Articles

Jun 19 2021

The 10 Second Twist and Shout

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 11 Comments

 

 

 

 

The 10 Second Twist and Shout

As I enjoyed a shower the other day, and just completed shampooing my hair when an object landed on my shoulder. It was a spider. I started dancing on the bathmat while the water was still running, trying to get him off me. Poor thing, by the time I quit dancing he was floating toward the drain, absent two legs.

When I think about it, the spider must have been roaming on the ceiling, and with the humidity, he slipped and fell. I am certain he surprised himself, too. How grateful I was for a new shower mat. With a rapid 10-second twist and shout I could have been laying on the floor along with the spider.

How strange one little spider could send me into a tizzy. Spiders and mice are the two things that cause me the most stress.

Somehow, I thought as I aged, I would get over my fear of mice and spiders. However, the more mature I am, I have still not developed a friendship with them. These days, I seem to have more questions than answers about life. Sometimes I wonder, have I learned anything, or have I just forgotten what I learned.

The one thing I know for sure is having a personal relationship with God gives me great peace. Through the highs and lows, disappointments and joys, sickness, and deaths, God is a trustworthy and loyal friend. Holding me up, calming my heart, and giving me the confidence to keep moving, even when I feel numb.

In the past, I have shared my sweet husband has been living in a senior lodge for the past three years. This last year and a half have been tough with all the lockdowns. Lyle found it hard to understand, not seeing the family.

Lyle’s memories have faded without the regular prompting of conversations and pictures we shared to help him remember each family member and the special memories of the past.

We speak on the phone daily to keep in contact, but he still will gets confused with faces and conversations. I know many of you have experienced these same situations, which is heartbreaking. There are many circumstances that we each walk through which bring stress and sorrow to our lives, and each one is painful.

When I know the creator of life and believe in Him, I am convinced I can trust him. I have a God who holds my life and my loved ones in His hands. I know He is better at handling the details of my life more than I ever could.

How blessed I am with God’s incredible protection, love, and forgiveness. I trust you, Lord; you know what I need and see me. I am not alone. I love you, Lord.

You keep track of all my sorrows, you have collected all my tears in your bottle,

you have recorded each one in your book.  Psalm 56:8

So be strong and courageous, all who put your hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
 I love you all and am praying.
Have a wonderful week, keep Smiling!  
HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan

Jun 22 2019

Too Busy?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

Too Busy?

 

 

 

 

Too Busy?  My Calendar for the month.

Have you ever felt like you are too busy to keep up with your basic chores? When this happens, I become exhausted, disorganized and absent-minded. I soon recognize the need to step back and re-access my schedules.

Last week I had a Doctors appointment.  Getting ready to start my one-hour trip to the city, I spotted my heart rate on my Fitbit again.  154 is a little high I thought; I take blood pressure medication; did I forget to take it the night before?

Buy the time I ran out the door it had reached up to 164, so I swallowed two aspirins and wondered if I should go to the emergency room or straight to my appointment. I decided to head straight for my doctor.

Speeding down the highway, I checked my Fitbit once more, my blood pressure had risen to 192, I promptly took another aspirin. By the time I reached Lethbridge, my heart rate was at 290. At that moment, I figured my Fitbit was out of whack.

Seeing my physician and finding out my blood pressure was it’s regular 114, calmed me down. It was later I realized I had been reading my daily steps, not my heart rate. 

Sometimes we are so busy we barely have a chance to take a breath. I have felt like that these last few years. I’m uncertain if it’s because of my age, or my bounce is a little slower. lol

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.

Psalm 91:1-2

These last few years I have learned to lean and rest on God promises. According to one account, there are 3573 promises in the Bible.  A promise for every need. We are blessed.

He is the one who fully knows me and unconditionally loves me. He makes my life complete. I love you, Lord.

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

Jul 05 2017

Let Freedom Ring!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

Let Freedom Ring!

 

 

 Aesop said many years ago,

 “No act of kindness no matter how small is ever wasted.”

All over the world, our soldiers are not only sacrificing, but also serving honorably in acts of kindness and compassion.  They are showing people a better way of life. 

Some people say we fight for oil, money, and power.  In our country, there are numerous divisions of opinions on how our government and military should run.  And how our foreign policy should look in countries that are far away and remote from our everyday lives.  Have we forgotten what life would be like for us if this war were fought here in America?

However, something happens when our soldiers leave that will outlast the fear, killings, and the submission that insurgents demand of their people. American soldiers give them something better, kindness instead of selfishness, hope instead of despair, and laughter instead of sorrow.

The enemy may beat, blow-up, and torture people to push their evil agenda, but those people have seen something else.  When our soldiers were out on patrols, or on their days off they give away their food, water, candy, and friendship.  Some even spent their time off helping the people to rebuild their lives, homes, and schools.  These acts of kindness, hope, and compassion are qualities that people of the Middle East will not soon forget!

May God bless the men and women of the military who serve quietly, unselfishly, giving their time and extras to bringing a better life for someone else?  To allow the people to see what real freedom is.  

Every Country, even our own has had to pay a large price for freedom, and our Middle East friends are learning what that cost is with their own suffering also.  Freedom has a high price, but once you have had a taste of freedom you cannot stop until you have it for yourself, your families, and your country.  As they are finding out for themselves.

This is our the American spirit, which is the heart and soul of our soldiers, and the people of in these countries will never be able to forget them.©

“Freedom is never free; it has a price.”

“God Bless America, Land of the Free because of the Brave.”

Lovingly, Karan

 

Apr 01 2017

The Special Speaker ~ The Workout?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

The Special Speaker

A long-winded speaker was continuing to deliver his dry and lengthy speech. He had long run over his assigned time for the presentation. The master of ceremonies tried to get him to stop, but couldn’t get his attention.

Finally, in desperation, he picked up his gavel and fired at the speaker. He aimed it low trying not to attract too much attention from the audience.

However, he missed the speaker and hit the man in the first row.  The poor man slumped down in his chair and groaned, “Hit me again, I can still hear him.”

 

Reflections:  The Workout?

My friend loves physical exercise and thinks she has not had a workout unless she is sweating buckets. My idea of a good workout is a color coordinated sweat suit, 1-inch gold flip-flops, and pearls, full makeup, hairdo—the works. (In case I run into someone, I might know). Besides, I never sweat, I mist! 

Taking a walk with us is an experience in comic relief. Dee wears sensible shoes and clothing, charging ahead, getting the workout over in record time, with as much sweat as possible; while I leisurely walk along, trying not to get all misty, carefully stepping over rocks, puddles, and other debris.

It is great having a friend to talk to; someone in whom I can confide my secrets, even if she is jogging circles around me so she can keep her heart rate up.

But the greatest comfort about my friend is the assurance that our friendship is secure. I know she loves me even with all the fluff and glitter, blonde hair and pearls.

I also have another friend who thinks I am special, allows me to the freedom to be myself and I never have to impress him. God is cheering for me and wants me to be all I can for him. His love and grace are forever, unchanging and constant. Even when times are hard, I am secure in his care.©

Psalm 63:8N (NLT)

I cling to you;
    your strong right-hand holds me securely. 

Proverbs 14:26
Those who fear the Lord are secure; he will be a refuge for their children.
I am so thankful for God’s promises. They give me peace.

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

Lovingly, Karan

Sep 09 2016

Dear Friends

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

 

Dear Friends,

It has been a tough week this week, and last night we lost one of our family members to Cancer after a short and brave struggle.
 
My heart is broken, of not only losing a family member, but also a sweet friend. She is with the Lord tonight, and God has freed her from the pain. I take comfort in the Bible that tells me:
 
And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope 1 Thessalonians 4:13 
 
That is a promise that I am resting on today.  We have that hope of seeing each other again one day.
 
I am sad for our great loss and yet understand Ruby has fought the fight and won the battle. She now is face-to-face with the Lord she loves and enjoying a great reunion with friends and family who have gone on before.  She went home last night… HEAVEN.©
 

Home Where I Belong©   B.J.Thomas

They say that heaven’s pretty, And living here is too.
But if they said that I would have to choose between the two.
I’d go home, Going home, Where I belong.
 
And sometimes when I’m dreaming, It comes as no surprise.
That if you look and see the homesick feeling in my eyes.
I’m going home, Going home, Where I belong.
 
While I’m here I’ll serve him gladly, And sing him all my songs. I’m here, But not for long.
 
And when I’m feeling lonely, And when I’m feeling blue.
It’s such a joy to know that I am only passing through.
I’m headed home, Going home, Where I belong.
 
And one day I’ll be sleeping When death knocks on my door.
And I’ll awake and find that I’m not homesick anymore.
I’ll be home, Going home, Where I belong.
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I Am Just Passing Through
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Hugs to all, See you next week.
Lovingly, Karan Gleddie