ON VACATION....

This blog is closing until January 5th. Have a blessed Christmas and very happy New Year. God bless you!

Fool's Gold...Advent Day 18

Ecclesiastes 5:10 Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!


Several years ago, I thought I had finally made it. Working in a telecommunications center as a Senior Manager, I made more money than I'd ever dreamed of. I didn't worry about spending money for something "desired" and never "wanted" for anything. At least, I told myself that. The hours were long, the work was consuming, demands were high, pressure was continuous. Then, one day I arrived at work and knew something was amiss. Most of the managers were missing...then the HR manager pulled me and about one hundred other people into a meeting where we learned our jobs were being cut.

Suddenly, I was jobless at an age where it would be difficult to find a job...let alone a job at the management level I'd climbed to. For six months I struggled with the pain of failure. Then, I decided to look outside the box I'd put myself in. I talked to God. He opened my eyes. The years spent in my top paying job hadn't brought me happiness. He showed me the happiest days of my life had been when I worked in a "support" role where I wasn't expected to work overtime. Then God opened a position for me just a few miles from my home. Working 8 to 5, I now have time to spend with family. The paycheck is less than half what I used to make, but the peace and happiness I've found are worth so much more than the money. I took a wrong turn and God led me back on a fulfilling path.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for unanswered prayers. Amen.

Prayer Athletes - Advent Day 17

I Corinthians 9:25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

My friend and I are trying to discipline ourselves to be faithful to our exercise program. Its hard to get in the swing. Walking on breaks is the easy part since we motivate each other. But at home, when there is no one to "nag" me I find myself with excuses as to why I didn't hop on the treadmill. During the day I talk a good line, even believe it, but something more important seems to come along. Once the cycle is broken and I begin to walk at a specific time every morning (or evening), then exercise becomes a part of my daily routine. I feel so much better when I'm taking care of my body by an exercise regime. For athletes, this discipline is a way of life.

This morning I'm thinking that my prayers are much the same. I have a prayer regime. I use my driving time to pray to God about many things. I pray every night before dinner, and throughout the day I find myself sending little prayers and little thank yous to the Lord. I've been disciplined to make prayer a part of my daily routine. Many people don't have this relationship with God. They might go to church once or twice a year and pray. They might cry out to God when something in their life goes wrong...and many never say thank you when the prayer is answered. But it is never too late. God is always with us and he waits patiently, listening when we speak to him.

Prayer: Lord, please open our hearts during this Advent season. Help us to discipline ourselves in prayer, so that we might have the eternal prize of everlasting life with you.

Family Garden - Advent Day 16

Psalm 133:1 How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony.

Yesterday we had our annual family Christmas gathering at our house. It warms my heart to sit and watch the interaction of our siblings...a blended family. But all the children are one unit...brothers and sisters who love each other. There is no difference--no "your children" and "my children." Our family is truly a family bonded in love and caring. I am so blessed. Even though some members weren't present due to distance and commitments, they were with us in spirit.

I thought I'd share something I wrote years ago called "Growing a Step-Garden."

Items Needed:
Garden Tools--Love and patience
Flower Seeds--Each Child will bear their own distinct blossoms

1. Provide a space for the garden

Our garden was started December 30, 1979, when I married my soul mate and we combined our two families. Each of us had four children, making a full garden of eight distinct flowers.

2. Pull out all weeds and grass

The most important part of preparing the garden for growth is to remove obstacles. Knowing that there will be disagreements and jealousy, and accepting this as being normal is the first step. Allowing each individual to find their own part of the garden in which to grow will eliminate even the most stubborn of obstacles.

3. Turn over the soil and water.

Creating a new environment which is a unique blending of old and new will provide the fertile atmosphere for a successful garden.

4. Don't get the soil too wet.

Healthy doses of love are necessary, but be careful not to over saturate. Each child must be loved equally. Children are quick to know how to tip the sprinkling can to get too much love. The smart gardener needs to carefully sprinkle each plant in their garden with equal amounts of love.

5. Plant each seed in its own space away from other seeds.

Knowing that each child is a unique individual, and allowing them the freedom to develop will create a garden of beautiful blooms. You will have daisies, roses, marigolds, sunflowers, pansies and many other varieties. This truly is a miracle of love.

6. Check daily to make sure the soil is damp.

As your children grow, make sure their environment changes to accommodate their needs. You need to allow them the space to make their own decisions, and teach them to live with their choices. Acceptance of their own, as well as other's faults, is vital. What one may see as a fault, another may see as a strength. Teach them tolerance, and give them the security of a loving haven.

7. Continual nurturing required.

Your garden will be eternal. New blossoms will take root and sprout into a new and unique bouquet. Continue to love and care for it, spreading sunshine and sprinkles of happiness throughout your life. Your garden will give back to you what you continue to sow.

Crowded Parking Lots - Advent Day 14

Colossians 4:5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

I had lunch with a dear friend a few days ago. Over our meal, she told me a cute story. Her sister is a little older and my friend takes her to all her doctor's appointments, shopping, grocery shopping, etc. One day they pulled into a very ufll parking lot at a hospital only ten minutes before a scheduled doctor's appointment. The sister was upset, mumbling that she was going to be late, and my friend should drop her at the door and go find a parking spot. My friend told her to be patient, because God always finds her a parking place. The sister scoffed and started complaining about being late. My friend pulled into the lot and, although people were walking toward the hospital from the far reaches of the lot, she found a spot right near the front. She pulled in and parked and said, "Thank you, Lord." The sister stared at her like she was crazy.

But...the next time they had an appointment, the same thing happened in a parking garage. The sister said she would have to be let off at the door because she couldn't walk all the way across a crowded parking garage and through the building to get to her appointment. Again, my friend told her to be patient, because God would find her a spot. Sure enough, she turned the corner and found a parking spot close to the door. She pulled in, parked, and said, "Thank you, Lord." This time the sister's mouth opened in surprise, but she didn't say anything.

Sure enough, the next time they headed off to an appointment, the parking was again sparse. But this time, the sister didn't say a word. My friend found a parking spot right away...close to the door. She pulled in and parked, and her sister looked up and said, "Thank you, Lord."

My friend laughed. What a wonderful story that is testimony of our bible verse for today!

Prayer: Lord, help me to make the most of every opportunity to tell of your wondrous love. Amen.

Built-in Road Maps - Advent Day 13

Recently I purchased a GPS for my car. I travel within the state frequently to attend writer's meetings, and I find it hard to read MapQuest and drive at the same time. This GPS is the perfect solution. I programmed in my home address and now, no matter where I am I can choose a button that says "Go Home" and my GPS will calculate where I am and guide me home again. It's kind of creepy in a way. I mean here is this piece of technology with a map and a "blue" car (and my car is blue) and it shows the car moving along on the road exactly as I'm moving. As I approach my turn, a voice tells me that in point x number of miles I will turn left or right. I'm sure I will never get lost again.

Amazing that God also talks to us in the same way. He guides us along life's roads and tells us where to turn if we only take the time to listen to his directions.

Matthew 13:14 ...For they look, but they don't really see. They hear, but they don't really listen or understand.

Prayer: Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice. Amen.

Sing a Song - Advent Day 12

Children are so literal and they observe so much more than we realize. My grandchildren are great examples. One of my grandsons was in the back seat of my car one day singing along with a country song lamenting good times past and the clothing worn "back then." I believe the line was something about "parachute pants" and the phrase following was "Man, did we look cheesy!" But what came out of my grandson's mouth was "Man, did we love Jesus!" I like his lyrics much better.

Children are wonderful gifts from God. They are precious and beloved. So was God's son. And God loved us so much that he gave his son to die on the cross that we might be redeemed. Let us remember always the sacrifice, and let us celebrate the birth and sing praises.

Psalms 101:1 I will sing of your love and justice, Lord. I will praise you with songs.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your great gift, your many blessings, and your unfailing love. Amen.

Leaving it All Behind...Advent Day 11

My mother is facing a life change by moving out of the home she shared with my father for over fifty years. The house belonged to my grandparents and after I graduated and moved away, they moved in with grandma to help her out. They bought the property from her before her death. The homestead is old...once having a dirt cellar and coal furnace. The home now has central air, heat, aluminum siding, two concrete patios, both covered (one in the front and one in the back). It sits on nearly an acre of land. The cellar is now a concrete basement with the entrance being stairs in the living room. There is an attic, which can be reached through a door in the kitchen, but it hasn't been used in years. The house has two bedrooms, kitchen and living room, a back storage hallway and a bathroom with a clawfoot tub and shower enclosure. The house needs to be updated, but is in good condition. However, the city has specific codes that need to be met if someone buys the house and then wants to rent it out or resell it. Mom doesn't have the money to do any repairs. So, she needs to sell the house as is. Being a repressed area, she will probably walk away with only a very small pittance. And she'll be moving into our house into a small bedroom. I can't imagine how frightened she must be to have to depend on us and to be surrounded by new things, and only a few that belong to her. But, she's looking at the positive side of being with family and no longer living alone. She has faith that everything will work out for the best.

Mary and Joseph faced this same dilemma after the birth of Jesus. They had to move to Egypt in order to protect their son from being killed by Herod. But, they handled it by having a strong faith that God would provide and protect them. During these trying times, we all need to reassess what really matters in our lives.

Read: Matthew 2:13-18

Prayer: Lord, please show me the path you have chosen, and help me to have the faith to put my trust in you. Amen.

Suffer the Little Children - Advent Day 10

Matthew 25:34-40 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hangry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me." Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, "Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?" And the King will answer and say to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me."

Our church women's group is involved in many missions. One is to collect teddy bears in December which will be given to the County Children's Services. The bears will be given to children who have suffered abuse, and/or neglect or some other traumatic experience. Often children are brought in by the police or fire department, and the bears give the children something to hold on to and help to alleviate their fears. This past Sunday I had my bear ready to take and yet forgot it, leaving it sitting on the sofa. At first I was upset for my memory lapse, even though there are still two weeks to bring in the bears. In hindsight, I realized that God had a hand in my "forgetfulness." I had forgotten a most important thing. I hadn't prayed for the child who would receive it. For the next week, I will hold the bear close and pray so that when a child receives the gift, it will also be full of God's love.

Prayer: Lord, please bring comfort to those who are suffering from abuse and neglect. Let me be blessed by helping to feed the hungry, clothe those without, and bring hope through words, deeds, and prayer. Amen.

Busy Shopping Days...Advent Day 9

Psalm 5: 11-12 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love.

It seems as if everybody is in a huge hurry during these last weeks before Christmas. Saturday, I spent a day of running around buying groceries, stopping at the beauty shop for a perm, and finally a trip to purchase gift cards. It had started snowing during the night, a fine wet snow like tiny pebbles, blowing and beginning to stick to the ground and road. Cars tail-gated me, even though I was doing the speed limit. I saw others weaving in and out of the traffic, trying to move one car length closer in the long line at the stoplight. I parked near the rear of the lot...so many people shopping! Inside the store, I found it to be the same as it had been on the roads. People seem to drive carts the same way they drive cars...as if they have to be the first to reach their destination. Finally, with my purchases completed, I left the store. After leaving the store, I found our town had turned into a winter wonderland of snow. And it was still snowing! I decided to avoid the angry drivers and take the back roads home. I had Christmas music playing on the radio, and the scene through the windows of the car stole my breath. What a beautiful day God had given us. That's when I realized that I still had the same calm, peaceful feeling I've been enjoying, despite all the commercial Christmas hoopla.

This made me realize that my journey to draw closer to God has changed my outlook on life. No longer do I feel like yelling at other drivers, or losing patience in a traffic jam or in crowds. Many times I find myself talking to God in the car and I know he is riding with me.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for your gift of peace and unfailing love. Amen.

Christmas Spirit - Advent Day 7

Hebrews 13:1-3 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

Several days ago I had to make a trip to the grocery store to pick up some items. The Salvation Army was just inside the doors with their bell and collection pot. Many people drop loose change or dollars into the collection pot, just like me. I purchase the Charity Newsie from the Shriners each year. I put money in the firemen's boots. I contribute to the food pantry, and the toys for tots. After all, it is Christmas and there are so many people in need.

What is it about Christmas that makes us realize there are others less fortunate than we are, while we turn our backs the rest of the year? Why can't we keep Christmas in our hearts all year long?

As for me, I am going to pray for God to keep my heart open to help others throughout this coming new year. Will you do the same?

Prayer: Lord, please use me as a vessel to help others so that in turn I may be blessed. Amen.

Priceless Gifts - Advent Day 6

Philippians 4:6-7 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understnad. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Newspaper headlines declare "doom and gloom" in the economy. Many have fear of losing jobs, retirement funds, homes, and health care. With Christmas approaching, many stress over not having the money to provide gifts under the tree. Worry does not change anything. Worry cannot change the outcome. Worry erodes health and steals joy.

Despite all the signs of recession and depression, this Advent season I'm not stressing over the commercial aspects of Christmas. Instead I'm focusing on the blessings God has provided--a wonderful husband, children, grandchildren, and friends. These gifts are priceless and cannot be replaced with material things.
Prayer: Lord,

A Star...A Star...Advent Day 5

Tonight I decorated our Christmas tree. At the top of the tree is a lighted star. With the room lights off and only the tree lit, the star shines brightly, like that long-ago star that announced the birth of Jesus.

I often wonder what it would have been like to be one of the shepherds in the field when an angel appeared to announce the Savior had been born. They traveled to Bethlehem and found the baby just as the angel had told them. What joy they must have felt to look upon the Messiah. They spread the word to all they met about what they had seen and heard. As Christmas nears, I feel the anticipation and excitement they must have felt.

It is easy to get caught up in the commercial aspects of Christmas, and it's important to remember the true meaning of our celebration.

Read: Luke 2:1-40

Prayer for the day: Lord, help me to focus on the things that really matter during these days of Advent.

God's Plan - Advent Day 4

When each of my children was born, I gazed on them as a miracle from God. Such tiny perfect little humans, tiny fingers and toes, and eyes looking at me with trust and expectation. I didn't dream of what they would be when they grew up. I simply dreamed of having them in my life, loving them, nurturing them, guiding them. Each has taken a different path as they grew into adults. Unique individuals. Some have taken paths I wouldn't have chosen, and I'm not sure what God's plan is. I pray they will follow when He shows them the way.

I wonder now what Mary felt when she gazed into the face of her newborn baby. She carried the burden of raising a child fathered by the Holy Spirit. What did she see? Did she see the man he would one day become, or like me, did she simply bask in the miracle of the child in her arms?

Luke 2:6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

Prayer for the day: Lord, please bless my children and guide them in the path you have laid before them. Amen.

Ask God for Wisdom - Advent Day 3

Read: James 1:5-8

When preparing to fill out our church pledge cards for 2009, I prayed for God to show me what we should give. A figure kept coming into my mind and I knew in my heart this was God's answer. However, the reality of giving more money than we had the previous year, in light of the economy and my husband's failing health, was daunting. In order to keep our insurance costs down, we changed our plan to one where we have to pay a larger amount of any hospitalizations. We are moving my mother who is in failing health into our home. We will have to care for her both physically and monitarily. Our coutnry is in the throes of a recession bordering on depression. But, we know not what the future holds. To live in fear is self-defeating. Instead, we must listen to God when He gives us the wisdom we seek, and then we have to put our faith in Him that He will see us through.

Joseph was faced with a dilemma when he learned Mary was pregnant. He pondered on what to do, and God sent an angel to calm his fear. I'm sure Joseph saw an uncertain future stretching before Him, but his strong faith led him on the right path.

Prayer: Lord, help us to seek Your wisdom and open our hearts that we might hear your answer.

Jesus, Take the Wheel...Advent Day 2

There have been times in my life when I didn't attend church. During the end of a bitter divorce, I was driving home late one night, fighting sleep. My children were home sleeping and I so wanted to be with them snuggled into my bed. The sound of the tires singing against the pavement and the white line on the roadway lulled me into a trance-like state. I didn't realize I had fallen asleep until a loud crashing noise jolted me to awareness. My car was headed straight for a concrete abutment on an overpass. I quickly swerved the wheel and pulled back onto the pavement just seconds before I would have wrecked.

Looking back, I know God was with me. Even though I had pushed Him to the back of my mind, He still remained true. His love is never ending.

Read: Psalms 118:1-5

Prayer for the day:
Lord, help me to remember that You are with me through bad times and good. Open my heart to receive your blessings and to give thanks. Help me to show Your love through my actions and interactions with others. Amen.

Sing a Song of Thanksgiving

Psalms 26:6-7 (NIV) I come to your alter, O Lord, singing a song of thanksgiving and telling of all your wonders.

Sitting in the lunch room yesterday, I listened to a co-worker complaining because a section of the newspaper, provided by another co-worker, was missing. Like a dog with a bone, the grumbling continued for several minutes. Listening was difficult for me. Such a small little thing in the midst of many trials that our world is facing.

Our son-in-law was hospitalized on Monday to have his kidney removed. Monday evening he was moved from recovery to intensive care...which we hadn't expected. Prayers were in my heart and on my lips as I waited for word on his condition. So, when the co-worker let her bitterness show over the missing newspaper, I closed my eyes and concentrated on the goodness of God. When I returned to my desk, I found a message waiting on my cell phone. My son-in-law had been moved to a regular room. Praise God. My prayers now are for his continued coverage and thanks to the Lord for guiding the surgeons hands.

In times of trouble, people turn to God for help, even those who are non-practicing Christians. But, many forget to give thanks for blessings he bestows upon us when we ask.

This Thanksgiving my family has many things to be thankful for and we will thank God for them.

God bless you and thanks for stopping by.

Faith and Trust

Proverbs 3:5 (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

This Bible verse is my screensaver because it is so meaningful to me. As humans we tend to depend on ourselves to come up with solutions to our problems. We worry and fret and sometimes fall ill. Recently our youngest daughter went through a very difficult situation which put us on a treadmill of worry, anger, and a fight for justice. Things spun out of control and it hurt me deeply that I couldn't fix this like I'd fixed her skinned knees when she was younger. At this time we weren't actively attending church. I didn't have the faith and trust in God that I'd once had because I didn't have a church family.

One night in desperation, I fell to my knees and turned the situation over to God. I felt his calming spirit pour over me and was humbled. We've since returned to church and now have that wonderful Christian family to support us. God lives in our lives. The situation with our daughter was resolved, perhaps not the way we wanted, but in looking back I see it is God's solution...and it is right.

Many people believe in God, but without being members of a church family it is easy to lose faith and trust. I'm grateful that God brought me to my knees that night.

May you be blessed today by God's healing presence.

Surprise Gifts from God

A few years ago my husband and I put up bird feeders in the back yard. We loved sitting on our deck and enjoying the chorus of many different bird songs blending together. In May, several chickadees built nests in the multi-tiered bird house. Soon we'd hear the cry of tiny babies as the mothers flew in to feed them. It was our vision to spend the rest of our lives providing food and shelter for the birds so we would have the pleasure of enjoying their gifts of beauty and song.

God had another plan. We found a litter of kittens under our deck one morning, and within a couple of weeks, we counted a total of seventeen kittens and cats, a result of a neighbor abandoning a small colony of semi-feral felines. They took refuge in our back yard, hiding in the bushes and woodpile. To protect the birds, we stopped providing food for them. God has provided in nature a bevy of seeds to feed his feathered friends. However, in an urban subdivision, there is little wildlife to sustain cats...unless we continued to draw in the birds...which went against our hearts. We had the felines neutered/spayed through a trap and release program in exchange for providing food and shelter for the remainder of their lives.

Now instead of birds, we have thirteen furry friends depending on us. At times it is hard to scrape together the money to provide the forty pounds of food they consume in two weeks, but God always finds a way. For these felines, we are their lifeline. You can read the entire story on my website by clicking "My Mission."

Sometimes God knocks and when you open the door, he provides a mission and it is your decision that will determine what you reap. Sure, we gave up what we envisioned for our back yard, but we have gained so much more. Every time we step outside, we are greeted by a furry family who thank us for giving them hope.

I Corinthians 12:4-6 NIV There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.

I Corinthians 12:4 NIV There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.

I See God in a Smile

Psalm 37:5-6 NIV Commit everything you do tothe Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

Yesterday we had our Thanksgiving celebration dinner at church. My husband and I had the privilege of sitting with Mable, one of the single "young at heart" ladies, a pillar of the church. Mable is about four feet tall and has a "widow's hump" and a slight twist to the spine. She has the beautiful aqua blue eyes and a warm smile that welcomes everyone. She is one of the first to greet us when we started attending church. She remembers names, she is up to date on current events, and can tell you everything about the church and the town from days before I was born. She's 86 and one of the smartest women I know. She keeps active by square dancing twice a month, and she still drives. She doesn't judge others, and she never frowns. She is a ture example of Christ living within us. When she smiles, you see God.

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Today our son-in-law is having surgery to remove a cancerous kidney. Please keep him in your prayers.

May God smile on you today.

Happy Birthday, Dad

Psalm 119:72 NIV Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.

Today is my Dad's birthday, but he isn't with us any longer to celebrate. I still miss him. He became my Dad when I was seven years old. He was bigger than life to me. He touched the lives of many people over the years. His home was opened to many in need, and his hand always reached out to help his extended family with a loving touch, whether a kind word, or the last dollar in his wallet. He touched lives of those he never met.

Dad never knew a stranger and he enjoyed every day to the fullest. One of his biggest passions was fishing. How I loved spending summer days on the river bank with him. He taught me to bait my own hook and to take a fish off the line...even those horned cat fish. My proudest fishing moment was the day I caught the biggest fish, and he was proud, too. He boasted to everyone about the "catch" his daughter made.

Happy birthday, Dad, until we meet again...

Raymond A. Butler, November 19, 1918 - January 2, 2005

Facing Life's Challenges

Last night I called my mother as I do several times a week. She lives alone and has congestive heart failure. She has chosen not to have surgery and to let God handle her life. For years, Mom's favorite passtime was creating beautiful handmade quilts. Her hands embroidered the squares in gorgeous colors of thread, then she would match one of those colors with a solid trim of squares and finally quilt in miniscule stitches. These quilts grace the beds of many of her friends and family. Not one baby was born who didn't receive a homemade baby quilt. After Dad passed away, she began to spend many lonely hours sitting in her chair, watching television, and sewing. Though we invited her to move in with us, she declined. I honored her wish because I understood her reasons. Two years ago, her arthritis intensified making it impossible for her to do any needlework. She turned to reading...the Bible, nonfiction and fiction books, working word search puzzles...anything to pass the time while the television played continuously. Over the past year, her health has declined rapidly and she began complaining that the house was dark. She can't hold a book or magazine for any length of time for it hurts her hands and she can't see the words. A trip to the eye doctor took away her last pleasure. Her eyesight is deteriorating and no change in prescription can help. She is going blind. But she is determined to meet each day that God gives her with an optimistic outlook. It may take her an hour to make her bed, but she manages. It may take her two hours to run the sweeper on her one rug in the living room. But she manages. She loves music and turns the television to listen to radio stations when her eyes are hurting. Her money is running out. By summer she will no longer have a savings...and she is finally realizing that she'll have to give up her beloved home and move to another state to live with us. It breaks my heart.

But with God's love, Mom will be able to spend her last days with family. She'll be able to enjoy some time with her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She'll have people to talk with, and she'll be able to become part of our church family.

Though it will mean adjustments on everyone's part, we'll work together to create a new home full of old memories.

As quoted from Philemon 6 NIV, "And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ."

A Simple Thank You

This morning I encountered a co-worker in the breakroom, whom I rarely see. I thanked her for a job she had completed for me a few days earlier. She smiled and said it was no problem. I followed that up by saying, “In case no one has told you lately, you are greatly appreciated.” The look on her face made my day. She said no one at our workplace had ever told her that before.

That is sad, but so true in many arenas. A smile, a word of thanks, when heartfelt, can brighten someone’s world.

May God's blessings touch you today. Thanks for stopping by.

God is Tone Deaf, Too

Many mornings I have to push myself out the door and into my car to drive to work. With daylight savings time kicking in and the nights growing longer, I rarely see a spark of sun peeping from the sky. To combat the "blah" feeling, I turn on the radio and suddenly I hear beautiful music from my favorite christian station. Soon, my voice is joining with the radio, praising God in musical worship. Within a few bars, my heart is full of joy and the morning suddenly looks glorious. I see God's handiwork in all the wonderful things He's created on earth. My voice is blasting through the car...although totally off key...but God doesn't care. I know He is smiling down at me. On mornings like this, I believe God is tone deaf, too.

God bless, and thanks for stopping by.