13 Comments
User's avatar
Callie R. Feyen's avatar

Good gracious I needed to read this, and I'll need to read it every day for the rest of my life. Thank you, Tresta.

Penny Chamberlin's avatar

You’re a woman who likes ice cream. And you’re old enough to have it when you want it😂. Life is full of compensations and contradictions. Thank God for being consistent always 🙏

Stephanie Wafer's avatar

Here's how I fixed this dilemma, Tresta-I simply put the peaches on the ice cream. Problem solved, enjoy.

Tresta Payne's avatar

You’re a smart cookie ; )

Megan Willome's avatar

"I get [God] confused with my own bad parenting." -- yes & amen.

Tabitha Joy's avatar

I love your writing style and understand so much what you struggle with. It's as if we allow our blessings to become the chords that bind us. Your struggle to receive, to appreciate, to enjoy, and to be mindful is real. I love Psalm 145:16: "You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing." Sometimes when I'm too full for my own words, this verse comes forth as praise.

Tresta Payne's avatar

Thank you Tabitha, and thank you for that Psalm. He truly does.

Tabitha McDuffee's avatar

Somehow you capture the tension so beautifully and then release it right at the end, like the balloons my kids want me to blow up so they can let them zip around the living room.

Carol Longenecker Hiestand.'s avatar

HI, loved reading this. I think you and I would enjoy an occasional coffee together:)

I love everything you have written, and yes, sometimes ice cream is just what is called for. My SIL came for a few days. (The wife of my brother who died twenty years ago). We went downtown to chicago...stopped a Ghiredelli's and decdided to share one of their big treats. I knew where she would end up - yep! the bananna split. I have never had such a treat and probably won't until she comes again. I enjoyed every spoonful as we looked out the window and watched the Michigan Avenue crowd.

You have had a lot going on and have a lot to come...and I enjoy your writing.

Tresta Payne's avatar

What a sweet and encouraging comment, Carol. Thank you! We could enjoy coffee AND a dessert together, I’m sure ; )

Jody Collins's avatar

Oh my, that house! Tresta, you and Tim are blessed. And what a beautiful essay--conveying so much. (As usual.) The tension of walking with Jesus and the realty of these live-in bones and bodies.

Tresta Payne's avatar

Don’t even get me started on the bones and the bodies ; )