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pink ford focus

Flying to Saskatchewan, Canada for some speaking engagements I thought I would be fun to rent a car for a few days. How excited I was to try out new Ford Focus with all the bells and whistles. It felt so luxurious.

After one of our meetings, a few women decided to take me out for a lunch. 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. Realizing my predicament, some of the women went ahead to reserve a table for all of us. Sarah decided to stay and try to help me figure out what 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 woman 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.

Blooming Where We are Planted

Tulips 4

As the snow is starting to leave in Alberta, Canada I see the beginnings of spring starting to come alive. I have been expecting the warm weather, and thinking about the flowers I hope to grow. I learned this week there are over 230,000 to 270,000 species of flowering plants according to David Bramwell (2002), each one beautiful and special in its own way. Do you know how special you are?

For years, I was desperately trying to bloom where I was planted to gain 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 love or accept me. I hide behind a mask, which I called a smile, and I learned to become whatever I thought other people 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 the arena of life everyday wearing masks, striving for the right appearance and performing your best for love, acceptance, and approval? I have news for you.

God sees us without the masks and thinks we are beautiful, he loves and accepts us just the way we are, no conditions

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? Luke 12: 25-28, the Message-

His love is forever, unchanging, and constant, it is unconditional!

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

 I would love to hear from you. Have a great week!

Lovingly, Karan

 

The Friends We Love

When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of one best friend, and then I started to become a woman. And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up, God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you’re going through things with your man. Another friend is needed when you’re going through things with your mom.  Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.

One friend will say, “Let’s cry together,” another, “Let’s fight together,” another, “Let’s walk away together.”

One friend will meet your spiritual need, another your shoe fetish, another your love for movies, another will be with you in your season of confusion, another will be your clarifier, another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life, on whatever the occasion, on whatever the day, or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back,  or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself  … those are your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman, but for many, it’s wrapped up in several… one from 7th grade, one from high school, several from the college years, a couple from old jobs, on some days your mother, on some days your neighbor, on others, your sisters, and on some days, your daughters.

So whether they’ve been there 20 minutes or 20 years, you are blessed.   God has placed these women in your life to love, encourage and help you make a difference. ~ Author unknown

The Bible says:

This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down his life for us, greater love hath no man than this that a man  lays down his friends.  

Where would we be without those dear sisters we call Girlfriends.  The ones we laugh with, cry with, and shop with.  Our mother’s, sisters and friends who encourage, teach, and help us to become better women.  

When I hit a wall, I became overwhelmed, and start looking at all the circumstances and stress in my life, I forgot about all the good things. My cup becomes half-empty, instead of full. As I had time to meditate and look back, I realized how God has led me with His love and faithfulness over the years. Jesus Christ, is my dearest friend, I could not imagine life without his peace, love and protection. He is all I need, He enough.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Lovingly, Karan