Re-Gifting

Re-Gifting

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12

Regifting is frowned upon….usually. However did you ever stop to think  we are SUPPOSED to Regift some gifts? Like the grace and love and encouragement we get from God!  He gives us those gifts continually in hopes we WILL regift them!  It is our duty to pass on the love God gives us so freely to those we encounter that are in need. A warm smile to a passing stranger can do wonders….for both of you. Encouragement to a child or a senior citizen having basic life problems. And believe me I've been on the receiving end of this one. I have walking issues and nothing warms my heart more or makes me feel better than when a stranger goes the extra mile to help me walk, or get my walker out of the car or groceries In the car or navigate a curb. I must admit I am not too shy to ask for the help either. One true story on this line that I have always loved: I had been grocery shopping and was at the back of my car getting all the bags transferred to my trunk. My sons and families were coming that weekend so I had bought a 24 pack of beer. A nice young man in the store helped me get it in my basket but now I had to get it in the car.  I looked around and spied 3 young men laughing and talking headed my way.  I motioned to them and they came right over. I asked if they could please put the beer in my car. They said of course and were so sweet. As they closed the truck I thanked them and said I was so happy to provide them with a good story to retell….helping an old crippled lady get her beer in the car!  They looked at me very soberly then burst out laughing and one of them Said ,”That's exactly what I was thinking!”  The Joy of life is out there my friends. The world is your glass and it is way more than half full!  So enjoy every minute of it. 🌸🙏AMEN & AMEN!🙏🌸 

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!!!  >^.^<