There and back again…not with a Hobbit!

This did not happen in "middle-earth," it is on this earth. In the 1950s, on a USA base in Germany, (that's American territory) to American parents, with two sons already. The father was in a very secretive position for the US Government, which he remained in for over five decades. I was born. Though I possess a birth certificate with my footprints on the document, I don't remember the birth, yet the certification officially recognizes my birth. I now find myself amid a journey that my Heavenly Father has orchestrated, twists, turns, good news, complicated news, all brought together to produce spiritual, emotional, and mental growth in me. That is how much God loves me - you also! What I find so incredible is the sense of humor the Lord has.

Traveling through this season of hip replacement, on and off of Medicaid to Medicare, on lists, then off lists, etc. ad nauseam, as poorly as I have handled all of it, I thank the Lord for His grace in helping me find my sense of humor again and continue learning from Him.  

In the middle of a 2-hour call with Medicare and Social Security, I was told that everything for my Medicare was set to go, except one issue. I was asked, "Are you an American Citizen?" I stuttered, both verbally and mentally, for a few moments. Long story short, both Medicare & SS had for Nathan Leigh's Citizenship: "Not Established!" As tempers began to flare between the two folks on the phone, I saw the humor in all of this! I yelled, "Oh no!" Finally, they both stopped and said, "What is it?"  I said, "What if my father was a double agent and I am really Russian?" We all had a good laugh, and I asked what to do. I took my passport down to the SS office, and I am now an established American Citizen...and have Medicare part A&B working on part D.

Life NEVER happens the way we want or expect it to. That is why a close connection to God is so vital! It is easy to allow the "old" nature to take control; I know and have experienced this! This connection is so important; it enables us to remain in our new nature. I needed to keep my sense of humor.

Otherwise, I would blow this whole episode out of proportion. My flesh would take control, and I would fail to represent Him, be controlled by frustration and anger ending in sin. I know this because I have done it! 

My Citizenship is in Heaven, and that is what is really important. When I forget that, I fail my God, family, disciples, friends, and myself. Keep God's BIG picture before you...it is true - the devil is IN the details! He tries to refocus your thoughts and energy onto things that actually don't mean that much in the eternal perspective. 

During this time your love and support have been the difference in me endeavoring to remain faithful, versus falling into "the pit of despair!" God has shown His Grace in a mighty way, and DD has been an example of unconditional love.