Walmart - A New Perspective

Good morning!

So today I'd like to share my thoughts on Walmart.  I used to absolutely hate going to Walmart!  I went with a grudge, if at all.  One day, as I was having bad thoughts about my local Walmart, the Lord spoke to my heart: "Really look at the people, and what do you see?"  Hmmm, I wonder what that's supposed to mean?   But I did begin to really look at the people, and as my focus changed, so did my heart.

I saw a very poor woman, deathly thin, with mismatched socks and outfit, and bruises on her very skinny legs.  Then I looked again, and noticed a beautiful radiance on her face as she smiled at me. And my perception changed.  And I noticed the famous "Walmart Greeter," with his booming voice and cheery attitude, saying, "Welcome to Walmart!  Hope you're having a great day!"  And I smiled back, wishing him the same, and I meant it!  Then there is the girl in the produce section, kind of scowling, ya know?  But she had a beautiful face and her makeup was always perfect (if a tad too much, but nobody gets everything right😁)!  And I spoke to her, and said, "I noticed how pretty you always look, and you always have your make-up on, and take such good care of yourself, it's so nice to see!"  Her face lit up like a lightbulb, and she thanked me, and her countenance changed as she stacked her grapes with a little more zeal and a smile on her face.  And the check-out woman, she did such a nice job of packing my things and getting me through the line quickly that I mentioned it to her, and she also smiled sheepishly.  And all of this happened in just one visit.

And as the changes in the folks I met took place, my attitude began to change, also.  And now, Walmart has become a place to encourage people, along with buying the things I need, and as I give out to others, so much more comes back to me. Maybe, just maybe, I will make some new friends! So  here's to The People of Walmart!  Thank You, Lord, for changing me......

The Little Things

Good morning!

And a beautiful morning it is.  Several days of rain have washed things clean and fresh.  Our beautiful, tempestuous Lake Erie is settling down after days of big waves and lovely surf. How I love sitting in my chair, looking out over the lake, and spending time with the Lord and in His Word.  Soon there will be a fire in the fireplace as I sit and drink my morning coffee.  But let's not rush that!

I am a dreamer and a planner.  Give her a goal and watch her go!  Nothing ignites me more than having a goal; I am not sure why but that's how I am wired.  Sometimes I must admit I get so caught up in the going-after that I nearly leave The One Who is the Greatest Planner (who could create a universe without a plan?) behind as I rush on to-I'm not really sure where.  Kind of like seeing the home you want, then building it without a blueprint.  Oh foolish me!

So for now, The Great Planner has me in a period of rest.  This should be good news, but for those of us "doers," it is a most uncomfortable place.  The where's and why's and when's that overtake my thoughts will surely crowd out the peace and joy of this day, if I choose that path.  And just think what I would miss - the lovely moments of this very day.  My Daisy curled up next to me, the taste and smell of that wonderful cup of coffee that I so dearly love, the friends and family that I have the privilege of knowing and having in my life.  And the love of my soulmate, who knows me and loves me just as I am.  Such precious gifts, and if I don't choose well, I could miss out on all of these amazing blessings!  So for today, I will follow the path that the Lord has for me.  And His instruction would be, this: "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭30:19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬.

Wow, I can't believe I am again writing in my blog!  If anyone reads this, thank you for taking the time.  I stopped writing a few years back, wondering if I had anything even worth sharing. But several people recently have mentioned reading my little blog, and that maybe lives were touched, and so perhaps it is time to start anew.

Lots has happened over these past few years, some good and some not so good, actually incredibly, devastatingly painful, but more on that later.  Time keeps marching on, that is a true statement.  And I find myself asking lots of questions about...well, many things.  As I speak with a variety of people, I realize that each of us has a story to tell.  And for me, each of the stories are divided into chapters.  And each chapter has a beginning and an end.  But what about in between?  So for example, one chapter closes, but nothing of significance happens, and the "next chapter" is placed on hold.  Or maybe it isn't, maybe I just need to look at it differently.  Actually many things have happened in the past year or so, new things, fresh things, important things. But we can grow weary in the day-to-day of life, if we are not careful. And so today, I will stay "in today," and be thankful for the many beautiful things I have in my life.  And one day I will likely look back and realize that my new chapter had already started.  And it will be good, because the Lord is good, and He has promised us good and not bad, to give us a future and a hope.  Again, thanks for listening, for it's good to be writing again.

A Restful Place

Hello! 

Well, it has been awhile since my last entry.  You see I have been on a journey, a wonderful journey, a new adventure, a journey to find rest for my soul.  And for me, who always has a plan, and who then strives to make sure I achieve that plan, this place of rest is new and I must say, rather wonderful! 

Now when I say rest, I am not talking about sitting all day, watching TV and eating ice cream.  Oh no, this is a much better place than that!  For this is an internal rest, a place where my soul, my most inward part, my very being, is at peace.  It is not striving to know what is coming next, nor how I will make something happen, nor, in my not-so-becoming competitive self, making sure that I am The Best "whatever", comparing myself to others in an array of ways. No it is definitely not that, but it is other than that.  It is higher than that.  And it is infinitely better than that.  It is untouched by others, a place to "hunker down" and have peace even in this midst of chaos.  It is a gift, a blessing, a wonder.  It is the rest that only the Lord can give.

"Thus says the Lord: Stand by the roads and look; and ask for the eternal paths, where the good, old way is; then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. (Jeremiah 6:16)"

And so today, as all of the many things that pull at me for my attention and try to ruffle me and tempt me to go back to that stressful place, I will choose another path, the tried and true eternal path, where the good, old way is, and walk in it.  For this is a priceless gift, a hidden treasure, a delight to my very being.  May you have a wonderful, restful day!

'Tis the Season!

Hello my friends!

Today I want to talk about the Christmas Season!  This is my favorite holiday by far.  I love the hustle and bustle at the malls, the sound of the Salvation Army ringing its bells every year, and seeing the decorations at Crocker Park – these are near the top of my favorites list!  I love going for rides at night with my best friend, my husband, and our precious pup, Daisy, to see all of the light displays, and the businesses decorated and doing their best to draw us in to “come see what we have inside!”  I love listening to Christmas carols on the radio, shopping, cooking and watching the Weather Channel to see if we will have a “White Christmas!”  And I love all of the heartwarming Christmas movies – watching them with a box of Kleenex next to me!  And I really don’t even mind as people complain, “this has become such a commercial nightmare” and that we forget about the real “Reason for the Season,” and I don’t believe that Jesus minds either.  And the reason I believe this is because at this time of the year more than at any other time, we take ourselves outside of ourselves, and devote ourselves to thinking of and doing for others.  And to me, in whatever form that takes, the message becomes the action that continues to be – LOVE.

For what is love if not taking our eyes off of ourselves and thinking of ways to make another person happy or to meet their need, or to just spend time with them? It is at this time of the year that families get together, healing takes place, and fellowship abounds.  It is at this time of the year that, whether we understand it or believe it or not, we become what the season is all about – “Love one another as I have loved you.” When we give our change or a few dollars to the Salvation Army, it feels good because we know we are doing some small thing to make another person’s life better.  Other displays of love are shown in caroling at nursing homes and hospitals to bring some joy to those who are hurting; making a food basket for those in need so that a family can celebrate the season; and hearing heartwarming stories of love that abound at this time of the year.  And as we think about how to help another or others, it reminds us of how very many things we have to be grateful for in our own lives.  We appreciate the friends and family we are blessed to have in our lives just a little bit more.  And we are thankful for the simple things in our life, like a good meal and a warm home and a few extra days from work to spend with our friends and families.

So I say, Rejoice, and again I say Rejoice!  Go ahead and decorate the Christmas trees! Bake the cookies! Turn up the music and dance, for this is truly the most wonderful time of the year.  And know that somewhere in the hustle and bustle of this very busy time of the year, the real “Reason for the Season” is still at the heart of it all, for the message from the One Who came as a tiny babe, fresh from heaven, and gave His life to save a lost and dying world still resonates and is celebrated throughout the world – that we love one another- and is that not the real “reason for the season?”

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Ode to Uncle John

Hello, Friends!

Today I would like to share a story about a very interesting family member, Uncle John. A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I went to visit Uncle John. Now Uncle John is in his late 90's (our best guesstimate is 96), and while we are not sure of his exact age, we do know that he has lived life to the full. I love our visits with Uncle John; he cannot hear much of what we say anymore (we don't take offense that he is ignoring us!) but his eyes still twinkle when he shares pieces of his life story with us. He tells of the days he and a buddy went hunting in a remote location in Alaska, and that the plane that dropped them off would come back in a couple of weeks for them - if they survived! His garage with an attached room - today it would be called his Man cave- is full of all sorts of heads of animals that he has hunted and captured. He handcrafted his own rifles and guns, and made his own bullets. And many an award was given to John.

He tells of his early years, when he left home, at about 14 years, and hitched a ride on a train, and his wanderlust took him many places as he pursued his life as a hobo (please do NOT call him a bum, for hobo's worked for their money, no begging, making enough to tide them over till they hitched a ride to a new and interesting place), and he laughs as he shares his many stories, and we are glued to his every word. At 90, he complained to us at Christmas that he wasn't worth a darn any more, cause when he went hunting he had to come home by noon!  When Uncle John talks about his time in World War II, his eyes cloud over with sadness, and only recently did he share with us that memories of the war still haunt him, as he fulfilled his service to his country.

And as Uncle John shares His stories, he always near the end of our time says, "I have lived a good life, the Lord has been good to me. I have no regrets," and we are enchanted with his humility and gratitude for the life he has chosen to live. But you know what he has said that buried itself so deeply in my heart and soul? He said, "It is a wonderful life, but it takes work. It doesn't just happen, ya know. You have to work at it." So Uncle John, I take your advice, and on days when I feel down or don't feel like doing much, I “do it anyway,” so that I can create another interesting and worthwhile day in the life of ME. And I am grateful to have had you in my life, as an example of the life I want to look back on at 96 years young, and with a twinkle in my eye, say, “I have lived a good life, the Lord has been good to me, and I have no regrets..."