into the land, water, and air.
• I have faith that the next generation will continue to grow technology and always be at the forefront of industry.
• I believe that the children of today will practice tolerance and acceptance into their adult lives.
• I have seen proof that kids will always seek an escape through books, and they will encourage their children to read.
• I pray that this group will remember that bullying is not a means to get what you want, but all things come through the Grace of God and perseverance.
• I pray that this generation will remember to always invoke the freedom of speech and the right to keep and bear arms. I also pray they research both political party’s agendas and make INFORMED votes, not just breeze through on what they hear from popular media sources.
• I pray that they remember to pray regularly.
• I pray that they will be strong enough to serve as soldiers and leaders and know when to take the keys away from Grandma.
• I hope that they will feel the reward of good deeds and acting as servants to those less fortunate, and practice good manners at every turn.
• I do so wish that they have to make their own way, and know the value of a dollar through hard work and due diligence.

I realize I may have cheated a little, but let me tell you, I was STRUGGLING. I can’t help it. I don’t have any first hand experience with kids (praise God!) so I had to base my thoughts off the handful I see on occasion. And not even all them give me hope, I’m sorry to say. Several would benefit from a switch. But anyway. I did it.

A quote from a church sign down the road from me one year ago today:
“If you can’t be thankful for what you have, be thankful for what you’ve escaped.”

Let me add here, it has come to my attention sometimes as I pray I feel guilty for expressing my so-called needs. To many people in this world they would be wants. Rhonda felt this way. I’m no preacher, but I say pray for whatever your heart leads you to pray for. Our struggles may be different day to day, year to year. But if it eases your heart and your mind to pray for something, by all means, DO IT. If nothing more than to just get in the habit. And don’t be ashamed to ask people to pray for you. It is an honor and a blessing to pray for my friends, and I believe all Christians feel the same. Pray for your dog, be thankful for your full belly, ask for protection of our leaders, and a clear mind with your eyes on the One, and I think you’ll be in good shape. But what do I know? I’m just a sinner with a head full of dreams. Don’t look to me, look to the Good Book.

Till tomorrow, y’all,

Love from Appalachia,

Amy xoxo