When I should have been.....I was not!!!

Good morning and happy Saturday, I pray that each of you is having a wonderful day, enjoying the remnants of Thanksgiving and making ready for CHRISTmas.  It is a cold morning here, 27 degrees with a bit of humidity causing it to feel even colder. In prayer this morning I am behind the glass looking out, my old bones don't seem to mesh very well with the cold of the morning! I sat in silence for a long while and was guided by the Holy Spirit to the world COMPASSION. I sat and thought about the times I could have been compassionate and wasn't, hanging my head in shame, I though about the phrase "forgive and forget" and I asked God..how many times do I forgive and forget before I just get so tired of trying, as soon as the words slipped from my mouth I thought of Christ on the cross, at all who had hurt him, at those who had turned their back on him and still he died so that we could live. I thought about our Father in Heaven for all the times we come to him literally begging for a miracle, he gives us a way and we take and then tend to back way off until we need him again. I am so far from being perfect, I have so much to learn and so much growing to do. I feel ashamed at the way I act at times, I allow the hurt of others to deter what should be my main focus,  "walking in Christ's footsteps" I will make repair to the person I was not compassionate to and I will continue to ask God to guide me when it comes to this person so that I tolerate more easily. If you have occasion to let your compassionate side slip I hope that you will pray for knowledge, as to how to show compassion thus pleasing our father in heaven. I ask Father God to bless each of you with peace, calm, and comfort, that this day might be one filled with heartfelt love and friendship. Love in Christ to each of you and please, please continue in prayer with me for my sweet friend caregiving to her frail mom, for my sweet friend watching her beloved aunt wither away with kidney disease and for my sweet daughter carrying my first grandbaby. I ask mercy, grace and kindness for each of you, in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

I would like to congratulate the COLUMBIA ROUGHNECKS on their win last night, they are now Region 4 champions! All the way to state boys, all the way to state!!!!

Random Acts of Kindness

A friend called me recently to tell me that one of her daughter's teachers had committed suicide. Needless to say, everyone involved was extremely upset by this. 

Many looked upon this as a selfish act on the part of the teacher. I thought to myself how quick we are to judge another after the fact. And how terribly slow we are to recognize the walking wounded all around us.

The news of this teacher's suicide reminded me of a story I read about an elderly woman who had decided to take her life one morning, but someone had stopped to feed the pigeons with her in the park and the kindness of that one stranger changed her mind and saved her life. We never know what is in another person's heart. What level of pain they may be going through. And in some cases, the pain may be so great that living no longer seems an option to them. 

We may never know the sometimes immense consequences upon another, of an unkind word, a thoughtless deed, or a hasty decision made from an unexamined heart. 

Each day, everyone of us, has a new opportunity to make a huge difference in this world. I suppose that is why I decided to choose kindness as the theme for this issue, because I felt it was so important. 

If I had one dream for humanity, it would be that tomorrow morning we would all wake up with amnesia. We would then see the world for the first time, with new eyes, the way a new born baby sees it, except that we would be in a grown up body. 

We would have no conception of what was considered beautiful or good or important according to society's ridiculous standard of worth. Everything and everyone would be a blessed opportunity for us, just the way they are. Life would be waiting with another possibility to be all that we could be. Another opportunity to practice the gift of kindness in every moment. Another chance to rise above our mere mortal existence and for that one grand moment in time to walk among the gods. Another day to love.

If You See Opportunity~~~ Act On It~~~You May Get Only One Chance!!!

Good morning and happy Wednesday to all of you! It is beautiful this morning, although we continue to have hazy skies, I am awake, I have had my morning chat with our Father in Heaven and I am ready to face whatever may come my way today! This morning in prayer as I prayed for all those who have come with special specific requests, for those who are in the war with cancer, those who are suffering pain without the physicians being able to determine the cause, for those who are struggling with addiction, depression, financial woes, troubled teens, going through rehabilitation, those who are riddled with brick walls, high hurdles, steep mountains, those having relationship troubles and the list goes on and on. I asked Father God to give you this day as a rest day, to take all of the troubles you are fighting with and to allow you a day to re-group, to re-order, and to re-cooperate. I asked him to give you knowledge today, that all things are possible with him in your life, I asked him to hold and comfort you, to clear your thoughts as you speak with him so that he might touch your mind and make things more clear to you, to give you strength to come up with a plan and to give you "grit" to rise up with a new attitude, with a more fluid faith and with sheer determination. I believe in the power of prayer and I know that all prayers are answered. It may not be in the manner that you design but still they are answered according to his plan. God is good my friends, he is there to catch you, steady you, and set you on your way when you stumble...he will never let you fall if only you reach out to him. I ask mercy, grace and an abundance of blessings for you and yours in Jesus' beautiful name. Amen. 

Each night I read inspirational stories before I go to sleep, these type of stories render for me a peace filled sleep, inspiration combined with prayer is the key to sweet dreams. I love the picture that I came across to go with my message this morning, "don't wait for people to be kind, show them how" what a wonderful thought, leading by example is showing God that we are walking in Jesus' footsteps.  I have read this one several times but for some reason last night it brought me to tears. I hope it will touch you today and in your hustle bustle day you might recognize that you have been in this situation and have never repaid...let today be the day that if given the opportunity that you recognize it and pay it forward! Love to each of you:) 

Acts Of Kindness

This young man was driving home one evening, on a two lane country road. Work in this small mid-western community was almost as slow as his beat-up Pontiac, but he never quit looking. Ever since the factory closed, he'd been unemployed, and with winter coming on, the chill had finally hit home. 

It was a lonely road. Not very many people had a reason to be on it, unless they were leaving. Most of his friends had already left. They had families to feed and dreams to fulfill, but he stayed on. After all, this was where he buried his mother and father. He was born here and he knew the country. He could go down this road blind, and tell you what was on either side, and with his headlights not working , this came in handy. 

It was starting to get dark and light snow flurries were coming down. He'd better get a move on. You know, he almost didn't see the old lady, stranded on the side of the road. But even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her. 

Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help, for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe. He looked poor and hungry. He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was that chill which only fear can put in you. He said, "I'm here to help you Ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way, my name is Bryan." 

Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt. As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. 

She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid. Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. She asked him how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She had already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped. 

Bryan never thought twice about the money. This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way. He told her if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance that they needed, and Bryan added "...and think of me." He waited until she started her car and drove off. 

It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight. 

A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The cash register was like the telephone of an out of work actor--it didn't ring much. 

Her waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn't erase. 

The lady noticed that the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. 

Then she remembered Bryan. . . 

After the lady finished her meal, and the waitress went to get change for a hundred dollar bill, the lady slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. She wondered where the lady could be, then she noticed something written on the napkin under which were 4 one-hundred dollar bills. There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote. It said: "You don't owe me anything, I have been there too. Somebody once helped me out the way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you." 

Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard. 

She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, "Everything's gonna be all right - I love you, Bryan."

-- Author Unknown --

PRACTICE RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS!!! We are never prepared for what we receive!!!

Tell me your story if you will:)

   

Once again a beautiful morning is at hand, sunshine~~~64~~~nice breeze...but still these darned flies! I will be so happy when they decide Utah is no longer where they wish to be! I pray this morning is a beautiful one for you as well!
     If you read my blog last evening it had to do with random acts of kindness, have you started your day in that direction? Several have.... as I got a few private messages this morning on facebook....just to say..hello, how are you? Are you feeling better...etc. It made me smile to know that someone was thinking of me! Thank you, thank you, thank you to my friends for making me smile!
     I pray that today you will take part in sharing a random act of kindness with a complete stranger and I pray that you will let me know how it felt and how it was received. I love random acts of kindness and I am sure you do as well, let us be the ones to touch a heart today!
      God bless you with strength to get through this day, with knowledge that you should live, laugh and love as there is not promise of tomorrow, with a person in need of kindness ( look around, they are everywhere) and with the grit to walk up to a complete stranger and give them joy! Close your eyes and remember the last time someone did something nice for you...just out of the blue...how did you feel? Let someone else have that feeling today! I ask these blessings for you and for me, In the name of Christ...amen.

What is the cost?????

   

 Good evening all, well Monday is over so now you can go about having a great week! Today our high was 76 with a nice breeze what would have been perfect but for the flies, they are hideous this season, normally they leave the 1st of September but have decided to stay on for a while...I detest them crawling on my skin so have been forced to enjoy the nice weather from behind the glass in the safe confines of my home!
     I pray that today you have been moved by someone or something in a random act of kindness, you know random acts do not cost money, they do not take special planning, they can come in the from of a hello how are you, or just a "meant" smile! Some people feel that acts of kindness come in the form of dollars, I would much rather have an act given me that was from the heart not the store! Some of the sweetest gifts are those that included an nice carefree visit, a nice cup of coffee and some good fellowship! I love people, I love thoughtfulness and I love "real" meaning in actions. Tomorrow how nice would it be to get out of bed having thanked God for waking up, everything went as planned, coffee was hot, morning was smooth, commute was without incident, coworkers were smiling, customers were understanding and friendly...how would it be? Well you hold the answer to that in your hand, have you ever crossed a grumpy person and just smiled and wished them a good day,  if they decided to retort with a negative you retorted with a positive, before long that person sees how ugly their mood is and they let it go and join you! Positive is contagious, it is refreshing and before you know it, you are an addict! Show some love tomorrow, share random acts and see how your day goes!
     I pray for you this night that you have peace in your heart, that all of the yuck of your day is now silently slinking away from your spirits, that you are able to sit and relax doing something that is pleasing to you, that you feel loved, that you feel appreciated and that you have accepted God into your life and that he is the head of your home! Love in Christ to each of you.
     Please continue to pray that the heavens open up and the rains are allowed to fall on all of the states who are being ravaged with fire and drought, please continue to pray for all of the new babies who have been born that they know true love all of their lives, pray for those saying "see ya later" to the loved ones who have been called home to heaven that they are feeling the calm of comfort God has for them, pray for those suffering addiction that leads down a dark and lonely path that they might see the light of Christ and turn to it for the real true high they are seeking, pray for each other that the burdens of others are lifted and peace comes into alignment in their lives, pray for me please that my health continues to get better and that the kidney problem is gone! God we ask all of these favors and mercies in the name of our savior Jesus Christ, amen...