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Jan 16 2020

Did You Get Your Flu Shot?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 6 Comments

 

 

Some Days are Like this!

 

Did You Get Your Flu Shot?

Every year about September, we hear about getting the flu shot which includes a promise to keep us protected from that year’s seasonal virus. I am faithful each year to receive my shot because of an Auto-immune disease that I battle with. Now my husband, who never has the flu shot, thinks it’s a waste of time, besides he never gets sick.

However, after getting the shot something went wrong. You guessed it, two days after Christmas I caught the flu which lasted about three weeks. My family decided I would get well sooner if I would try their flu and cold zapping home remedy. At that stage, I will try anything, well almost.

A cup of hot water, one teaspoon of minced garlic, one teaspoon of honey and one-quarter cup of lemon juice. Two cups a day, morning and evening weren’t too awful, and it seemed to help some. After a few weeks of confinement in my home, I was so excited to go to the grocery store and see people. Yeah! I was hoping no one would notice the cloud of garlic following me up and down the aisles.

I still smelled like a garlic bulb, but I made it through. Lol.

This year I determined not to get my flu shot, after all, if I became sick having the shot I might as well try it without. Wrong, I was back with the flu and cold zapping home remedy again smelling like a garlic bulb for another few weeks.

I don’t want to complain, but I’m uncertain what I should do next year. Since it didn’t seem to benefit having the shot or not.

However, I was startled to see how quickly my joyfulness flew the coop when things went wrong. I sulked around the house sniffling and sneezing with my hair unkempt and it even hurt to blink my eyes. My Joy dropped from 85 to zero in record time, becoming self-absorbed with my very own pity party.

Am I joyful in all circumstances even if I don’t feel like it? Life is a matter of choices and God’s mercy will never fail us. I know he will never leave me alone.

As he encourages me to look back and remember all the amazing adventures, He has given me, I see only His promises of faithfulness, His great love, and forgiveness, what more could I ever need?©

Always be joyful. ~ 1 Thess. 5:16

Has the flu come your way yet? How is your joy today?

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
I love you all and am praying.

HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan

Nov 04 2019

Do You Hear Me, God?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 1 Comment

 

 

Do You Hear Me, God?

A child’s evening prayer. “Dear God, please take care of my daddy and my mommy and my sister and my brother and my doggy and me. Oh, please take care of yourself, God. If anything happens to you, we’re gonna be in a big mess.”

I’m sure we all feel like that these days when the world is in so much turmoil and distress. I have struggled for years trying to have a consistent prayer life that seems to be more hit and miss, than anything else.

I have felt guilty; I did not pray enough, or long enough.

I feel like I am not good enough, why would God listen to me, I have failed him so many times.

I don’t have enough time; I have a family, my work, and rarely sit down, and when I do I fall asleep.

We all know that the only time to pray is early in the morning.

However, I’m not an early bird. I just stare at my open bible then fall asleep, then feel worse…

Only to become discouraged and give up.  God, why did you make me like this? I can’t stay vigilant in the morning for prayer, I must be your worst child, one who doesn’t merit your constant love and grace.

I invested money in seminars and books that would help me get it right, so many formulas on how I should pray. But it never was intimate for me until I discovered a story about Susanna Wesley who raised 19 children and yet found time to pray.

With a busy family, Susanna found it challenging to find private time. Her life was hard, but she recognized the importance of praying for her family.  The children soon understood that any time their mother’s apron was over her head she was praying. So they left the room leaving her undisturbed.

This treasured story taught me it doesn’t matter where you pray or when.  I just need to talk to God like a dear friend, anytime or anyplace, he is only a prayer away.  Have you struggled with finding the right time or place to pray?©

Mark 11:24 (NLT)

 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.

” We are put on this earth, not to see through one another,
But to see one another through.”

Smile, God Love You

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me, Have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan

Aug 19 2019

Could We Be Friends?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 1 Comment

 

Could We Be Friends?

I never dreamed a friendship could begin, two young women with totally opposite personalities would became lifelong girlfriends.  

Dee has always been a no-nonsense, goal setting woman who embraces laughter and life with a bear hug.  She is wise beyond her years with a sensitive heart.  I have seen her notice a complete stranger in need, and stop to help them. My friend has the keen business savvy of Donald Trump (with good hair), and the creative talents of Martha Stewart— a domestic goddess with a warped twist. 

She has a style all her own; a possible visual might include Peppy Long-stockings dressed in Ralph Lauren, with the sense of humor and the quirkiness of Carol Burnett— ready to laugh at almost anything (especially herself).  That is my dear friend, Dee.

She is a very physical and thinks she hasn’t had a thorough work out unless she is sweating buckets.  My idea of a good workout is a color coordinated sweat suit, 1-inch gold flip-flops and pearls, fully loaded makeup, hairdo—the works.  (In case I run into someone I might know).

Besides, I never sweat, I mist. Taking a walk with us is truly comic relief.  Dee in practical shoes and clothing, charging ahead, getting the workout over in good time, with as much sweat as possible; while I leisurely stroll along, trying my best not to get all misty, gingerly stepping over rocks, puddles, and other debris. 

Although we have never lived in the same continent, we try to meet occasionally.  I love having a friend to talk to; someone in whom I can confide my deepest secrets (even if she is jogging circles around me so she can keep her heart rate up.)

But the greatest comfort about my friend, Dee, is the assurance that our friendship is secure. I know she loves me even with all the fluff and glitter, blonde hair and pearls. She allows me to the freedom to be myself, I never have to impress her; she is already on my side, and loves me.

I have often heard it said, “If you have five best friends in a lifetime you are fortunate.”  True friendship is a blessing. ©

The Bible says;

“No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish 

but have eternal life.” John 3:16

The longer I live, I realize that I would not have made it without my friendship with Jesus. I can talk to him, rely on him and trust him.

He is my shelter in the storms, and most of all I know he loves me and wants the best for me. 

Where would I be without him? Who is your best friend?

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, have a wonderful week.

Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan

 

Jun 15 2019

 Embarrassed Again

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 1 Comment

Embarrassed Again

 

 

 

Embarrassed Again

A few years ago  I somehow thought “Father’s Day” was a week earlier than it actually was.  In fact, it was a week later. Which is surprising for me because I have a tendency to be a little late. 

My husband and I spent the whole weekend having an enjoyable Father’ day celebration. We went to church, and as we walked home I mentioned it, Lyle, how strange it was no one talked about Father’s day, to which he replied: “It’s usually Mother’s day everyone makes a fuss over, not Father’s day.” We laughed at that observation, had a lovely afternoon meal and he had a Father’s day nap.

Later in the evening, we were to Skype with our daughter in California. She phoned to coordinate our time for later in the evening. I asked her if she had read the Father’s day blog? She started Laughing and said she had forgotten it was Father’s day herself.

Earlier in the afternoon, she reminded her husband to call his dad and wish him a good day, which he did. He called his father who was vacationing in Finland and wished him a happy Father’s day; it was then they found out it was the wrong weekend. Who knew?

My husband Lyle’s was happy, that year he got to enjoy two weekends of Father’s day. I was thrilled because for once I was prepared early; I seem to be the last minute rose.

I am a procrastinator and I tend to get motivated under pressure, but it has also caused many problems. You know, “When in trouble, fear or doubt, run in circles, scream and shout!!”

I have learned over the years that God is my refuge in the circumstances, troubles and mistakes I often find myself in. He is the one person I count on. His Love and forgiveness if constant, forever and eternal. ©

Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

All is well, God is in control

Are you a procrastinator or a planner? Do you ever misjudge your time? Like me?

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Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
 I love you all and am praying. 
 
HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan

May 11 2019

Mother’s Day

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

 

 

Reflections:

I have wonderful memories of an extraordinary woman who loved, encouraged and shared her life with me, my Canadian mother-in-law. Although she was opposite to my mother, the one bond they each had in common was their love of God, and for me.

As I have gotten more mature, I can see more clearly how God has made impossibilities, possible. He had a plan before I was born, and knew what I would need to grow closer to Him.

Jeremiah 29:11 (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.

He saw me and loved me when others thought I was a mistake; He had a plan. He knew the mother I need to help me through life. (Although when I hit my teens, I was sure he had given me someone else’s mother.) He also knew who my dear mother-in-law would be too.

mom gleddie2Hedevig was a tall, kind, and a gentle Danish woman who loved her home and family. She taught me how to cook, clean, bake those wonderful Danish pastries and pies. I learned to can food, make jams, jellies, pickles, and how to freeze and blanch vegetables. I learned how to garden too.

There was never anyone turned away from her home, generous hospitality, delicious meals, and beautiful table settings.

Our homes were on the same property, and we would see each other daily. She was a wealth of knowledge and made learning fun. She became my second mother, mentor, and friend.

As the years past, three daughters were born to our family, and they loved their grandmother very much. In fact, every day after school they would stop at Grandma’s for cookies and tea, play a game of Sorry or Trouble, and then come home. She always had a listening ear and encouraging word and many hugs. It was as though it was their particular time to have Grandma all to themselves.

Over the next few years, she endured severe illness, and like the family, we rode the roller coaster of extreme disappointments. My daughters would still visit Grandma after school every day; however they would set the cookies on the table, make the tea, set the games up, and she would come and set with them and watch as they played. Over a cup of tea, sweetened with laughter they enjoyed their time together

Hedevig was a beautiful pianist, organist, and singer. And that gift was passed on to her children and grandchildren. I loved to listen as she sat and played the piano for hours in her home. I would go over to her house on the corner of the ranch yard and quietly enjoy my own concert. It always brought comfort to her soul as well as mine.

She endured great physical pain and showed grace throughout the illness. Always knowing God loved her and had faith he had a perfect plan for her.

My mother’s gifts, have given me a lifetime of wonderful memories that are worth more to me than silver and gold. I have been blessed.©

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend as we remember our mother’s.

Hugs

Lovingly, Karan

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me, Have a wonderful weekend. I would love to hear your special memories of your Mother.