Joy

Mar 22 2019

 Who Are You? I Don’t Think I Recognize You

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments

 Who Are You? I Don’t Think I Recognize You

 

Nothing at all, We’ve got this!

 

 

I Don’t Think I Recognize You

Have you had sleepless nights, got up in the morning checked the mirror and thought, “I’m not sure I’m going to be able to get it together today?” Was your hair standing on end? Are there bags under your eyes, not to mention the dreaded puffed eyelids? Thank goodness for eye cream and concealer! Some mornings, looking in the mirror can almost stop your heart. Which often happens at my house.

Have you fallen off your diet in a major way? Enjoyed an incredible weekend full of carbohydrates, sugars, and fat overload? Now feeling guilty, bloated and 10 pounds heavier than when you started your week. You know, the weekend where you ate everything you could get your hands on just because you couldn’t stand another carrot stick? I have, and I give myself a good scolding too. I usually feel so guilty and miserable I promise myself never again. Well, maybe that’s a little hasty, I hear a little Chocolate is good for you!

Perhaps you’ve had a dispute with your husband, friend or even the kids, and you’re on your last nerve. Possibly you’re saying, “I need to run away for a while or take a cruise, ” or if you’re like me, you just stay in bed and cover your head. I’ve even considered a week at a rest home, wouldn’t that be heavenly. There I could sit on the porch in a rocking chair and sing “Be Still My Soul “and mean it.

Some day’s life does not go the way I expect. I can write lists, make my plans and try to get some sense of order, yet life does not stop because I have had a bad day. Have you ever felt like that?

I am thankful that as each new day comes, I can choose to find something to be thankful for. I am learning how to find joy in the moments. Which has been a lifelong journey for me, I am not a fast learner. How about you?

My life isn’t always perfect, but I have a friend who loves me through the circumstances of life. He is the shield which blocks the sting and protects me in his perfect will. Nothing touches me that does not go through the cross first.

Although I will always have my share of bad hair days, bags under my eyes, blow my diet and lose my temper. I am safe and secure in the knowledge that God’s love, forgiveness are constant, unconditional and forever. He is my Friend. He is faithful. ©

How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:7

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

HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan

Feb 25 2019

I’m Dreaming Spring

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 3 Comments

 

 

 

 

I’m Dreaming Spring

As the winter winds and snow is blowing in Alberta, Canada, I wait expectantly for spring to come alive. I have been longing for the warmer weather and checking seed catalogs for the flowers I hope to grow. There are so many different kinds of flowering plants it is hard to make a decision as to which one is the best. Each one is beautiful and special in its own way.

For years, I too tried to grow where I had been planted, searching for love and acceptance from others. In my world circumstances were never as they might have appeared, I was afraid if people saw the real me, they would not accept me. I hide behind a mask, which I called a smile, and I learned to become what I thought others wanted me to be. You know, Perfect Mask—Perfect Life

Although I had a husband and family who loved me, my concept of love was flawed. I thought it had to be earned: If you were good, drove the right car, had the right friends, or joined the right country club, you were loved. If you did not have all those things or were not in the right social group, you were not loved. I thought love and acceptance could be given and taken at a moment’s notice.

Do you step into life’s arena every day wearing a mask, striving for the right appearance and performing your best for love, and approval? I have news for you.

Do you know how beautiful and special you are to God? He sees us without our masks and thinks we are beautiful, he loves and accepts us just the way we are, no conditions. ©

Luke 12: 25-28, the Message- says:

Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers.

They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? …If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

His love is forever, unchanging, and constant, it is unconditional! He has your back!

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

 

Jan 30 2019

Finally Home

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 3 Comments

 

 

 

Reflections: Finally Home

I love the small agricultural communities where we live in Southern Alberta. The people are loyal and caring in the lives of others’ and consistently supportive and helpful. 

As many of you know I have been living between my house and the new apartment for over a month.  Three weeks ago, while getting ready for a lady’s potluck I stopped at my house for a few items. Running into the house I found and collected my dessert, locked the doors and hurried to my event.

It wasn’t until the next day when my daughter and I were going to continue working at the house, we realized we had no keys. I had left them on the kitchen counter the night before. 

I canvassed around town to see if anyone knows of someone who could pick a lock, but no one wanted to admit to it.   So, after a week we called a locksmith, who would be delighted to help us for a grand total of $200.00 plus mileage. After all, he had to leave town and come all the way out to a rural Alberta?

We kindly thanked him and said we wanted to think about it. However, my daughter and I thought that was a little steep.

The next day while expressing my predicament to my sweet neighbor, I asked if she might suggest someone who might help us. She said she would ask around.

After lunch, I got a call from her reporting she had unlocked the door. She told me she and a few others had put their heads together and figured out a plan. 

As she related her story, she stood on someone’s shoulders and climbed to the second story bathroom window and could narrowly squeeze through the window and fell into the tub and shower.  I could never have climbed up to get to the window much less get my body through it. I am so thankful for a small talented friend.

After the break-in and keys retrieval, we immediately went to the hardware store and had three sets of keys made. We didn’t want to get caught without an extra key again. 

As I stopped for the mail and groceries in the afternoon, several people inquired if we had been able to get in the house yet and retrieve the keys. It seemed there was genuine concern from various people in my community about my predicament. Others may have chalked it up to another blonde week with a few giggles.

The last few months racing back and forth between two residents has been confusing. I have found myself forgetting appointments, a date or even what day it is. My mind is continually running trying to remember all that needs to be done.

There are times when life spins out of control, and it’s tough to see how it ends. Do you ever feel like life is spinning out of control?

God reminded me the other morning as I was reading my Bible in Isaiah.

For since the world began no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him.

Isaiah 64:4

The wonder of knowing that God faithfully cares about every detail, even where I live gives me enormous hope. In fact, it blows my mind!  He knows what I need. How I love you, Lord. ©

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

Jan 15 2019

Mouth Engaged

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 1 Comment

Mouth Engaged

 

 

Reflections: Mouth Engaged

Does your mouth often engage before your brain does? I will admit mine does. Thinking back to a time when we stopped for fast food with my girls, and a young man took our order. He had trouble remembering my order and getting it put into the computer.

In my mind, I suspected he was a few Fries short of an order. As the line grew longer the people behind me we are getting restless with this never-ending comedy of errors. I was on my last nerve and almost told this guy what a nitwit I thought he was. However, I thought it.

Looking up from the register with a huge grin of recognition on his face, he said, “like your dog-tags, I have one too.” In shock, I recalled I had my “WWJD” (What Would Jesus Do) dog tag on, and he then showed me his tag. I stood with my mouth open as he described how his youth group at church were all wearing “WWJD” tags to remind them to be kind and look for ways to serve others. He also told me how excited he is about getting his new job, it’s his first day!

As I left, with my order I smiled and thanked my young server and felt convicted about my sour attitude. Thanking God for keeping me from saying what I was thinking. I am sure I would not have pleased Him at all. Have you ever felt like God just slapped you across the face with a rebuke so strong that you never forget that moment or how you felt?

Remembering the day I bought the necklace and thought it was a good reminder for me to watch my words and actions so I could honor the God I love. I need to find the necklace again, and put it back on and remind myself God cares how I represent Him, and I should too. We live in a world where people desire to see God’s love. If we were the only Bible people read, I wonder what their opinion of Him would be.©

True love doesn’t consist of holding hands… It consists of holding hearts.

Psalm 42: 1, 11

As the deer longs for streams of water,
    so I long for you, O God.
I will put my hope in God!

  I will praise him again—
    my Savior and my God!

Dear Friend, thank you for spending your time with me. 

What has God been teaching you this last year? 

Hugs, 

Lovingly, Karan

 

 

Jan 06 2019

A New Year’s Resolution

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 3 Comments

 

 

Reflections: A New Year’s Resolution

As I start a New Year, I like to take stock of the past year’s goals. Trying to refocus on what priorities are important to me in 2019. Last year’s list was ambitious, I became discouraged and felt guilty because I couldn’t keep up the pace, I had set for me.

I often wonder why we put such pressures on ourselves. Is it the fast-paced world we live in that makes us feel like we need to charge forward, chasing those elusive dreams and goals of our lives?

However, as I look back at 2018, I realize the best love lessons came only with complete dependence and contentment in God. Also, the prayers of wonderful friends and family who encouraged loved and cared me when I was not so lovely myself.

Looking forward to 2019, the most important choices affecting my life, are this moment and eternity. I ask myself one question, “Then What?

Then What?

When I get a car, Then what?

When I get a job. Then What?

When I am married and start raising a family. Then What?

When I make lots of money, Then What?

When I retire. Then What?

When I spend my retirement years doing a lot of resting and relaxing. Then What? What then is left?

What legacy will I leave behind? Will others want to follow? Or will they remember something else? 

 Jeremiah 31:3

The Lord appeared to us in the past. He said, “I have loved you with a love that lasts forever.

I have kept on loving you with a kindness that never fails.

He knows what each day holds for us and loves and cares about every detail. I am able today, to remember the past, be thankful for the present, and look forward to the future because I have a living Savior that walks with me through life. I love you, Lord, thank you for Christmas, for a New Year, a Savior and a future. © Karan Gleddie

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

Happy New Year, Hugs to All

Lovingly, Karan