Articles

Apr 19 2019

Where did you learn this?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

Happy Easter have a fabulous weekend with family and friends! Hugs

 

 

 

Where did you learn this?

I was standing before the window of an art store where a picture of the Crucifixion of our Lord was on exhibition.  As I gazed, I was aware of the approach of another, and turning, beheld a little lad gazing also intently at the picture.  Noticing that this mite of humanity was a street boy, I thought I would speak to him; so I asked, pointing at the picture, “Do you know who He is?”

“Yes,” came a quick response; “That’s our Savior,” with a mingled look of pity and surprise that I should not know what the picture represented.

With an obvious desire to enlighten me further, he continued, after a pause; “Them’s Roman soldiers, the Roman soldiers, and,” with a long drawn sigh, “that woman crying there is His mother.”

He waited, obviously for me to question him further, then thrust his hand in his pockets, and with a reverent and subdued voice and tear-stained face added, “They killed Him, Mister.  Yes, sir, they killed Him.”

I looked at the little dirty, rugged fellow and asked, “where did you learn this?’

At the Mission Sunday school,” was the reply.

Full of thoughts regarding the benefits of the Mission Sunday schools, I turned and resumed my walk, leaving the little lad still looking at the picture, I had not walked a block when I heard his childish voice calling, “Mister! Say, Mister! ” I turned.  He was running toward me but paused;   then up went his little hand, and with a triumphant sound in his voice and now radiant face, he said, “ I want to tell you: “He Arose Again, He Is Alive!”   By  R.A. Torrey

This wonderful story reminds me the Grave is empty, and Jesus lives and is alive today. I know that my hope, salvation and constant care comes from Him. He loves me, forgives me and loves me.

He is my security, He is Enough!

Happy Easter, He Has Risen!

Lovingly, Karan

Thank you for sharing your time with me today dear friend. What brings delight and Joy to your life?

Do you have a favorite Easter story?

I would love to hear your thoughts as we share our journey.

 

 

 

Apr 02 2019

I’ll Choose You

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 1 Comment

I’ll Choose You

 

Look Out, Here We Come

 

 

I’ll Choose You!

Early one fall morning, I took a day trip to Calgary, Alberta, to get spring and summer fashions for my store. I took my two teenage daughters along for an afternoon of shopping.

Wearing a navy suit to make a good impression at my appointment, I also wore my favorite three-inch heels. It was crucial for me to look pulled together, so the sales representatives didn’t know I was a novice.

My girls dressed for comfort, while I stayed with the suit and heels for our shopping trip. I did not want the trouble of an extra set of clothes. The day was fun but exhausting, and by 5 pm, I wanted to be home. I had a headache, my feet ached, and I was hobbling. I was ready to go home, grab a hot bath and go to bed.

Making one last stop at the drugstore on the way out of the mall, the girls waited for me outside. After paying for my purchases, I hurried out to meet them. As I rushed for the exit, I ran into an extraordinarily clean glass wall with such an impact, people stopped in their tracks to see what all the commotion was.

After my perfect face-plant into the glass, I slid to the floor in an ungraceful heap. My shopping bags were in complete disarray, one three-inch heel fell off, one button flew somewhere unknown and my skirt was slightly higher than I felt comfortable with.

As I tried to collect my wits and composure, I noticed my daughters bent over in hilarity and pretending not to know me. 

Struggling to get up and putting on my biggest smile, I tried to act as if nothing had happened. With head held high, I limped out of the store trying to look as mature as possible, even though my feet were not the only body parts hurting at this time. 

Looking back on that day, I recall the sadness I felt when I realized my daughters had been embarrassed by their mom. And they didn’t choose to claim me as their own.  

I am so glad God chooses us even when we embarrass others and ourselves. He will never run away from us when we hurt or leave our side when we call on him. We are loved and claimed by God.

Dear God,  Recognizing that you will never leave me gives me such perfect comfort and peace as only you can do. I am secure in your love Father, thank you for loving me so much. ©

Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.  Hebrews 13:5b (NIV) 

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

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