The Golden Years ~ Are You Speeding

The Golden YearsAre You Speeding

Several days ago as I left a meeting at a hotel; I desperately gave myself a pat down. I was looking for my keys. They were not in my pockets. A quick search in the meeting room revealed nothing.

police    Suddenly I realized I must have left them in the car. Frantically, I headed for the parking lot. My wife has scolded me many times for leaving the keys in the ignition.

My theory is the ignition is the best place not to lose them. Her theory is that the car will be stolen. As I burst through the door, I came to a terrifying conclusion. Her theory was right. The parking lot was empty.

I immediately called the police. I gave them my location, confessed that I had left my keys in the car and that it had been stolen. Then I made the most difficult call of all, “Honey,” I stammered; I always call her “honey” in times like these. “I left my keys in the car, and it has been stolen.”

There was a period of silence. I thought the call had been dropped, but then I heard her voice. “Idiot”, she barked, “I dropped you off!”

Now it was my time to be silent. Embarrassed, I said, “Well, come and get me.”

She retorted, “I will, as soon as I convince this policeman I have not stolen your car.”

Author unknown

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Reflections:  Are You Speeding

Over the years I realized I have a heavy foot. As I speed along I am always in a hurry. My family blames my California roots for all my bad habits.

I have struggled with time management over the years and usually, think I have much more time than I do. And yes the police and I have had our discussions over several tickets.

speeding-2I always try to be respectful but sometimes I grumbled about the tickets I didn’t think I deserve. Although in my heart I know I deserved far more tickets than I received.  How about you? I remembered a time when I was on my way to a speaking engagement and a police officer pulled me over.

I knew I had not been speeding (thank goodness for the speed control) and surprised to learn my taillight was not working. 

The officer walked back to his patrol car and check my registration and data. I watch him walk back a thought came to me about how thankless his job is, I can’t imagine that people are grateful for their tickets.  I sure haven’t!

When the officer came back to my car he handed me my license, insurance card, and a new ticket.  I thanked him for his service, for my ticket and for the good job he does to make our highways safe. He was speechless for a moment and then, thank me and said no one had ever told him that before.  How sad.  As I drove away I giggled and wished I had taken a picture of his face. Priceless.

Makes me want to do it again. LOL. Isn’t wonderful to honor someone else and you get the joy in the deepest part of your soul.

The Bible says:

Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify your name. Isaiah 26:8 NLT

“Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” Matthew 22:21 NLT

I am so glad that I didn’t react like I felt I wanted too. After all, I was in a hurry to do God’s work.  But while I am here on earth, I am to trust the Lord, obey his laws and the laws of the land. And to bring honor and glorify His name.  That is my true purpose as I walk daily close to him. ©

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Some people, no matter how old they get never lose their beauty,

they merely move it from their faces into their hearts

Smile, God Love You
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Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, have a wonderful week.
Hugs to all.

Lovingly,
Karan Gleddie

 

Father’s Day ~ Making Memories

Father Day ~ Making Memoriesfather 2

Little Susan was mother’s helper. 

She helped set the table when guests were due for dinner. When everything was ready, the guest came in, and everyone sat down.

Then Mother noticed something was missing.
 
“Susan,” she said, “You didn’t put a knife and fork in Mr. Smith’s place.”

“I thought he wouldn’t need them,” explained Susan.
“Daddy says he always eats like a horse!”

 

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Reflections: My Dad

As a child growing up, I always wondered about the father I never knew. Did he have blonde hair, was I like him? My mother never talked about him, and I never inquired because it caused her great sadness to discuss that time in her life.

For years, I would think about meeting him, and dream about our wonderful reunion. But that scenario would not happen. I had found out that he had passed away many years before I had started to look for him. I was so disappointed, all my questions would go unanswered.

I remember at church the minister talked about how much God cares for each of us, and he knows our pain and hurt in the secret places where only he can see. And he quoted a Bible verse that I never forgot:

God in His holy house is a father to those who have no father.

And He keeps the women safe whose husbands have died.

God makes a home for those who are alone.

Psalm 67:5 & 6a

I found great comfort in that verse but wondered if it would happen for me.

Little did I know that God had prepared a father for me in Alberta, Canada. When I married Lyle, I not only got a husband but a new father who became my dad.

Trygve was a kind, loving and humble man who loved life and loved me. As the years passed by it amazed me, how much alike we were. We both loved books, collected funny stories and loved humor. He loved to sing, loved people and most of all loved God.

Trig passed away in 2000; there is not a day that goes by that I don’t reflect on all the times we spent together. We would both cry through “Little House on the Prairie”, sad movies and touching books. We liked to laugh, sing in the car, go shopping, eating out and share the important family stories and our walk with God. How I loved and missed him.

I am thankful for the great privilege to call Trygve my DAD.
God gave me the desire of my heart, and his timing is perfect.

Thank you, Lord, for your wonderful gift.

Happy Father’s Day!

Lovingly, Karan

Do you have special memories of your Dad?  I would love to hear them. Hugs

Looking for A Job?

house Looking for A Job?

A blonde, wanting to earn some money, decided to hire herself out as a handyman-type and started canvassing a wealthy neighborhood. She went to the front door of the first house and asked the owner if he had any jobs for her to do. “Well, you can paint my porch.

How much do you charge?” The blonde said “How about 50 dollars? “The man agreed and told her that the paint and other materials that she might need were in the garage.

The man’s wife, inside the house, heard the conversation and said to her husband, “does she realize that the porch goes all around the house?” The man replied, “She should, she was standing on it.”

A short time later, the blonde came to the door to collect her money. “You’ve finished already?” he asked.awesome-car-ferrari-girl-Favim.com-1918433

” georgiaYes,” the blonde answered, “and I had paint left over, so I gave it two coats.” Impressed, the man reached into his pocket for the 50 dollars. “And by the way,” the blonde added, “it’s not a porch, it’s a Ferrari.”

 

 

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Reflections

Have you ever had days when your mouth engages before your brain does? I will admit I do. I was thinking back when I had stopped at fast food restaurant with my teenagers, and a young man was taking my order. He had trouble remembering my order and getting it put into the computer. In my mind, I was sure he was a few French fries short of the order.

linesThe line was getting longer and the people behind me we were getting restless with this never-ending comedy of errors. I was on my last nerve. I was almost ready to tell the kid what an idiot I thought he was; I definitely thought it.

Looking up at me from his register with a big smile of recognition on his face, he said, “I like your necklace, I have one too.” In shock, I remembered I had my “WWJD” (What Would Jesus Do) dog tag on, and he pulled his out too. I stood with my mouth open as he related to me that his youth group at church were all wearing “WWJD” tags to remind them to be kind and loving to others. He also told me how excited he was about getting his new job.

As I left, with my order I weakly smiled and thanked my young server, and felt guilty about my bad attitude. I thanked 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 has just slapped you across the face with a rebuke so strong and hard that you will never forget that moment or how you felt?

I remembered the day I bought that necklace, it reminded me to watch my words and actions to honor the God I love. I haven’t worn that necklace in a while, I need to find it, put it back on and remind myself God cares how I represent Him, and I should too.

We live in a world where people need desperately see God’s love. If we were the only Bible people read, I wonder what their opinion of Him would be.©

Thank you, dear friends for sharing your time with me today,

Wishing you a wonderful weekend with your friends and family.

Hugs to all!

Lovingly, Karan

Remember I’ll Love You forever?

Remember I’ll Love You Forever?

One Letter Makes A Difference

man4An Illinois man left the snow-filled streets of Chicago for a vacation in Florida. His wife was on a business trip and was planning to meet him there the next day. When he reached his hotel, he decided to send his wife a quick email.

Unfortunately, when typing her address, he missed one letter, and his note was directed instead to an elderly preacher’s wife whose husband had passed away only the day before. When the grieving widow checked her email, she took one look at the monitor, let out a piercing scream, and fell to the floor in a dead faint. At the sound, her family rushed into the room and saw this note on the screen:

Dearest Wife Just got checked in. Everything prepared for your arrival tomorrow. P.S. Sure is hot down here. Author unknown

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Reflections From Karan:

Have you ever wondered why men and women are so different in taking and giving directions?

If a man gives directions, it goes like this; Go three miles, turn left, go seven miles, turn right, then go a quarter of a mile and you will see it on your right, you can’t miss it! Now I am blonde, and a creative thinker is there a three-mile sign, how will I know? With these directions I could end up in someone’s cow pasture, never to be seen again.

I drive by landmarks, go to Wal-mart, turn left, go down to the Tasty Freeze, and turn right. Drive to Hollywood Video, turn into parking lot, the place is right next to the shoe store that is having a huge sale, 70% off. You can’t miss it. (Now that is my kind of directions)

Thankfully, we decided to get a GPS for the car, saves Lyle and I a lot of time, him from driving all over the country trying to find an address, and me from getting lost. However, in my creative moments, I have been known, to second guess the GPS system, and go a different way because it didn’t look right to me. Only to get lost, have the satellite locate and get me back on track.

It gives me great security and peace in my life to know that I am never off of God’s GPS system. He always knows where I am, and even if I wander off, he has his eye on me. The Bible says:

Psalm 139:1-6 A Psalm of David

1 O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.

2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.

3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.

4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.

5 You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!

His loving care sustains, guides, and protects me; I just need to follow his directions. ©

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me today. Wishing you a wonderful Valentines day next week.

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You are Loved! Hugs

Lovingly, Karan

Christmas Reflections

To my Christmas Guests,

image001 (2Martha Stewart will not be dining with us this Christmas. I’m telling you in advance, so don’t act surprised. Since Ms. Stewart won’t be coming, I’ve made a few small changes:

Our sidewalk will not be lined with homemade, paper bag luminaries. After a trial run, it was decided that no matter how cleverly done, rows of flaming lunch sacks do not have the desired welcoming effect.

The dining table will not be covered with expensive linens, fancy china or crystal goblets. If possible, we will use dishes that match and everyone will get a fork. Since this IS Christmas, we will refrain from using the plastic Easter Bunny plate and the turkey napkins from Thanksgiving.

Our centerpiece will not be the tower of fresh fruit and flowers that I promised. Instead, we will be displaying a tree-like decoration hand-crafted from the finest construction paper. The artist assures me it is a really an angel.

We will be dining fashionably late. The children will entertain you while you wait. I’m sure they will be happy to share every choice comment I have made regarding Christmas, presents and the Santa hotline.

Please remember that most of these comments were made at 5:00 AM upon discovering that the Christmas turkey was still hard enough to cut diamonds. There will be accompaniment for the children as they sing for you; I will be a recording of tribal drumming. If the children should mention that I don’t own a recording of tribal drumming, or that tribal drumming sounds suspiciously like a frozen turkey in a clothes dryer, ignore them. They are lying.

We toyed with the idea of ringing a dainty silver bell to announce the start of our feast. In the end, we chose to keep our traditional method. We’ve also decided against a formal seating arrangement. When the smoke alarm sounds, please gather around the table and sit where you like. In the spirit of harmony, we will ask the children to sit at a separate table. In a separate room. Next door.

Now I know you have all seen pictures of one person carving the Christmas turkey in front of a crowd of appreciative onlookers. This will not be happening at our dinner. For safety reasons, the turkey will be carved in a private ceremony. I stress “private” meaning: Do not, under any circumstances, enter the kitchen to laugh at me. Do not send small, unsuspecting children to check on my progress. I have an electric knife. The turkey is unarmed. It stands to reason that I will eventually win. When I do, we will eat.

Before I forget, there is one last change. Instead of offering a choice between 12 different scrumptious desserts, we will be serving the traditional pumpkin pie, garnished with whipped cream and small fingerprints. You will still have a choice: take it or leave it.

Martha Stewart will not be dining with us this Year. She probably won’t come next year either. I Am Thankful!!! Author unknown

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CHRISTMAS WARNING…

Christmas Has Been Canceled, And It’s all YOUR fault!

You told Santa that you were GOOD this year…

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AND HE DIED LAUGHING!!!

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Christmas Reflections

I love the Christmas season, anticipating the cherished times with family and friends that no amount of money or wrapping could buy.

download (19)The smell of Christmas baking, the glowing tree with the Angel on top, I would love to keep the tree up all year long if I could. It is so relaxing to sit under the glow of lights and meditate and reflect on the past years. And reflect on God’s love and grace to me.

Over the year, there have been many tears, frustration and fears as I have tried to learn God’s love lessons in patience. I think patience is going to be a lifelong pursuit for me because I seem to be such a slow learner. I am so thankful that God doesn’t give up on me, as he lovingly helps me to understand his purposes for my life.

As I reflect on this last year, I am reminded of all the love, encouragement and prayers of family and friends. What an extraordinary year. I read a little quote that said, “Dark fears flee in the light of God’s presence”. What a beautiful thought of comfort and peace God brings to us as we look forward to 2016.©

Praying you have a wonderful Christmas season with your family and friends. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your time with me today.

Sending love to you all.

Lovingly, Karan