The Reindeer Games

The Reindeer Games

The game show contestant was only 200 points behind the leader and about to answer the final question – worth 500 points!”

reindeerTo be today’s champion,” the show’s smiling host intoned,”name two of Santa’s reindeer.”The contestant, a man in his early thirties, gave a sigh of relief, gratified that he had drawn such an easy question. “Rudolph!” he said confidently, “and, …Olive!”

The studio audience started to applaud (like the little sign above their heads said to do,) but the clapping quickly faded into mumbling, and the confused host replied, “Yes, we’ll accept Rudolph, but could you please explain…’Olive?!?'”

“You know,” the man circled his hand forward impatiently and began to sing, “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – had a very shiny nose. And if you ever saw it, you would even say it glowed. *Olive,* the other reindeer…” Author unknown

 

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Reflections:

This last year has had many highs and lows for me as well as being a year of reflection.  As I have traveled this last year, I am constantly aware people seem unsettled and fear their future. I’ve often said, “Life is tough if I wasn’t laughing I would be crying”. I think others are feeling the same way.

Whcoffee-and-meen your life turns upside down it has a way of giving you a whole new perspective on what is important. 

In reflection I have learned when life is tough I need to focus on the priceless treasures in my life. God’s love, my family and friends who encourage and pray for me.  I am blessed.

The lessons I have learned about myself this year have been enlightening, as I struggle to do better with God’s help:

  • I need to learn to be a better friend and family member by keeping closer contact and letting each person know how much I love and appreciate them.
  • I need to be more faithful in my accountability to writing, which I know God has called me to do.
  • I need to answer emails quickly. I am a procrastinator, then I feel embarrassed because time has slipped away from me. (To those who have written please forgive me, it was not intentional, I am just embarrassed) I will do better.
  • I need to have more faith and trust God as I march into the future. (He sees the BIG picture I don’t) I’m a memo girl, but unfortunately, God doesn’t send memos.

 

“The best Christmas gift of all is the presence of our families and friends all wrapped up in love for one another “. I believe that is true, no matter what our circumstance or need.

This year as we come into the Christmas season, there will be joy and expectation knowing we have the presence of our loved ones and friends. And as we wrap our love around each one, we will lovingly remember those who could not be with us.

I wish each of you a Merry Christmas and pray that the Christ of Christmas will bless your homes as you prepare for the Holiday Season.©

Luke 2: 13 & 14

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in highest heaven,
    and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

Lovingly, Karan Gleddie

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

Have a wonderful weekend be safe. Hugs to all.

I’ve found A Secret

I’ve found A Secret

A littboysle boy opened the old family Bible with fascination. He looked at the old pages carefully as he turned them.

Then something fell out of the Bible and he picked it up and looked at it closely.

It was an old leaf from a tree that had been pressed in between the pages.

“Mommy look what I have found,” the boy called out.

“What have you got there dear?” his mother asked.

With astonishment in the young boy’s voice, he answered: “I’ve just found Adam’s clothes!”

 

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Reflections :

As I have gotten more mature (don’t you love that word) I assumed I would be wiser, more disciplined, and have more time. You know having, “All my ducks in a row.” Which if you think about it is not reality.

bad_hair_daySome day’s life does not go the way I want it too. I can write lists, make my plans and try to get some sense of order, yet life does not stop because I have 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. This is a lifelong journey, and a fast learner I am not.

Not because my life is perfect, but because I have a friend who loves me through the circumstances of my life. He is the shield who 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, He is enough.©

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

Lovingly, Karan

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

What helps you cope with bad days? I would love to hear What You do.

Hugs to All

Have a great week!

 

 

Coffee for Grandmother ~ The Election

Coffee for Grandmother

10A little grandmother was surprised by her seven-year-old grandson one morning. He had made her a cup of coffee. She drank what was the worse cup of coffee of her life

When she got to the bottom, there were three of those little green army men, and she asked him why they were there.

Her grandson said, “On television, they say, “the best part of waking up is soldiers in your cup!”

 

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Reflections:  The Election

This last year and especially these last few months I have found the election season very stressful.

votingAs an Americans living out of the United States, Lyle and I were excited to finally get our ballots and have the privilege of voting.

I am constantly amazed how everyone seems so invested here in Canada about this election. And like the US each person has their favorite candidate and a verity of opinions on them. No matter where I go people want to discuss the candidates.

I read an article a few month ago about the “election stress disorder.” It made me laugh, but then I realized I had many of the symptoms too. LOL. I had become distressed and anxious, always checking polls, twitter, and the news every morning and night.

I was telling my friend in South Carolina that I feared I had this “election stress disorder” and she laughed and reminded me I get like this every four years. What are friends for, to give us perspective when we can’t see the forest for the trees and our focus becomes small?

As I was reading my Bible this morning I was telling God how anxious I am  about this whole election process.

Luke 18:27 it says; …”what is impossible from a human perspective, is possible with God”

What a comfort to be reminded again that God is still in charge, and all is well.

Oswald chambers said it well, “Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the one who is leading.”

I am secure in knowing that in this world God is still on the throne.©

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Are you feeling anxious and stressed by this election like me?

No matter where you live, I would love to hear your thoughts.

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

Have a great week, HUGS

Lovingly, Karan

 

I Need A Little Help From My Friends!

I Need A Little Help From My Friends!

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2016 Readers Survey

As I write my blog each week I think of each of you as my friends. By doing this, it helps put a personal touch on my writing.

Instead of me writing and sending something out into cyberspace for just any random person to stumble across, I want to have you in mind. Offering real encouragement, thoughtful discussions, and transparent hope as we share together.

I am eager to make my blog better and more relevant to your needs and interests. But to do that, I need to know more about Y0u.

This is why I created my 2016 Survey. This short survey will help me to better know who I’m writing to. I will be able to make my blog posts, emails, and resources more interesting, and relevant to you.

Your input is very important to me. The survey is easy to fill out and will take less than three minutes to complete. The results are completely anonymous, and I will not share your results with anyone. Just click below.

I Would Love to Help. Take me to the Survey!

Thanks in advance for your help.

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Lovingly, Karan

Are You Coming or Going?

Are You Coming or Going?

boyMother asked four-year-old Brandon to pick up his toys in his bedroom. There would be company tonight, and his friend Chad would be coming too. 

A while later mother checked on Brandon and found him sitting on the bed with a troubled look on his face.

He asked his mother, is it was true that when people die they turn to dust?

Yes, Mother said.

Brandon continued, then is it true that God made people out of dust?  

Again mother said, Yes.  Why do you ask?

Well, said Brandon when I looked under the bed, there was a lot of dust. I think there is someone either coming or going under there. Author unknown

 

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Reflections:  Are you too busy?

A praying child one evening said; Dear God, I hope you’ll also take care of yourself if anything happens to you; we’d be in an awful fix…

child-prayingI’m sure we all feel like that these days, when the world is in so much turmoil, and distress.

I have struggled for years trying to have a consistent prayer life that seems so often to be more hit and miss, than anything else.

  • I have felt guilty, that I did not pray enough, or long enough.
  • I have felt not good enough, why would God listen to me, I have failed him so often.
  • I don’t have enough time; I know and have been told that you have to spend hours in a quiet place, (I have family, work, I don’t have time to hardly sit down, and when I do I fall asleep.)
  • We all know that the only time to pray is early in the morning,

an author told me. (I’m not an early bird, I just stare at my open bible, then fall asleep) then for sure I will feel guiltier.

Then discouraged I give up, God why did you make me like this? I can’t even stay awake in the morning for prayer, I must be your worst child, One who doesn’t deserve your constant, eternal, forgiving love and graciousness.

I spent money on seminars and books that would help me to try and get it right, so many formulas and how it should be done. But it never was personal to me until I heard a story about the mother of John & Charles Wesley, Susanna who raised 19 children and still had time to pray.

With a busy family, Susanna found it difficult to find quiet time to pray. Her life was hard, but she realized the importance of praying for her family.  The children soon learned that any time of the day when their mother had her apron flipped up over her head that she was praying. So they quietly left the room leaving her disturbed.

I love this story about Susanna Wesley, it has taught me that it doesn’t matter where you pray or when.  I just need to talk to God like a dear friend, anytime or anyplace, he is only a prayer away.  Have you struggled with finding the right time or place to pray? ©

” We are put on this earth, not to see through one another,
But to see one another through.”

Smile, God Love You

 

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

Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan