I’ve had a cough now for 6 weeks. Nights without sleep catch up with you and make you cranky. We put my 94-year old father in an AFC home this past week – not an easy decision to make, especially when all the family is not on board with that choice – lack of unity brings lots of stress.
I woke up this morning thinking about my friend, Don, how even in the mist of a storm he smiled. He loved life and no matter what he was going through he always had an encouraging word and an upbeat attitude, truly believing that no matter what was going on around him, God was in control. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for Thou art with me; thy rod and staff comfort me.” He knew without doubt that he would dwell in the house of the Lord forever. That’s how he lived his life. What a great testimony.
When you walk through the mire and the muck of life – look up. You’ll be surprised at what you see. God can lead you to quiet waters and restore your soul; He can guide you to a better place free of mire and muck!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
A Mouse and a Mouse Trap
A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package. "What food might this contain?" The mouse wondered. He was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap. Retreating to the barn yard, he proclaimed this warning "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it."
The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" The pig sympathized, but said, "I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers."
The mouse turned to the cow and said, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose."
So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap—alone! That very night a sound was heard throughout the house -- the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey.
The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did no see it; it was a venomous snake whose tail was caught in the trap. The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital. When she returned home she still had a fever.
Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup. So the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient – the chicken!
But his wife's sickness continued. Friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig. But, alas, the farmer's wife did not get well... She died.
So many people came for her funeral that the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them for the funeral luncheon. And the mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.
So, the next time you hear that someone is facing a problem and you think it doesn't concern you, remember ---
When one of us is threatened, we are all at risk. We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.
You may want to send a note to everyone who has ever helped you out… Let them know how much they mean to you. Better yet, send them this article! Remember, each of us is a vital thread in another person’s tapestry. Our lives are woven together for a reason. One of the best things to hold onto in this world is a FRIEND! (Thanks to my Internet friends for sharing this story with me)
The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it."
The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" The pig sympathized, but said, "I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers."
The mouse turned to the cow and said, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose."
So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap—alone! That very night a sound was heard throughout the house -- the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey.
The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did no see it; it was a venomous snake whose tail was caught in the trap. The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital. When she returned home she still had a fever.
Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup. So the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient – the chicken!
But his wife's sickness continued. Friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig. But, alas, the farmer's wife did not get well... She died.
So many people came for her funeral that the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them for the funeral luncheon. And the mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.
So, the next time you hear that someone is facing a problem and you think it doesn't concern you, remember ---
When one of us is threatened, we are all at risk. We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.
You may want to send a note to everyone who has ever helped you out… Let them know how much they mean to you. Better yet, send them this article! Remember, each of us is a vital thread in another person’s tapestry. Our lives are woven together for a reason. One of the best things to hold onto in this world is a FRIEND! (Thanks to my Internet friends for sharing this story with me)
Sunday, July 18, 2010
The Power of One
Edward Everett Hale said, "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do."
One song can spark a moment;
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea;
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey;
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits;
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom;
One heart can know what's true.
One life can make the difference;
You see it's up to YOU! (Poet unknown)
I thank God that He uses individuals like you and me to do His work on earth. Maybe we’ll be the ‘one’ person to make a difference in someone’s life.
Thanks to my Internet friends for these words of wisdom.
One song can spark a moment;
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea;
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey;
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits;
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom;
One heart can know what's true.
One life can make the difference;
You see it's up to YOU! (Poet unknown)
I thank God that He uses individuals like you and me to do His work on earth. Maybe we’ll be the ‘one’ person to make a difference in someone’s life.
Thanks to my Internet friends for these words of wisdom.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
All the time in the world to think
I can’t believe my baby is turning 32 on July 3rd and has a baby of his own. Where does the time go? It seems the older you get the faster time flies or maybe it’s just that we fly slower as time ages us. One nice thing about growing older, we have more time to relax and enjoy our memories. We have more time to think about life.
One day my children were small building castles in their sand box, swinging on swings screaming ‘faster, daddy, faster’, wishing on stars and dreaming silly dreams. O, to be a child again when there was no difference between time and any of the three dimensions of space, when you could trust that in time all your problems would work themselves out, when nothing really belonged to us but time – as a child you had all the time in the world and time to enjoy all of the world.
If by chance my son is reading this, I shall leave him with Thomas A Kempis’ rules for living life to think about -- when he has time.
“My son resolve to do the will of others rather than your own.
Always choose to posses less rather than more.
Always take the lowest place, and regard yourself as less than others.
Desire and pray always that God’s will may be perfectly fulfilled in you.
A man who observes these rules shall come to enjoy peace and tranquility of soul.”
One day my children were small building castles in their sand box, swinging on swings screaming ‘faster, daddy, faster’, wishing on stars and dreaming silly dreams. O, to be a child again when there was no difference between time and any of the three dimensions of space, when you could trust that in time all your problems would work themselves out, when nothing really belonged to us but time – as a child you had all the time in the world and time to enjoy all of the world.
If by chance my son is reading this, I shall leave him with Thomas A Kempis’ rules for living life to think about -- when he has time.
“My son resolve to do the will of others rather than your own.
Always choose to posses less rather than more.
Always take the lowest place, and regard yourself as less than others.
Desire and pray always that God’s will may be perfectly fulfilled in you.
A man who observes these rules shall come to enjoy peace and tranquility of soul.”
Sunday, June 20, 2010
You're never to old to learn
My husband and I were blessed to have brunch with our son and his family this Father’s Day. Of course, Little J stole the show. Little J’s parents are going to have so much fun watching their son grow and learn. I still have fond memories of some of the great truths my children have learned over the years, truths like:
1) No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.
2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.
3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They (parents) always catch the second person.
4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.
5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
6) Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.
7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.
8) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
9) Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
10)The best place to be when you're sad is Grandpa's lap.
And what I have learned? I've learned that:
1) Raising teenagers is like nailing jelly to a tree.
2) Wrinkles don't hurt. (Much)
3) Families are like fudge...mostly sweet, with a few nuts.
4) Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
5) Laughing is good exercise. It's like jogging on the inside.
6) Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy.
Tomorrow, I hope to visit my father; he’s 95 and still has a thing
or two to teach me. I already know what he’d tell me, go for the gusto, forget the nuts and enjoy the fudge. Don’t worry about the wrinkles – they are merely badges of honor – wear them proudly.
1) No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.
2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.
3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They (parents) always catch the second person.
4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.
5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
6) Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.
7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.
8) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
9) Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
10)The best place to be when you're sad is Grandpa's lap.
And what I have learned? I've learned that:
1) Raising teenagers is like nailing jelly to a tree.
2) Wrinkles don't hurt. (Much)
3) Families are like fudge...mostly sweet, with a few nuts.
4) Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
5) Laughing is good exercise. It's like jogging on the inside.
6) Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy.
Tomorrow, I hope to visit my father; he’s 95 and still has a thing
or two to teach me. I already know what he’d tell me, go for the gusto, forget the nuts and enjoy the fudge. Don’t worry about the wrinkles – they are merely badges of honor – wear them proudly.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
No worries
A week ago today we were celebrating our daughter’s marriage. A lot of work goes into planning a wedding; it seems kind of strange not to still be in that planning stage. The event itself comes and goes; it’s almost a whirlwind of memories in my mind. All the things my daughter and I were anxious over never came to pass. Our worries were in vain. God had everything under control – all in His hands. It was a beautiful wedding and a beautiful day for a wedding. God provided everything we needed and more.
I don’t know why I was so anxious over the wedding, I guess I forgot that scripture where Jesus says “Be anxious over nothing.” He provides all we have need of it.
When I think about times spent with Heidi, the best memories that come to mind are those when we did nothing special. We simply talked, walked, laughed, cried and lived life. And now she gets to enjoy these moments with her new husband of doing nothing special – just enjoying one another.
Life is precious folks, its God gift to us – what we do with that life is our gift to God. Make every day count, be anxious about nothing. Let go and let God have his way in your life.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Here Comes the Bride
“Little girls are really kind of nice
Especially when they put their
Arms around your neck
And hug you tight.
And sometimes only daddies
Can tuck them in at night
Fix their dolls and broken toys
And help them ride a bike.”
(From the book “Bits and Pieces From my Mind”
By Connie L Hawkins written for daughter, Heidi)
Our little girl is grown and in fact getting married this month.
Planning a wedding reminds me what an
important job parenting is. It’s not an easy job.
Training them up in the way they should go
means using tough love and making sure the
word ‘no’ is never misunderstood. Sometimes it
means traveling down their path to see where they are
coming from or where they are going.
I remember in the heat of an argument my daughter telling me,
“Why can’t you just treat me like a friend?” To which I responded, “You
Have plenty of friends; but only one mother.” And nothing has changed.
So many parents try to be a friend to their kids when what they need
most are a mom and a dad – parents presenting a united front.
I hate that phrase, “I’m just a homemaker” -- it is THEE most important
job you’ll ever do, pleasing in God’s eyes! I wish for my daughter a
happy life. I know she’ll be a terrific wife and a great mother. After
all she had a good role model and I had a great teacher--my mom!
(This article is also scheduled to appear in the June issue of His Banner Newspaper)
Especially when they put their
Arms around your neck
And hug you tight.
And sometimes only daddies
Can tuck them in at night
Fix their dolls and broken toys
And help them ride a bike.”
(From the book “Bits and Pieces From my Mind”
By Connie L Hawkins written for daughter, Heidi)
Our little girl is grown and in fact getting married this month.
Planning a wedding reminds me what an
important job parenting is. It’s not an easy job.
Training them up in the way they should go
means using tough love and making sure the
word ‘no’ is never misunderstood. Sometimes it
means traveling down their path to see where they are
coming from or where they are going.
I remember in the heat of an argument my daughter telling me,
“Why can’t you just treat me like a friend?” To which I responded, “You
Have plenty of friends; but only one mother.” And nothing has changed.
So many parents try to be a friend to their kids when what they need
most are a mom and a dad – parents presenting a united front.
I hate that phrase, “I’m just a homemaker” -- it is THEE most important
job you’ll ever do, pleasing in God’s eyes! I wish for my daughter a
happy life. I know she’ll be a terrific wife and a great mother. After
all she had a good role model and I had a great teacher--my mom!
(This article is also scheduled to appear in the June issue of His Banner Newspaper)
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