LOVE

When my granddaughter, Addi, goes on vacation, she always brings me home a special magnet for the refrigerator.  This year I told my daughter, Jenna, not to let her bring me home a magnet.  I said she could spend the money on something for herself instead.  

Of course, when Addi found the perfect magnet, she wanted to get it for me.  Jenna told her that Mammie had said not to buy her a magnet this year.  I am told she asked over and over if she could bring me a magnet, saying “I always get Mammie a magnet every year.  Are you sure she said I can’t get her one?”  Her heart was broken. 

When she came over after vacation, she soberly almost tearfully said to me that she had found the prettiest magnet that was just right for me, but she wasn’t allowed to get it because I had said no more magnets.  She said, “Mammie, why couldn’t I bring you home a magnet, I always bring you a magnet?”  I told her the fridge was full and I didn’t need any more so I thought she could get herself something instead.  From the look on her face, I could tell that I had hurt her.

She promptly went to the refrigerator and rearranged all the magnets, saying “See, Mammie, there is always room for more.”  At that moment I realized she wasn’t just saying there was always room for more magnets she was really saying there is always room for more love because indeed giving me a magnet was her way of showing me she loved me and missed me while she was away.  I had taken that joy away from her.  Now, I was the one hurting.  I felt like I had crushed a beautiful flower. 

Never again will I tell a child they cannot freely give what’s important to them because giving is the highest form of love.  After all, God gave us His one and only Son because He loves us so much.                 John 3:16

Presence is more important than Presents

With anyone but especially parents, spouse, children, elderly and those sick or hurting

Time is more important than Things

Spend time with the important people in your life and those who need encouragement

Actions are more important than Words

  Show and give love!

As the saying goes…

LOVE is something you DO not just something you say 

1 Corinthians 13:13    (NLT) 

¹³ Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

You are ready to leave the campground and suddenly realize you have no truck brakes. However, camper brakes are working fine and able to stop the camper and truck. Of course, at this point you are not in traffic and nothing is open on Sunday to fix the problem.

Yes, that was the start of our trip home yesterday. The short prayer that was lifted up before we left the actual campsite suddenly became a day of much prayer as we left the campground. We contacted others and knowing they too were praying, we headed on down the road.

As expected, the worst areas were Baltimore, DC, and of course 95 South.

The six and half hour drive became a nine-hour drive and we are truly thankful that once again God’s hand of protection was upon us and those around us the entire trip!

We thank God for those that prayed and for His faithfulness to hear and answer prayer!

Psalm 91:11 NLT

For He orders His angels to protect you wherever you go!

Psalm 65:5 NLT

You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our Savior. You are the hope of everyone on earth even those who sail on distant seas.

Psalm 116:1, 2 NLT

I love the LORD because He hears and answers my prayers. 2 Because He bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath!

It’s summer and that means there is Vacation Bible School in almost every church in the area.  At Vacation Bible School, you will find excitement, fun, learning and in the end, tired but happy workers and children.

VBS takes months of planning, preparation and prayer.  Finally, the big week arrives.  The workers are ready and the students are excited!  Many workers have participated in VBS for years and often that next week after VBS they wonder about the impact made on the students.  They pray and ask God to bless the seeds that have been planted.

Sometimes it is years later before we see that young student making a decision for Christ and growing in the LORD.  It is hard to wait but always worth it.  BUT, sometimes God blesses our efforts immediately. Today, I want to encourage you with the news of one VBS student making a decision to follow Christ.

Lucas, my grandson, who is nine, really enjoyed the week and had many questions especially during prayer times at night.  Last night, after our prayer time I had tucked him in and went to tuck Lilly in.  When I started to go downstairs Lucas said to me, “Mammie, you know that prayer that you told me about that I could ask Jesus into my life, well, I want to do that.”

It was hard to contain my excitement but we sat and talked to make sure he understood just what he was asking about and what praying to ask Jesus into his life and heart meant.  Confident that he did understand, I told him that he could pray and talk to God himself or I could pray and help him with the words.  He quickly but quietly said, “Mammie, I can do it, I can talk to God.”

To my amazement and delight, he proceeded to pray the most heartfelt and sincere prayer I have ever heard a young child pray!  His voice cracked a little and both of us cried.  His heart was right with God and he ended his prayer thanking Jesus for loving him and that He would be with him forever.

Psalm 65:5 New Living Translation (NLT)

⁵ You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds,
O God our Savior. You are the hope of everyone on earth,
even those who sail on distant seas.

Recently I read a post on Facebook concerning giving children gifts of time not toys.  It suggested movie tickets, an afternoon of bowling, a day trip to the zoo and things that need an adult companion taking time to be with them.

Considering Christmas is just weeks away I would like to expand on those thoughts and ideas for people of all ages.

It is often said that TIME can be spelled LOVE.  This is very true.  The best way to show our love is to give of ourselves just as Jesus gave Himself for us.  The Bible says we are to love one another and serve one another.  Here are a few suggestions of ways to give TIME/LOVE to others around us!

This world is a busy place and each of us go through the week often wondering where did the time go and how will everything still left to do ever be finished so reaching out to others can be a real stretch.

The week doesn’t look like that to older people as they often wonder if there will be a card in the mail so they know someone was thinking of them.  Sometimes they just wait for the phone to ring to hear a friendly voice.  Television gets old after a while and visits are bright spots in long days.

Send a text, better yet an email, better yet a card in the mail, better yet a phone call but best of all just go for a short visit.  Doesn’t have to be a birthday or because someone is sick.  Just go and visit.  Maybe even take them a milkshake if their health allows it.  They may even want to ride out to get that milkshake or lunch.

Could you call a single mom or dad and ask if there is any way you could be of help to them – spend some time with the children at the park, take them some treats that possibly are not affordable on their budget.  Maybe her car has a minor problem you could work on or the lawn needs mowed or a bicycle needs repaired.

Offer to sit with a homebound person while the caregiver takes a much needed break.  Let’s not forget to go see those in the senior care centers or the hospitals.

Pick up someone that doesn’t drive anymore and take them shopping or to pick up their prescriptions.  And speaking of prescriptions, an excellent gift is to give a gift card to a store that not only has groceries but a pharmacy and gas pumps.  The card can be used for whatever – food, medicine or gas.  What a blessing these cards can be to those on a limited income.

Have a day of shopping and errands to do?  Call someone to see if they want to ride along.  Is it a sunny day and you just want to be out in God’s great Creation?  Invite someone would like a day outing too!

But back to how to actually put this is to Christmas gifts.  All the above are usually spontaneous and can be done all year BUT making them a give by giving them a “coupon book” for any of the above, like an “expect a call from me once a week” coupon or once a month coupon.  Could be a coupon for a monthly visit.  However, there is a danger here.  Do not under any circumstances make a coupon for anything that you aren’t going to commit to and follow through.  Part of the joy of the gift is looking forward to it happening and then enjoying it when it does happen.

I am sure many of you have lots of good ideas to add to this starter list.  Please comment either on the blog or Facebook so we can all find at least a few ways to reach out to others this Christmas in very loving and practical ways.

When we give of ourselves we are blessed more than the one we hoped to bless.

Acts 20:35   New Living Translation (NLT) 

³⁵ And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”  

Hebrews 10:24   New Living Translation (NLT) 

²⁴ Let us think of ways to motivate one another to  

acts of love and good works.

Why do you still use the cane?

There is atrophy in my brain that may have been caused by an undetected stroke, untreated high blood pressure or various other causes. The damage that has been done cannot be undone.

Aren’t you going get better?

Not better, but I am learning to adjust in different areas and situations. We are taking steps to hopefully prevent further atrophy.

But why the cane?

Balance is a problem because my nerves and muscle are not communicating.  My lower body is the most affected.  This makes it challenging to rise from a sitting position.  Also, I can be walking along and start veer to the left or the right.  I can be standing still and suddenly falling backwards. That’s why when we are praying you will always see me holding onto something or someone.  Thus the cane to prevent future falls –  per the neurosurgeon.   However, I do not use the cane in the house or familiar areas such as the Sunday school classroom even though that has lead to some scary moments.

How are you handling this season of life?

As they say, that’s a great question.  I talk to God a lot more and the Scriptures always give me words of hope and encouragement.  This is not to say that every day is an easy day.

Just like last night at Ladies Bible Study, I lost it at the end when it was time to sing.  What song was it?  It Is Well With My Soul.  Well, at that moment, those words were hard to sing while I watched everyone easily get up and sing and I struggled to stand.  No pity party here or why me, just honesty.  At that moment, singing that song, I realized how I long to be mobile again.  In that moment of weakness, I reached out to Paulette, who is always there to hold me up in more ways than one and I thank God for her.

But I know, the best part is yet to come.  Someday I will have a new body and be mobile again.  No aches, no pains and no limits.  I am looking forward to that.

2 Corinthians 5:1   New Living Translation (NLT) 

5 For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.

Psalm 94:19   New Living Translation (NLT)

19 When doubts filled my mind,
Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.

 

 

Stressed                    Blessed

Separate                   Together

Bad                             Good

Hard                           Easy

Sad                             Happy

Wanting to run       Willing to stay

Doing it our way     Doing it God’s way

Do you see the pattern? 

Yes, our marriage has seen all of the above but today I am thankful for Andy.

With God’s help and by His grace we have been married 21 years today.

Not a pie in the sky relationship but a down to earth, God given one.

Not always an easy road but a challenging work in progress.

Not a do it yourself but a leaning on God relationship.

So, I want to thank God for Andy and his unconditional love, his acceptance of me no matter what, his constant hard work and provision through the many skills God has blessed him with.  Here are some verse that are special to us.

1 Corinthians 13   New Living Translation (NLT)      Love Is the Greatest

⁴ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud ⁵ or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. ⁶ It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. ⁷ Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

¹³ Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

I love you Andy and I thank God for you!

Life changes constantly.  Plans are made then adjustments must be made as health, finances or other changes happen.

Change doesn’t have to be scary or disappointing because of three facts that are unchangeable.

1. God never changes. God is always loving, faithful and in control. We look to God in faith and obedience as we walk and talk with Him.

James 1:17   New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁷ Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 

Romans 8:28   New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁸ And we know that God causes everything to work together^[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

2. Jesus is the Word and the Word of God is the Bible. His Word never changes and His promises are always true.   We trust in Jesus as our LORD and Savior then begin to grow as we study to learn the Word daily and memorize the Scriptures regularly. 

John 1:1   New Living Translation (NLT) 

1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God. 

Hebrews 13:8   New Living Translation (NLT)

⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

Matthew 28:20   New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Psalm 16:8   New Living Translation (NLT)

⁸ I know the Lord is always with me.
    I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.

3. The Holy Spirit is always with us, helping us to adapt to and guiding us through whatever situation or circumstance we find ourselves in.  He has a plan and purpose for every happening in our life and will use it for good!  We depend on the Holy Spirit to be with us and lead us through each day of our lives and every change in our lives. 

Romans 5:5   New Living Translation (NLT)

⁵ And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. 

Jeremiah 29:11   New Living Translation (NLT) 

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. 

Romans 15:13   New Living Translation (NLT)

¹³ I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

NO NEED FOR FEAR OR DISCOURAGEMENT – GOD IS IN CONTROL

EVEN IN THE MIDST OF CHANGE!

The visit with the rheumatologist yesterday was beyond understanding. More than once he said he didn’t understand and he couldn’t explain it.  What was so puzzling – the fact the in 1983 and in the 1990’s two different test results for lupus came back positive but now this most recent test shows negative for lupus.  Yet, signs, indications and similarities of lupus are present.

The ongoing diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, another auto immune disease, still stands. He tells me to continue to stay out of the sun and try the new medicine he is giving me.  Maybe it will help with movement, pain and other things I have been dealing with.

The other puzzle is the atrophy in the brain that appears to be causing the lack of balance, mobility and memory issues.  What caused it?  The possibilities that were mentioned are some sort of stroke sometime in the past or a fore runner of dementia.  When did it start?  Can it be slowed down?  What happens next?  Many questions go through my mind.  Few answers.  Later this month I go for more testing and that may give us some answers and direction.

I am thankful to know that God knows the beginning from the end and He knows what each day will bring.  While all this boggles my mind, no pun intended, not one bit of it is a surprise to God.  He is in control.  He knows how and when He will accomplish His plan and purpose for my life in His time.

Here are a couple excerpts from songs that help me to keep all this in perspective.

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

I don’t worry o’er the future
For I know what Jesus said
And today I’ll walk beside Him
For He knows what lies ahead

Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand

Songwriters: Ira Stanphill

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group

Because He Lives

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives

Songwriters: Gloria Gaither / Willam J. Gaither

Because He Lives lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group

God’s Word gives hope beyond understanding.

Jeremiah 29:11   New Living Translation (NLT)

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.

Psalm 73:23   New Living Translation (NLT)

²³ Yet I still belong to You;
You hold my right hand.

Psalm 138:7   New International Version (NIV) 

⁷ Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
You preserve my life.
You stretch out Your hand against the anger of my foes;
with Your right hand You save me.

Psalm 34:4   New Living Translation (NLT)

⁴ I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.