Articles

Aug 31 2018

Seasons Come and Go

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 8 Comments

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seasons Come and Go

Today in Southern Alberta it is damp and chilly, merely a few weeks ago we were enduring 100 degrees and a parched summer.  I am astonished at how fast the weather turns. Many years ago, when I left San Diego and moved to the ranch in southern Alberta, people told me, “if you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute”. And I can attest to that fact here in Alberta. I am certain that is true wherever you live, there’re always changes. When I lived in California we had one season, Perfect!

But how I treasure the transformation of our seasons in Alberta. I love the hues of Fall when the harvest is finishing and the bountiful crops are being sold or stored in bins. I embrace the joy of the Thanksgiving season, pumpkin pie, funny pictures, and family.  Yes, Fall is one of my two favorites.

Then Christmas is close behind bringing the chilly winds and snow. I must admit I am not a snow bunny, no matter how many clothes I put on I can never stay warm enough. My notion for a perfect winter season is; falling snow on Christmas eve and it melts two days later. But, alas, everybody I know loves winter sports, and I am normally met with, “Suck it Up Buttercup”.  

People love winter sports here, the skiing, ice-skating, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.  And we can’t forget curling.  I had never heard of this sport when I moved to Canada, I assumed it had something to do with your hair. Hockey was a mystery too, watching my first game I couldn’t understand why everyone was hitting each other with their boards. And immediately was informed that they were hockey sticks, not boards. Who knew? 

Spring is another favorite season of mine.  I love seeing the new growth bringing with it the promise of life.  Everything is exciting and new including baby calves, lambs, and chicks. and after a long winter of hibernation, I too can come out and enjoy the warmth of the sun.

I am certain you have your favorite times too. Although every year has four seasons with the same number of holidays and days, each year differs from the last one. As we look back we can remember the years that were hard and the ones that make us smile.

As I read my Bible, it reminded me that my life, the weather, and the universe are not a surprise to God, He knows every detail. Even if we don’t understand His weather report or the things He allows in our lives, He is always there.  He is always faithful to walk with us as we travel through each season of our years.©   

For the Lord is the one who shaped the mountains, stirs up the winds, and shows His thoughts to mankind. He turns the light of dawn into darkness and treads on the heights of the earth. The Lord God of All is His name. Amos 4:13 NLT 

It is a comfort to know God is always with us as he has always been.© 

 “Don’t worry about tomorrow, God is already there.”

What is your favorite season?

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

Aug 04 2018

Do You Ever Doubt God?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 7 Comments

Do You Ever Doubt God?

 

 

Do You Ever Doubt God?

Being grateful seems impossible some days. How can we be thankful when the crops are burning due to extreme heat and no rain, or heavy rain unexpectedly floods your newly finished basement? Or possibly your retirement investments disappeared because of erratic stock markets and crashes. Leaving you embarrassed, fearful and wondering what just happened to your life. Perhaps a death or prolong illness would steal your joy and thankfulness.

Many times, I have listened as people share a heavy burden they carry and admired how they survive the storms of life with thankful hearts and a smile. They press on with a confident determination, always seeing a brighter future and moving forward.

There have been many times in my life when I have been heartbroken, disappointed, and depressed by devastating life lessons that are hard to understand.

I still remember as if it was yesterday, the day I left on a two-day speaking trip when our lives were in shambles. I had accepted the engagement months in advance so canceling was not a choice. I was heartbroken. I was not sure if I could pull myself together for this event. 

How could I tell women about God’s great love for them when I wasn’t even sure that He loved me?  I felt abandoned and confused. Driving down the highway, I was weeping, begging the Lord to help me. I felt I didn’t have anything to give these women.

I pulled to the side of the road, still weeping, and noticed the car radio had been on. At that moment I heard Charles Stanley say, “The sovereignty of God is the pillow we lay our head upon.”  I knew that those words were for me.  God had reminded me that no matter what happened, He was in control and I could trust Him for this journey, wherever it led us.

As I pulled back onto the road, I was filled with a new confidence that God was with me, and I felt secure that His plans are bigger, wider, and higher than I could ever imagine or hope for. For the first time in so long, I felt these life-sustaining truths in my broken heart.

I am so thankful that I have those flashpoints in my life to remember God is always and continues to be faithful to his promises.  I may get upset, angry, emotional and worry momentarily, but when I stand still and look up I know that God is always with me and continues to love me.©

God may delay our requests, but he will never disappoint our trust.

Yes, I can be grateful, I know I am never alone He walks beside me.

 

 

Do you ever have doubts about God? I would love to hear from you.

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

Have a great week! Hugs

Lovingly, Karan

Jul 30 2018

Special Made

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

Special Made

How do You beat the Heat?

I’m not sure my trash bin is big enough.

 

 

Special Made

The heat in Southern Alberta is about 90 today and the flowers and grass are feeling the burn. This last week a dear neighbor shared some of her annual plants with me, making my empty flower containers look beautiful.

As the plants along with the grass were starting to suffer I went out to water and ended up having a fight with the sprinkler after trying to set it. Consequently, my pants are hanging by the door sopping wet and my hair is all frizzed up again after spending 40 minutes straightening it yesterday. Lol

As most of you have guessed, I am not a gardener, but I love flowers and admire people who have great gardening skills. I always try to learn all I can from them and I get some great tips too.

So, with a new porch almost finished last week, I am inspired again to turn something plain into a peaceful and serene space for morning coffee. I’ll keep you posted on how it turns out.

Often I get discouraged about the things I don’t do well. I look at others’ talents and gifts and wish I could be more like them. Forgetting to be thankful for the gifts God has given me. So much time has been spent wishing instead of praising God for the blessings I already have.

I love the verse in: 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 

There are different spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. 

There are different ways of serving, and yet the same Lord is served. 

There are different types of work to do, but the same God produces every gift in every person.

God has not left me out, he has allowed me to have a special gift to serve him and tell others of his amazing love and grace. Like each flower or plant, each one of us is different and beautiful. In God’s eyes, we are uniquely special and precious to Him.

No matter what our circumstances are or the road each of us travels, knowing that I have a special place in God’s heart and plan gives me security as I live my life for Him.©

 

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

Jun 19 2018

How does your garden grow?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

How does your garden grow?

 

 

 

 

Reflections: 

Spring has finally come to Alberta, although the evenings and mornings are cool, everyone is starting to plant their gardens. Many years ago I did try to grow a small garden and despite my lack of knowledge, some plants did grow. Lol.

My mother was so talented and loved flowers, she could grow anything. I always loved my plants too much, I either watered them to death or not enough. It has been said that talents often skip a generation, and I’m sure that must be the case because my daughters each have their grandmother’s green thumb.

While working in the yard the other day, I mowed the lawns and planted flowers pots, I wore myself out. By evening I could hardly walk, I had used muscles I didn’t remember I had, everything hurt. It’s an actual reality check when you suddenly realize you’re not as young and agile as I use to be. In fact, I don’t even bounce like I use to either!

My backside was so painful, the only satisfaction for me was the thought I might get a little lift from the exercise. At my age, any lift is good since everything else is moving south. LOL

When life gets so busy, it is a delight to spend time in God’s creation enjoying the peacefulness of each day. When I am quiet and listen, I can feel God whisper about his plans for me. But many times, I feel I need to remind God, I have my own plans for the day. Sometimes I have so many plans and goals I don’t want to have my day interrupted. Have you ever felt like that?

Do I choose my plans which are essential to business and ministry? Or choose God’s plan for me, stepping out in faith to trust Him. Serving Him is to enjoy the great adventures He has planned for me and knowing I have obeyed his call gives me great happiness.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. 

Seek his will in all you do,

and he will show you which path to take. ~ Proverbs 3:5 & 6

He is my peace and safe place, the one who loves and protects me. Could I offer him anything less than my obedience in choosing to follow Him? Each new day gives us a reason to love and praise God.©

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

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