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CAN’T
I know that this does not seem like a good title for grandmothers, but let me explain. This morning I looked at all the things I have available. I have magazines I want to read, a book I want to finish, a pool I want to enjoy, a list of DVDs to watch, call friends, send greeting cards, and then there are things that I have to do like pay bills, laundry waiting in the washer, the dog to feed and walk (when I am able to walk), crafts piled up to finish for gifts, the garage to clean, the house to manage, shop when I need to, etc.
I realized that I can’t do it all. I make a list every morning, and then do what I am able to accomplish for the day. Dust and vacuum are not possible to do daily like I did a few years ago. When I shop I have all I can do to get the groceries in the house from the car. I put the cold food stuffs away and then sit down. When the rest gets put away is another story.
I know that all this is negative because sometimes you just have to face the fact that you cannot do it all. Once you get in your eighties you just slow down. If you have health issues it slows you more. Just six years ago (it doesn’t seem that long) I could get my house in order in the morning. Cutting the grass took me three hours. I could go to the store and put everything away when I brought it in the house.
But God tells me to seek Him first and His righteousness, and all I need will be added unto me. He keeps His promises. I know that I can depend on Him to hear my prayers, guide my devotion time, lead me in my Bible Study lessons, point me in the right direction in everything He puts before me. There are things that are more important than other things to do. It is more important to text Bible verses to a list of family and friends every morning. It is nice to receive a greeting card or note in the mail so that is a special gift God has allowed me to have to encourage others.
What is your “can’t?” Do you have one or a list like mine? Prayer is a must. Children, grandchildren, friends, church, government, caregivers, first responders, police, fire fighters, neighbors, missionaries, our military, the list goes on and we can pray. Prayer is our first priority. When we are in touch with God we change our ‘can’ts’ to ‘can do.’ Jesus said that we should go into all the world and teach them and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Well, most people cannot go into all the world, but we can travel through prayer. When we call on God because He is right there to hear us. Christians can still turn the world upside down through prayer. There is no limit to the amount of talking with God. He loves you so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die for you and He raised Him from the dead so you will never have to fear life or death. Believe and pray. Blessings are ours. Praise the Lord.
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WHEN
Do you ever ask yourself when you turned the corner and became grandmother age? I’ve been a widow for 17 years. I was 68 when my husband died. At that age I could keep up my usual activities like cleaning the house, gardening, shopping, paying bills, etc. You know the routine.
Yesterday I had lunch with my sisters. Two things made me think of this blog. I had a bracelet on since Sunday. I could not get it off. I tried everything. One of my sisters looked at it and turned it around and unclipped the clasp. Then I couldn’t find my cane. My other sister said that it is on your arm.
I realized that I have been changing through the years. When did it happen? I looked back and saw the gradual change in my physical abilities. My son-in-law who took me to Israel 5 years ago was recounting some of my steps there. He said how he and my daughter, his wife, helped me on the many walks we encountered there. I was out of breath much of the time. He was a little pale as he said that when we got home I had to have open heart surgery. It could have happened while in Israel.
But God had other ideas. I did have open heart surgery. No heart attack, just a whoosh my doctor heard. A new valve and three bypasses. I am fine. When did this show up? Then I tripped, hit my head, and broke my neck. When was I off my feed to let this happen?
When did things in your life change? When did the years keep going by and taking us with them? Did it just happen one day? I believe it is a process. Aging is natural. Psalm 71:18 ” When I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come.” This is our job, grandmothers, to make sure our grandchildren know the LORD. When? Now? How? Every chance we get.
NOW
Now that I received my check, my wasp sting is healed, the new pool is up and ready for winter (because it has not been really hot here this summer and by the time the pool would be filled the water would be ice cold), two mice were caught, and I sent flowers to the police station to encourage them, I am ready for the next thing God has in store for me.
Do you remember learning to type with this sentence, “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party?” Now is the time. For what? I believe now is the time for all people to follow God’s instructions in His Word. The Bible says that in olden times God spoke by the Prophets and Apostles, but now He speaks through His Son in His Word by the power the Holy Spirit gives us to learn and understand. It has always been this way, but people forget and do their own thing. No excuse, just a fact.
Focus is very hard for most of us to do. Focus on anything for any length of time and keep from going off course and you soon lose interest. Cell phones are a big focus, I know, but think about it. You are not focusing on one thing. You are constantly reading a different message every few seconds.
I Kings 8:61 “Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in His statues (focus on Him), and to keep His commandments this day (and always).” This is good advice to really focus on Him. now.
WELL, DID YOU EVER?
Did you ever wonder what God is doing? Not with the weather, or running the universe, but in your life? Everything else He just does and we don’t have to think about it. He is in control. He is in control of our lives too, but we don’t always know what is coming. We make plans, but He has plans already and He leads us to fit in them.
We are studying “Women of the Bible” and one of the questions was, “When was a time that God gave you even more than you requested?” We were answering that question and the telephone rang. I answered it because it was the pool service and I had set them top come take down my old pool with the hole in the side. The lady in charge said that they would be out Saturday (this was Thursday) to take down the pool and Sunday they will put up the new pool. I said I didn’t order a new pool. I thought I would think about it in the spring if I had the finances saved. She said that it is a gift. It has to be God because I didn’t even request this.
I know my daughters don’t want me to have a pool at my age. They are concerned about my safety. So I am still in awe of God taking over and doing this. Because I thought of what to do about the deck since it is open on the pool side and it would need a railing. Then what to do about the area where the pool was because it is all sand. I cleaned out things that fell under the deck and was ready for suggestions. But God had ideas I never thought about. Who would ever think you would get such a gift? I certainly didn’t.
My famous, or not so famous line, is God will work it out. Thee is nothing we can do about most things, but just wait on Him. He has seen me through a lot in my 85 plus years. So here I am asking, ‘Well, did you ever?” God answers in His Word. Deuteronomy 31:3 “The LORD, He is is One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear or be dismayed.” So how can I question Him when He is so precise?
PONDER
The dictionary: ponder; to think deeply. I guess that is what I was doing the other day when I was staring out the window at the trees and not a leaf was moving. I was transfixed on the scene before me. Rarely is it so still that nothing is moving. It reminds me of a Bible teacher telling us that a new Christian is like a field of wheat. The slightest breeze moves the whole field. But a mature Christian is like a bushel of wheat in the barn. It takes a tornado to move it. The meaning for me is found in James 1: 5-6 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, it will be given to him. But when he asks he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the…
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PONDER
The dictionary: ponder; to think deeply. I guess that is what I was doing the other day when I was staring out the window at the trees and not a leaf was moving. I was transfixed on the scene before me. Rarely is it so still that nothing is moving. It reminds me of a Bible teacher telling us that a new Christian is like a field of wheat. The slightest breeze moves the whole field. But a mature Christian is like a bushel of wheat in the barn. It takes a tornado to move it. The meaning for me is found in James 1: 5-6 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, it will be given to him. But when he asks he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed about.
New Christians are excited and are easy to ‘be blown in the wind” by all teachings regarding Christ. Like the field of wheat they are beautiful, delicate, moving with the whole group. But as they mature they are like the Bereans, who search the Scriptures to find out what the Scriptures teach. Acts 17:10-15 tells the story of Paul and Silas being sent to Berea by the Believers at Thessalonica to keep them safe. The city officials did not want them preaching another King other than Caesar.
Isn’t that like today? Those in charge want the power to rule others. Solomon said that there is nothing new under the sun. We know that is true because Satan wanted God’s power. Adam and Eve wanted God’s knowledge of good and evil. And on it goes right up to this day and it will go beyond. So we must all search the Scriptures to find the truth that only come from God by the power of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ. Ponder on the Word of God.
JOY
I am not sure that I wrote about joy before, but it now has a new meaning for me. There was a segment on an old television show that was titled “That Was the Week That Was.” They went over the week humously and it was fun. My week that was, was not fun, but I still have the joy of Jesus down in my heart. It is as choice. I could cry and be upset or know that the Lord is with me and this will work out and even come to pass.
It started with a check I was supposed to get was never mailed because the lady in charge did not print it. Then a policewoman stopped me because I turned left and it was an illegal turn. I was praising God that I got out of the side street. She did give me a warning. Thank You, Lord.
The pool people were out to get my above ground pool going before the leaves fall. Two days they came and we found leaks when we tried to fill the pool to cover the skimmer. They were repaired. However, sometime Tuesday evening the whole side of the pool gave out and all the water went down the driveway. The pool men were back to measure the damage and take it down.
While this was happening I got stung by a wasp. He and all his relatives were in the top of my screen door frame. I cleaned three nests and many squatters out of the area in two days. More animal squatters now in my house. Hopefully only one mouse, but my friends are telling me they come in twos and have lots of babies. I cleaned that mess out of the kitchen bar cabinet and got Decon and traps set.
My daughter and her husband came to set the traps since I am not strong enough to hold the killer bar with one hand and set it with the other. Nothing yet, but I have to find places for the things that were in my cabinet.
But God has a plan for me and evidently it is this. So then I accept it with His joy in my heart. I can do this because of Jesus. St. Paul is chained to jail guards far off in Rome writing to the Philippian church which is situated north of the Aegean Sea in Macedonia with Greek influence abounding. He is encouraging the congregation to hang in there. Don’t let anything mess with the Gospel.
He sends all the saints grace and peace from God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ. Dr. David Jeremiah preaching on this book gives seven points found in the first chapter of Philippians. 1. Conduct as a Christian, 2. Opportunity to witness, 3. Courage to stand up for the faith, 4. Integrity of character, 5. Grow in the Word, 6. Be filled with the Holy Spirit, 7. Perspective to help us to see life through prayer and His guidance. When you do have that perspective you can’t help but take things as Paul is telling us he is doing while in terrible circumstances he (and we) can have the joy of Jesus down in our hearts.
JOY
I am not sure that I wrote about joy before, but it now has a new meaning for me. There was a segment on an old television show that was titled “That Was the Week That Was.” They went over the week humously and it was fun. My week that was, was not fun, but I still have the joy of Jesus down in my heart. It is as choice. I could cry and be upset or know that the Lord is with me and this will work out and even come to pass.
It started with a check I was supposed to get was never mailed because the lady in charge did not print it. Then a policewoman stopped me because I turned left and it was an illegal turn. I was praising God that I got out of the side street. She did give me a warning. Thank You, Lord.
The pool people were out to get my above ground pool going before the leaves fall. Two days they came and we found leaks when we tried to fill the pool to cover the skimmer. They were repaired. However, sometime Tuesday evening the whole side of the pool gave out and all the water went down the driveway. The pool men were back to measure the damage and take it down.
While this was happening I got stung by a wasp. He and all his relatives were in the top of my screen door frame. I cleaned three nests and many squatters out of the area in two days. More animal squatters now in my house. Hopefully only one mouse, but my friends are telling me they come in twos and have lots of babies. I cleaned that mess out of the kitchen bar cabinet and got Decon and traps set.
My daughter and her husband came to set the traps since I am not strong enough to hold the killer bar with one hand and set it with the other. Nothing yet, but I have to find places for the things that were in my cabinet.
But God has a plan for me and evidently it is this. So then I accept it with His joy in my heart. I can do this because of Jesus. St. Paul is chained to jail guards far off in Rome writing to the Philippian church which is situated north of the Aegean Sea in Macedonia with Greek influence abounding. He is encouraging the congregation to hang in there. Don’t let anything mess with the Gospel.
He sends all the saints grace and peace from God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ. Dr. David Jeremiah preaching on this book gives seven points found in the first chapter of Philippians. 1. Conduct as a Christian, 2. Opportunity to witness, 3. Courage to stand up for the faith, 4. Integrity of character, 5. Grow in the Word, 6. Be filled with the Holy Spirit, 7. Perspective to help us to see life through prayer and His guidance. When you do have that perspective you can’t help but take things as Paul is telling us he is doing while in terrible circumstances he (and we) can have the joy of Jesus down in our hearts.
WHAT A DAY
It is really odd the way some days come to pass. I’m a list maker. I try to get it all together every morning starting with prayer, and Bible. Meds and allergy shots are next on the list followed by exercise and then a walk. All the other necessary jobs for the day are added to the list in the order I would like them to get done.
But God has other ideas most of the time. I got the prayer in early and talked a long time to the Lord. Then a call came from a friend who needed special prayer for a daughter who needs encouragement. It is a privilege to be asked to pray for someone.
I had a number of things that took me out of the house and into town. The bank was first on the list. Then a couple of stores and the hardware store. I had a check that I was supposed to have the beginning of the week. I kept checking on it and was told that it was mailed. When I called again five days after the first encounter the lady in charge said that she forgot to print the check. So I picked it up. Stores and then signing up for repairmen to come at the beginning of the week.
Nothing unusual. I came home the way I came home for the many times before. However, I hadn’t been that way for months. A turnabout was put in the town and I used it though I don’t like those traffic ways. So I tried to dodge it and went the way I used to go. I made a left turn and was praising God that I got out with no traffic keeping me waiting. Down the road about a mile a police car had the lights on and was rushing up behind me. I pulled over for her to pass. Well, she didn’t pass. She pulled up behind me.
I didn’t pay attention to the new signs on the shortcut I took to evade the turnabout. I turned left and went my merry way. The policewoman explained that there was not a left turn at that corner any longer She gave me a warning. Thank you to the Lord and to the officer. The Lord reminded me that we are to be watchful, alert, stay on guard, and don’t be asleep on the job; be aware of the devil’s wiles. Persevere. Jesus is our example. He was ever watchful all the way to the Cross. Now He is still aware of our every moment. He lives to make intercession for us before the Father. Trust Him.
A MERRY HEART
Listening to Dr. David Jeremiah this morning really got me thinking about being merry. Proverbs 17:22 says that A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. I know how both situations feel. Yesterday I had enough of what I thought was not right. I was really getting that self pity feeling taking me over.
But God, (two of my favorite words) tapped me on the shoulder and He asked me what the problem is. It was all I expected other people to do everything I expected of them. Well, that is now how it works. People, of which I am one, are not perfect. God made them perfect, but they couldn’t leave it alone and go along with God’s perfect plan. He pointed out to me what I do have from Him. I don’t have to depend on people to make my heart merry. He is already doing that. He gave me Jesus.
Quoting Dr. Jeremiah, “…it takes God’s grace to live happily and harmoniously. How vital to stay positive and cultivate a merry heart: the Bible says “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance.” Proverbs 15:13. Jesus is that merry heart.
Nothing is harder to face than a crabby face in the mirror. It is even worse for the people you encounter. I had a crabby face because I expected people to do for me what they said they would do and to do it perfectly. That really opens the door to disappointment.
So the Lord showed me that it would not get anything I expected to be done to be done in my time and according to my will. So the Holy Spirit led me to Dr. Jeremiah’s devotional closing: “A merry heart, a merry heart, it shines upon the face, and insures you a welcome at every time and place.” Mrs. A. Jones, a nineteenth century poet.
Good thinking.
ONE SMALL WORD
Years ago I was in an evangelism program at my church. We had to pair up to go out to visit people who visited our church. The man I teamed up with was very good at presenting the Gospel. After all the small talk he would ask the question to begin our presentation; “If you died tonight would you go to heaven? What would you answer when God asks you “Why should I let you into My heaven?” If they were not Christians they would answer that they were good and never murdered anyone.
Dick then said, “There is one small word we have to deal with before we can know for sure that we will go to heaven. That word is sin.” He would hold his hand up and use his thumb and forefinger to make a small space showing how small the word sin is. Then he would go on to share the Gospel of what Jesus did and how the Holy Spirit leads us to faith.
I know that if you read my blog you know that I am a Christian. I only went into this one small word title because now days we have an excuse for everything, but never say the word sin. I am not one to lecture anyone about sin, but I do encourage (maybe lecture) on faith.
All the Bible study, Christian radio and TV, and of course. church made me realize that I need the reminder that sin is at the forefront of all this commotion that is going on in my life and in the whole world. I have to ask forgiveness everyday for thoughts, words, and deeds that I offend God with on an hourly (maybe minute to minute) basis. Genesis 1:1 ” In the beginning God…”to Revelation 22:21 “The grace of the LORD Jesus Christ be with God’s people. Amen.” All the Books in the Bible take in all of this one small word and what to do about it.
THINKING
I was staring out the window watching the school bus situating next door to pick up my special needs neighbor. As I was “wool gathering” out the window a humming bird came by and was feeding off my flowers. I was so blessed by that. I told you my milkweed plants have lots of butterflies taking advantage of them. I was watching some of them putting their eggs in safe places. I know some of the babies are out because they eat off the leaves and there are holes in many of the leaves.
I see those gifts from God all over the place. I know I have raspberries in the backyard. Birds all around and the butterflies. The fireflies at night are fun to watch. Did you know there is a place in the Smoky Mountains that the fireflies congregate once a year to do their mating dance? My friend told me that she and her daughter went there to see it. I looked online and it was fabulous. In person it has to be something. Synchronized Fireflies.com if you want to look it up. The pictures are beautiful and almost unbelievable.
God has made so many wonderful things for us to share with Him and each other. Just watching the leaves fill out on the trees and things bloom in their time is fascinating. I really liked cutting the grass because I could sing at the top of my lungs and smell the fresh cut grass. Just being outdoors to be surrounded by God’s glory is a blessing.
We, grandmothers, know how much life there is all around us. Grandchildren are so special. When we see them growing we can hold them close and hug them all we want. However, mine are all grown. Though I don’t see them enough when I do I hug and kiss them till they want to escape.
This is how thinking goes. You start on one thing and it leads to another. It reminds you of something or a humming bird shows up and you are off in another direction. Stop and smell the roses is an old saying, but it is true. Sometimes you have to look for those beautiful things you hurry by most of the time. Solomon says that there is a time for everything. Maybe now is your time to think. The Bible says that seasons come and go, seed time and harvest. Don’t let them pass you by. Stop and think.
ANGELS
Do you remember the TV show “Touched By An Angel?” Since there aren’t too many programs on TV that I want to watch, I have been watching old Tv shows, one the aforementioned “TBAA.” Each program has a simple message, “God loves you.” It seems to change the person receiving the message so that they can face whatever situation they were in.
If only it was so easy. From God’s vantage point it is so easy. We just have to believe it. All the things in the Bible lead to how much God loves us. Not just Jews and Christians, but all people.
Jesus came bringing a new and living way. He went through all the temptations and hardships that we face. From Genesis through Revelation there is a Scarlet Thread running through the Bible that connects every book with Jesus. It all leads to Him. I bought this up because the TV show reminded me that people in all walks of life belong to God. No matter what you are facing you are not alone.
From the most vile act people can do to the most honorable person we can think of God is in control and no one is alone. He is with everyone. No one can escape His oversight. This should encourage all of us to trust Him no matter what we are going through. When St. Paul tells us to rejoice he writes that from prison. Joy deep inside our beings comes from faith in Jesus Christ. God loves you. No doubt, no sin, no thing visible or invisible can take that from us.
MILKWEED PLANTS
A few years ago a milkweed plant showed up in my garden. I remember those from my childhood. We would pick the dried seed pods and paint them for decoration in the house and give them to grandmas and aunts. We thought these were really special. So I let the wild plant grow. The next year a couple more appeared in the garden.
This year there are about twelve growing out there. Even coming through the deck boards. I am letting them grow because they are the maternity wards for the monarch butterflies to lay their eggs, they are nurseries for the little ones to be taken care of, and they are nurishment for them to grow and go to school till they are grownup.
I had a number of butterflies this morning picking out their own hospital room and doctor to take care of them when they are ready…
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