Friday, December 2

O come, Thou key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home;

Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

As I picked this date I picked it because it was our second daughter’s birthday. I did not look at the verse until later, I realized ‘Rejoice! Rejoice Emmanuel’ I have sung several times over the years and I should be able to write something.

I’m not sure if it was God, Jesus or Emmanuel that was with us on December 2nd when my wife was to be the bridesmaid at her sister Carol’s wedding. Our friend and doctor, Donachie, told us not to worry the baby would be here before December 2nd. He apparently didn’t know God (Emmanuel) had a different plan.

The wedding was at 2; in case she was unable to be the bridesmaid a friend was standing by and she would be an honorary bridesmaid. First thing that morning as she got out of bed, bent over with pain, just a cramp and then another, so off we go to the hospital. However, I am in the wedding party, so I head to the church to be told my wife delivered before I hit the first floor. After the wedding ceremony the entire wedding party march into Highland View Hospital to the third floor to be welcomed by Mom and Julie Arlene. God works in mysteries ways but he always has a plan.

Prayer: Dear God you work in strange ways and make life interesting. Thank you for a life full of challenges and love. Thank you for being a part of or life. Amen.

- Roy Pettigrew