Family

Aug 14 2018

Just Watch Me

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

 

 

 

Just Watch Me 

A recumbent bike what’s that.” I asked. My best friend was on the phone telling me of her latest bright idea. “Just think,” she said, “I will be able to get exercise and it won’t hurt my back”. (A point well-taken since she had struggled with back problems for years.) Well if you say so, I reluctantly encouraged. Dee researches everything so she must know her bikes.

What is a recumbent bike? I had never heard of it(probably because I don’t ride bikes, I fall off, I can’t coordinate my hands, feet, brain, and mouth at the same time.)

However, after our conversation, I rushed to the computer to look at this biking wonder. Looking at this contraption, I was not sure how a person would ride it. It looked like a “Lazy Boy” recliner at full tilt with two wheels, handlebars, and peddles. I was sitting there trying to imagine my friend on that bike, lying down with her feet in the air, leisurely peddling along on two wheels. (I am not sure I would ride that bike even if it had six wheels!) Secretly I was hoping she would not get her bike, it looked dangerous!

At Christmas, she received her ‘Electric Blue’ recumbent bike, a fancy “high speed” cycling outfit, complete with matching gloves, shoes and a racing helmet (with arrear view mirror no less). You go, Girlfriend. My theory in life is if you are dressed for the occasion, and look the part, you can do the job. She sure looked the part of a speed racer, why she could have been on the cover of Biking digest!

For a week she practiced and I thought she did well she only crashed a few times in an effort to get out of the driveway. While she tried to find her perfect balance on that two-wheeled “Lazy Boy” recliner. As her friend, I could cheer her on, but I would not have tried to ride that bike if you paid me.

After a week of wobbling around the neighborhood, she finally mastered the technique. Dee was full of confidence, had found her balance, and felt she was ready to let the world see her new ‘Electric Blue” recumbent bike, complete with a matching outfit. What a sight.

However, she was having a few problems with the fancy helmet. She could not get the mirror to set right, and the chin strap was a little short. “I may have to get the chinstrap changed,” she said, “It needs to be a little longer”. I agreed since the strap sat a little below her lips! (What did I know, for all I knew that was what it was suppose to look like)

She headed off down the street full of self-confidence and knowledge that she painted an impressive picture on her bike. She was enjoying the expressions of people staring at her as this “Electric Blue’ blur went by and wondering what that contraption was.

Dee loved that she was the first in her community to have that recumbent bike and people seemed interested in it. She was Queen of the biking universe that day; flying around town her world was perfect.

As she came home that day feeling energized and renewed, two neighbor boys (about 8 or 9 years old) passed her on their bikes. One of them casually mentioned as he rode by, “Hey lady, did you know that you’ve got your helmet on backward?” No wonder she couldn’t see out of the rear view mirror on her helmet! Well so much for getting a longer chinstrap and good-bye to the cover of Biking Digest!

Like my dear friend, who had all the right equipment, but never found out how to use the helmet. She knew how it was supposed to look, and didn’t need directions, wrong!

How often do I run around trying to please people at work, home, and in the community, getting stressed out, worn out and wiped out? I forget that God has given me a manual full of directions to live by, his Word. His directions will help me make wise decisions, give me a peace and hope, no matter what comes my way. I have His promises! He will never let me down.©

Jeremiah 29:11 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

11 I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future

Do you struggle with over-commitment? What have you found helpful to balance those commitments?

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

Lovingly, Karan Gleddie

Aug 04 2018

Do You Ever Doubt God?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 7 Comments

Do You Ever Doubt God?

 

 

Do You Ever Doubt God?

Being grateful seems impossible some days. How can we be thankful when the crops are burning due to extreme heat and no rain, or heavy rain unexpectedly floods your newly finished basement? Or possibly your retirement investments disappeared because of erratic stock markets and crashes. Leaving you embarrassed, fearful and wondering what just happened to your life. Perhaps a death or prolong illness would steal your joy and thankfulness.

Many times, I have listened as people share a heavy burden they carry and admired how they survive the storms of life with thankful hearts and a smile. They press on with a confident determination, always seeing a brighter future and moving forward.

There have been many times in my life when I have been heartbroken, disappointed, and depressed by devastating life lessons that are hard to understand.

I still remember as if it was yesterday, the day I left on a two-day speaking trip when our lives were in shambles. I had accepted the engagement months in advance so canceling was not a choice. I was heartbroken. I was not sure if I could pull myself together for this event. 

How could I tell women about God’s great love for them when I wasn’t even sure that He loved me?  I felt abandoned and confused. Driving down the highway, I was weeping, begging the Lord to help me. I felt I didn’t have anything to give these women.

I pulled to the side of the road, still weeping, and noticed the car radio had been on. At that moment I heard Charles Stanley say, “The sovereignty of God is the pillow we lay our head upon.”  I knew that those words were for me.  God had reminded me that no matter what happened, He was in control and I could trust Him for this journey, wherever it led us.

As I pulled back onto the road, I was filled with a new confidence that God was with me, and I felt secure that His plans are bigger, wider, and higher than I could ever imagine or hope for. For the first time in so long, I felt these life-sustaining truths in my broken heart.

I am so thankful that I have those flashpoints in my life to remember God is always and continues to be faithful to his promises.  I may get upset, angry, emotional and worry momentarily, but when I stand still and look up I know that God is always with me and continues to love me.©

God may delay our requests, but he will never disappoint our trust.

Yes, I can be grateful, I know I am never alone He walks beside me.

 

 

Do you ever have doubts about God? I would love to hear from you.

Thank you for dropping by and sharing your time with me. 

Have a great week! Hugs

Lovingly, Karan

Jul 30 2018

Special Made

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

Special Made

How do You beat the Heat?

I’m not sure my trash bin is big enough.

 

 

Special Made

The heat in Southern Alberta is about 90 today and the flowers and grass are feeling the burn. This last week a dear neighbor shared some of her annual plants with me, making my empty flower containers look beautiful.

As the plants along with the grass were starting to suffer I went out to water and ended up having a fight with the sprinkler after trying to set it. Consequently, my pants are hanging by the door sopping wet and my hair is all frizzed up again after spending 40 minutes straightening it yesterday. Lol

As most of you have guessed, I am not a gardener, but I love flowers and admire people who have great gardening skills. I always try to learn all I can from them and I get some great tips too.

So, with a new porch almost finished last week, I am inspired again to turn something plain into a peaceful and serene space for morning coffee. I’ll keep you posted on how it turns out.

Often I get discouraged about the things I don’t do well. I look at others’ talents and gifts and wish I could be more like them. Forgetting to be thankful for the gifts God has given me. So much time has been spent wishing instead of praising God for the blessings I already have.

I love the verse in: 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 

There are different spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. 

There are different ways of serving, and yet the same Lord is served. 

There are different types of work to do, but the same God produces every gift in every person.

God has not left me out, he has allowed me to have a special gift to serve him and tell others of his amazing love and grace. Like each flower or plant, each one of us is different and beautiful. In God’s eyes, we are uniquely special and precious to Him.

No matter what our circumstances are or the road each of us travels, knowing that I have a special place in God’s heart and plan gives me security as I live my life for Him.©

 

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

Jul 16 2018

What Are You Waiting For? 

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

 

 Somedays...

 

What Are You Waiting For? 

I have often put my life and dreams on hold using one word,

LATER.  I wonder if others do the same.  See if any of my excuses are ones you can relate too.

  • LATER: when the office is clean, I will have time to write.
  • LATER: when the house is clean, I will invite company for dinner.
  • LATER: when I lose weight, I will buy a swimsuit.
  • LATER: when my children are out of school, I will have more time to study the Bible.
  • LATER: when I catch up on all my TV series, I will have time to visit friends.
  • LATER: when I clean the garage, I will have a place to park the car.
  • LATER: when I get a treadmill, I will start exercising.

 

Recently, I had a realization, or a blonde epiphany, (is that legal?) 

  • I realized the office will never be clean enough.
  • I realized the house will never be perfect enough.
  • I realized no matter how much weight I lose or gain, I will never buy a swimsuit.
  • I realized when my children finish school, marry, and have children of their own we will never have time. We will be too busy attending ball games, recitals, soccer, having sleepovers, taking pictures and having fun.  Grandchildren automatically move to top priority.
  • I realized a TV-series is never done; there is always another new one to watch.
  • I realized landscaping and yard work is a weekly task, the weeds and grass just keep growing.
  • I realized if the garage is cleaned out we will have to rent a large storage unit.  Besides the car looks good outside and everyone knows where we live.
  • I realized I will never start exercising when I get a treadmill, bicycle, or the Wii.  If I haven’t started before now nothing else will help. 

I have wasted a lot of time waiting for the “LATER” to get done so I could move onto the important in life.  The Bible says now is the time to use what we have to serve and honor God.  I don’t want my life to get stuck with the later and never get to the serving of others.  I want to keep moving forward, onward and upward, running the race well. ©

Philippians 2:16 (NLT)

Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

    1 Corinthians 9:16

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?

So run to win!      

 

What are your favorite “LATER” excuses?  I would love to hear from you and get your opinion on these thoughts.

 

Dear Friends, thank you for stopping by and spending your time with me today, I love each of you. 

Hugs to All, Lovingly Karan

 

I’ve Lost My Teeth

Update By: Karan Gleddie
Date: June 22, 2018

I’ve Lost My Teeth

 

Starting the vacation Happy Dance

 

Reflections:

Three hours past our departure time, my husband, Lyle, and I, and our two teenage daughters were finally pulling away from our southern Alberta home. We were on our way to the State Fair in Great Falls, Montana, but the way our car was packed, it seemed like we were off on a world tour.

I was looking forward to six days of rest and relaxation. No cooking, no early mornings, and plenty of my favorite hobby—retail therapy. We had a poolside room and our girls were ready to find their swimsuits and head to the water. However, my husband (the practical one) decided we would have supper first before the swimming suits came out of the suitcases and everyone headed for the pool.

After a delicious Mexican dinner, I hurried back to our room because I had something stuck under my upper partial plate. As I hurried into the powder room, I took out my “two front teeth” and laid them on a tissue next to the sink. After I brushed my teeth, I wiped off the counter, threw the paper and tissue into the toilet, and flushed. I turned around to get my teeth, but they were nowhere in sight. I ran around the hotel room crying, praying, and hoping that I would find those teeth, but I knew in my heart they were gone—flushed—adios—good-bye.

My family returned to find me flustered and crying. They were clearly concerned, but before I told them what happened to my poor teeth, I made each one promise not to laugh. It did not help one bit. By the end of my story, they were rolling with laughter and asking to see my toothless smile, which only brought more uncontrolled laughter.

I decided right there my vacation was over. I wanted to go home. I told my family I could not spend the rest of the week without my two front teeth.

“Oh yes you can,” my husband said. “All you have to do is keep your mouth shut and no one will know.”  Now, why didn’t I think of that?

I spent the week more quietly than usual. When I sometimes forgot myself or was carried away with the fun and laughter, my teenagers would lovingly point at their teeth to remind me that mine was missing. However, after the first few days, I forgot about my teeth and had a fun, memorable vacation.

If I had carried through with my plan to go home because of pride and concern about how I looked, just think of what we would have missed as a family. My daughter said we were making memories, and she was right. Now that my daughters are grown women, we remember our vacation with great fondness.©

Proverbs 29:23  says, “A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.”  How often have I missed the opportunities God has for me because of selfish pride?

Father, Forgive me for my selfish pride. Help me not to miss the gifts you want to give me that fulfill my life because I am thinking only of myself.   Help me to put you first.

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.

Have you ever had a “Vacation Mishap?” 

 I love you all and am praying. 
 
HUGS,
 Lovingly,  Karan Gleddie