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Is Anyone Watching, Swimming lessons anyone?

 

Is Anyone Watching?

lunchThe children were lined up in the cafeteria of the Catholic elementary school for lunch.  

At the head of the table was a large pile of apples.  The nun made a note, and posted it on the apple tray:

“Take only ONE. God is watching.”

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. 

A child had written a note, “Take all you want. God is watching the apples..’

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Reflections:   Swimming lessons anyone?

As I enjoyed watching the Olympics the last few weeks, the discipline and commitment that each Olympian strives to achieve are amazing.

Every time I see or hear about the Olympics, I think about my daughter who became intrigued with the swimmers. I would find her in the living room practicing the butterfly stroke with the swimmers on our shag carpet. Every day she came home after school to practice. And at night I would find water on the bathroom floor as she perfected her strokes.

swimming2We soon learned that she be going on a kindergarten school trip. The class was going to a swimming pool, and she did not know how to swim. And the trip was only a week away. So we went and bought a new swimsuit for the occasion, but caution our daughter not to go into the deep end because swimming around the living room does not make her a swimmer. But, she kept insisting that she knew how to swim, after all, she had practiced!

The day arrived, and Lyle took her to school that morning and again cautioned her not to go into the deep end. He got a smile, hug, and a wave as she headed for the bus and her friends.

We waited impatiently until the time arrives to pick her up, and Lyle raced down to the school to get her.

As she got into the truck, she was unusually quiet, so Lyle asked her how the day went. And with a surprised look on her face, she said,” I jumped into the deep end of the pool, and I almost drowned?”

She was so convinced that she knew how to swim. After all, she learned all the strokes and had practiced with the best. The only thing she was missing though was the water!!!

Although we laugh at remembering this story, I wonder how many times do I think I know what’s best for myself too?

Those times when I don’t want to bother God with my problems.  And when I try to fix them myself I only I only make them worse.  I was so sure I knew how to do it.  I used God as my last resort when He should be my first. Is it pride or stubbornness that keeps me from asking for His help? ©       In:

Psalm 121:1-3 (NLT)

I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there?

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.

Do yo ever feel like God has too much to do to take care of your little problems?

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

Lovingly, Karan

It’s Time To Practice Your Music!

It’s Time To Practice Your Music!

Lviolinittle Harold was practicing the violin in the living room while his father was trying to read in the den.

The family dog was lying in the den; and as the screeching sounds of little Harold’s violin reached his ears, the dog began to howl loudly.

The father listened to the dog and the violin as long as he could.  Then he jumped up, slammed his paper to the floor,

and yelled above the noise, “For pity’s sake, can’t you play something the dog doesn’t know?”

 

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Reflections:

I am not a good singer, and I am self-conscience of my voice.  But that doesn’t keep me from singing because I do love to sing. After all the Bible says in Psalm 66:1, “Make a joyful noise unto God, all the earth.” I always think God must have included that verse for me!

carThey say, “Music washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.” I believe those words. There have been times of sorrow, depression, and sadness in which I found it hard to keep my mind and heart from constantly dwelling on them.

I’ve often said,” It’s a long way between my head and my heart.” When we don’t understand our circumstances and find ourselves in hard places, we often want to rely on our knowledge, experience, and know-how to make everything better. But in our hearts, we feel afraid, worried and confused.

There have been times in these last few years that my head knows all the Bible verses and promises from God’s word, as well as all the praise and worship songs. But my heart still says, why? Have you ever had those feelings??

I have found over the years when I listen to music it lifts my spirits. It is something that gives me energy and joy when I can turn up the volume and sing as loud as I want. I have found the car is a perfect place for my personal concerts also. 

Psalm 13:6 (NLT)

I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.

Being able to sing lifts my spirit and helps me to delight in the love and care of God.  Singing also reminds me there is no problem or circumstance that is too hard for Him.  When I am singing my heart and head are one and at peace with Him.©

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me,  Do you agree?  I would love to hear what you think.
Hugs to all.

And have a great week

Lovingly, Karan

Didn’t You See the Stop Lights ?

Didn’t You See the Stop Lights ?
   
For years Shelly’s husband denied that he was an aggressive driver. That changed one day when they were out for a drive with their three-year-old son, Mathew.

Seeing teaching opportunity, mom asked Matthew about traffic lights.

“What does astoplights red light mean? Shelly inquired.     “Stop”.

“Good. How about green?”    “Go”.

“And yellow?”  she continued.

And in his best deep voice impression of Daddy, Mathew bellowed…”Hang on!”

 

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Reflections:  I’m Not Lost!

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 Target, turn left, go down to the Burger King, and turn right.  Drive to Sears, and 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: 1-3

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.

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, I would love to hear from you.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan

 

He’s Wired for Sound!

 tangled-up-in-wires-and-cablesHe’s Wired for Sound!

The preacher was wired for sound with a lapel microphone, and as he preached, he moved briskly about the platform, jerking the mike cord as he went.

Then he moved to one side, getting wound up in the cord and nearly  tripping before jerking it again.

After several more times moving back and forth, a little girl in the third pew leaned toward her mother and whispered, “If he gets loose, will he hurt us?’

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Reflections:

They say “laughter is the best medicine for a hurting heart.”  I believe it.  As a child when life happened I could always see the funny side of any circumstance. Maybe it was a way to hide my anxiety and hesitation. Growing up I was unsure how to respond to stressful situations, so I just laughed.  And sometimes I would get in trouble for the inappropriate times I did laugh!  Can you relate? But I learned if I could find humor and laughter, it would relieve stresses and give me joy in a crisis-driven world.

laughing10Many years ago I was guest speaking for a group of women, in northern Canada.  The weather was warm enough to wear a skirt that day.  It was a little big around, but the button seemed secure. Besides, it was a cute skirt and matched my suit jacket. What can I say? 

As I was in the middle of my presentation, the button fell off, and I caught my skirt as it was sliding down. Trying to act as normal as I could I kept talking, grabbed my skirt and tucked it into my slip elastic. Whew! I am so glad I decided to wear a slip that day; it could have been just a pantyhose day.  I am also thankful for the women at the head table beside me, who remained stoic during my presentation, they can surely say they have seen it all.

I believe God has a great sense of humor. He must laugh when he sees us scurrying around trying to fix all our problems. Only too soon we reach the befuddling, confused and worn out state of crises.  I often do that myself.

Many times I think I don’t want to bother God with the little stuff he is too busy. I can be his deputy shepherd, and help him by taking care of them myself. Only to make a bigger mess. Only to run the back to God so he can fix it quick. Do you do that too?  I love that He never refuses and always has plenty of grace, forgiveness, and love to fix that which in broken.  The Bible says;

You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.       

 Nehemiah 9:17 

God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, let me know what you think.

 Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan

Blonde Logic: The Perfect Diet

 Blonde Logic: The Perfect Diet

A blonde woman goes to her doctor about her weight, so her doctor puts her on a diet. 
“I want you to eat vegetables and grains for two days, then skip a day, and repeat this procedure for two weeks.  

The next time I see you, you will have lost at least 5 pounds.scale 3


“When the blonde returned, she shocked the doctor by losing nearly 

20 pounds.

“Why that’s amazing!” the doctor said, “Did you follow my
instructions?”

The blonde nodded.  “I’ll tell you, though, I thought I was going 
to drop dead that the third day.”

“From hunger, you mean?”  “No, from skipping.”

 

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Reflections:

I love beautiful flowers and have long admired people who have a creative eye for designing them.  I use to read garden books and how-to books trying to learn the proper care of plants and how to growing then. My mother could make anything grow. However, the growing and gardening gene missed me somehow.  I either loved my flowering plants too much with water, fertilizer, and conversation or dried them out with not enough. I find it hard to keep anything alive except cactus! 

Because of my lack of talent in the floral department, when we built our home, I decided to have plants and evergreens around the house that grow annually. They looked wonderful but not much color or contrast.  So one spring I went to “Michaels” a craft and hobby superstore to buy some beautiful tall silk flowers in pink and reds.  My conditions were extra tall stems, large flowers and to look real. I was so excited about this bright idea; I couldn’t wait to get home.  Arranging them in the evergreen bushes and flower pots, I felt satisfied with my creativity.

When people drove by they would comment on my beautiful flowers, I was glad they noticed but hoped they wouldn’t get too close and learn my secret to success!

As summer turned to fall, my flowers still were in full bloom. However one evening we had an early winter storm which blew in with heavy sleet, and the wind.  The storm lasted for two days.    It was so cold outside I had forgotten about my flowers.  After the storm was over I  check on my flowers, and they were still standing tall and blooming beautifully; it’s a miracle! My secret had been exposed.

I have learned there are over 230,000 to 270,000 species of flowering plants, and each one is uniquely beautiful and extraordinary in its own way. I think God looks at each one of us as a beautiful flower too, designed perfect, and precious to be loved by him. Each one is important.

Luke 12:28 New Living Translation

And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

He loves and accepts us just the way we are, no conditions!

Do you know how special you are to Him? ©

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, I would love to hear from you. 

Have a great week, HUGS

Lovingly, Karan