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Light, Love, Hope

Light in the Darkness Surrounded by Love with Hope for those in need.

Inspiration

The Words of A Friend

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We all need to talk things out at times, and who better than with a valued and treasured friend, right?   Well, not so fast.

Our family has been going through an ordeal for the past two months, and it has been so very hard at times to find any sunshine when the storms were raging in our lives.   There are times that I get quiet, and people mistake my quietness with anger.  In reality, I am quiet because I am hurting deeply.  There is a big difference!

Often times, I internalize things rarely speaking of what is causing so much pain in my life.  When I do venture out of my shell and confide in people, it helps to have a friend that will build me up instead of tearing me down.

Within the past two months, I have encountered friends that have done a variety of things when I have dared to bare my soul to them regarding our struggles. There’s the one friend that doesn’t know what to say or do, so they just say that they are sorry and begin sending care packages to let me know that they are thinking of us and that they care about me and my family.   They are available to talk when needed, and they will try to keep their opinions to themselves if it is not something that will help me heal.   They do not lie to me, don’t mistake what I’m saying here.  They will give an honest opinion if it will help the healing process.   They will not just agree with me or say things that support me in my thinking.  They listen to the entire situation (because I can’t just tell one thing, I have to tell you every little detail so you can get a clear picture of what has taken place so you will be equipped with all of the knowledge about the situation before you feel compelled to give any advice or speak in any way for or against what has happened).

There are others that say they care about me, and I honestly believe that they do, but they are harsher in their words and judgment of the situation.  Granted, the situation may have involved a repeat offender in my life, in their eyes.   They view the situation differently, and I respect their different perspectives on the situation.  I truly do.   However, they do not have to live with the consequences of what they tell me to do when this goes against what my heart is saying to do.   They think they can very easily rationalize their advice and reasons that they are talking against  giving someone another chance when, in their eyes, the offender has already had too many chances through the years which haven’t been taken seriously by the repeat offender.   I understand their point of view.   BUT … my heart is saying to give it yet one more try … give this person one more chance … give them the benefit of the doubt because in my heart of hearts, I truly believe that people CAN change if they want to!   I believe this person, this “repeat offender” honestly wants to change now.   I do!   And I have faith that they will.

This week I have had two different people tell me things that hurt me deeply in regards to this situation.  (I know it doesn’t help that I’m being so vague about what happened and what, exactly, the situation is that I’m referring to but I’m doing so in an effort to protect privacy and also because it hurts … deeply!  Thank you for understanding.)  One openly speaks out every chance they get, often talking over me when I’m trying to explain things, because they just do not want me getting hurt further.  I understand that, but what this person is saying … every single time we talk … IS HURTING ME, TOO!   If you feel worse after talking to someone or reading their emails, that should be an indication right there that you should no longer confide in this person.   When you call or email a friend looking for support and what you get back in return is venom toward the person in the situation, that is a clue right there that this individual should not be the one that you go to for emotional support with the situation at hand.

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.  Proverbs 27:9

The words of a friend:  Do they build you up or tear you down?

I would like to offer several things to consider when someone comes to you with a problem or a situation that is troubling them or hurting them deeply:

1.  Listen to them.  Honestly push aside any ill feelings that you may have toward the people IN the situation, as hard as that may be at times, and actively LISTEN to what the person is saying to you.   Don’t sit there anticipating your next opportunity to interrupt them with your harsh words.  Instead, allow them to speak – to talk as much as they need to about the situation.   Listening involves TWO ears.  Your mouth should not be engaged at this point at all if you are actively listening to your friend or family member.

2.  Consider if they are actually asking for advice or if they simply need a shoulder to cry on or a hand to hold.   Maybe all they really want at that point in time is to vent, get it off of their chest, or to release it into the universe having chosen you for the vehicle in which to do this.  Maybe that is all that is required for them to feel better at that point.  Once it’s out of their minds and into the universe, they may feel completely relieved from the stress and anxiety so that nothing further is needed at that point in time.  You simply helped them by listening and allowing them to get it out!

3.  If they ARE seeking advice, be gentle with your words!   What do you hope to accomplish here?  If you know the person is coming to you for advice on what to do, then please proceed with caution and be as gentle and as tender as you can with your words.  Remember, their hearts are already hurting and are so fragile.  What you say and how you say it could shatter them.

4.  Before you open your mouth, ask yourself if your words will help or harm them in any way.  Will it help build them up in this situation or will it tear them down?

5.  Put yourself in their shoes BEFORE you tell them straight off the cuff some quick response that is “sure” to end all of their troubles.  For example, if someone is having marital issues, don’t just say, “Kick the bum out.”  No, think about if this was YOUR marriage.  It’s so easy to say things like this when we’re not the ones that are left with the broken lives.   Think about that before you spout off harsh words.  Would it not be better to ask the person if they honestly love their spouse?  And if so, are they willing to do whatever it takes to work things out?   If they can’t imagine their lives without their mates, why encourage them to end the marriage or the relationship when their heart wants to hold on?   I’ll take it a step further here and ask you to put yourself in the shoes of the person that you just so quickly were ready to dismiss.   What if your spouse or your mate went to someone else for advice and THEY were told such things that you just spoke to your friend in their time of crisis?   How would you feel to know that someone said not to give YOU another chance or to kick YOU to the curb or that YOU were not worth it.  See what I  mean?  That wouldn’t feel too good, now would it?

6.  Think of the consequences of the advice that you’re giving.  I touched on it above, but if your advice to a hurting spouse is to end the marriage, consider the consequences such as children that are involved that will ultimately be hurt in all of this.  Think of their little lives that will be crushed when their parents get a divorce.  Think of the tears that they will cry when Mommy and Daddy aren’t together any more.   I know you can’t stay together for the kids, and in some cases, it is necessary to part ways.  But, why not encourage them to try every thing humanly possible to work on the marriage?  Why not be sure that they have exhausted EVERY effort and gone down every avenue toward reconciliation?   Think of all of the family members involved that would have their lives completely shattered by your advice to “end it all because it’s not worth it …” maybe that’s where you’re wrong.  Because people are ALWAYS worth it.   Families are worth it.  Children are worth it.  Husbands and wives are worth it.  Marriage is worth it!  And love … as sweet and as painful as it can be at times all rolled into one … love is still worth it!

7.  Brainstorm with the person.  Ask what they have tried that didn’t seem to work.  Then offer suggestions that will help them.  If they would like to reconcile in their marriage, give them positive tips of encouragement and support to HELP them achieve this.  I realize that both parties have to be willing, and it takes both people in the marriage working on it for it to work and for it to LAST.  Your job can be to help them think of things that they haven’t yet tried that would help them.  If they’ve tried something one way, suggest approaching it a different way so that it has the result that their hearts are hoping for.

8.  Realize that it is ultimately their decision, and your job is not to place blame on either party in the situation.  It is to love and care for people … PERIOD.   We don’t need your judgmental comments.  What we really need are friends that come alongside of us at this very difficult time to love on us and let us know that they care about us.   Don’t get angry when your harsh words turn the person away from ever telling you anything ever again because of what they got back when they did try to confide in you and ended up in more pain than when they first started talking to you about it.  Respect their relationship or marriage and offer words of encouragement and support, not hateful words of doom and gloom over something so sacred and near and dear to their hearts.

Be there for your friends, yes.  Guard their hearts carefully from the world and from you, too, if necessary.  Your job is to show them love, care for them, support them, and encourage them.  Be truthful with them and speak honesty, but be gentle and kind when you do.   There is so much power in the tongue – you can build people up and tear them down in the same sentence.  Choose your words carefully.   Some times there really is not a need to interject “But …” after someone pours their heart out to you.  That’s something we can all keep in mind.

Be the encourager.  Be the supporter.  Be the one that speaks words of loving kindness.  Be the friend that builds others up.  Guard their hearts so that you aren’t the one tearing them and their relationships down.

Memories of The Way We Were – Part II

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Not too long ago, I wrote a post entitled Memories of The Way We Were.  I spoke of how I was scanning in pictures for a family from some very old scrapbooks and photo albums, some dating back to 1918!  At the time of that writing, I had no idea that there would be a Part II … until this past week!   I was called back to this gentleman’s house to scan in letters – boxes and boxes of letters!   And these letters told great stories … heart touching stories … some even heart wrenching stories.

Berlin ,1953

Imagine seeing that little piece of history laying right before you!   These particular letters were written in German, and oh how I wish I could have read them.   I can only imagine the stories that they offered from that point in time.

Among the letters were documents from this gentleman’s time in the war.   There were forms that he had to complete prior to enlisting, and then there were the necessary forms after enlisting such as a will.  One would not think of a teenager needing a will, but the military made sure that all of their bases were covered.    The gentleman’s history and physical were among the forms in the file, as well as “official” paperwork from the government.   Confidential, privileged, top secret information … laying right there at my fingertips.   It was absolutely amazing to me.

As I told in the previous post, I know the family, although I clearly did not know this gentleman as I wasn’t even a thought back in 1953.   Having worked with the family for almost ten years, though, I have come to know the names that I saw in some of the files and on the documents.  I’ve come to know the gentleman in pictures and now in letters.  Beautiful handwritten letters on the finest of paper that money could buy.
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A Tribute To Dr. Maya Angelou

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This week the world lost a beautiful soul, Maya Angelou. As the world mourns, we celebrate her and some of the most beautiful words written and spoken.

I’d like to share a few of my favorite quotes, as well as my thoughts about them and how they pertain to my life.

And Still I Rise

This quote makes me think of times in my life where people have attempted to bring me down. Whether it’s at the hands of a bully, facing mental and emotional abuse bordering physical abuse even … no matter their attempts, I still rose from the ashes and vowed to go on with my life to bigger and brighter things.

When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.

How true is the above statement? I’m sure you can recall times in your life where you just didn’t want to see what was right before your eyes. You wanted to see the good in people despite what they were slowly revealing to you. You turned a blind eye to that part of them, and yet it kept creeping out more and more until there was no denying it at that point. It is true … when people show you who they are, believe them. While I believe that people CAN change if they desire to do so, it has to come from within with lots of prayer and help from God above for it to be a truly lasting change in their life. Many will mouth the words, “I’m sorry.” Few mean it and will be determined to make that change so that they never have need to utter those words again.

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said; people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

Truer words were never spoken! So many times people will forget the words that you just spoke to them. Maybe they aren’t truly listening as they’re distracted in the moment, or maybe they just simply “heard” but didn’t take those words you spoke to heart. People will sometimes forget even the kindest act that you could have ever done in this life for them. For some strange reason, they fail to retain this information although I’m sure it meant a lot to them at the time. However, people will never ever forget how you made them FEEL! Whether you have left a bad feeling with that person or the most amazing feeling in the world, people will hold on to this long after the words and deeds have been forgotten. Their hearts will forever remember how you made them feel.

Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.

Although people may launch assaults at you and attack you with their words, while others may try to chip away at your self esteem, self worth, and confidence … nothing and no one can EVER dim the light that shines from within you, dear one. It’s there … reflected in your eyes, the windows to your soul. Don’t allow people or troubles in your life to even attempt to extinguish the flame that burns inside of your heart and soul. Whatever your passion is in life, live and breathe that passion no matter what any one else may say, do, or even think about what you feel so passionately about in this life. Like the lighthouse on the sandy shores standing tall, confidently leading the ships ashore, as the bright light illuminates the sky … so does your light from within as it shines in the hearts and lives of those you love and hold dear to you in this life.

It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody.

When we refuse to forgive, who is the prisoner? The one that wronged us? Surely not. We are, dear ones. When we refuse to allow our hearts to forgive and we carry around such a grudge or chip on our shoulders, this has the potential to entrap us and chain us to the bitterness that is sure to form. Pray for the ability to forgive. Pray for the people that have offended us and hurt us greatly. We may pray through gritted teeth at first, but it will become easier to pray for them as time passes. Then, forgiveness will come. Forgive yourself for any regrets of the past. All of them. Every single one that torments you to this very day. It’s time to forgive yourself, too!

My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.

This one spoke volumes to me. There are times when we even laugh through the tears or laugh when what we’d really like to do is cry. Then, there are times when all we want is to love someone and have them return that love to us. It does take great courage to accept their love in return because in doing so it opens us up to being hurt … again. That is when we are at our most vulnerable. Yes, it does take great courage to accept their love in return.

Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.

When all else fails and I can find no comfort elsewhere, all I have to do is turn to my music. It will see me through anything. If I’m unable to express it with my words, there is a song that I can identify with that says it perfectly. And so … I turn to music. It is my refuge. My safe place. It makes everything better.

Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.

Love is so beautiful, so powerful … and nothing can ever stop love. No distance, no miles, no circumstances or situations … Love just IS! And it’s amazing!

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.

Your story matters … it really does! Please don’t keep it locked away inside the private chambers of your heart. Share it. Tell it. There is healing power in telling your story!

I know that when I pray, something wonderful happens. Not just to the person or persons for whom I’m praying, but also something wonderful happens to me. I’m grateful that I’m heard.

There is never, ever a time when we pray that our words fall upon deaf ears. God knows all … He sees it and hears it. He knows before you ever bring them to Him in prayer exactly what is troubling you. He wants to hear from you, though, and He is there … waiting. It is a truly wonderful thing to know that you’re heard … truly heard … and loved with such an amazing, unconditional love.

What is a fear of living? It’s being preeminently afraid of dying. It is not doing what you came here to do, out of timidity and spinelessness. The antidote is to take full responsibility for yourself – for the time you take up and the space you occupy. If you don’t know what you’re here to do, then just do some good.

If you’ve ever felt at times like you’re floundering around like a fish out of water wondering where your place is in this great big world … this one is for you! If you’ve ever questioned what purpose you serve, rest assured that as long as there is a heart beating inside of your chest, you have a purpose on this earth! Trust it. Believe it. It’s TRUE!

To Dr. Maya Angelou, thank you for your contribution to the world. The impact that you have had on many lives far and wide will never be forgotten. You have touched so many lives while here on this earth, and you’re touching lives still even as we mourn the loss of a legend.

(For more quotes, please click here.)

Memories Of The Way We Were …

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Today wasn’t my usual work day.  Instead of processing all of the invoices, keying entries, writing checks and handling things in Accounting, I was sent out to help the family of this company that I work for.   It seems that the elderly gentleman in the family has been moved to a retirement/assisted living home.   This gentleman once owned the company but passed it down to the next generation who has now passed it down to the next generation as well.  While I did not have the pleasure of working with this now elderly gentleman, I have heard a lot about him through the years since I did work for this family owned company.  I have worked with and for this elderly gentleman’s son as well as now working for his grandsons.

What could this family possibly need my help with outside of work in the office?   Since the elderly gentleman has moved, his home is no longer occupied so his son and grandsons have been going through his belongings in an effort to downsize and eventually sell the home.  While going through his things, the family stumbled upon moments in time that were captured in the form of pictures, letters, poems, postcards, and cards.   It is their desire to preserve these things, thus the reason they called me to help scan in all of these memories.

I will be honest and say that this hasn’t been an easy task today as there are a LOT of things to scan in.  I will literally be at this for days on end, and I’m not even sure I’ll be finished after the three days they’ve asked me to commit to for this project.   Greg recently wrote about capturing pictures and how he jokingly refers to me as The Picture Queen, but honestly, I think this gentleman (or his wife) have me beat!   They had so many photo albums and scrapbooks piled high for me to scan!   You can look at it like there’s so much work, how will I ever get through this … OR you can look at it like a privilege to be allowed to be a part of preserving cherished memories!   I am choosing to view it in that light.  It changes everything when you change your view of things.   It truly does make a difference.

And so I set out on my journey of preserving memories.

I came across pictures of this family through the years, which is honestly what I had expected when I started.  However, I came across things that thrilled and fascinated me completely, too!

A lot of the information written on the pages of the scrapbooks and photo albums were written in German!   Since the pages were literally falling apart in my hands, I had to take each picture off of the page and place it carefully onto the glass of the scanner.   I also had to write a caption taken from the words written on the scrapbook pages and place it on the glass of the scanner as well so the family would be able to identify with the people, places, and things in the pictures when they take a walk down memory lane by going through all of these files after I’ve completed this task.

In addition to the pictures, there were pages of poems that were also written in German, as well as letters … oh the letters that this individual wrote and received!   There were cards mixed in as well, but it was the letters that struck me the most.  The date was written so eloquently at the top, almost in Calligraphy.   I remember sitting back in the chair marveling at this dirty piece of paper when I realized the date across the top!   It was the year 1918.  I’m not kidding you.  That was one of the dates in the papers that I scanned today.   Isn’t it amazing that I held a piece of history in my hands?  While I’m not sure what those German words were saying, I can imagine in my mind a love letter just pouring their hearts out to the love of their lives; their soul mates.   I can imagine the letters being written during a war as they were clinging to the other person miles and states away while they served our country.  While they were facing the enemy head on with their weapons and fighting for their lives and our freedom, they paused for a moment to share their written words with the one that they loved with their entire being.   And I … I had the privilege of preserving these moments today!

There was an artist in the family as I found numerous drawings from this individual.  One drawing in particular caught my eye as I reached for the clipping out of the magazine.  Just as I reached to place it on the glass, the drawing  from underneath it was revealed.  In all of it’s beauty and glory, there was the picture that this individual had drawn based on the clipping from the magazine.  This person had talent!   I smiled as I marveled at every line from his pencil, the way it was shaded in and how smoothly it transitioned into the next line to form the perfect picture!

Why am I telling you all of this today?   Because one of these days someone will be going through OUR things to see what treasures we have left behind.  Will our families wish to preserve our memories?  Will our families soak in all of the beauty and wonder of journals that we have left behind, or will they cringe at the words that jump off of the page at them?   Will they consider it an honor to read your words, thinking of them as simply beautiful, passionate, and so full of life?   Or will they close the book never to open it again?

One of these days we are all just going to be a memory … will you be a good one?   I certainly hope that my family and friends will remember me with such a warm feeling in their hearts and feel that I’ve touched their lives in a good and positive manner when my time on earth is no more and I’ve gone to be with Jesus.  I hope that they will search my house for treasures left behind in the form of poems, hand written letters, and yes, pictures … lots and lots of pictures.  I hope they will cherish them as much as I did while penning them or capturing those moments with my camera.

I desire to live a good life and show my family and friends how much they mean to me.  I don’t want to reserve this for a special occasion to tell them “then” of how I feel.  No, I want to live it to the fullest each and every day not letting a single minute go by without them knowing in their hearts how I feel about them.   I want them to know … and I want them to FEEL it!   Long after I’m gone, I want them to still feel me with them in their hearts … I want to love that strongly, that completely, that passionately that they forever feel me with them and a part of their lives.

This gentleman traveled the world … literally.   There were two photo albums packed full of postcards from different places that he had traveled.  They weren’t pictures of where he’s been that he’d taken, but instead, they were postcards of these places.  Yet, the memories those postcards provoked in him … I’d like to imagine that they still stir in him to this very day.  He lived his life.  He did the things his heart desired and the proof is within all of the pages of these photo albums and scrap books.  He lived … he loved … he did as his heart desired.

Are you living your life to the fullest?  There’s so much out there to do and see.  Are you doing the things that bring you the most joy?  Are you seeing new and exciting places?  Are you engaging in things that your heart desires, or are you waiting to do it “one day.”    Ah dear one, don’t wait … “one day” may never come.   Don’t look back with regrets.  When you’re older, like this gentleman, don’t sit there and say, “If only I had …”  Go out now and DO it so you’ll have beautiful memories to reflect back on later.

Leave your own mark on the world!  Leave your loved ones with fond memories of the way we were!

God’s NOT Dead

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My daughters and I set out on an adventure yesterday determined to find only things that brought joy and happiness along our path. We haven’t spent a whole lot of quality time just the three of us as we have done family things together for as long back as we can remember. That was always important to us, but now that they’re getting older, THIS is important, too. The reality of the situation is that my babies truly aren’t babies any more. Time is slipping away and is going way too fast. No amount of begging and pleading will make time stand still, so I must just seize the moment with them, live, laugh, love, and enjoy! I intend to do just that! Now, more than ever, I need to be sure to nurture the friendship aspect of our relationship. As I move from being their mother, directing their every steps and tending to their every need, to friend, the one they look forward to hanging out with and doing fun things with … these are the moments that will turn into precious memories that hopefully my children will treasure for years to come and look back fondly on if the Lord should call me home.

God's Not Dead Girls' Movie Night

We stopped to eat at their favorite restaurant where any onlookers would have sworn we hadn’t eaten in a very long time with the way we were savoring and enjoying every bite. We just haven’t been there in forever, so our taste buds were dancing with delight. Once all of the little tummies were satisfied, we went on to the movies!

My oldest daughter mentioned the movie God’s Not Dead to me before. It, apparently, was mentioned at the Christian school that my children attend, and it interested her a great deal. I listened as she talked of what she had heard the movie was about. To be honest, I wasn’t that interested in the movie upon hearing about it. For me, I know that God’s not dead. I don’t need a movie to tell me that or to convince me. I know in my heart, and that is all that I truly need. But, it kept coming up in conversation a lot. So, last night my daughters and I went to see God’s Not Dead.

Even though we had just eaten, we stopped off at the concession stand as my oldest daughter just had her braces taken off a few days earlier. She hadn’t been able to enjoy movie theater popcorn in a year and a half. We knew going in that she would have a large tub of popcorn pretty much all to herself, and that was perfectly fine with me.

God's Not Dead Movie Popcorn

We took our seats right square in the middle of the theater. People started filing in, and this proved to be a very popular movie even though it has been in theaters a few weeks now.

The movie begins with a cross necklace wearing college student being warned upon registration about a particular professor. He was given the opportunity to switch classes, but he really needed this one so he stayed with it. It didn’t take long to understand why the warning was issued, though. On the very first day of class, the professor, a known Atheist, went through his usual lecture of how it would save the class a whole lot of time if they would all just write God is dead on a piece of paper with their signature. Then, they could move on to more important things that semester, according to the professor.

Several people looked around in the class as if they were unsure of what to do. Then, they started writing on their paper and passing it to the end of the row to be given to the professor. One student, however, felt very strongly about his beliefs. He sat there contemplating what to do. He knew in his heart that he could not deny God. He knew that he could not deny God’s existence and that he could not deny that God was very real working in his heart and life. He knew that although it would not be the most popular thing to do and that it would not score any points with the professor that he had … HAD … to do the right thing! And so, he refused to write that on the paper.

The professor wasn’t very pleased at this point, as you can imagine. This college Freshman was going up against the professor, of all people … in his class … in front of all of his students. How dare he, right? Ah, but this young man was brave and he accepted the challenge offered by the professor. At the end of every class, he would be given 20 minutes to state his case on why he believed that God was not dead. The professor would carry on with his class as usual with his beliefs, but this college Freshman would be given the opportunity to prove this to the entire class. The college student took it one step further and said that they would put God on trial with the professor being the prosecutor, with himself as the defense attorney, and the entire class as the jurors. They would get to decide for themselves.

Being one that does not like to have a movie or a book spoiled for me, I do not intend to do that here today with you either. Instead, now that you have a pretty good idea of what the movie is about, I will tell you of my experience while watching this movie.

As my daughters and I sat there listening to the arguments on both sides from the professor and that of the college Freshman, tears began to fill my eyes. There were several instances within the movie itself where God moved in other people’s lives. There were several story lines going within this movie, not just that of the college Freshman trying to convince his classmates and professor. There were other people’s lives involved and intertwined in the movie plot. It pulled on my heartstrings. From verbal abuse, to physical abuse, to being cast out of the family, to being told the character had cancer, to a dear family member having dementia, to a great tragedy occurring … this movie spoke to my heart in so many different ways and before I realized what was happening, tears filled my eyes and spilled over until they were streaming down my face.

Ordinarily, I would say that this movie was powerful. On second thought, it wasn’t the movie, the actors, the characters portrayed, nor their lives … it was the message behind it all that was powerful. The message … God’s NOT dead.

He’s not.

He’s very much alive and working in hearts and lives EVERY where to this very day, right this minute.

Lives … have been spared.

Hearts … have been changed.

Yes, there are still bad things that happen to good people in this life. There are a million questions that remain unanswered, most leading to us wanting to yell “WHY?!”

I don’t know why, dear ones.

But, what I do know is that God is real. He is alive. And I believe.

 

But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.

Matthew 10:33 NLT

 

I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels.

Luke 12:8 NLT

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

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“A picture is worth a thousand words.”

How many times have we heard the oft used phrase?

Pictures on paper, pictures on the computer screen, pictures in our minds.

We take photos at major and minor events in our lives. We take them to make a piece of a memory.

I have someone close to me in my life that I affectionately call “The Picture Queen.” She takes photos in rapid succession. Sometimes it may feel like the paparazzi, but she takes all of those photos for a reason …

To be able to look back on events that mean a great deal to her and to those that are in the photos

We can take photos with a phone, cameras, and, of course, with our eyes and mind. Photos capture that “moment.”  They help us re-live memories that touch our hearts. They could be of loved ones, love that was had, then lost, and maybe found again. They could be of those that were lost too soon in life, and when those memories come to the surface, there may be tears or there may be laughs. They always are warm and happy feelings, though.

Photos are windows into times in our lives that bring emotions to the surface that we sometimes forget.

We have people in our lives that we will never or can ever forget. They reach into our hearts, touch our soul, and we are never the same person.

Life is precious; so is love.

When it comes, and often at times we never expect, we should always capture those cherished moments not only in our mind’s eye, but in some way to have a visual reminder of those moments that passed all too soon.

A picture is worth a thousand words.  It is also worth a thousand tears, a thousand laughs, a thousand smiles, and a thousand warm feelings. 

Pictures taken when we were children … we all have moms and dads that took that “embarrassing” photo. The joy it gives them is worth any embarrassment. When the day comes that they have gone to a better place, even then we can look at those embarrassing photos and smile knowing the joy it brought to the ones that gave us life.

Some don’t like their picture taken and say:

“I never take good pictures.”

It’s not for you to judge. The person taking the picture loves the image created and will hold it close to their heart.

A snap shot of time; a snippet of a memory.

To them, it could be the most beautiful picture taken. So keep in mind, you do take good photos.

Memories feed our soul.

Pictures in our mind, on paper, in a scrapbook, or filed in computer memory bring smiles and joy to those who have them. We can make funny faces, but the image captured is a moment in time. A moment filled with love, togetherness, and joy.

A wedding, a graduation, a prom, a walk on the beach, a dinner cruise, and yes, even a “selfie.”  Life captured in small moments now displayed on a piece of paper or on a computer screen.

Our memories may fail us, but a picture endures.

They may fade, just like our memory. The image still brings all that back to the forefront of our thoughts.

As we go forward in life, celebrating Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, Christmas, Ground Hog’s Day …whatever the occasion … take the pictures, make the memories, remember the love that brought you to the place where the picture can be taken.

Celebrate life; document and cherish those who walk the path of life with you.

Those moments may never come again.

I was once told:

  “We are not guaranteed another day.”

As days go by, those captured moments in time become an anchor, a life line to those wondrous memories.

So, wear out the batteries on your cameras and phones. You’ll look back on those images with joy.

~Gregory H. Thompson

To Love and To Be Loved

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It is truly a beautiful thing to love and to be loved.   So many times we fight it.  There are people that just want to love us, and yet, we’re so busy pushing them away.  We build these incredible cement walls around our hearts like a fort to protect us from what we perceive as a threat.  However, hiding behind those walls also prevents us from feeling the warmth of the sunshine and keeps the sun rays from reaching our soul.

It is rare to find someone that truly loves and cares for us in this day and age.   Everyone is out for themselves it seems.   When you do find that rare gem, why push them away?  They just want to love you.  LET THEM!

Love is never a bad thing.  It is beautiful, radiant, brilliant … it is like a rainbow appearing after the raging storm has passed.   Bask in the glow and enjoy the vibrant colors.

To love and to be loved is the greatest gift we can give another.

At the same time, though, be careful that when you do have a rare beauty of a gem that you do nothing to tarnish that love.   Don’t taint it.  Instead, protect it, shelter it, honor it.  Value and appreciate it.  Respect it.  Treasure and cherish it.

We are allowed to feel so intensely, to feel it coursing through our veins.

To love and to be loved … is truly a gift from God.

Tear down those walls that you’ve built and let love in!

Love … deeply …

Care … genuinely …

Treasure every single moment …

And let love flow freely …

In your heart and in your life …

To those around you.

From our family to yours …

To love and to be loved

Does God Test Us?

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We have a very special guest contributor with us today. I have had the privilege of knowing Gregory Thompson for the past 17 years. We have been through it all together, although not side-by-side due to the distance in miles, but always heart-to-heart.

I tease Greg by saying that he is my little Indian boy, as he is part Native American. He was raised with his mother’s strong Native beliefs and fully embraces it. He is also in the medical field, as you will see from his writings below.

It is an honor to share his beautiful musings with the world.

Meet Greg

Does God Test Us?
Why do people use the phrase “God is testing me”? Personally, I have never thought that God was testing me. I feel that we make our own choices as we travel down the path of life. Does God intervene? I don’t feel that God picks and chooses His spots to step in. I feel that He, and the people that we have loved and lost, are always with us. They are there trying to guide us and help us to make the best decisions in life.

Life is full of pot holes along the path. My own life experiences are what make me the person I am today: from a near fatal car accident, to experimental brain surgery, to a stroke.

The good things about seeing patients that I work with is that I get to witness their healing and walking — not being wheeled, but walking — out of the hospital. I also have the joy of seeing the faces of the children no matter what their diagnosis may be.

Could all of these be God’s intervention … or could it be just God’s creation?

We all have a free will to make choices to do the right thing … or not to. We are allowed to make those choices. We all have the guidelines of what we have to do to be a good person. My choices have always been to try to do anything I could do to take the pain or fear away from the patients that I have the honor to serve as part of their treatment team. Was it God’s intervention in my life to turn me away from a career in Marine Biology to a career in Respiratory Therapy and furthering on to Nurse Practitioner? Some may say yes, while others may say no and reason that it was simply what my interest evolved into. For me, though, I think that in some way, somehow, I was given the desire to help and heal. I can’t say that it was God … but I do feel that I want to make God proud and happy that I am utilizing the talent and putting the education to a good use and most certainly not to take advantage of it to only further my own self instead. I want to take the pain away and help bring them peace.

There are people that come into our lives that do that very same thing for us.

They may not even be doctors or nurses. They may be an accountant, a homemaker, or even a police officer. These people come into your life and bring such joy and peace. They make you want to be a better person, perhaps of the internal guilt you may feel for not always being the person you should be.

Is this God sending an angel to help guide you?

Angel
We have all of these questions with as many answers as there are stars in the sky.

I don’t feel that God tests us. That would imply a level of un-trust on the part of the Almighty. That’s not the Omnipotent Being that I envision! God, the Great Spirit, Allah, Buddha, call him (or her) what you wish. I just know that the Almighty is not there to manipulate our lives but to provide strength when we are at our weakest. In my opinion, God is there to pass that strength on when those around us, those we love most, are at their weakest.

During my recovery from the brain surgery, there was one person that gave me the strength – the will – to recover. That same person gave me all of the strength that she had while I worked my way back to some semblance of normalcy after my stroke. This person never asked for anything, never expected a “thank you” … she just poured encouragement and support into my recovering body. It was this person that, to me, enabled me to recover.

So, I’ll ask …

Does God, the Almighty test us?

OR

Does He see the trials that we encounter and provide His angels to lend us strength and guidance?

Personally, I feel that He sent an angel to me. I only hope that as I progress down my path in life that I can prove to be worthy of the love, support, and encouragement that I have received from my angel.

 

You’re Not Broken. You’re Beautiful!

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One of my most favorite things to do is take a stroll on the beach. When the weight of the world feels like it is on my shoulders, a quick escape to the sandy shores will sweep it all away. Just as the tide rushes in and brings new treasures with it in the form of seashells and sea creatures, the pull of the ocean takes things from the shore just as quickly as it was deposited mere seconds ago. It also does the same with me, only it restores my soul, revitalizes right to the core of my being, and refreshes my spirit.

The beach is no place for worries or concerns. Stress cannot exist with the rolling of the tide and crashing of the waves. Those sounds are far too soothing to provoke anything but relaxation and rejuvenation.

We cannot help but look down at our feet as we walk along the shore, but not at the sand between our toes. With our heads bowed, we search for those treasures beneath us and all around us … seashells.

If you’re lucky, you will come across a perfectly in-tact beauty of a shell. It may even look as if it is flawless. But you’ll never know the journey of that one little shell and things that threatened it along the way. Just because it appears perfect does not mean that it did not struggle.

The majority of the time, though, you’ll encounter broken shells along the shores. Some shells look as if they have been crushed beneath someone’s feet, and they probably have. There are some people that don’t find joy in searching for shells as I do, and that’s okay. But, I wish they’d preserve them for those of us that do go there sometimes for that very reason, to look for those precious treasures that have washed ashore.

Some may reach down to pick up a shell that looks near perfect as it’s laying there in the sand only to find that it is broken and worn underneath. Most would toss it aside without giving it another thought. Not I. I hold it in my hand, grasp it between my fingers and feel the different textures of the shell. I examine the color, the shape, and imagine what it would have looked like if it hadn’t been beaten, broken, and parts shattered along the way.

We feel like those shells at times in our lives, don’t we? We feel that as broken as we are, with what we’ve gone through in life, that no one would ever want us. We fear that we’ll be tossed aside, disregarded, and sometimes as if we have no true value in the eyes of others.

Hear me now, friends. You’re not broken … you’re beautiful!

I’m not just talking about your outer appearance. It’s your true beauty that shines, and it comes from inside. It comes from your heart and soul. It reflects in all the different, special ways that you care for others.

I see you over there: nurturing, caring, and loving … doing everything within your power to help another soul. I see you struggling and yet pushing your cares aside to put others first.

I see your true beauty reflected on your face as you cast a warm smile at a little child as you take the time to hear them … truly listening to them and making them feel like they matter, too! Because they do! Just like you!

I see you encouraging others when you need encouragement yourself. I see you going out of your way to offer support in whatever way you can to those who are hurting, sick, feeling lonely, and lost in life.

We all face things in this life. I doubt that there is one person that will escape the feelings of being beaten, broken, and shattered at some point in their lifetime. Bad things happen to good people. We aren’t sure why, and it’s not for us to know. One day when you meet your Maker, you can ask Him yourself why you had to struggle so much. I know that His ways are not our ways, and while we can’t see the path ahead of us, He can. I know He loves us with a love that is so hard to understand. Unconditional love. Rarely do people love with an unconditional love, but He does … and always will.

I’ll admit that there have been times in my life that I’ve felt like the broken shell. I’ve experienced great heartache and pain in my lifetime. I realize that what I’ve experienced has molded me into the person that I am today. It’s been a painful process at times, but I’m still here and thanking God for the gift of another day.

There’s others that have endured life altering things on their path as well. They’ve endured unspeakable things that threatened to claim their lives. They’ve struggled and wondered if they would ever be whole again.

There are several people in my life that immediately come to mind as I sit here writing this out. They are very near and dear to my heart, and they have gone through completely devastating things in their lives. They have felt just like this shell, too!

They’ve wondered if they have any value left due to what they’ve been through in this life.

They wonder if anyone would ever want them with their broken pieces and shattered lives.

I’m here to tell you that I do!

I admire your strength and the way you’ve continued to fight. I applaud even your smallest achievements along the way.

Although you may feel like it, you’re not broken, sweetie. You’re beautiful!

It has taken such courage and strength. You’ve fought so hard for so long to keep from being completely crushed by the pounding surf. You’ve felt frightened and alone at times even. But the beauty comes from watching you overcome! You’re still out there on the sandy shores displaying your beauty … just like the little shells.

You’re not broken.

You’re beautiful!

You're Not broken, you're beautiful.

As You Reach Your Destination

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My family and I set out recently on a trip to look at a horse that was for sale. It was in another town that we hadn’t been to before, and so we quickly punched the address into our GPS so we could get on our way. The only problem is that my husband hates that thing with a passion. He will fuss and cuss at “her” (the voice of the GPS) the entire way to our destination. It is a constant struggle any time we go on a trip. It would easily zap the fun completely out of the trip if I allowed it to do so. However, I try to encourage my husband and ask him kindly not to say bad things! To me, it is an adventure! I like going where I’ve never gone before. I like looking at all the new things along the way. Why he can’t just enjoy the ride is beyond me, but I am reminded that we are two completely different individuals. He definitely likes to be in control, but the funny thing to me is that if he doesn’t know where he’s going, he is anything but “in control.”

As I have pondered this since our last trip, I couldn’t help but think of how God points us in the direction that He wants us to go. How many times do we ask for His help and His guidance? And how many times do we fight it the entire way when He lays the path before us that He wants us to take?

Are you like my husband? Do you fight every twist and turn? Do you mumble, grumble, fuss, and complain about every thing that God wants you to do? Remember now, you did seek Him first before you set out on your journey. You asked Him for direction, and He has given it to you.

It is definitely something to think about, now isn’t it?

For me, I enter the address into the GPS and trust that it will take me to my destination. No matter how many times it takes me places that I don’t understand, it does eventually get me there safe and sound. Until I reach my destination, though, I try to relax and enjoy the scenery along the way. Likewise, I trust God and cling to the following verse:

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,“ says the Lord, “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

I want to encourage you on your path. Your journey will look different than that of my own. God has plans for each of us. They may look like we’re setting out side by side initially, but God may send your life in a different direction than He sends mine. That is fine, as long as it is HIS plan.

I encourage you to pray and ask God what direction He wants you to take in your life. Where does He want you to go? What does He want you to do?

After you’ve prayed and have heard God speak, trust Him to get you safely to your destination. Surrender to Him and allow Him to guide you along your journey, your path, your walk of life. He will not lead you astray.

There may be times you’re walking in the deepest valley, and there may be other times that you’re on the highest mountain. Trust that He knows best. Have faith in His abilities to deliver you to your destination in life exactly when you’re supposed to arrive.

Trust Him as you reach your destination!

Reach Your Destination

Join Holley Gerth and other writers like myself every Wednesday as we link up to spread encouragement all over the internet!

Who Inspires You?

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Have you ever really searched your heart and narrowed down all those who truly inspire you?   That is a tough one because all throughout our lives we have and will encounter those that challenge us and inspire us in different ways.  It’s hard to pick just one person or group of persons.

While thinking on this topic during this past week, I have to say that all those that have been affected by cancer inspire me.  From the ones fighting the brave fight right now, to the ones that have conquered it and are considered “survivors,” to the ones that lost their lives while fighting with all of their might.  There’s also the family and friends that have stood by their side every step of the way loving, caring for, encouraging, supporting, and cheering them on.  They all inspire me more than mere words could ever say.More

A New Beginning

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I could not ever come close to imagining the joy and excitement that Mary felt when she was carrying baby Jesus and anticipating His birth at any moment late in her pregnancy.  I know how I felt when I was pregnant with my two little miracles from above and how anxiously we all waited for their arrival.   I have been reminded of all of this leading up to Christmas day and the anticipation and excitement felt by those around me.

AND …

Now I have experienced it through my oldest daughter.   She has been anxiously awaiting the arrival of a little baby on her dad’s side of the family.   This little baby boy was due to arrive in late December, possibly early January.  They were just discussing on Christmas day how they wished the little one would make an appearance soon, and low and behold if her water didn’t break on Christmas night!    Early in the morning hours, Mom was rushed to the hospital by Dad and a few hours later, this precious little baby boy made his way kicking and screaming into this world.   What a  Christmas gift!!

I just had to stop to reflect a moment on the gift of a little tiny baby.   Oh the joy that fills our souls with the birth of a new little one.    All is right in the world the moment they lay your little baby in your arms for the very first time.  Instantly you know that you would do any thing for this little one – any thing!   They are your heart and soul, the air you breathe … they give new meaning to your life.  You get to experience a renewal – in your purpose in life – your whole world shifts when this baby comes into this world.

And so it was with the birth of baby Jesus.    In this case, He proved that He would do any thing for us.  He bore all of our sins on the cross.  When we give our hearts to Jesus, we should experience a transformation in our hearts and souls as HE is now the air we breathe, and He gives meaning to our lives.   You know, without a shadow of a doubt, that your life does have meaning and purpose.  You are here for a very special reason in this world, in this life.

A new baby brings about a new beginning for us … it is so with the birth of the new baby in my daughter’s extended family.  It is so with the birth of Jesus over 2,000 years ago.   It is so when you ask Jesus to come into your heart and life.   All of the sins you have committed up until that point are wiped away when you ask for forgiveness – you are washed white as snow.   We do nothing to deserve it, but God provides grace and mercy for us all.

As we are approaching the ending of 2013 and the beginning of 2014, do you feel that you need a renewal of some sort?    A new year is full of new opportunities for growth!  You do not have to stay in the rut that you may feel that you’ve been in for so long.  You can choose to do things differently.   If you need a renewal for your spirit, dig into God’s word.  Reveal the promises that He has for each of us tucked away in His word.   Meditate on scriptures, cling to verses that provide you great comfort in hard times.   Begin and end the day in prayer – pray all throughout the day if you’d like – you don’t necessarily have to pray some lengthy prayer with proper words or do some great ritual every single time you go to pray.  Just talk to God.  Invite Him to be a part of your day and be in each and every thing that you lay your hands on that day.  Allow God to be a part of your day.  Let Him be your constant companion and guide.   Begin 2014 with a relationship with God.  If you’ve never had one before, if you felt like you were just going through the motions, I invite you to begin again.   With purpose this time.   Just as any relationship requires you to pour into it, to nurture it, the same is so with your relationship with Jesus and God above!

As you go into the new year, do you have specific weight loss goals that you’d like to set?   Or an exercise program that you would like to begin and stick to this time?  If so, pray over it.   Allow God to lead you in this.   You can try to do this alone, but you will have more success if you invite God in.   Also, consider an accountability partner.  Or, my personal favorite, have someone commit to doing this with you if you can, that way you two can lean on each other in those hard times in addition to God above!   Think you can’t?  Oh I know you can!!  God says it in His word, also!  Nothing is impossible with God.   You can set a goal and work toward it daily.  You can pray over it, and you can reward yourself for little milestones that you reach along the way.  You and your accomplishments deserve to be celebrated!  Do so in healthy ways, though.   If you comfort yourself with food or a cigarette, pray over this and give it to God.  Allow Him to be your strength!   When you feel the urge to reach for comfort food or the comfort found in a cigarette, focus your attention on comforting yourself in other ways – take a long bubble bath, light some candles, play your favorite song, recite a bible verse that means everything to you, pray, lift up your hands and begin praising God.   The point is to turn your focus away from comforting with food or cigarettes or whatever habit you’re trying to break and instead focus on something good to take its place to comfort you.

Don’t feel good about yourself?  Feel that others are talking bad about you and tearing you down?   I heard something tonight that I’d like to pass along to you.  Donna Partow said,

You live your life before an audience of one – God!

Ultimately it does not matter what any one else thinks about you or says about you, or what you think in your mind that they are thinking or saying about you.  The only approval you need is already given by God above!!  This leads me into another quote that I absolutely love by Joyce Meyer:

True freedom never comes until we fully realize that we don’t need to struggle to get from man what God freely gives us: love, acceptance, approval, security, worth, and value.

Last, but not least, here is another quote that says a whole lot.  It spoke to my heart, and I hope it will speak to yours also.  It is by Lysa TerKeurst:

God gave us emotions so we could experience life not destroy it.

Do you feel at times that your emotions rule you?   Do you allow yourself to get so carried away in and with your emotions that you almost feel as if you’re a tornado that is spinning out of control threatening to destroy all things in its path?

I certainly don’t claim to have all of the answers in this department at all, but I know the one who does – God!  Yes, it all leads back to God.  It’s all about His Light, His Love, and His Hope.    Let the light of God fill you and wash over you.  Allow the light of God to shatter the darkness in your life, in your negative thoughts, and in your out of control emotions.   You simply cannot do this alone.  No one can.  We need God, plain and simple.

Will you consider turning it all over to God in 2014?  Will you consider no longer trying to be in control of things that you have absolutely no control over to begin with?   None of us do!  We try so hard to control the uncontrollable.  We think we have so much power when in reality, we do not control any one or any thing.  God does!

You are being given the gift of another new year.    What will you do with it?

Out with the old, in with the new!  Here’s to a new beginning in 2014!

Blessings to you and yours!

~Shirley

Light, Love, Hope

Live In Such A Way

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