Waiting

May 14 2017

Music Is A Life Saver? ~ Being A Mom

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 1 Comment

Music Is A Life Saver?

Little Ben came into the house with a new harmonica. “Grandpa, do you mind if I play this here?” He asked.  Grandpa replied, “Of course not Ben, I love music.

In fact, when Grandma and I were young, music saved my life.  Ben asked, “What happened?”  Grandpa Explained, “Well, it was during the famous Johnston flood.  

The dam broke, and when the water hit our house, it knocked it right off the foundation.  Grandma got on the dining room table and floated out safely, and I accompanied her on the piano.” Author Unknown

 

 

 

 

Reflections: Being A Mom

As a young mom, I loved to find time for those relaxing hot baths. Which I never seemed to have enough. Just some peace and quiet from endless dishes, piles of dirty clothes, backpacks filled to overflowing. With continuous games, parties, and constant racing to be somewhere quick I never thought my life would ever slow down.  

Always wishing for five minutes of peace and quiet, and telling myself someday I would have time. Time for a long, hot bubble bath with candles in a dimly lit room. The kind of bath that will soak all your stress away with the right candles, bath oil, and music that will relax your soul.

However, I had three vivacious daughters, who loved to sit in the bathroom telling me about their day at school, making funny impressions (of teachers, boys, and friends), and regaling me with their newest jokes and stories.

As I look back, I see that my daughters thought my quiet time was their time, because I was not talking on the phone, doing business, or attending to someone else’s needs.  When I was in the bathtub under all the bubbles, my daughters knew they had my full attention.

As the years passed and I kept holding on to my dream, which always seemed so far away.  A long, hot bubble bath.  Candles and soft music with no interruptions.  Resting quietly, stress-free. However, a funny thing happened along the road to maturity.  I do not take baths anymore.  I find they are not as much fun as they use to be.  The water gets cold too fast, and it is far too quiet.

It was something I wished for all my life, but it is something I no longer enjoy.  I loved those times of laughter, stories, and heart-to-heart talks.  I am a shower girl now. God must have a sense of humor.

      Psalm 126:2
We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”

Many times in my life with all the craziness, if I could not laugh, I would have cried.  Even when things are tough, to find humor in the little things gives me hope. ©      

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.  Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs to all.
Have a great week, HUGS

Lovingly, Karan

Apr 29 2017

Let’s Have Some Fun!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 6 Comments

Let’s Have Some Fun!

Two mature ladies were sitting on a park bench outside the local town hall where a flower show was in progress. One leaned over and said, “Life is so boring.We never have any fun anymore. For $5.00 I’d take my clothes off right now and streak through that stupid flower show!”   

“You’re on!” said the other old lady, holding up a $5.00 bill. 

As fast as she could, the first little old lady fumbled her way out of her clothes and, completely naked, streaked through the front door of the flower show. 

Waiting outside, her friend soon heard a huge commotion inside the hall, followed by loud applause. The naked lady burst out through the door surrounded by a cheering crowd.

“What happened?” asked her waiting friend. 
                 “Why, I won first prize for Best Dried Arrangement.” 

 

 

 

Reflections from Karan:

I flew to Regina, SK. Canada for some speaking engagements and needed to rent a car. How excited I was to get a new Ford Focus with all the bells and whistles. It felt so luxurious.

After the meeting, a few women decided to take me out for a snack. I followed them and parked my car in a lot next to the restaurant. However, when I was ready to get out of the car, the keys would not come out of the ignition; they were stuck.

Realizing my predicament, some of the women went ahead to reserve a table for all of us. Sarah decided to stay and tried to help me figure out what had happened to the car. Twenty minutes later, I finally suggested she should go on ahead and I would be there soon.

Sitting in the car wondering what to do, I started to have a meltdown. Waiting for the rental company to answer their phone and call me back, trying to find answers in the car manual when I didn’t know what was wrong, was unnerving. I don’t read manuals; I’m the gal that buys “Dummy” books with pictures. Show me; don’t tell me, that is how I learn. Besides who can understand a manual when you’re in a crisis.

Suddenly a woman came rushing up to the car and said, “Did you put the car in park? Sometimes when the car is not in park position you can’t get the keys out of the ignition.” Why didn’t I think of that!

I put the car in park, and the keys came out, it’s a miracle! I think I will dye my hair brown when I get home!

Over the years, I have learned to embrace and laugh at my blonde day adventures, there seems to be so many.
I had turned the key off my car, but never put the car in park. I was going nowhere fast.

Sometimes life is like that too. We allow situations to paralyze us, and we have a hard time moving ahead being trapped in the moment. With all the stresses and expectations in today’s world, I have had to learn I am not superwoman. What a relief!

Hebrews 13:6 NLT
“So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

I have often said if I wasn’t laughing, I would be crying. In this journey of life, I would like to love and laugh more and enjoy the ride.God has given me the freedom to be me, blonde, quirky, and flawed. I do not need to be superwoman, I have a super God.©

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.  
Have a great week, HUGS
Lovingly, Karan

 

Mar 25 2017

Three Elderly Sisters ~ I Could Run Away

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

˜Three Elderly Sisters

Three sisters, ages 92, 94 and 96, lived in a house together. One night the 96-year-old draws a bath. She puts one foot in and pauses. She yells down the stairs, “Was I getting in or out of the bath?

The 94-year old yells back. “I don’t know; I’ll come up and see. She starts up the stairs and pauses. Then yells out, “Was I going up the stairs or down?’

The 92-year-old is sitting at the kitchen table having tea and listening to her sisters. She shakes her head and says, “I sure hope I never get that forgetful.” She knocks on the wood table for good measure.

She then replies, “I’ll come up and help both of you as soon as I see who’s at the door.”  Author unknown

 

Reflections: I Could Run Away!

Do you ever enjoy an incredible weekend full of carbs, sugar, and extreme fat overload? And after feel guilty, bloated and 10 pounds heavier than when you started. 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 always scold myself afterward. I usually feel so guilty and miserable I promise never to do that again. Well, maybe that’s a little rash, I hear a little Chocolate is good for you now and then!

Perhaps you’ve had a dispute with your neighbor, friends or even the kids and your nerves are frayed. Possibly you’re saying, “I need to get away for a while or take a vacation. That sounds good to me.

Some day’s life does not go the way we expect it too. We can write lists, make plans and try to make some sense of order, yet life does not stop because we have bad days.  Do you feel like that too sometimes?

I am glad that with each day I have an opportunity to choose to be thankful.  I am learning to find happiness in the small moments of each day.  Not because my life is perfect, but because I know a God who loves me through the circumstances of my 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 and forgiveness are constant, unconditional and forever. He is my Friend. Is he your friend too?©

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

” We can trust God to handle the things that overwhelm us.”

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

Lovingly, Karan

Feb 05 2017

Service With A Smile!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

Service With A Smile!

A couple in their nineties were having trouble remembering things so they went to their doctor for checkups. The doctor told them that they were both physically fine and advised them to write things down to help them remember.

couple-sitting-together-on-couch-smiling-340Later that evening while watching television, the husband got up from his chair to go to the kitchen for a snack. He asked his wife if she wanted anything.

“Could you bring me a bowl of ice cream?” she asked.

“Sure,” he replied.

“Do you think you should write that down to remember it?” she asked.

“No, I can remember that,” he said.

“I’d like some strawberries on it, too. Do you need to write that down?” she said.

No, I can remember that, too. Ice cream with strawberries,” he said, becoming a little irritated.

“I’d like some whipped cream on it, too. Can you remember all that? The doctor said you should write things down,” she said.

“For goodness sake, I can remember that. I don’t need to write it down. A bowl of ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream,” he said, now more than a little irritated.

Off he went to the kitchen. About 20 minutes later he returned with a plate of bacon and eggs. The wife stared at it for a moment and said, “Where’s my toast?”

clip_image001.gif

608

clip_image001.gif

 

Reflections:

The world we live in is demanding and changing. With extra demands on our homes, families, work and social commitments we are faced with daily uncertainties. We look for ways to slow down and try to find hope, peace, and strength among all the chaos.

stressI always thought as I aged that somehow I would know all the answers to life. However, the more I mature I realized I have more questions than answers. Surely I have learned something along the way, or have I forgotten?

The awareness of having a personal relationship with God has given me a great peace in my life. Through the highs and lows, of life, I have found God a trustworthy and loyal friend. Holding me up, calming my heart, and giving me the confidence to keep moving forward, even when I felt numb.

Some days I must confess that I would rather stay in bed with a blanket on my head. But in those times He gently reminds me that He is the same today as He was yesterday. The same God, who calmed the storms on the Sea of Galilee and healed the sick so many years ago, lives today. He would die on a cross and then rise again to life a living God. He is the same God I rely on today who calms the storms of my life and gives me peace. He is everything I need.

Because I know the creator of life personally and believe in Him, I can choose to trust Him even when I falter, he understands. I have a God who holds my life and my loved ones in His hands. I think He is better at handling the details of my life, don’t you agree?

When I look back on the life that I have been given, my family, friends, and ministry, how can I not trust Him? I am blessed with God’s incredible protection, love, and forgiveness. Today, I choose to trust you, Lord, because of who you are and your promises to me. ©

I love that verse,

“For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.”

Philippians 4:13 NLB

What could God do for you today?

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

Have a great week, HUGS

Lovingly, Karan

Jan 27 2017

Sweating to the Oldies ~Are we Having Fun Yet?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

Are we Having Fun Yet?

HG472_couple-jogging-hbp-treatments_FS

A retired couple decided that they should walk two miles a day to stay in shape.

They chose to walk a mile out on a lonely country road so they would have no choice but to walk back.

At the one-mile mark on their first venture, the man asked his wife, “Do you think you can make it back all right, or are you too tired?” “Oh, no,” she said. “I’m not tired. I can make it okay.”

“Good,” he replied. “I’ll wait here. You go back, get the car and come get me.” 

 

images (1)

 

Reflections:   Sweating to the Oldies

For years, my daughter and I faithfully watched an exercise diva on television. Imagine our excited when we learned she would be making a visit to our town, and appearing at the local Gym. The advertisement invited everyone to come, meet her, ask questions, and spend a few hours joining her in one of her great workouts. Although we were beginners, we decided to join the excitement and learn some new exercise techniques.

images (7)Always wanting to dress properly for any occasion, I decided to wear legging, an oversize t-shirt (to cover any bulges) and a headband so people would think I knew my way around the gym. My daughter wore her shorts and a cute top; I figured we looked like an ordinary twosome off to the gym.

At my office all morning, we were a little late arriving for the starting session. Laughing and excited we stopped on the stairs and gazed over the class of women doing a rapidly paced step aerobics, in their fancy, well-matched, small, tight, outfits. I was starting to have that big bird feeling in my oversize t-shirt. I realized my comfortable outfit was not going to look great for pictures as we were all exercising, especially from the backside…

The instructor delegated us to the back row (thank goodness) and said, “Please put on your aerobic shoes.” To which I replied, “We didn’t bring any, we’ll just wear our socks.”At that point, she stopped the class and educated everyone on the hazards of not wearing the right aerobic shoes. She acted as if we were not serious enough to be in her class; I wonder what gave her that idea!

The music started up again at a rapid pace, moving at disaster speed for me! I could hardly keep up, huffing and puffing. “O’ my goodness I’m overdoing it,” I thought, “I’m sweating I had better slow down, or my makeup will melt off.” At that point, I fell to the floor in a heap; my youngest daughter was starting to slow down too. The teacher yelled, “Keep the burn going, let’s maintain the pace, especially those in the back row.” Which was only the two of us?

Our predicament now seemed incredibly funny, and all I could do was laugh, my daughter was laughing too. The louder the instructor yelled, the harder we laughed; there we lay in hysterics on the floor. We embarrassed ourselves that day; but as we now look back, we realize we were making memories. Isn’t that what life is all about? Enjoying the journey of life we are on. ©

I believe God has a sense of humor too, After all, he made us!

Psalm 126:2 (NLT)

 We were filled with laughter,
    and we sang for joy.
And the other nations said,
    “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”

dotted-lines

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

Have a wonderful weekend be safe. Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan