Let it go...

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.   Psalm 107:6

Going to Dr this morning. Please pray for guidance for him in treating me.  I have wrapped my head around it and will be good. I swear Dr Thomas suffers as much as I do...maybe more as he feels helpless at times to get me pain free. I keep telling him I truly don't expect that ever again.  But I am OK. I always tell my members (I work for Weight Watchers) that one of the most important things about our life journey and bumps in the road is "what did I learn"?  If we go thru these   Less than fun adventures, whether it is health, marriage, children, etc, and don't learn from our mistakes we have missed the point.  God is the ultimate teacher...His rules are the only ones that count. Here is my thought process after years of trying to "out God"God:  I am having troubles (pain let's say) I can no longer walk very well, run, even stand for long. OK. MOVING ON. what CAN I do? Get a cool wheelchair...first things first!   Enjoy my family, grandkids, friends, walking isn't pretty but it's walking, drive,  Can work on limited basis...blessings blessings blessings. Dwelling on what I can't do would sadly diminish  what I can do. Am I a POLLYANNA? Probably.  My sister used to say my ballon never landed.  And she was right. I held on to it and would not let go!  I no longer have that energy and I'm letting go all the time. Let go and let God...and it is soooo liberating. Should have learned it earlier!  But I'm passing it on to you. So with that I bid you a blessed day and ask you to be aware of your blessings for they are legion!!! That is all...over and out!  >^.^< 

Praise God!!! from whom ALL blessings flow!

[God] who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.

- Romans 8:11 (NRSV)

This is the reason He is always with us...He lives in our hearts if we are indeed a Child of God.  He is just not always jumping in to whatever is going on.  He is there for us to call on and has a firm handle on it. But we have to let it go to Him.   LET IT  GO!  I have found that days I am in more pain my mental  focus  ceases to exist.  I let it go because I can't deal with whatever it is. Hmm...think  that's what the Big Guy means. I am at my lowest and it just slips out of my hands into the hands that have been waiting for it all along. Holy Moly!  My pain doesn't go away but I am clearer on what is important and what is not. And pain is relative.  2 friends of mine have passed from this life in the last 5 days. If anything is going to make you prioritize your stuff that will. I harp on this a lot but dwelling on what I can't do anymore is useless and a waste of precious time.  What can I still do?  I can not work as much as I would like but I can still work. I can't walk very far at a time but I can really enjoy the walking I can do in a new way. I am more aware of people around me and their needs. I can't run around doing things for people but I can let them do for me...and this is BIG!  And people want to help. Seriously!  It's get help or stay home...not happening!  I am so blessed with a husband and  family that understands me and my mind set...such as it is! My poor husband is so good about watching me and trying to keep me in check but not get wringy when I set my mind to something. Don't know what I would do with out him. He is and always has been my rock and my voice of Reason. Praise God!!!    I am a really good object lesson for my grand kids.  They are so good about helping me always.  Helping me walk so I don't fall, doing chores at the house for me, asking to be sure I am comfortable. And they know to ask if its a good day or a bad day and can judge from there what I can and can't do. And they are always gracious about it. I do not just stay at home and have a pity party.  Just Sayin'.  Cuz you end up alone and precious time is GONE. Nope!  Not happening. I have learned not to push too hard. 

But I love life and am going to live it to the fullest as long as  I am able...changes and all. It's my life. And I still have stuff to do. And with God in my heart encouraging me its a sure thing!  He gives life to MY mortal body also through his Spirit that dwells in ME.Oh YEZ!  Let the blessings flow!  Amen!   Oh, and Happy Fourth of July!!!  

The Greatest Gift

By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.

- Ephesians 2:8 (NRSV)

The grace and love and forgiveness and peace Our Heavenly Father has for us is a gift.  It is there for the TAKING!  Seriously!  For the TAKING!!!  It is wrapped beautifully and waiting for us to take it. No check list of things to do to get it.  It is there and you just have to take it. Grab it, hug it to you, scream with joy.  But TAKE IT AND OPEN IT!  Jesus shed his blood, gave His life so that you could have this way beyond awesome gift. It is already yours. Just sitting there...all you have to do is take it, open it.  And want happens?  I don't know with you but for me His grace is the one thing I can count on without fail. He is there, He loves me, He will take my burdens, Be will walk this Earth with me and lead me. Does He make the path Golden and Problem free?  No. Does He show me how to cope with this world? Oh yes!   We still have to do our part but Holy Moly! With Him at our side ALWAYS what joy is in my heart!  I am always and I mean always asked how I keep my positive attitude.  Easy!  He lives!  If you are not enjoying your gift,  OPEN IT!  T*A*I*S!  Have a blessed day!!!  >^.^<

1. I serve a risen Savior
     He’s in the world today.
   I know that He is living,
     Whatever men may say.
   I see His hand of mercy;
     I hear His voice of cheer;
   And just the time I need Him
     He’s always near.
• He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
  He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
  He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
  You ask me how I know He lives?
      He lives within my heart.

Click on this link and you can hear the music!!!

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/503#ixzz2WZC80WCM

New bones!

The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden.

- Isaiah 58:11 (NRSV).

The make your bones strong of course jumped out at me this morning. One of my major health dilemmas is my weak bones as a result of 15 years of steroids I have taken to keep me alive because I have Addison's Disease. It sucks the life put of bones, hair, nails, skin...but keeps life in the rest of me. Praise God!!!  I cannot dwell on the negative because the positive is so wonderful. So it is with the negatives in life. They will suck the life out of your LIFE if you let them. Wouldn't it be much better to concentrate on what you have to enjoy and live for?  I always tell people that I am so blessed. They look at me in my condition and question me in their mind. But I am serious. I am still walking (not pretty but walking!). One day a girl asked me what I will say and do when I am NOT walking. I said I will use my really cool wheelchair. And say "Hey! I have the coolest wheelchair! It's red and black and white plaid.  Wanna race???"  And I am serious. I have learned life is short and I want to make the most of it and ENJOY IT...NOW!!!  That is what God wants for me. He wants me to be Happy Happy Happy! To quote Phil Robertson!! Make today the best you can. The more you put on your happy face the easier it becomes to wear it permanently and mean it!!! It's your life...Just Sayin' Blessings my friend! >^.^<  

Well done!

A voice came from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

- Matthew 3:17 (KJV)

 Last week I texted my sister that I knew Mother and Daddy were always proud of us. I know that is a strange thing at my age and given they have been gone for a long time. But that's just how my brain works.  Mother and Daddy never failed to tell us. When we were young and when we were grown and had a family of our own. They were always our biggest fans. According to them there was nothing we couldn't do if we wanted it bad enough. Granted, Nancy and I were pretty good kids, but I had friends that were good kids and the only encouragement they got was from MY parents!!!  We have a never failing  fan in our Heavenly Father. It matters not of we get it perfect, He is there to let us know we are His children in whom He is well pleased.  But there again you have to LET Him in your life to tell you that.  AMEN! My point here is that we all need to be told "well done". Occasionally.  From a boss, a friend, a parent, a spouse...(Even from a grandchild!  And that one is like gold! When I am struggling to walk and don't fall they are quick to praise me with a see Nana?  I knew you could do it! Oh my!  such joy in my heart!) By the same token we have to say it too.  Berating people can get to be a habit. But so can praising people. Which would you rather be known for?  Kids and grand kids don't always get "it" right but if you are there to praise for what they did get  right chances are much better they will try again and get closer.  The well placed "well  done.  I'm proud of you" is worth a zillion dollars...maybe more.  Just in case I haven't said it lately to my sons, daughters-in-law and grandkids- WELL DONE!  I am so proud of all of all you. I continue to be blessed alllllll over!!!! And my husband of 46 years ... he knows how proud I am of him on all levels!  Start spreading the word!  It costs nothing and will have as much of an impact on you as them!  You are all my family in whom I am sooooo well pleased. Praise God!!!!!   Have a blessed week!  >^.^< 

Give it up!

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

I have read that verse all my life. It means far more than just physically burdened.  It includes emotionally and spiritually as well.  And at this stage of my life I have learned to put my trust and faith and  whatever else I have in the One who is ALWAYS there.  The One who never let's me down. All I have to do is admit I need help. Earlier in my life I thought I could do it all myself. I thought I was putting it in his hands but my awesome Bible Study group years ago pointed out that I continued to hold on to a piece of whatever the problem was.  Thinking, I supposed, that if God didn't do it to my liking I would take over.  HAH!!! I won't say I learned the hard way, but it took me long enough to Let Go and Let God. But that is my manta these days.  Wow!  What took me so long?  Didn't He tell me over and over that He knew best for me?  That he had all the facts and I was fooling myself?  Well, I know it now and life, although still  has its moments of course, is in His hands!  WHEW!  How peaceful, how joyful, how wonderful!  I can do all all things BECAUSE He is with me...always! Every second! Rejoicing with me in the absolute wonder of life and His blessings...which are way too many to count!  AMEN!!!  >^.^< 

Live your life!

"The purpose of life is to live it, 

to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly 

and without fear for newer and richer experience."

—Eleanor Roosevelt: Former First Lady of the United States

Amen to that Sister Roosevelt!  Heaven knows we can all find a "poor me" excuse to sit and waste the day on a pity party. All that gets us is a lost day. We can't get it back. YIKES! 😱 what did we miss that day???  I'm a glass half full kind of person and my life is wonderfully blessed. That doesn't mean its all peaches and cream. In the last year I have had many health issues that have really changed my life and what I can and can't do. But I prefer to ignore what I can no longer do...after all I can NO LONGER DO IT!  And find new things I CAN do. That's the adventure of life!  And I am ready for the safari with God as my guide!  Are you with me? Lets go guys!   Have a blessed and wonder-filled day!!!  T*A*I*S!  >^.^< 

Purrrr-fect comfort!

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. ⁵ For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.  
2 Corinthians 1:3-5

 One of our old cats years ago was always purring. I asked the Vet about it and she said that was the cat's way of comforting itself. Interesting I thought. Recently I found something out about me...imagine that...  I hum when I am hurting. Strange no?  And I was doing it without even realizing it.  I have always been a hummer.  Ask Chris Crumpler. When he was a kid he was always teasing me about humming in church. (That was just to save the congregation from my awful singing.) But now I realize when I do it it's for comfort.  Gets my mind off the pain. But Prayer is my real comfort. It's like putting on a nice warm blanket and just letting all the stress, etc, drain out. And it's a constant thing. A running dialogue with the One that never gets tired of listening, always there ready to listen. My friend Jim Tillson told me one time prayer is like being on the back porch with God. And you know how much I love  the back porch. Comfort. We all need it from time to time. Purring, prayer, porch...it's all the same.  And the comfort all comes from the Great Comforter.  HE never gets it wrong...WOW!  Blessings blessings blessings my friends!!!  >^.^<

The gift is there...

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.   Hebrews 4:16. NIV

I love the comfort of that scripture.  But you do have to approach the throne. You do have to accept the gift of comfort.  Think I'll  just leave it at that today and let you use it in your life today as you need it.

Blessings my friends!  >^.^< 

A-W-A-R-E

AWARE...Always Watching And Ready to Encourage   ~Nana Jean~

My granddaughter was driving and we were leaving the school parking lot.  Out of nowhere a car full of girls pulled out, not looking and came within an inch...seriously...of hitting the SUV in front of us. There was no time to react if you were not aware of what was going on. And the car full of girls was laughing hysterically. . My granddaughter said," Wow!  She is crazy!  I better watch her!"  For a new driver to be that aware and understand the situation is so wonderful.  We have to be aware of what is going on around us to avoid problems, but also to lend help and assistance.  You can't help someone if you are wrapped up in your space only. It can be a me-me-me world and we have to break that cycle as much as we can. Think about your friends and family. There are a few people you can count on to drop everything,  and I mean everything, to come to your aid...mentally and physically and spiritually. You call, need help and they say "I'm there"....  Not "oh gosh let me move some stuff around and I'll call you back."  The list is short I can tell you. And the other side of this is how good are you as a friend?  My husband and my sister and one other friend can tell when I say hello on the phone how I am.  Even if I am trying to be happy-happy-happy!  That's how aware they are of me and my feelings. They are always watching and ready to encourage me!  Take stock of how aware you  are of people and situations around you. This includes strangers. So many times we just need to give a smile, a pat on the back or a quiet hug. Amazing what that will do for someone's day. You may never know how that person was affected, but you are sharing the love and joy and grace of God!  What an Awesome gift to give!  Be Always Watching And Ready to Encourage!   AMEN! Have a really blessed day my friends!!!  >^.^<

Unexpected outcomes...

In art there is no failure. Only unexpected outcome.  
From my Grandson, Andrew...from his teacher
Actual author unknown.

I love this.  That it came to me from one of my 9 year old grandsons  makes it even better. And so true. Everyone sees things differently. Art. Life.  Relationships. It's how we perceive something that makes the difference. As for life, it all comes out as God has it planned for us.  But we sometimes think "what the heck was that?"  God says ,"hold on, you'll see..."  Seriously, He says that a lot to me. I have learned to let go and let God, but it was a very long process.  And what we thought was going to be a total failure might just turn around to be the best thing ever happened to us...IF we let it.  It's the old " cup half full" thing. Uh oh...there it is again...we have to DO something.  Yup.  Life is all about participation. You have choices to make.  Let your life be good.  Let God take charge.  Revel in the  "unexpected outcomes"!  And be aware of your blessings...which are legion!!!  Amen and Amen!!!  That is all...over and out!  >^.^<

Follow, follow...

Chorus:
Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow,
I'll go with Him, with Him all the way.

Lyrics: Ernest W. Blandy

Music: John Samuel Norris

I love this hymn. It is a bit repetitive...sort of  like yoga for the brain. Following HIM is essential and no holding back. HE doesn't hold back from us!  One of our Schnauzers, Willie, was diabetic and we had to check his urine daily (now there's a picture for you!) so we knew how much insulin to give him. Eventually he went totally blind. He learned to adjust to it.  He was amazing.  I would clap my hands and call his name and he would immediately come toward the sound. Never hesitating. Trusting completely in me and my love for him. That's the instant reaction we should have with God. Who can you trust more with your life?  Who is ALWAYS there no matter the time or situation?  You are his main concern always...don't forget that! Have some Willie Trust!  That is all...over and out!  Have a blessed day!!! 🙏 

Patience...

³⁶ For you have need of patience, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise...   Hebrews 10:36

Ah, there's that word again...patience...I am getting better at it but that scripture really says it all.  The key is to LISTEN to what God is trying to tell us. Discern is the word used these days and at first it really annoyed me.  Discern.  Weird.  But I have learned to embrace that word when it comes to God and his whisperings to me. Nudgings really.  We have to be aware of His walk with is in our life. Are we letting Him walk with us?  Are we seeking His help and guidance?  Cuz He is there...we are not alone in this amazing thing we call our life!  Just use your "ears to hear and eyes to see"! We tend to make life harder than it needs to be.  We have the ultimate "call a friend"!  He has all the answers for us.  Lets accept His gift and make our life what He has planned for us!!!  I'm ready...how  about you???  Have a blessed week my friends!!!🙏 

No worries!

²¹ Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

I have a decision looming in my near future. I can worry  about it or I can think about it.  There is a difference. Worrying says I don't trust God.  Thinking says I do. I learned long ago that worrying is a waste of time.  Read the verse above.  Nuff said. Worry all you want. Because to worry is a concious decision you make. Your decide to worry.  Well how about deciding to trust God?  The thing about God's decision is that is is always the right one for you. Plain and simple.  Our decision on the other hand comes with toooooo much baggage and we often make them based on faulty intel.  Oh gosh...trusting God is such a no-brainer. Seriously!  But that doesn't mean you don't have to do your part.  Make good decisions every day and live your life with the joy and confidence and peace of mind that comes with knowing we are the children of God and abide in His love and care every minute of every day.  To quote the Aussies...No worries!  AMEN and AMEN!  T*A*I*S! 

Am I Aware?

¹² Ears that hear and eyes that see—  the Lord has made them both.  Proverbs 20:12

We have both eyes to see and ears to hear...but, and this is a big but...do we use them?  Or do we get so wrapped up in me me me that we ignore the opportunities presented to us to witness to some one in need?  And witness isn't thumping your Bible or standing on the street corner swinging your arm heavenward.  It is seeing opportunities to help some one, to bless them with a kind word, a smile, a quick prayer...whatever the situation seems to need. But you have to be aware of those times,  use your eyes to see and ears to hear.  Also it is the reaction to the nudge God gives us sometimes to do something we don't understand until it is done.  Then we say "AHA! That was you God!"  Praise God!!! For these moments. You don't have to look for them. Just allow yourself to be aware of what goes on around you.  Then "your eyes will see and your ears will hear".  

Words

Proverbs 15:1-4

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

OK.  I am posting this for myself. I freely admit it.  Not proudly, mind you...  Words that come out of our mouths are gone from us, but they hit someone else and we never know until its too late how it affected them.  And it is forever THERE.  Man, that's tough. On the other hand you also never know when a kind word will completely change some ones day or even life.  Think about something some one said to you in the past in comfort, praise or just encouragement.  Maybe just a smile when you needed it.  That person probably doesn't remember it but. YOU DO!  That's what's important.  If we can remember that BEFORE we speak...ah, that's the trick.  I continue to work at it.   Words should be like gifts wrapped in big silver bows.  And I love gifts...giving and receiving.    >^.^< 

Listening...

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?.......³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:“For your sake we face death all day long;   we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”^[j]

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor deamons,^[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.   Romans 8:31-32. 8:35-39. 

Discernment is not a bargain with God. It is not saying, "Hey God, how about I do (whatever) and you  do (insert bargaining tool) for me?"  Doesn't work that way. First of all HE does what is best best for is...ALWAYS...Without fail. Our problem is that what is best for us is not always what we want. So discernment means sitting back and listening to Our Heavenly Father. (And you know me and  listening!  Not one of my better traits. However, I am really learning it has sooo many advantages-none the least of which is that I get into less troule!). Just as with our children and grandchildren we want what is best for them. Doesn't always make us popular but there you are!  One of my grandsons said the most wonderful thing to me a few weeks ago. "Nana, do you know why I love to come to your house?"  I said, " because you love me?"  He said, " well that too.  But you let us do most stuff unless its going to hurt us"!  He couldn't have said anything to make me happier!  Just apply that to God and how he feels about you. Discernment=freedom!  Once you listen and discern what He wants for you the decision is made!  Freedom to move on with our life and know it is blessed and we are 2 B2BS!!!  To blessed to be stressed!  Amen...That is all...over and out!  Have a blessed week...listening.  T*A*I*S! 

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 
 Proverbs 3:5.  

No worrying. Worry takes time and energy and focus...all of which is wasted when spent on worrying. And worrying tends to let our own blessings slide by without our enjoying them.       Holy Moly!  No can do!   My Mother was a great worrier. And I do mean great!  "Black Belt in  Worrying" great.  Daddy was not.  I learned early on to give Mother one thing to worry about and then she focused on that and the little things slipped by. Worked great!  But nothing slips by God.  Seriously. I've tried. (silly girl!) However, worry is not one of my things. I have learned to go to prayer and release whatever I think is a problem and move on. There's that thinking thing again that gets us in trouble. Rarely do we have all the information on whatever it is we are want to worrying about. (And make no mistake...worrying is a choice) We jump to the "glass half empty" attitude and assume it's doom and gloom. And the worrying begins.  UGH!  Not to say some things don't give me pause...But I don't really worry.  I try to decide if I can do anything to help and usually the answer is: PRAY!  Trust in The Lord.  Lean not on my own understanding.  Do I think I know more than God?  Forget about it... Turn it over to the only ONE  that can take care of it correctly. Then move on with your life and enjoy the blessings HE has in store for you today.  And have a blessed day.  That is all...over and out!    >^.^<