For years, Martha and I lived under the notion that we would always be able to take care of ourselves.

Now that we are older, we have found that to be a total misconception.  Now it's time for others to take care of us.  While we are grateful to be still living in our own home, we don't get around nearly as well: Martha, who is a severe diabetic, has lost both her legs and can't get around except by wheelchair, and I have been hobbled by worsening arthritis.  Yet we still remain in our own home.

For that I am truly grateful.

We do have kids, but both live in Montana.  Jim, our son, is a practicing attourney; our daughter, Desiree', meanwhile, teaches children who have special needs.  They have their own lives, but they do check up on us by calling several times a week, which we both greatly appreciate.

We see the kids at Christmas, so it's not like we don't see 'em at all.  We also see the grandkids:  Jim has two boys (Braxton and Nathaniel; Desiree', meanwhile, has two girls: Kaysa LeAnne and Ceiridwen Michelle).  Christmas is always a wonderful time for our family because at last we are all together, but any other time of the year it's just Martha and myself.

We used to go to First Harvest Baptist Church every week, but then Martha lost her legs and my arthritis has been playing havoc with my joints, so we don't go any more.  It makes us both sad 'cause we both miss the worship experience and the fellowship from our fellow congregants.  Instead if we want church, we watch the religious programming on television (the 700 Club and David Jeremiah, as two examples; we also watch Joyce Meyer).

Thank God our church friends call as well; sometimes they come by to check up on us.  So do our neighbors.

Most times they don't bring us anything, but it's still good to see their faces and know that they care.  Yesterday, however, was a totally different story.  Yesterday I was having some severe pain in my joints and I was feeling poorly; I couldn't even really help my wife so she laid in bed most of the day.  (Surprised she didn't end up with a bedsore!)  Well, the doorbell rang; I yelled for them to come in, as it was unlocked.

It was our neighbor, Cissie, and her husband, Moe.  Kind people, they are.  They had a dish of food; it was baked beans and barbequed chicken.  One of my favorites!  The smell was so heavenly!  They knew I love barbequed chicken and baked beans, so they went out of their way to prepare a little extra, just for us!  They had a big smile on their face and said, "This is from God and us.  Enjoy!"

Cissie and Moe then left us to enjoy our meal, but not befere getting our plates and delivering the one meal first hand to Martha.  They knew i couldn't manage a plate of food and my crutches, so they did it for me.  Cissie and Moe then gave us both a warm hug and told us that they loved us.

Well, the feeling's mutual.  We love Moe and Cissie. too.  They are good people, two of the most thoughtful, courteous, and genuine neighbors we have ever had.  I just wish more people were like Moe and Cissie: the world would certainly be a lot better off!

And there was another surprise besides the good meal.  There was a card with a note; inside the note was a brand new crisp $50 bill.  They told us to do whatever we wanted with it.  

It was a shock, but again, it is so nice to know that even in today's fallen world there are still good people living inside it!  God has certainly blessed us in an unexpected way!