My Writing

There are so many people out there who are much more articulate with their writing than I. All of you who read my postings; those who hit like and particularly those who comment whether good or bad are really appreciated. Many of you encourage me to put my thoughts in a book. At my age, unlike Grandma Moses, I don't think I have the wherewithal to do that. Perhaps someday when I'm no longer walking this earth, one of my family members will want to tackle that project.

Some people paint or draw; some people write music. Others , like me find thoughts racing through their minds and eventually coming out the ends of their fingers. Not sure how other people who create feel but it feels to me if my thoughts don't get out, my head will burst.

I write poetry sometimes while always wishing creative poetic words would just easily flow into print at will. But, it doesn't happen that way. My poetry has always come at the point where someone I love is hurting; something in my life is pressing on my mind or I'm just full to overflowing with joy at some event. Most poems come in the night. If they aren't captured on paper, they are gone the next morning. Perhaps I'm just weird that way.

I'm an avid reader. At times, there are three or more books laying about in several forms; just started, half way through or almost finished. Why the story lines don't get jumbled in my head in confusion I'm not sure, but somehow each story seems to individualize.

Okay, enough about me. This is to you because I do appreciate my faithful readers. And, I do remember those who read and like each day. Hopefully, you are reading because you are interested and not just because it popped up on your screen.

I appreciate all of you, my friends...........

"So encourage each other to build each other up, just as you are already doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11Living Bible (TLB)

 

The Red Leaf

There it was.....a beautiful leaf of the brightest red color lying on top of one of our shrubs. While my husband was making coffee, I looked out the window toward the road. Vehicles were passing, throwing up sprays of water from the two and a half inches of rain that had fallen. I saw the rain clouds hovering over the pasture across the road; raindrops splattering against the window and the wind blowing what few leaves are left on our trees. Then, my eyes fell on that one red leaf lying among the brown ones that had landed on that shrub; the only bright spot in all of the area I could see.

As I stood there admiring that bright spot in the midst of a dreary morning, I recalled walking into my elderly mother's kitchen. She was usually sitting in her rocking chair reading her bible. Or, perhaps she was stirring something on top of her stove. Whatever she was doing, she looked toward me and her blue eyes, dimmed with age now, lit up and a smile came across her face.

"Well, am I glad to see you" she would always say. To her, I was that bright spot in the midst of an otherwise bleak and uneventful day. I was that red leaf in the midst of the rain to my mother.
Are you that bright spot in someone's life? I have to admit that after my mother left this life in exchange for her Heavenly home, I haven't been much of a bright spot in anyone's life. I know there are friends who are in nursing homes who would smile and say "Well, am I glad to see you" if I would just take the time to visit. There are those who are shut in and sit all day just hoping their phone will ring bringing a bright spot into their life but they never get a call from me. Some wait, anticipating perhaps a card or note that would brighten their day and let them know they are thought about.

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16The Message (MSG)

I hate to admit it, but I'm not much of a light-bearer for our Lord. Too many times, my bright, red leaf is hidden under a bushel basket.

Where is your light?

"Toto, We're Not In Kansas Anymore"

"Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

If you remember L. Frank Baum's story about Dorothy and her dog Toto being caught in the path of a tornado, then you remember that line from the Wizard of Oz.

Yesterday, I thought about that line when I saw the videos of crazy people fighting over whatever they could get their hands on in stores across the nation. I thought to myself, "Not only are we not in Kansas anymore, are we really in America? Is this brawl actually happening in our country? Can you believe two women actually came to blows over a vegetable strainer??"

Black Friday, which should really be called Black and Blue Friday, had arrived. I feel sure there were some people who felt that truly, they had been caught in the path of a tornado. I wonder if the store owners/managers felt all the hype about sales was worth the destruction they were witnessing as big screen T.V.'s came crashing to the floor; jewelry cases where smashed into smithereens and displays they had spent hours on were wiped out in seconds.

Most of the people, when entering the stores, didn't expect to be caught up in a brawl. Some families make Black Friday a part of their holiday experience. The ladies in particular, enjoy the shopping experience with each other and never intend to get in the middle of a wrestling match. But, in times like these, gang mentality takes over. One person wants what someone else has; wrestles it from them; friends see what is happening and jump in to help. Next thing you know, an all out war has been waged within four walls and innocent people are soon being knocked about just because they were there.

You know, we could compare this with the way Satan works. He entices people with thoughts of pleasure; enjoyment for a time; acquiring wonderful things; being with friends for a day of carefree fun. Now what could be wrong with that? Once people are drawn in by Satan's promises, he blinds their eyes and it's difficult to get out unscathed.

"Satan, who is the god of this evil world, has made him blind, unable to see the glorious light of the Gospel that is shining upon him or to understand the amazing message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is God." 2 Corinthians 4:4Living Bible (TLB)

You're right, Dorothy, we're not in Kansas anymore. Instead, we are in a world where evil exists on every side and it will take more than a wizard to change the minds of those whom Satan has deceived.

Dim Those Lights!

"I'm so glad you all drove over.  Drive carefully and watch for deer. I love you!" our daughter #2 said as we headed out after spending the day celebrating Thanksgiving with the family.

I always dread driving after dark even though my husband is a good driver.  And, I particularly dread driving back highway 23 and 45 because of the deer population.  They don't seem to care about anything but crossing the road whenever they choose.

We leave the five lane highway at Hindsville and head on the two lane back to our home.  The headlights of oncoming traffic on the five lane when it's crowded with people heading to their Thanksgiving destination or leaving from work isn't pleasant but, it's nothing like the two lane we have to travel through the deer infested woods.

"You would think people would have the courtesy to dim their headlights when they meet you on this narrow road, wouldn't you?" I said to my husband, " people must be headed to the mall to shop.  They sure do seem to be in a hurry, not caring if they pass on a yellow line or fail to dim their lights."

I was taught when learning to drive years ago that when you meet oncoming traffic, you clicked the dimmer switch, which was located in the floor board.

"If I was guessing, I bet most young people don't even know there is a dimmer switch on their vehicles.  I'm not sure what the excuse is for those older people who don't dim their lights," I said, as I fumed about the blinding lights; especially those new blue ones that feel like a laser when they hit your eyes.

When we finally pulled into our drive, I was exhausted from seeing those blinding lights and trying to see any deer who might be thinking about making a mad dash across the road.

Years ago, young people were taught to respect their elders; to respect each other and, if necessary, put their wants on the back burner. By 18, a lot of young adults were beginning their own families, careers or a few went to college. They had to be respectable in those days if they wanted to retain their jobs or find favor with their college professors. Society has changed....our government has changed.....respect is not something easily found anywhere and that includes behind the wheel of a vehicle. 

Young people and older adults as well have programmed themselves to the idea that rudeness, thoughtlessness and disrespect are a way of life. We live in a Me society. If it's okay with me, then it should be okay with you.  I will do my thing; you do yours and we will get along fine.  Never mind if I shove my way in front of you in line or I fail to dim my headlights when I meet you. And, should you get in my way on the highway, I might just as soon shoot you as not. I'm comfortable with what I do and that's all that matters.......just stay out of my way.

Galatians 5:22 in The Living Bible tells us this:

^"But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,   gentleness and self-control"

How many of us are allowing the Holy Spirit to control our lives? Are we exhibiting those attributes?  If I was guessing, very few of those bright, blaring headlights were being controlled by someone who lives by those verses.

Think about this when you are traveling at night. You might be meeting some old people like us on the highway who were taught to dim our lights and we always appreciate those who do the same.

Thanksgiving 2015

“Do you want me to carry the food to the dining table or can we just fill our plates here in the kitchen?” Daughter # 2 asked as we were preparing to enjoy another Thanksgiving dinner.

“What does everyone want to drink? Tea, water, Coke?” inquired Daughter # 1, as she removed the tall glasses from the cabinet.

What a fun time our family has when we get together for a meal. There is always so much laughing and talking and sharing memories with one another. There have been times when it was just our immediate family and times when we have had as many as forty friends and family seated at tables throughout our home at Thanksgiving.

What is it about setting down to a bountiful dinner that makes our hearts sing for joy? Is it the turkey and dressing, the green bean casserole or broccoli casserole and orange junk topped off by desserts of all kinds? Oh, the food definitely helps but the main reason for joy is that we are all together in one place sharing the love we have for each other.

When we get to Heaven, will we be seated at a table with our loved ones around and Jesus at the head? I don’t know if there will be a need for food or drink in Heaven but “The Angel said to me, “Write this: ‘Blessed are those invited to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.’” He added, “These are the true words of God!” Revelation 19:9 The Message

No, I don’t know what Heaven will be like. I only know that we will be content there for eternity. It would be all the better if all of our loved ones were there also so we could fellowship just as we do here on earth.

What about you and your family? Will you be together one day in Heaven?

“We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!” I Corinthians 13:12 The Message

Sunshine In My Window

I love standing at our kitchen sink in the wintertime. The sun has moved just far enough south that by midmorning the sun streams in and warms up our home. Oh, there are those dull, sunless, cold, rainy, blustery days in the winter. We have learned to expect that. But, when the sun comes up in the east early in the morning and frost glistens on the windows, my soul just feels lighter and my heart wants to sing.

I know we need the rain. And, sometimes I enjoy sitting and listening to it hitting the roof. It's enjoyable sometimes to sit in our window seat, look out over the yard and watch the raindrops hit the ground with a splash. But, when it has been dreary and raining for several days , you open the shades and the sun bursts forth and you feel so much better! Isn't it amazing what the sun can do for ones heart and soul?

It's amazing what the Son can do for our souls, too. He can make our hearts sing when we realize just how much He loves us and what He has done for us by coming into the world to forgive our sin.
" I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will praise God to my last breath! May he be pleased by all these thoughts about him, for he is the source of all my joy." Psalm 104:33-34 (TLB)

One day just as the rain comes down from the Heavens, so will our Lord come down for His people. Much like I draw back the curtains to see the morning sun, the curtain of time will be drawn back to reveal the true Son.

"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NKJV)

Are you looking forward to His return?

Genna's 16th birthday

In 1999, I was asked to teach a seminar at the Wedding Professional Photographers International in Las Vegas. John and I were in our hotel room at the end of the day when the phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Mom! What’cha doin’”, Daughter # 2 inquired.

“Well, your dad and I are just recouping from a very long and tiring day. What’s up?”

“Are both of you sitting down?” She said.

“Well, actually, we’re stretched out here on the bed. Is that close enough?”

She laughed, “Yea, I guess. We just wanted to let you know that you’re going to be grandparents again.”

“OH MY GOODNESS!” was my initial reaction. “When?”

“In about eight months and we are SO excited and so are the girls!” she said.

Our two granddaughters had been begging for a brother or sister for ages and now their wish was going to come true.

Granddaughter # 3 made her entrance into the world. I had assumed it would take several hours for her to arrive so, while John had stayed with the little girls, I packed books, magazines, etc. in a bag and headed to the waiting room. I should have realized it wouldn’t take long for this grandchild’s arrival if she arrived as fast as Granddaughter # 2. The waiting room was near Daughter # 2’s room and it wasn’t long until I heard a baby crying. I rushed down the hall to the viewing room and there she was; screaming at the top of her lungs with her daddy standing and looking at her.

“Isn’t she the most beautiful baby?” He said.

“She certainly is.” was my reply.

Very soon, we were joined by another set of grandparents, a granddad and two very excited little girls, who couldn’t wait to see the little sister they had wanted for so long.

Happy 16th birthday, Genna Grace, you have truly been a delight for our family. Your sisters have loved you and helped you learn a lot of things even though sometimes they wonder why they ever wanted another sibling. All joking aside, you are such an outgoing, loving, talented young lady who loves the Lord, and we can’t wait to see what He has waiting for you in the future!

“Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother’s womb.
I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I’d even lived one day.” Psalm 139:13-16 The Message

The Winter of Life

The cold winds have arrived taking most of the leaves from the trees in our yard. The temperatures dropped through the night and snowflakes glistened as they fell softly to the earth. We begin to dread the ice and inches of snow that surely will come with the season.

Winter is here………….

Each season comes in God's timing. During the cold winter months, we can sit by the fire, watching the snow fall and dream of spring flowers and budding leaves.
 
Spring arrives………….

We plant gardens thinking somehow that will hurry the warm sun and gentle breezes. Kids bring out their kites, praying for enough March wind to take them up into the clouds.

Summer comes.............

Scorching sun beats down on our bodies; flip flops are dug out; cool shorts replace the sweat pants. Kids beg to go swimming; men hurry from work so they can play golf or watch their off spring play some sport.

Then fall…………….

“Can you believe fall has arrived?” we ask our friends. Kids bemoan the beginning of school while college students begin to pack up and head for their college dorms. Football games begin and thousands of fans line the bleachers, shouting wildly for their favorite team.

Then as in nature, the winter of our live is here.

When we are young, in the springtime of life, time seems to move very slowly. We gather our neighborhood friends in the nearest field to fly kites. We grab sweaters and play hide and seek in the twilight. We listen for the thunder as lightening crosses the sky and wonder if this is the night we will spend in our cellars. New calves are born; new babies are born into families to begin the springtime of their lives.

Summertime in our lives and we are busy with our growing families. Work takes up the majority of time for both mothers and fathers, and we never seem to slow down. We are frantically running a taxi service for our children, who seem to have a plethora of activities.

Then the fall of life..... Sometimes, we feel our job in life is finished now that our children are raised and off on their own beginning their own families. Life begins to slow down a bit and we find time for ourselves. Oh, we continue to work but it’s easier to get there on time with no kids to get off to school. On the weekends we travel to our kid’s college and watch football games with them. Or we make a trip to see our grandchildren.

Winter of life is here. How did it arrive so fast? Wasn’t it just yesterday we were playing with neighborhood kids? Wasn’t it just last month we were running a taxi service taking our kids here and there? Didn’t we just rock our children and grandchildren?

Winter……..a time to reflect on life; time to slow down and think about our past and wonder if what we have done in life amounts to anything. We have wrinkles; our steps are slow; our hearing isn’t as keen as it once was. Travel is something we would rather talk about than do. We still dread the ice, because of the inconvenience and because old people tend to fall in icy places.

Yes, the winter of life. Many of us who have reached that place wish we could go back and relive the many things we took for granted along the way. If we are Believers, we don’t dread death but we dread the pain that sometimes proceeds it. And, we don’t want to think about the inconvenience we might be to our children.

God has given us life. He knows the length of our days just as He knows the number of hairs on our head. And, He has promised to be with us whatever season we are in.

"For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels won’t, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God’s love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are—high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean—nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us." Romans 8:28-29 TLB

Blooms and Weeds

There are a lot more exciting things going on in the world than two big blue tractors. But, to my husband and me, those big blue tractors were like a gift from God.

Let me explain.........ever since highway 62 in front of our home was widened to five lanes, the highway was raised several feet and the right of way along each side was seeded with various plants, the "ditch" we use to have became a "canyon". Before that change, Husband was able to keep the ditch mowed, along with our almost three acres of lawn.

This spring, the flowers along the right of were beautiful; first the yellow ones popped up among the green grass. Next, the pink ones raised their heads and people would comment about how beautiful the roadway was. Slowly, the flowers begin to die and in their place grew a concoction of nasty, brown weeds. As summer faded into fall, those weeds grew higher and higher and dryer and dryer. Sadly, there was nothing we could do but look out our windows and lament about how we wished for the spring flowers rather than this mess.
  
Low and behold, last week two big blue tractors came to our rescue. The wide mowers they were pulling began to climb up and down the right of way canyon taking down the nasty brown weeds and leaving only a bit of green showing here and there. Later, there were men with big weed eaters trimming around the hard to reach places. About every other day , there are men with orange vests walking along, picking up trash along the highway and even down the "canyon". If you have never seen two old people doing a happy dance, you should have seen us when those big, blue tractors showed up. Oh, we know next spring there will be those beautiful yellow and then pink flowers among the green grass just as we know there will come a concoction of nasty, brown weeds once more.

In life, there are those times when, like the flowers in spring, everything is beautiful. Then there are those times when everything looks bleak and brown and nasty. We look at those bad times and wish for the good. What we must realize is that God sees the good times in our lives and He sees the bad. And, He is working through all of those times to bring us to the place He wants us. The main thing we need to remember about God’s timing is that it is perfect. God's timing for those flowers was as perfect as His timing for the nasty weeds. His timing for our good moments and our bad moments are not a mystery to Him because He is in control of everything.

How do you handle the bleak times in your life?

"As for God, his way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him." Psalm 18:30 NIV

There Is A Way That Seems Right Unto Man

The religious leaders in the time of Christ felt they were doing the right thing. They were abiding by the laws that had been set up for them. They were under Roman law and were quick to enforce it. When Jesus came on the scene and made it known that He was the Son of God; began ignoring the laws, the religious leaders were quick to find a way to get rid of Him. Thus, the mock trial and Jesus crucifixion.

" There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12 NIV

No doubt those Romans felt they were right. After all, this was the law that had been in affect for years. Satan was alive and well then just as he was in the Garden of Eden. He blinded the eyes of these men.

Muslims and other religions other than Christianity believe they are right. After all, these religions go back many centuries. As for Muslims, they believe God is revealed through Muhammad and his teaches override any other. Could Satan have blinded their eyes also.

It must be difficult for Muslims to accept the rule of a Christian nation since for centuries they were abiding by the laws that had been set up for them by Muhammad and they had been ruling in the Middle East over populations, including Christians. It is appropriate in their minds, therefore, for Muslims to be ruling over Christians. Here again, Satan has blinded their eyes.

We know that Satan realizes who God is. He realizes that his time is short on this earth and he knows his fate. So, he is working doubly hard to gather everyone away from the one he knows is the One True God.

It is my feeling that we need to get our hearts right with God and then pray much for not only His protection, but His will; particularly in regard to our government leaders. We know God is not the author of confusion; He will guide those in government who are willing to be guided. We need to pray for the salvation of unbelievers and thirdly, we need to check the facts before passing on information that might be erroneous. This I certainly something I need to do.

C. S. Lewis, in "Mere Christianity" said this : “Suppose one reads a story of filthy atrocities in the paper. Then suppose that something turns up suggesting that the story might not be quite true, or not quite so bad as it was made out. Is one’s first feeling, `Thank God, even they aren’t quite so bad as that,’ or is it a feeling of disappointment, and even a determination to cling to the first story for the sheer pleasure of thinking your enemies as bad as possible? If it is the second then it is, I am afraid, the first step in a process which, if followed to the end, will make us into devils. You see, one is beginning to wish that black was a little blacker. If we give that wish its head, later on we shall wish to see grey as black, and then to see white itself as black. Finally, we shall insist on seeing everything - God and our friends and ourselves included - as bad, and not be able to stop doing it: we shall be fixed for ever in a universe of pure hatred.”

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all live like we did as little children; protected and loved by our parents and family? Wouldn't it be great if all we had to be concerned about was when dinner would be served rather than if we had anything for dinner? We don't live in Alice's Wonderland. Instead we live in a world of confusion, hatred, lying, stealing, and killing.

Our only hope is in Him.

But, that should be enough.............

The Rainbow

There is nothing more beautiful after a storm than a rainbow. As I saw the beautiful rainbows after the hard rain yesterday, I am reminded of God's love for us.

"For I will see the rainbow in the cloud and remember my eternal promise to every living being on the earth.” Genesis 9:16-17 TLB

Most of us remember from the time we were small hearing the bible story of Noah and the ark. Still yet,we picture in our minds all the animals lined up two by two waiting to enter the ark. It was a neat story; especially if it was told by someone using a flannel board and cut outs of animals. As children, had we really considered the idea that the whole world was covered in water and people and animals were dying in the swirling waters, it might not have been such an intriguing idea.

God had destroyed sinful man by way of a flood. His covenant in Genesis assures us that all human beings and all living things are loved by God yet, He abhors sin. His way of ridding the earth of sinful was by wiping out all but a few via the flood and beginning again.

The rainbow is mentioned numerous times in the bible. One of those times is John's vision of Heaven showing yet another rainbow this time circling the throne of God.

" Great bursts of light flashed forth from him as from a glittering diamond or from a shining ruby, and a rainbow glowing like an emerald encircled his throne." Revelation 4:3 TLB

I'm not a theologian but could it be the rainbow John saw was just a reminder that God had not forgotten His promise in Genesis because if God makes a promise, He keeps His promise?
Just as God promised to never destroy the earth by floods, He also made another promise:

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 NIV

God chose to save the righteous from death in Noah's time. And, He chooses to save the righteous in the end times if we accept His Son to be our Savior.

"For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 TLB

The Me Generation

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7: 14 KJV

God was referring to the nation of Israel; His chosen people, in this verse. However, I don't think God's ideas have changed about what His people need to do for God to forgive their sins and heal their land.

Why are we seeing so many terrible things in our world There have always been wars and rumors of war even on our own soil. Yet, we continue in our wicked ways giving thought to God only when we are in trouble. As long as there is "sin in the camp" God will not bless us as a nation.

As in the Old Testament, we now have a generation that has grown up giving little thought to God. They are seekers of pleasure and are definitely the "Me Generation". We see turmoil on college campuses because their feelings have been hurt by something another person said. The old adage "Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me" is something the Me Generation hasn't learned.

We are no better than the nation of Israel when it comes to the way we have raised this generation.
"Eventually that entire generation died and was buried. Then another generation grew up that didn’t know anything of God or the work he had done for Israel." Judges 2:10 MSG

Are we better as adults? How many care so little about others that they will lie and steal to get what they want? How many have such little respect for themselves that they refuse to work and want the government to provide for them. God doesn't condone laziness.

"Now here is a command, dear brothers, given in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ by his authority: Stay away from any Christian who spends his days in laziness and does not follow the ideal of hard work we set up for you." 2 Thessalonians 3:6 TLB

If we truly want God to heal our land; protect us from our enemies and bring about peace, then we need to take a long , hard look at our lives and realize that if there is sin there, our prayers to God are useless. The only prayers God hears from a sinner is the prayer for salvation. Otherwise, the prayers of sinners are useless.

" God doesn’t listen to evil men, but he has open ears to those who worship him and do his will." John 9:31 TLB

If we want the prayers for our nation to be heard and answered by a Mighty God, I believe we have some house cleaning to do in our own lives.

Atrocities in the World and Forgiveness

We see all of the atrocities in our world; bombings, unrest on college campuses, and so many other things. Yet, our God commands us to forgive. He doesn't command us to forgive only those small things we encounter every day in life but the bigger things as well. I can't begin to list all of the times in the Old Testament where God brought about justice for injustice. But, I do know that He tells us vengeance is His and not ours.

Where are you on the chart of forgiveness? Does it rank right up there with one of the hardest things you have to do or do you forgive easily?

I must confess that forgiveness for me is difficult. Just when I think I have forgiven someone, Satan brings to mind the offense of that one I have chosen to forgive and I am on that merry-go-round once more. And, from what I read in the social media, I’d say there are others who have difficulty forgiving.

I don’t believe forgiveness is a onetime thing. I think we have to continually pray that God will help us to forgive that individual that has hurt us. After all, when Peter came to Jesus and ask how many times he must forgive someone, Jesus didn’t hesitate. He said "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:22 NIV.

Jesus knew me well; He knew the difficulty I have in letting go of offenses so He allows me to continue to forgive even if it takes a lifetime.

Someone shared with me that if I would pray for that individual every time their offense was brought to mind, it would be much easier for me to let go of the hurt. I will admit I did try that and it did help……at least for a time until Satan saw me getting a little too comfortable with the ease of forgiveness and he drug it up again; put it directly in my path so I couldn’t miss it.

When we pray for God to intervene in that person’s life and realize that God loves them as much as He loves each of us, then perhaps, forgiving gets a bit easier. After all, God has promised that He will take care of the sins of others and I don’t have to.

What a relief that is!

“Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.” Romans 12:19 The Message

War and Terrorist Attacks

Wars and terrorist attacks are not new to the French people. In 1572 there was the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre when thousands of French Protestants were killed. Then the 1789 French Revolution, World War I and June of 1940 when German soldiers marched into Paris arresting almost 13,000 Jews, including over 4,000 children; confining them for a time and then transporting them to Auschwitz.......none of those 4,000 children ever came back. Muslims began the latest blood bath ...in January of this year when two French citizens, who were Muslim extremists attacked the headquarters of a satirical magazine killing several. And, now this latest attack on the people of Paris from an extremist group bringing death and destruction once again to the people of the City of Light.

Our immediate family is deeply touched by this tragedy. Both daughters, a son-in-law and four grandchildren have all been to France. Daughter # 1 and her family have been there numerous times and speak fluent French. Daughter #2 has been there and also has taught French for many years.
All of us naturally ask "Why......why would a good God allow such tragedy?" That's not a new question. Remember the book of Job? None of us know why bad things happen. We understand in this recent case the Muslim extremists want to eradicate all Christians and Jews because they have been taught that from the Quran. Notice that Jesus didn't say you might have trouble, He said we WILL have trouble.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV

No matter how hard we try, we will never understand the workings of God. However, we do know that He gave us this promise:

"For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."I Corinthians 13:12 NIV

Our faith comes into play when tragedy happens. As Believers, we don't need to know the "why" of everything. We just need to trust and believe that our Creator; the God of the universe will bring even the worst tragedy into good.

And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans. Romans 8:28 TLB

Continue to pray for the people of Paris and trust in our Heavenly Father to bring about justice.

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19

The Carefree Days of Childhood

Ah, those carefree days of childhood.........

I recall when I was growing up, Saturday was the time for visiting on the square. The merchants always kept their stores open late and usually enjoyed a pretty hefty business. Of course, when I was growing up, there wasn’t a highway running right through the middle of town so the kids could run all over the shaded, circular, park like area. We would climb over the benches and chase each other until our faces were beet red and we would fall over on the grass to cool off. Parents would sit around visiting in the park or stroll around the square, stopping occasionally to window shop or go inside to see what new merchandise was on display. In the early years, there was a bandstand, and as I recall, there was always band music being played by the school band or occasionally, an older person who was still young at heart and enjoyed playing their instrument of choice.

When I was a child there wasn't the fear of kidnapping or drive by shootings. What fun it was to play hide and seek on the square with so many old buildings to hide behind. It was particularly fun at dusk when the street lights came on. We would hide and wait for the shadows of a friend hunting our hiding place. As their shadows grew closer, we would jump out and everyone would run screaming with excitement.

Cold weather didn't deter folks from gathering on the square. Everyone just wrapped up, putting on their mittens, caps and brightly colored scarves. Kids would chide each other seeing who could blow the most hot air into the cold evening atmosphere. When December came, merchants began decorating their windows, brightly colored Christmas lights and candy canes. Some had "Merry Christmas" painted on their windows. We would stand so close to the windows with dreams of Santa Claus in our heads that our breath would fog up the windows. Sometimes flakes of snow would begin falling and we would stagger around with our mouths open to the sky; tongues stuck out, hoping to catch the cold flakes. When we were chilled to the bone, we would go inside one of the stores to warm up and listen to the Christmas music that was playing in most of them.

I have often wondered if the generations that have come since could be entertained as easily. Have we grown so accustomed to being mesmerized by the TV or the internet that we have forgotten how to visit with our neighbors? Are our activities so organized for us that we run ourselves crazy with one parent carting one kid to soccer while the other takes another child to dance? Then everyone falls into bed exhausted from all the activities. Is there no time spent together as a family just enjoying each other without having our cellphones set on ready and certainly within arm’s reach? Do we even know our neighbors or the merchants in town? Do we even care to know them?

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”Mark 12:30-31 NIV

Telling Time

“When you learn to tell time, we’ll get you a watch,” my daddy said one day as I looked longingly into the jewelry case at the jewelry store. So, I worked very hard looking at the alarm clock by my parent’s bed and drawing clocks showing different times of day until I finally had it mastered.

Daddy found it at a pawn shop and knew it was just want I needed. It was a beautiful Mickey Mouse watch with a red, plastic band. I wore that little watch not even wanting to remove it to take a bath. It was set with the big hall clock at school and I knew exactly when the recess bell or lunch bell would ring. I knew when my mother said be back home from a friends at a certain time so there was no excuse for tardiness.

A watch can tell us a lot of things; particularly the new Apple watches. But, one thing it cannot tell us is when our Lord will return for those of us who are Believers. Are you waiting and watching for His return?

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36 NIV

On Veterans Day Let's Pray for Peace

I see the faces of loved ones on your pages; some returned to join their families and some were lost to a cruel war. I'm thankful for the many years my husband served during peace time with the 142nd Field Artillery. I am thankful he didn't have to see combat on a foreign field but I know he would have gladly gone should the need have arisen.

War is a horrible thing. It's something that has been waged since early times. Genesis 14:14-16 tells that Abram heard a relative had been taken captive, he called 318 men to pursue and attack. They were successful and returned the relative.

What should we do during wartime? First of all, we must pray for our government leaders as well as our military leaders that they will look to God for answers. We need to pray for the safety of our military and for the families they leave behind. We need to pray for those men and women who have returned; some so shattered physically and mentally, they have to live on the streets. And, more than anything, we need to pray for the return of the Lord when there will be no more war.

In God's word, we find the Lord talking to Isaiah about Judah and Jerusalem. The Lord gave Isaiah a promise.

"The Lord will settle international disputes; all the nations will convert their weapons of war into implements of peace. Then at the last all wars will stop and all military training will end." Isaiah 2:4 (TLB)

Let's continue to pray for peace....................

A Red Solo Cup

If you are a Hog fan, you were on pins and needles the last few seconds of Saturday's game. How many of us Believers get that excited about our Lord? How many would sit on hard bleachers; many times in the rain and freezing cold, to see an athletic event or even a concert, yet we find it inconvenient and tiring to sit for an hour in the warmth of the house of God? We know now how the game ended Saturday and if you have read the last chapter in God's Word, you know how life's game ends. You just don't know when..........

Coaches have a play book. They play by the book. How many of us play by God's play book?

How many new parents are as quick to share about the Babe in the manger as they are their own new baby?

How many doctors are more concerned about the physical health of their patient than their spiritual health?

Does a science teacher share about spiritual life as easily as they share about physical life?

What about the insurance salesperson? Do they know as much about eternal life "assurance" as they know about life insurance? Do they share that?

Most of us find it easier to share the latest gossip than sharing about Christ.

Time is the excuse we all use for not sharing God's promises with others. Oh, we find ten or fifteen minutes a day for our daily devotion. We take a minute to pray before meals. But, beyond that, how much thought do we give to our Savior? Are we as excited to tell others about Him as we are to talk about Saturday's game?

Suppose your unsaved friend was about to fall from a cliff. All you had to do was reach out and grab him to save him from death. Would you be as willing to grab him from certain eternal death by sharing with him God's free gift of salvation?

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 ESV

I believe our Lord would rather we spend our time sharing with others about His love than complaining to others about a businesses plain, red Solo cup.

I don't believe that God just suggested we tell about Him. I believe He commanded it.
"He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15 NIV

Playing Dress Up

Playing dress up was one of my very favorite things to do as a child. I loved to pretend I was a movie star or sometimes I would be a bride or the mother of my dolls. The dress up clothes didn’t have to be fancy because in my imagination, they were fancy no matter what they looked like. An old lace curtain with holes from years of wear made a perfect veil for my bridal attire. My mother loved hats and she had one or two she allowed me to play with on occasion.

Dressing up as a little girl would usually bring attention from a parent who was close by.

“Oh, how cute you look. Are you going out today?” Mother says to Little Daughter while daughter parades around for Mother to see.

“Yes, I’m going to a tea party with my friend,” Little Daughter replies, “Don’t I look beautiful?”

We all want attention……no, we all crave attention; especially from the ones we love.

My friends and I had a bit of Hollywood in us and we loved to give plays for the neighborhood. Under our maple tree in the back yard was a perfect place for this. The Mothers and Daddies and anyone else in the neighborhood were welcome to sit on our screened in back porch and watch the performance. The cost of tickets was usually a marble, a pretty rock or flower. Our profit came from the lemonade that was sold for two cents a glass. Our mothers footed the bill for the lemonade for the performances. We took turns keeping the pennies at night. I can remember setting and counting those pennies thinking how rich we were going to be in the future.

I guess the need for attention can be passed down from generation to generation because Daughter # 2 was famous for dressing up as were her three daughters. I only recently dismantled the box of dress up attire that was kept in the closet for such an event.

Every little girl likes to pretend. It’s a way of escaping into a place where they can be anything they want. They can play house or bride or be a princess. Most women are probably just grown up little girls who enjoy dressing up for special occasions.

Did you ever stop to think that even as girls get older they like to get together with friends and try on clothes or have make up parties?  And, when a prospective bride goes to choose her wedding dress, she doesn’t go alone. No, she wants her mother, perhaps the groom’s mother, and her bridesmaids to go along to validate how beautiful she will be on that most important day when she walks down the aisle.

We all want attention……no, we all crave attention; especially from the ones we love.

Have you ever wanted God’s attention and felt He wasn’t hearing you? Have you ever prayed and felt God didn’t hear?  We all want God to hear our prayers; to pay attention to us. We don’t have to play dress up or pretend we are someone else for God to hear us. Our God is big enough to hear the prayers of His people whenever and wherever they are. If we are committed to Him, we can rest assured we have his attention.

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hears are fully committed to Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

Spiritual Heart Surgery

My daddy was seventy years old when he found himself in St. Lukes Hospital in Houston, TX undergoing four bypasses. This was in 1976 when open heart surgery was much most dangerous than it is today. The surgeon performing the open heart surgery was Dr. Denton Cooley, world renowned heart surgeon, who could start a person’s heart after surgery simply by massaging it in his hands rather than using electric shock. The surgery was a complete success and my daddy enjoyed a lot of wonderful years after that thanks to the skillful hands of this physician and the hands of The Great Physician.

I think most of us have hearts that need spiritual surgery.

If God were to open your heart just as Dr. Cooley opened my daddy’s heart , what would He find there? Most of our hearts have been scarred with years of sinful living and secret sins. They have been hardened because of unforgiveness hidden within them. They are cold because we have neglected praying to our Heavenly Father, attending His house of worship regularly and tending to the needy about us.

We need to allow the Great Physician, our Heavenly Father, to take our hearts in His loving hands and gently massage them back into His service. Giving our hearts to the Lord to renew and heal will allow us to live a joyous life in Him.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me” Psalms 51:10 NSV

The Scars of Sin

When we were nine or ten, my cousin and I had a very special place we loved to play. Her parents had a hardware store just off the town square. Beneath the hardware store was a basement with an outside entrance and very steep steps that went down from the inside at the back of the store. There was always a lot of hardware junk down there but enough room for us to play. We spent hours after school playing there. One of our favorite things was also making up plays to perform although we were never allowed to have anyone else come and watch them. We really loved singing and dancing to a particular song called “Abba Dabba Honeymoon”. It was about two monkeys who went on a honeymoon and we would sing it at the top of our lungs while dancing around like a couple of monkeys.

Cousin and I also played a lot in my backyard. Her mother worked in their hardware stone so she would come and spend the afternoons at my house. I remember that we didn’t get along some of the time and would eventually get into a big argument and maybe a pushing and shoving match. One particular afternoon, just after my parents had some linoleum tile put down in our kitchen, my cousin and I got into a very heated argument. She picked up a piece of leftover tile that was laying there in the yard. With one wild swing the caught my head with that piece of tile just above my eye and cut a big, bleeding gash. I have the scar to this day. Needless to say, our playing for that afternoon was over very quickly.

Years later, after my Cousin and I both had married, we went to Texas to visit them. By then, we both had daughters who were very near the same age. Those two little girls were very much like my cousin and me. On this particular visit, the two little girls decided it would be great fun to jump up and down on the bed. So, jump and squeal they did! During that rowdy play, her daughter pushed my daughter into the head of the bed and, yep, you guessed it, that incident left a big gash just above the eye of my daughter; a scar she wears to this day.

We are all born with sin in our lives. Our hearts are not turned toward Jesus when we come from our Mother’s womb. Until we have “open heart surgery” through the blood of Jesus Christ, our hearts will remain deceitful.

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9 NIV

The scars of sin are much like the gashes on our heads. The consequences are felt and sometimes visible for the rest of our lives. But, even though we may wear the scars of our sins, our Savior can come into our hearts and cleanse our heart of all the sins of our past, present and our future.

“Create in me a pure heart, oh God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10 NIV

Are You Taking Time to Teach?

My Mother has been in her Heavenly home almost fifteen years. While she was on earth, she taught me many valuable lessons.

Mother was a young wife when the Depression came and she never forgot the lean times. As I grew up, things were still tight in our household. Mother was very careful not to waste anything, especially food. I remember setting down at the table and Mother would serve our plates. She never put as much on her plate as she did my daddy's and mine. When our meal was over, as mother cleared the table, she would eat the leftovers from our plates. I didn't think much of it then but later I realized that she never wanted anything to go to waste. Anything that was left from a meal was promptly refrigerated and used in a later meal. My mother was almost 95 when she passed and she had never used a mix of any kind. Everything she cooked was made from scratch.

Occasionally, mother would buy boxed cereal. Nothing in the empty box went to waste. The wax paper liner was saved. Mother used it when she sifted flour rather than buying a roll of wax paper. If she had no waxed liner, she sifted flour onto a plate. Mother even saved the cereal box; carefully loosening it at the edges and putting it away until she needed it. She was very skillful at putting together a small box with the stored cardboard and Elmer's Glue. And, although I do have a roll of wax paper in my kitchen, I still use the wax paper liner when sifting flour or sift it onto a plate I can wash.

Aluminum foil was used very sparingly when I was growing up. Mother would carefully measure the amount she needed for whatever she was covering. And, the aluminum foil had to be very worn before it was tossed. Mother would carefully wipe the used foil with a clean, soapy rag; wipe it dry, then fold it and put it away until it was needed again. I do that to this day.

A garden was a must when I was growing up. Mother and daddy both tended to it with loving care. I particularly remember a time when mother had fallen and broken her ankle. However, that didn't keep her from looking after the garden. I remember seeing my mother; her leg bent at the knee with her knee placed on a chair; hoe in her hand whacking away at the weeds.

While ironing a couple of days ago, I was thinking about how my mother taught me to iron. We started with pillowcases because they were easy to do. Then we moved to shirts. She showed me the best way was to start with the collar; move on to the sleeves; next to the yoke and then each side leaving the back until last. I wasn't keen on ironing; especially if the weather was hot because we had no air conditioning. But, my mother told me not to think of ironing as drudgery but as I ironed each piece, I should pray for the person that garment belonged to. I have always remembered her words and I still do that today. Of course, there are only two of us now to iron for but praying for myself and my husband does seem to make the ironing go faster.

"Take a lesson from the ants, you lazy fellow. Learn from their ways and be wise! For though they have no king to make them work, yet they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter." Proverbs 6:6-8 (TLB)

I learned when we started going to church regularly when I was small the first thing we did with our money was give a tithe to God. She told me tithe meant tenth.I remember getting ten cents allowance and mother would give it to me in pennies. Then she would have me count out what was to be put in the offering plate the next Sunday. As my allowance increased, so did my giving. When my mother was ill or unable to attend church she would always send her tithe up until God called her home.

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." II Corinthians 9:7

So many valuable things can be learned from those who have gone before us. And, there are things we can pass on to our children and grandchildren as we grow older.

Are you taking time to teach those that follow after you?

Across the Spillway

A few weeks back I wrote about experiences at camp when I was young. Apparently it brought back memories for other people , who were also there. I received this from one of my friends who was there at the same time I was and when my mother was the counselor.

"One afternoon, your mom and our pastor at the time, took some of the kids who were going to Siloam Springs Assembly, to a place just outside the area where there was a picnic place and a waterfall. There was an area we had to walk across. The water was running over that spillway, and as I did not know at the time how to swim, absolute paralyzing fear took hold of me, and I just froze, looking at that deep water right at my feet. I know without a doubt that I was about to fall in - and would have drowned - but suddenly your mom was quietly at my side, just like an angel, and she ever so calmly and sweetly said, "Here, take my hand and we'll walk together." I put my hand in hers and without another word we crossed. I trusted her implicitly and never forgot her for that wonderful assurance. I am weeping as I write this. She was one of the most kind, godly women I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. What a blessing to have had her in my life!!!"

Reading this blessed me, of course, because I loved my mother and I remember many times when she took my hand and brought me out of scary times. However, it also brought to mind how our Savior is always with us in times of doubt, illness, fear and anxiety. He is there to take our hand and lead us across the deep waters, and through the shadows, whatever they might be. Do we trust Him as much as this little one trusted my mother to get her out of a scary situation?

"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever." Psalm 23 NIV

Desires Of Your Heart

If you could have anything in the world right now, what would it be? What would it take to satisfy the desires of your heart? Do you think the desires of your heart are God’s desires for you?

I have heard it said sometimes we have to “trust and adjust”. There are times when the desires of our heart are things that would only harm us. However, if we give those desires over to God and trust Him, somehow we will adjust our desires so they are in line with what God knows is ...best for our lives. We are on this earth to fulfill the plans God has for us.
 

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 TLB You notice in this verse, God says “the plans I have for you”, not “the plans YOU have for yourself”.

God has promised us if we look to Him for our happiness rather than things of this earth, He will give us our heart’s desire. Because, only then will our desires be His desire for us.

“Seek your happiness in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desire. Give yourself to the Lord; trust in him, and he will help you.” Psalm 37-5 GNT

If we can bring ourselves to forgo that desire that is in our heart, and just allow God to take complete control of us, He will not only give us what He has promised but it will be something that will be far beyond what we could have imagined.

Sometimes we may feel that nothing is going as we planned. We might feel it’s because we aren’t in God’s will. Sometimes, God is allowing those difficult times to happen to grow our faith and to bring about His purpose for us. These are the times that we just have to “trust and adjust” and continue to walk through those doors that you feel He is opening.

"Hold loosely to the things of this life, so that if God requires them of you, it will be easy to let them go." Corrie Ten Boom

God has a purpose for placing us on this earth. And, because He is a loving God, He will give us the desires of our heart; things we love to do. God has given us the ability to do things with our gifts and talents, and God desires that we do these things for Him now.

Where does Time Go?

I put my hands on the arms of my comfortable chair and push myself up. Passing the mirrored wall in the dining room, I look at the person walking along and think to myself, "She moves around like a 75 year old woman!"

But, wait......I am that 75 year old woman.

Wasn't it just yesterday that I was jumping in the brightly colored leaves my Daddy had raked up in our yard?

 Wasn't it then that I road my bicycle around the block time after time?

 Didn't I just dress my cat up in doll clothes and push her around in my doll buggy?

Didn't we just see our daughters off to college? Can it be possible their children are college graduates now?

And, was it really almost 30 years ago, I ran as fast as my 45 year old legs would carry me, arm in arm with the other Mimi to gaze with awe at our beautiful first born grandson?

Didn't I just talk to my mother on the phone? No, couldn't have been because she has been gone almost 15 years.

Where does time go?

Years ago I wrote the following poem:

What have you done
With the time that God gave?
Have you spent it all wisely
Or become just it's slave?

From the time of our birth,
'Till the time that one dies,
We're allotted so much,
But, oh, how it flies!

Do you remember the feeling
You had at age eight?
"It's time for my birthday
And, I just can't wait!"

"For then I'll be nine,
And, then I'll be ten,"
Oh, don't you wish
You could go back until then?

Suppose that you could...
That you could rearrange?
Are there things in your life
That you might want to change?

Are there things you have done?
Are there things you have said?
As you look to the past,
Do these race through your head?

Time is a gift
From the Father above.
There's a time to be quiet,
To listen.....to love.

A time to be thankful,
Be grateful....be kind.
To speak with a friend,
It's all ours....yours and mine.

Take time to consider
The hours that have passed.
Were they foolishly wasted?
They could be your last.

Copyright: Jo Ann- September 1969

"My life is no longer than my hand! My whole lifetime is but a moment to you. Proud man! Frail as breath! A shadow! And all his busy rushing ends in nothing. He heaps up riches for someone else to spend. Psalm 39:5-6Living Bible (TLB)

People Pleasin'

Are you a people pleaser? Do you go out of your way to please everyone and then complain when they don’t appreciate it? Do you worry about what people think about you? Are you afraid they will no longer like you if you don’t go above and beyond to help them?

A lot of people have a fear of rejection. Some will do anything to get the approval of others even if it means wearing themselves out and neglecting their own families or their own needs in the process.
When will we l...earn that we can’t please everyone? Even Jesus couldn’t please the people who knew Him best. He wasn’t accepted in his own hometown.

Jesus told them, “A prophet has little honor in his hometown, among his relatives, on the streets he played in as a child.” Jesus wasn’t able to do much of anything there—he laid hands on a few sick people and healed them, that’s all. He couldn’t get over their stubbornness. He left and made a circuit of the other villages, teaching. Mark 6:4-6 The Message

I’m sure Jesus wasn’t trying to please people but He only wanted to please His Heavenly Father. It seemed no matter what He did; how many people He healed, the people could not be pleased. Maybe we should quit trying to please everyone else and just do the will of our Heavenly Father. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to help those in need. But, sometimes when we think we are helping others, we are only allowing them to be more dependent.

It’s pretty easy to please our Heavenly Father. It’s much easier than it is to please other people. And, after all, being pleasing to Him is all that really matters when this life is over.

“And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust him, too, for each day’s problems; live in vital union with him. Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done.” Colossians 2:6-7 TLB