So grateful for Friday this week!!  What a week!  Each day included doctor's visits and a surgery for my husband as an issue with his failing sight became urgent.  Today is the first day I won't be running home and then to a doctor's office or surgery center with him....only the usual Friday night for his dialysis.  

    I feel like I've spent the week running with little sleep and a bit of frustration as this was the result of a doctor he'd been changed to due to an insurance glitch.  We're back with the great doctors and they are fixing what the other doctor caused.  At any rate....God has been so good.  

    At times of great frustration, I chose to sing praises to God and what a difference it makes.  While rushing around - I had peace.  God IS good ALL the time.

 

 As I've gotten older and learned life's lessons toward peace, I've also become a bit of a tenderfoot.  When it's smooth sailing, the path soft upon my feet with the wear of experience and rough road smashed down over time into a path of soft dirt, I become accustomed to the little dirt clods on occasion.  But when the road becomes rocky with sharp edges, I'm startled by the pain and pause.  To be honest, at that moment of pain, I have a hard time considering it all joy. 

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter ^H)"various trials, knowing that ^I)"the testing of your ^J)"faith produces endurance. James 1:2-3 

 

It is necessary to consult a map - THE map (if you will) - so as not to make things worse or react in emotion born of pain, casting truth aside.  God is with you.  He is for you.  And He will see you through this time for He will never leave you nor forsake you as a child of His and He will work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  These are truths upon which you can stand fast during times of uncertainty and pain.  In holding fast to them we can be assured of growth in our love, faith, strength and very witness. And as you express your gratitude for these very truths, you may find yourself rejoicing, yes rejoicing, even in the midst of the trials.  

 

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials (1 Peter 1:6)

 

And the path will seem to smooth before you. 

 Happy New Year!

 

I know new years resolutions are seen to be a yearly effort lasting - many times - only a short while.  But we are called to examine ourselves - our lives and continue to do so with scripture as our measure.  We are called to "...examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD." (Lamentations 3:40)  As I participate in this examination I am compelled to make some determinations going forward.  One of mine this year is again - purpose to live with intention.  James Allen once said, "Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so you shall become.  Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil."

 

Just as the new morning brings light, what will your life unveil?  What does your gradual unveiling look like?

What will your legacy be?

Recently I received word of the passing of two ladies who had each seen over 7 decades of life here on earth.  One lived a life that poured forth love, compassion, gratitude, and joy no matter what she faced in life.  People poured in upon news of her illness and she had constant companionship, whether aware or not.  The love she'd shown each person with whom she'd come in contact was as a Stone dropped into a pond where it's impact sent wave upon wave ever expanding and reaching those who would never meet her, but benefited from the love of God she allowed to overflow from her heart toward others.  Her legacy remains, she is missed, but those who knew her are even more vigilant to pay it forward.

The other woman lived a life wherein she "told it like it was" through her eyes, when a friend or family member was absent there were sure to be unkind words or judgments, and she was clear about who she liked and did not.  She had several children, though nearby, not frequent visitors as she'd worked her "magic" on their spouses and children as well.  Her unkindness was legendary.  Visitors had trickled down to an obligated few.  Her legacy.  

I am grateful for the opportunity to have known each of the women.  I learned from both; inspired by one and through necessity with the other.  I offer these verses as they came to me so clearly. 

" ¹ If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body ^[a]to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, ⁵ does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, ⁶ does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; ^7 [b]bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  ⁸ Love never fails..." (1 Corinthians 13: 1-8a)

 

God bless you as you step forward, continuing your own legacy creation.

 

 Recently, I was reminded of an event I was part of.  There were a few new folks and the leader was amazed at the particularly energetic response he was receiving from some of them.  He thought it unusual until half-way through the event the passenger (and relative) of one of the new members came to him and thanked him for inviting the driver.  She explained that he’d just lost his wife and he’d been rather lost, but being welcomed to the group had made him happier than she had seen him since his wife’s death.  She was so grateful. The leader's natural welcoming nature created a club of welcoming individuals, who were in turn welcoming and friendly. 

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24

While this scripture may not have been in the mind of the leader, it was certainly exemplified as he welcomed, introduced, and encouraged others to get to know this new friend without any knowledge of the pain he was in.  A simple act of kindness with sincerity can mean more to another than we could know.

Enjoy this week – and love without ceasing so that you aren’t even aware that it has just become a natural outpouring blessing others along the way.

The last few days I was reminded that there are no guarantees as to the length of our time here. It was a great wake-up call to me to live with great life, zest and joy in such a way as to leave all of those who come in contact with me a bit of the same. If I were not to see them again, I would want to have my “house in order” so to speak. I would want them to know that I loved them, prayed for them and respected them.

My challenge is to end each day with a sigh of delight in a job well done…not just my vocation, but in the relationships in my life. I want my legacy to be reflective of someone who loved greatly and openly, and who lived invitingly.

I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3

I hope people know that I do, indeed, thank my God each day. Let’s go out there and spread the light…shine brightly and boldly so that others will know they have been touched by THE LIGHT and enjoy life more because of it.

 In response to all He has done for us, let us outdo each other in being helpful and kind to each other and in doing good.   Hebrews 10:24 (TLB)

 

Today we all rest warmly knowing we have a home to return to tonight along with a bounty of blessings that are beyond the imagination some in our country and world less fortunate.  So today – whether your wealth is defined by joy, love, family, the material or the eternal.  Live out your gratitude ON PURPOSE.  How??  Here are some ideas to outdo each other in being helpful and kind to each other and in doing good.

 

It costs no more than a moment and a smile in your heart to: hold the door open for someone struggling with packages or groceries, or to allow someone with a few items to go ahead of you in the grocery store or a few more moments to help your neighbor with a little yard work.  Is there a neighbor you haven't seen out in a while ...wouldn't a kind card and a "how are you?" bless them?  You don't even have to identify who you are.

 

ON PURPOSE - Let's outdo one another showing love and compassion toward each other and others.