The Joy of Giving

When I was a child, I remember hearing "It is more blessed to give than to receive." I kind of knew what it meant, but I didn't fully appreciate the words until later in life. Now, I make prayer shawls, visit friends who are in hospitals, take friends to therapy, and volunteer for church services. But these are just little token things I'm able to do now that I don't go to work every day. But giving is so much more.

We touch other lives every single day. Sometimes we don't know what impression we've made on another. We might be viewed by a total stranger without our knowledge. What might they remember about us?

In Sunday School, we talked about how we have influenced others to follow Christ. That's a hard question to answer. Most times we won't even know. That got me to thinking about how I might appear to a total stranger as I walk through a grocery store, or pass on a street or in a car. Do they see a joyful person? Or do they see the disgruntled person who is annoyed at having to run another errand? When someone cuts me off, do they see anger? I believe it's the little things that really make the difference. Stopping to let someone into a line of traffic. Allowing the person who has only a few items to purchase move ahead of me in the line. Trying not to judge others by their inconsiderate actions and put things into perspective. I mean, after all, if someone cuts me off, what will that matter in the future? But, if I show anger, call rude names, then I've become even angrier and that remains with me, amping up my reaction to the next affront.

Yeah, I know, easier said than done. But, definitely something to pray for. It all boils down to "it's better to give than to receive." Give a smile instead of a rude gesture. The return will be so much greater.

Thanks for stopping by!

Rejection Hurts...

I moved from a friendly small town in the midwest to a suburb of Washington, D.C., when my children were not yet old enough to attend school. My first shock came when we entered a grocery store and I smiled at the clerk who waited on us. No return smile! I tried smiling at people I'd pass and found not one friendly face. Weeks and months passed. Still whenever I reached out to smile or share a friendly word with a stranger, the only thing I received in return was a cold, or distant return glance. That was a very hard time of life for me.

I wonder if that's what God feels when He smiles down on us and we ignore Him. Jesus walked the earth and people refused to listen, denied Him, and killed Him. How His heart must have hurt to be dying for our sins while being rejected by the people He'd come to save. Each and every day, God smiles down on us with the blessing of another sunrise, another sunset, clothing on our backs, food for our stomachs, shelter, and more...so much more. Yet, few thank Him.

Today, I still smile and speak to strangers. Sometimes I get a smile in return, sometimes we strike up a conversation, but sometimes I get rejected. It still hurts. Sometimes I think an ungrateful word, or silently call them an unkind name. That isn't what Jesus would do. So, each day I try to remember to share my smile and kind word without expecting anything in return. How can I love others less than God does?

Blessed are the Merciful...

...For they will be shown mercy. (Matthew 5:7, NIV)

So many times, it is easy for me to see both sides of a issue. And, when someone is accused, it is easy for me to say things like "innocent until proven guilty." This works as long as it doesn't directly affect my family or someone close to me.

How do we show mercy when we have been injured? It isn't easy. God knows. He sees. And if we realize our mistake in placing judgement and ask forgiveness, He shows us mercy.

Showing mercy to another person doesn't mean we absolve them from sin. It is not up to us to do that. It's God's job.

I don't like to hear others condemning another without really knowing a thing about the situation. The media abounds with stories where it is easy to be judgemental. String him up! They should put her behind bars for the rest of her life! What if the accused person would be someone we know or someone in our immediate family? Would we respond with such bitter judgement?

Daily I ask God to forgive me of my sins. He sees me when I don't show mercy to others. But, He forgives me when I ask. And, then I pray for those whom I have accused. If God can be mericiful to me, a sinner, then I must try to be merciful to others.

Through the Storm

On Friday, we had a terrible storm. The sky was a strange yellowish green color as it rolled in with lightning and thunder just in time for rush hour. I am so frightened of lightning and the loud booms of thunder (which is why I avoid fireworks). The thought of having to drive to work in the storm had my muscles clenched in terror.

The rain pounded against the ground like the sound of horses galloping across an open plain. Before I made it out of our subdivision, a huge bolt of lightning complete with jagged forks of fire flashed in front of me. Hunching my shoulders, fingers tight on the steering wheel, I began to pray.

I prayed that God would not let me hurt anyone else on my journey, and that he would get me safely through the storm. I kept praying over and over those same words and then moved to repeating the 23rd Psalm. One mile down the road, the rain began to let up. The sky looked even more ominous, but no further lightning or thunder resounded across the sky. I only had three more miles to travel. I drove through deep puddles of water as the sky continued to whirl in deepening threat. I kept praying the 23rd Psalm, eyes on the road, and arrived at work. I walked into the building without having to put anything over my head to protect me from the rain.

As soon as I went through the double doors, the rain resumed with crashes of thunder and galloping horses.

I thanked God for sending Jesus to ride with me. Every day there are small miracles which occur. God is good, all the time.

Why God? Why?

I had a lunch conversation with a very dear friend not too long ago. We were discussing all the tragic things that happened over the past year in her oldest daughter's life. Truly, one thing after another had happened--a heart attack, followed by complications, a job loss, and a legal battle. My friend thanked me for all my prayers on their behalf. She stated her daughter couldn't understand why God had made all these things happen to her.

In these words, I saw myself a few years ago. When bad things happen, people are quick to blame God or to ask Him why. However, as I told my friend, God doesn't make bad things happen. He is with us always, helping us as we stumble along life's path. If we turn to Him and ask for His help, He will lift us up. How we deal with the potholes in the road says a lot about our faith.

When bad things happen we are quick to blame, but when good things happen, how often do we thank God?

True peace comes from having faith, believing in God's grace and mercy, asking for the things we need, and thanking Him for the blessings bestowed. God doesn't always answer our prayers in the way or even the timing we would like, but He is with us and He does listen. Trusting in God is the only way to reach true peace and tranquility.

May God be with you.

And A Little Child Shall Lead Them...

I've been trying to cheer Mom up and make her see the positive side of moving in with us. She's accepted it, and she acknowledges that it will be all right, but perhaps it's my own feelings of sadness for her that's causing the problem.

Last night I called her and she said she'd spoken to Julie (next to youngest daughter) and Kody and C.J. (Julie's sons aged 11 and 9). Those two wonderful boys have her excited about moving here now. Their enthusiasm and loving hearts reached across the miles and created a remarkable emotional healing.

Sometimes God works miracles through those who are willing to be shepherds.

Thank God for kids.

Have You Opened the Door?

Happy belated Easter!

Yesterday was a day of rejoicing the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. A day full of thankfulness, smiles, and love. Our latest sermon series has been Extreme Makeover, focusing on the different rooms of the house and how these relate to our lives. The room on the stage yesterday was the front porch, but the door to the house had no knob on the outside. Why?

Because there is no knob on the outside of our hearts. Jesus knocks, but we have to open the door to allow Him inside.

Have you opened the door yet?

*************

I spent a few hours on the phone with my mother yesterday. Her body is going downhill fast, but her mind is still active. That's so true for all of us really. Our minds are full of dreams, ideas, and good intentions, but sometimes we let our physical body and lives interfere. Live life well. God has a purpose for each of us. Open the door.

Have a blessed day and thanks for stopping by.

After the Dust Settles, Look for God

On Wednesday while getting my clothes out for work, I felt extreme pain in my thumb. Since I have arthritis,I'm used to these events; however,this time the pain did not go away. To make a long story short, I took off work and went to the doctor. Hubby drove. On our return, our house alarm trouble alarm was sounding.

If I had gone to work, I would have been in a Senior Manager's Meeting and my hubby wouldn't have known what to do. Thankfully, I was home and able to contact the right people to rectify the situation.

Three hours later, we had the alarm fixed and signal going to the alarm monitoring company, my telephone line corrected, and I had a thumb stabilizer to help with the medical situation.

Sometimes, God works in ways we don't see until after the dust settles.

But...How Do We Forgive?

Jesus said we need to forgive our enemies. I believe forgiveness is one of the hardest things to deal with as a Christian. When we are outraged at injustices, outright meanness, and blatant taking of innocent lives...how can we forgive?

In my own life, I have things that I find hard to let go of. When I'm upset, I pull out the old grudges and rattle them around like worry stones. They help me justify why I'm feeling like a doormat. I can wallow in self-pity and cry "poor me." In doing so, I'm not helping my situation at all. I know that. What I need to do is pray that God will help lift these things from my soul. I need to pray and turn these things over to Him. Only then will I be able to forgive and move on.

Life is full of love and happiness, when we let go and let God.

First Day of Lent

Have you decided what you are giving up for Lent? I've decided to give up my Diet Caffeine Free Cola. Love that stuff.

Do something nice for somebody today!

Back on My Feet

I had a stomach virus hit me on Wednesday night that put me in bed for two days. It hit me fast and hard and debilitated me. Hope you all had a better start to the New Year.

While I was lying in bed, I found very little to do. I flipped the television stations until I got to the Hallmark channel. I did enjoy watching some episodes of 7th Heaven. I'd never watched the show before. If you haven't seen it, I'd recommend it highly. It depicts the average, every day life of a family and the father is a minister.

I've always been in awe of our pastor. He is so diplomatic, so soft-spoken, and his sermons always touch me. He's a very sensitive man who is sometimes moved to tears when he tells of real-life emotional scenarios, which then starts my tear ducts leaking. I guess it's hard for me to relate to him as a husband and father for I seem to have him on this pedestal. But watching 7th Heaven made me see him as a person, with problems and issues to face, just as the rest of us do.

Sometimes God may stop our lives for a brief time, like he did mine. I'm thankful for the time to reflect on the many blessings He's given me.

Thanks for coming by and reading! May God bless you today and every day.

The Biggest Loser

I'm a fan of the television reality show, THE BIGGEST LOSER. Watching these people change their lives inspires me and touches my heart, and I rarely watch an episode without shedding a few tears. Tonight, I looked at the exrays of the insides of several contestants. Frightening how the fat can deposit in and around our internal organs.

It reminds me of how the devil sows seeds of doubt and greed to corrupt our minds and our hearts. And just as the personal trainers will open the doors to a new life for The Biggest Loser contestants, God can open new doors to eternal life for each and every one of us.

Hebrews 10:24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

God bless, and thanks for stopping in.

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.

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."