Articles

Jun 11 2018

Can I Paint you a picture?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 8 Comments

Can I Paint you a picture?

 

 

 

Reflections: Can I Paint you a picture?

My dear friend Jeanne signed us up for a painting class on “How to paint sunflowers”.  Since I hadn’t oil painted for over thirty years I was game. Besides, I had never used acrylic paints and thought it would be an adventure.

We arrived at the class just in time to get our aprons, paint, water, and easels set up. As our teacher started to explain about her class, she wondered how many first timers were there, or those who already painted. She also inquired if there was anyone who was an OCD painter. At that point, I should have put my hand up. How did she know?

Thirty years ago, I loved to paint.  My favorites were landscapes and florals. But there came a time I had to set painting aside and eventually quit altogether.  I would become so obsessive about a painting that I couldn’t stop rearranging or fixing it. Then I would be up half the night and wouldn’t be able to sleep for thinking about what I could do better. Although I had painted pictures for other people, I always felt they were never as good as they could have been. If only I had just a little more time.

I laugh now when I think about one of my daughters’ grade school art assignments.  It was during the month of October, so she made a black and white picture with trees and tombstones in a cemetery with a concerted effort to make it look scary.  When I asked how the teacher liked her picture, she said: “no one commented on it”.

Three weeks later at the teacher-parent conference, there on the bulletin board was our daughters Halloween picture. She had won first prize for her “Remembrance Day” picture. She didn’t even care that they had mixed it up.  How I wish my attitude would have been more like hers during my early painting years. Lol

As I began painting again recently, some of those old feelings came back; “it’s not good enough” or “it looks horrible”.  I wonder where those feelings come from.  Could it be from wanting everything perfect and struggling to measure up?  Even after all these years, those old feelings still bubble up.

I am so thankful that God reached down and saved me.  He loves me and forgives me with His perfect grace. Where would I be without Him in my life?  In an imperfect world, He is perfect. ©

I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.

Psalm 62: 1,2 & 5

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

 

May 26 2018

We Will Not Forget!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

We Will Not Forget!

“Build me a soldier,

O Lord,

who will be strong enough to know when he is weak,

and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid,

one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat,

and humble and gentle in victory.”

General Douglas MacArthur  
1880 – 1964

 

 

 

Reflections:

“There are no extraordinary men… just extraordinary circumstances that ordinary men
are forced to deal with.”
 
Fleet Admiral William F. Halsey Jr.

This weekend is Memorial Day. And like you I have known many soldiers who have served our county.  I love and honor each one. I often wonder what makes them sacrifice their lives or time for others.

When I see them I try to shake their hands and tell them how much they are loved and appreciated. Where would we be as a nation without their faithfulness and valor?

I wrote this devotional for a soldier friend a few years ago and thought I would share it with you on this special weekend. As we remember our soldiers in America and Canada.

**************   

But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying,“You are my God my future is in your hands.”

Psalm 31: 14-15
 
I am secure in your love for me, I know I can trust you regardless of my circumstances no matter where I am.

You are always with me.

There are people who want to harm me as I serve my country, but my future is in your hands.
 
You chose to love me and I choose to love and trust you with my life. 

 

Father,
It is so good to know that I can trust you as I serve you and my country.  I know my life, family, and future are in your care.  Please protect from the dangers of this war.

 
Hugs to you all,
Have a great Memorial Day weekend 
 

See you next week!
Lovingly, Karan

 

Mar 19 2018

Going Fishing ~ Just A Sing-in

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 6 Comments

Going Fishing

A little boy was going on a fishing expedition with his father, traveling from New Mexico to Colorado. 

Every fifty miles, the excited son asked his father if they were almost there.  The father answered that they had quite a distance to travel yet. So the son waited for a few more minutes and asked his father again.

“Sorry son, we have another hundred miles yet.”

After fifty more miles, the son asked, “Daddy, am I still going to be four years old when we get there?” Author unknown

 

 

 

 

Reflections: Just A Sing-in

Every time I hear a beautiful song I get teary-eyed, and I think about my own voice that is a little off-key.  I remember at one time Lyle, and I had been invited to sing for an evening event. I was so scared. 

My husband comes from a musical family and has a wonderful voice.  We practiced for weeks.  But when we stood on stage in front of all those people I froze, and couldn’t remember the words or even find my note. 

My dear husband tried to encourage after our song, but I knew it didn’t go well.  As we were leaving a woman rushed up to reassure me and said, “Well after you went up and down the scale a few times you finally found your note, I think it was OK.” So much for my singing career! LOL

Although I am not a singer, I do love to sing. I like to sing out loud, and I’m sure others wish I would stop. One Sunday at church many years ago as I was singing loud and proud, one of my daughters stood close to me and suggested that I might like to hum! But hey, the Bible says let us make a joyful noise, and I want to do my part.

They say, “Music washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.” I believe those words.

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 a car is a perfect place for my personal concert.

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.

And like a small bird needing to fly and feel the wind lift me higher, I know God has placed a special song in my heart that I must sing to a hurting world… Jesus Loves You!  That is my song©

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

Has God given you a song to sing?

Have a great week, Hugs

Lovingly, Karan

 

 

 

Jan 22 2018

The Fast Lane ~ Flu Season? Not Me I Got My Shot!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

 

 

The Fast Lane 

The Sunday teacher described how Lot’s wife looked Sodom and was turned into a pillar of salt.

Suddenly Jimmy interrupted.

“My mom looked back once while she was driving,” he announced triumphantly,

and she turned into a telephone pole!” Author unknown

 

 

 

 

Reflections:  Flu Season? Not Me I Got My Shot!

Every year about September, we start hearing about getting the flu shot which always includes a promise to keep us safe from that particular year’s seasonal virus. I am faithful each year to get my shot because of an Auto-immune disease that I struggle with.  Now Lyle, who never gets the flu shot, thinks it’s a waste of time, besides he never gets sick.

However, after receiving the shot something went wrong.   You guessed it, two days after Christmas I got the flu which lasted about three weeks.  My family decided I would get well sooner if I would try their flu and cold zapping home remedy.  At that point, I was willing to try anything, well almost. 

A cup of hot water, one teaspoon of chopped garlic, one teaspoon of honey and one-quarter cup of lemon juice.  Two cups a day, morning and evening weren’t too awful, and it did seem to help some.  After a few weeks of feeling incarcerated in my home, I was so excited to go to the grocery store and see people. Yeah!  Of course, I was hoping no one would detect the cloud of garlic following me up and down the aisles.

Today I still smell like a garlic bulb, but I think I’m going to make it. Lol

I am still amazed how fast my joy flew out the window.  I moped around the house sniffling and sneezing with my hair uncombed and it even hurt to blink my eyes. My Joy went from 85 to zero in no time at all.  I am embarrassed to even think about it!  Instead of resting on God’s promises I became self-absorbed.                 

Can I choose to be joyful in all circumstances even if I don’t feel like it? Life is a matter of choices and God’s compassion never fails. I  know I will never walk alone.

It helps me remember when I look back and see the journey God has taken me on.  All I see are His promises of faithfulness, love, and grace, what more could I ask for?

 

 Always be joyful.~ 1 Thess. 5:16

Has the flu come your way yet? How is your joy today? 

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
 I love you all and am praying. 
HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan
Dec 30 2017

A Bad Dream~Be Kind to Yourself

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 5 Comments

A Bad Dream?

Martha was taking an afternoon nap on New Year’s Eve before the festivities.

After she woke up, she confided to Max, her husband, ‘I just dreamed that you gave me a diamond ring for a New Year’s present.

What do you think it all means?’

‘Aha, you’ll know tonight,’ answered Max smiling broadly.

At midnight, as the New Year was chiming, Max approached Marhta and handed her small package. 

Delighted and excited she opened it quickly. There in her hand rested a book entitled: ‘The meaning of dreams’.

Author unknown

 

 

 

 

Reflections: Be Kind to Yourself

As another  New Year approaches it can be a stressful time. With all the changes in our lives over the last few years, it is hard to imagine what is ahead for 2018.

Over the years I have learned when life is tough I need to focus on the rich treasures of my life instead of the circumstances that would drown me. God’s love, my family, and friends who encourage and pray for me are a constant joy,

The lessons I have learned about myself over the years are revealing. Struggling to do better with God’s help, I see that I still fail to rest fully on him.  I sometimes feel like I don’t want to bother God with my little problems when he has the whole world to take care of. 

Many times I run ahead of him trying to help him out, and make a mess, waiting is hard for me.  But, you know what God doesn’t need help, He is my shelter and rock. When there is no place else to run. Do you have some of those same feelings?

This year I want to be faithful in these areas;

1.  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.

 2.  I need to be more faithful in my accountability to writing, which I know God has called me to do.

3.  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.

4.  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.

5.  I need to be kind to myself, it has always been easier for me to forgive others failures, but I tend to browbeat myself with my own.  If God has forgiven me and extended his grace to me, I need to give myself a little grace also.

“The best New Year gifts 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 New Year, 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 Happy New Year and pray that the Christ of new beginnings will bless your homes as you welcome 2018.©

Galatians 1:3   May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Lovingly, Karan Gleddie

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

Have a wonderful weekend be safe. Hugs to all