I got up this morning feeling really "under the weather." But I determined to push through the morning, get my kids out for their classes, and then come home and rest for a while. I think I went through the virus that took my son a whole week to get over in about 12 hours last night. And for me it has ended like it did for my kids: with a stuffy-nosed, sore-throated cold. I'm doing all I can to treat it - primarliy zinc lozenges and tea tree oil in my ears and rest.

Before going back to bed, I decided to check on my friends' blogs, and some are facing some really hard stuff. Something that I'm working on lately is not just telling people, "I'll pray for you" but actually stopping and praying with them right then and there. So I hope you all don't mind if I just pause for prayer right here.

Loving Lord, you know the situations that many here are facing: breaks in relationships, concerns for parents who need surgery, and discouragement. Jesus, I pray that each one will turn to you for comfort and peace. I pray that your grace will fill their hearts, and that where decisions or changes need to be made that you will direct each one in wisdom. In our pain, help us all to remember that You love us, You never forget us, and You will never abandon us. Amen.

If you think of it, say a prayer for my brother who has just come out of fairly extensive shoulder surgery this morning. He's a firefighter and the kind of guy who won't like to keep his arm in a sling for very long, but he need to rest that shoulder for a while!

Now I'm off for a few Zzzzz's....