It was Monday morning. Plus, the day after the super bowl, and Valentine’s Day. That’s a lot right there. As I was pouring my husband his coffee and passing him his breakfast plate I said, “Oh hey! Happy Valentine’s Day babe!” He forgot as well, and we just gave each other a smooch.

It was my first Monday back to work, and I was feeling pretty achy that morning. After my hubby and I wished each other a good day, I got another smooch, and out the door he went — I opened up my devotional book.

I’ve been absolutely loving it. It’s called Mornings with Jesus 2022. That was one of my new year’s resolutions was to read more, and why not do that with the Lord? I’ve been pretty faithful, but of course have some mornings that get away from me, so this particular morning I had some catching up to do. One of the days asked me to find my favorite worship song, play it, and ask Jesus to reveal his love and character to me as I worship and sing along. It’s called a Faith Step, and each day ends with one.

I said, “OK Lord, instead of listening to the Bobby Bones show on my way to work, I’ll listen to Country Faith on Pandora through my phone.” I didn’t have the time to YouTube or download my favorite song, and thought I’d worship to whatever came on.

I dropped my kids off at the bus and off I headed to Jersey Shore. I turned off the radio in ole Black Betty, (our black Yukon) and turned on my phone. The first song to come on was “There was Jesus” by Dolly Parton and Zach Williams. I loved this song when it came on, and thought, “Oh perfect, Lord! Thank you.” The second song was by Hillary Scott called “The River.” Very upbeat, and just what I needed to get out of my funk and quit feeling sorry for myself.

As I was pulling off the Jersey Shore exit, about five minutes from work, I heard it. I got goosebumps. There it was. My favorite worship song of all times! “How Great Thou Art” and a beautiful rendition of it by Carrie Underwood.

It was always page 34 in our hymns at church, and my cousin Lindsay Clark and I, at a very young age, loved this song so much, that when Pastor said, “Please turn your hymnals to page 34 and rise and sing,” we would find each other in the congregation, make eye contact, and thumbs up each other with excitement. We knew exactly what song it was because we had the page number “34” memorized.

“Dang Lord. You knew exactly what I needed!” Isn’t it amazing how that happens? As the song ended, I pulled up into the driveway to the sweetest home.
“OK, time to go to work,” I thought to myself.

I felt revived and ready to go after that.

I slid my fat butt out of ole Black Betty and waddled up the driveway.

“Ugh! Why do I feel this way!? It’s been three weeks since surgery. I am young and healthy. I should bounce back so much better than this!” (Don’t worry, I’m not talking to myself. I’m thinking this in my noggin.)

I kept my music on my phone and was greeted by one of the sweet ladies I work for.

With working on my feet, I knew I wouldn’t last as long as I typically do but told myself to shoot for three hours. I just kept questioning why surgery was three weeks from that day and I still felt this way.

As my music played, my thoughts pondered and remembered it was February 14, Valentine’s day. My surgery was Monday January 31 — duhhhh!! It hasn’t been three weeks, Andrea. It’s only been two weeks today!

Let me tell you though, it felt like it had been three weeks to a month.

This was God’s way of reminding me that it’s all on his time.

Even though we want something now, God is like, “You better check yourself, because that’s not how this works.”

Just like my devotionals and a favorite worship song, God knew what that song was, and played it right when I needed it most. It wasn’t the first song, nor was it the second. It was the very last song, right before getting to work and doubting myself if I could even get through the morning. With His strength I was able, and man did it feel good to get out and feel some kind of normalcy.

We make plans and God laughs. I made plans to be back to work after the first week. He must have gotten a real good chuckle out of that. But let me say, this book has gotten me through just when I needed it most. On the morning of February 9, I was feeling rough. I was feeling irritated. I was feeling bummed. It was nine days after surgery, and I still couldn’t even workout, which is a tough pill for me to swallow. I felt like it was such a setback for me and just mad at the situation. Plus, knowing I have to go through this all over again on my other leg wasn’t making things better. I opened up my book, and that morning was about a woman who had surgery and felt discouraged as I did. Months after surgery she still felt pain and felt she was slow to recede. It explained that a tornado sweeps through a town. Buildings can be prepared, but the emotional wounds of the people may be more difficult to assess and may take longer to heal. She used this to trust God to heal her and keep the muscles around her relationship and emotional wounds strong, so she could prosper in all ways.

I love how God uses everyday experiences like these to communicate truth that he needs me to understand. If you talk to God, and fully trust in him, I promise he pulls through. It may not be on our time, but it’s just when we need it most.

Buttered Parsley & Parmesan Red Potatoes

Ingredients:
• 1 1/2 to 2 pounds small red potatoes
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons butter, cut into slices
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

Directions:

Add the potatoes to a medium saucepan and cover with cold water by 2 inches. Bring to a boil and add 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Reduce to a rolling simmer and cook until the potatoes are fork tender and the skin is beginning to fall away from the potatoes, about 20 minutes.

Drain the water from the pan.

Quickly add the potatoes back to the saucepan with the butter and parsley, and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Give the potatoes a vigorous stir with a wooden spoon or shake with the lid on so the potatoes break up a bit.

Let sit on the still warm (but off) burner for 5-10 minutes and serve.