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You Are Like our Mother!

 

 

 

You are Like Your Mother!

Throughout my life, people would often say, “You are like your mother” and I would cringe. Those were not the words I wanted to hear. I wanted to be a supermom – you know, the woman that did and had it all. I would be organized, clever, and smart about life – no traumatic crisis for me.

My mother came from a harsh background. From my perspective, she spent her life trying to work through the difficulties she encountered as a child. She strived to be understanding and kind towards others and, unlike her parents, she achieved her goal. Even though there were painful personal and emotional struggles, as well as great highs, my mother was always optimistic. Her motto was: “Tomorrow’s a brand-new day.”

Although we were poor, I can’t say that we ever thought we were. My mother worked hard to put a roof over our heads and food on the table, never giving up or expecting handouts. We always had enough and when we outgrew our shoes and clothing, she made sure we had something new to replace the old. Reflecting on my childhood, I realized she went without so my sisters and I would have more opportunities and a few extras.

My mother, Francis, had so many wonderful characteristics. She loved a good deal, so thrift shops, garage sales, and flea markets were thrilling, and she was skilled at discovering the ultimate bargain. She also loved her flowerbeds and gardening much better than house cleaning and often said she felt closer to God outdoors.

Inside she loved reading books, sewing, and listening to the radio. Wherever she went she had many bags of good deals, a plethora of interesting books she checked out at the library, and Christian broadcasting blaring from her radio.

In her daily life, we knew mother loved us and loved God too. She trusted Him, leaned on Him, and believed His promises would sustain her. She taught us daily about God’s grace, forgiveness, and love. We could see through her life how God faithfully protected and cared for our needs. The wonderful memories of my dear mother are worth far more than silver and gold.

Now when I hear “You are like your mom,” I say thank you. Following my mother’s legacy, I pray that my children will know how much I love them and see the light of God’s love in my life.  ©

I am humbled and quiet in your presence. Like a contented child who rests on its mother’s lap,

I’m your resting child and my soul is content in you. 

Psalm 139:13 TPT

Dear friends, thank you for sharing your time with me.

In this season of reflecting on our mothers and what it means to be a mother,

please share a special memory of your mother in the comments below.

Happy Mother’s Day! 

Lovingly, Karan

 

He Is Alive!

He Is Alive!

 

 

Dear Friends,

I am checking in to see how you all are doing? I have been praying for you and your families as we celebrate the Easter Weekend. Be safe.

I’m going into my fourth week of lockdown.  I live in an eight-unit senior apartment;
however, we rarely leave our apartments because as you know mature people need to be careful. Funny, I don’t feel all that mature. Lol.

In the last few weeks, I have cleaned cabinets, washed clothes, cleaned closets and shredded bags of papers and old files.

I’ve been working on all the things I have put off for years because  I didn’t have time. Now I have nothing but time!

The world today is challenging and complex. With extra demands in our homes, families, and work, we face many difficulties. We search for hope, peace, and strength among the isolation we find ourselves in. 

In all the uncertainties of life, the awareness of having a personal relationship with God has given me great peace.

I, too, am anxious about all the unknowns, but in those moments, God calms my heart and gives me the courage to keep moving forward. He is the same today as He was yesterday.

The same God, who settled the storms and healed the sick so many generations ago, lives today.  A living God who can be relied on today. He is everything I need.

Because I know the creator of life and believe in Him, I can count on Him even when I am afraid. I have a God who holds my life and my loved ones in His hands. I think he is better at handling the details of my life, don’t you agree?

When I look back on the life God has given me, my family, how can I not trust Him? I am blessed with God’s incredible protection, love, and forgiveness. Today, I choose you, Lord, and I trust you for my future because of who you are, not my circumstances. I love you, Lord. ©

18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the            things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.  2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT)

Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love   28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God—those whom he has called according to his plan.  Romans 8:28 (GW)

 

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

Have a wonderful Easter Weekend, Be Safe
 
HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan

 

Did You Get Your Flu Shot?

 

 

Some Days are Like this!

 

Did You Get Your Flu Shot?

Every year about September, we hear about getting the flu shot which includes a promise to keep us protected from that year’s seasonal virus. I am faithful each year to receive my shot because of an Auto-immune disease that I battle with. Now my husband, who never has the flu shot, thinks it’s a waste of time, besides he never gets sick.

However, after getting the shot something went wrong. You guessed it, two days after Christmas I caught 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 stage, I will try anything, well almost.

A cup of hot water, one teaspoon of minced 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 seemed to help some. After a few weeks of confinement in my home, I was so excited to go to the grocery store and see people. Yeah! I was hoping no one would notice the cloud of garlic following me up and down the aisles.

I still smelled like a garlic bulb, but I made it through. Lol.

This year I determined not to get my flu shot, after all, if I became sick having the shot I might as well try it without. Wrong, I was back with the flu and cold zapping home remedy again smelling like a garlic bulb for another few weeks.

I don’t want to complain, but I’m uncertain what I should do next year. Since it didn’t seem to benefit having the shot or not.

However, I was startled to see how quickly my joyfulness flew the coop when things went wrong. I sulked around the house sniffling and sneezing with my hair unkempt and it even hurt to blink my eyes. My Joy dropped from 85 to zero in record time, becoming self-absorbed with my very own pity party.

Am I joyful in all circumstances even if I don’t feel like it? Life is a matter of choices and God’s mercy will never fail us. I know he will never leave me alone.

As he encourages me to look back and remember all the amazing adventures, He has given me, I see only His promises of faithfulness, His great love, and forgiveness, what more could I ever need?©

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

Happy New Tear – A living Legacy

 

Happy New Year – A living Legacy

 

 

A living Legacy

I have always loved Genealogy and learning about my ancestors.  Following their paths from Europe, Russia, and Scandinavia and beyond and documenting their quests for a better life for their families and freedom to choose. It has always fascinated me; their willingness to sacrifice and endure suffering and hardship to reach their goal.

Great-grandfather Christopher immigrated from Norway to the United States in 1900.   Arriving at Ellis Island, New York, with experience in shipbuilding he soon found work helping to build the Brooklyn Bridge.  However, when great-grandfather heard about free land in the state of Wisconsin, he moved his family west. In a few years, he had saved enough to buy a small farm for his family. 

Farming was hard during those years; every acre needed to be cleared of the dense forest before he could plant his precious seed. The tree removal was backbreaking, slow and often dangerous. So naturally, when great-grandfather heard about free land on the prairies in Alberta, Canada, he was interested. No more tree removal!

In 1908, he moved his three young sons and wife to Alberta, Canada by train to start a new life.  The land was beautiful and rugged but cruel in the winter.  Months after arriving in Canada he buried his young wife, who died from Diphtheria. He endured the loss of two more wonderful helpmates, prairie fires, theft, and many hardships, yet the one thing that all his children remember most about their father is his great faith and love for God, no matter what happened in his life.

One freezing night the barn burned down, and all the animals and winter supplies were left lying in ashes. As great-grandfather watched the flames die down, his children heard him say, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1: 21b).  The stories of great-grandfather’s faithfulness and love for God have been remembered for four generations now.  And today, because of his faithfulness, our families are reminded daily of God’s faithfulness too. What a legacy to remember!

“Remembering God’s Faithfulness in the past will give us confidence for the future”

Father, help me to walk faithfully in your ways so that my life will point my family and others to you.

I want to leave a remembered legacy too, that will point my family to God’s Amazing Grace, love and forgiveness. 

That is my prayer.©

 Happy New Year 2020, travel safe

 Love to all. Hugs!

Lovingly,  Karan

Does God Ever Give Up on Us?

 

 

Reflections: Does God Ever Give Up On Us?

I love the Thanksgiving season, expecting the cherished times with family and friends that no amount of money would buy. And besides no one diets on Thanksgiving! 

The smell of a turkey baking, pumpkin pies and the beautiful fall colored trees is my favorite time of year.  I love the family gatherings as I remember each loved one who joins us and the cherished ones we lost. 

Over the years, there were many tears, failures, and fears as I struggled to learn God’s lessons in waiting. I think waiting will be a constant pursuit for me because I seem to be a slow learner. God never gives up on me; but gives me a desire to learn and understand his purposes for my life. 

Gratefully there are daily reminders of His love and promises. I may get discouraged, angry and emotional, yet God is always with me, and continues to love me.  Even when I fail, I can never go beyond God’s love.

As God’s peace fills my soul, I can be assured that everything is all right. God’s plans are deeper, wider, and higher than anything, I could imagine, and in the loving arms of a faithful and trustworthy God, I know we will be safe. Ephesians 3:18-19 (ERV)                                                                                    

Reflecting on this last year, I am reminded of all the love, encouragement and prayers of family and friends. What an extraordinary year. I read a little quote that said, “Dark fears flee in the light of God’s presence”. What a beautiful picture of comfort and peace as God brings us to this year’s Thanksgiving.

Praying for a blessed Thanksgiving with your family and friends Canada. American Thanksgiving is next month, November 28th. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your time with me today. ©

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week Canada, Travel safe.

HUGS,  Lovingly, Karan