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)

¹¹I 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?

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 09 2018

Remembering ~ The Wallpaper Crises

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 1 Comment

I want to remember every day the soldiers and families who serve our great country with their sacrifice.

To remember them daily is an Honor.

John 15:13
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Reflections: The Wallpaper Crises

I have always loved wallpaper. Over the years you could find different types of it in each of our homes. So, when we moved to Foremost, Alberta in the spring of 2011, I again looked for some wallpaper for our home.

I found a charming pre-pasted vinyl in the pattern and color I wanted and couldn’t wait to get it up on the wall.

Now, seven years later I decided to get to work on it. Speedy I’m not. When life gets busy the more important activities take precedence. I’m sure you can attest to that too.

First I needed to find my supplies, but they were nowhere in sight. I must have loaned them out but to who? I can’t remember. So after buying new supplies, I started to get excited and inspired. I put towels on the floor, filled the water trough, put the ladder up and laid my scissors, sponge and measuring tape where I could reach them. Finally, I was ready.

Being a seasoned wallpaper enthusiast, I decided to measure and match the pattern before getting the paper wet and on to the wall. All seven pieces each eight feet long. I thought I was a genius to even think of this time-saving step. Wrong!

The first three lengths were on the wall looking great, but due to the late hours, I decided to go to bed. And due to previous commitments, it was two and a half weeks later before I got back to it. Feeling inspired again, I picked up the fourth length of wallpaper, put it through the water trough and proceeded to hang it on the wall, however, the wallpaper was not matching very well and looked a little off. I decided to let it dry a little hoping it might look better.

After an hour I looked at it again and noticed it looked like a different color, and at closer inspection, I realized the pattern was upside down. Ugh! I gently pulled the paper off the wall hoping to turn it right side up and save it. As I stood on the ladder I tried to lay the paper flat with the paste-up thinking when I was down from the ladder I would fold it paste to paste to preserve the paper. As I stepped off the ladder, my socks caught the edge of the wallpaper glue and I landed on the paper and slid the whole eight feet on my backside. I had glue all over my clothes, hands and in my hair. Of course, the paper was crumpled up so bad it was never going to see the wall again.

At this moment I must confess I am a little nervous about the whole wallpaper idea. And yes I am still looking at my wall half papered and half not. Lol, I’m waiting for my inspiration to return!

When things don’t go as I would like and time seems in short supply, I tend to get discouraged and wish the world would stop for awhile and let you off. To have a chance to regroup and collect our thoughts?

When those times come for me I know that I can talk to God about any situation and he will calm my spirit and give me hope to keep moving forward. I love the promises he gives to us to hold on to. Where would I be without him in my life.©

Psalm 62:5-6 NLT

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken.

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

HUGS,
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

Jun 19 2018

How does your garden grow?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

How does your garden grow?

Reflections:

Spring has finally come to Alberta, although the evenings and mornings are cool, everyone is starting to plant their gardens. Many years ago I did try to grow a small garden and despite my lack of knowledge, some plants did grow. Lol.

My mother was so talented and loved flowers, she could grow anything. I always loved my plants too much, I either watered them to death or not enough. It has been said that talents often skip a generation, and I’m sure that must be the case because my daughters each have their grandmother’s green thumb.

While working in the yard the other day, I mowed the lawns and planted flowers pots, I wore myself out. By evening I could hardly walk, I had used muscles I didn’t remember I had, everything hurt. It’s an actual reality check when you suddenly realize you’re not as young and agile as I use to be. In fact, I don’t even bounce like I use to either!

My backside was so painful, the only satisfaction for me was the thought I might get a little lift from the exercise. At my age, any lift is good since everything else is moving south. LOL

When life gets so busy, it is a delight to spend time in God’s creation enjoying the peacefulness of each day. When I am quiet and listen, I can feel God whisper about his plans for me. But many times, I feel I need to remind God, I have my own plans for the day. Sometimes I have so many plans and goals I don’t want to have my day interrupted. Have you ever felt like that?

Do I choose my plans which are essential to business and ministry? Or choose God’s plan for me, stepping out in faith to trust Him. Serving Him is to enjoy the great adventures He has planned for me and knowing I have obeyed his call gives me great happiness.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek his will in all you do,

and he will show you which path to take. ~ Proverbs 3:5 & 6

He is my peace and safe place, the one who loves and protects me. Could I offer him anything less than my obedience in choosing to follow Him? Each new day gives us a reason to love and praise God.©