Articles

Nov 04 2019

Do You Hear Me, God?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 1 Comment

 

 

Do You Hear Me, God?

A child’s evening prayer. “Dear God, please take care of my daddy and my mommy and my sister and my brother and my doggy and me. Oh, please take care of yourself, God. If anything happens to you, we’re gonna be in a big mess.”

I’m sure we all feel like that these days when the world is in so much turmoil and distress. I have struggled for years trying to have a consistent prayer life that seems to be more hit and miss, than anything else.

I have felt guilty; I did not pray enough, or long enough.

I feel like I am not good enough, why would God listen to me, I have failed him so many times.

I don’t have enough time; I have a family, my work, and rarely sit down, and when I do I fall asleep.

We all know that the only time to pray is early in the morning.

However, I’m not an early bird. I just stare at my open bible then fall asleep, then feel worse…

Only to become discouraged and give up.  God, why did you make me like this? I can’t stay vigilant in the morning for prayer, I must be your worst child, one who doesn’t merit your constant love and grace.

I invested money in seminars and books that would help me get it right, so many formulas on how I should pray. But it never was intimate for me until I discovered a story about Susanna Wesley who raised 19 children and yet found time to pray.

With a busy family, Susanna found it challenging to find private time. Her life was hard, but she recognized the importance of praying for her family.  The children soon understood that any time their mother’s apron was over her head she was praying. So they left the room leaving her undisturbed.

This treasured story taught me it doesn’t matter where you pray or when.  I just need to talk to God like a dear friend, anytime or anyplace, he is only a prayer away.  Have you struggled with finding the right time or place to pray?©

Mark 11:24 (NLT)

 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.

” We are put on this earth, not to see through one another,
But to see one another through.”

Smile, God Love You

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

Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan

Oct 11 2019

Does God Ever Give Up on Us?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 1 Comment

 

 

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

Sep 12 2019

Do You See What I See?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 3 Comments

 

 

Do You See What I See?

Have you taken a fun day with friends to go shopping, and find the perfect outfit but are afraid to try it on? I hate trying clothes on at the store. I’m always afraid it will look horrible and not fit all right.

You see my self-image has always been a little distorted and spending extended lengths of times in the “chamber of horrors” (the fitting room)  usually leaves me depressed and sometimes there are a few tears. Or I  leave wishing I was taller, thinner, had a flatter stomach and no muffin top around my waist.

The dressing rooms with the three-sided mirrors always seem to show my worst faults. Instead of a fun day shopping, I go home wishing I was someone else.

Occasionally I even toy with the idea 0f a major overhaul, from top to bottom.  You know the kind, where they pull everything up, starting at the knees.  (Somehow the image of my navel in the middle of my forehead has kept me from taking the final step)

I think God must have a sense of humor; after all, He made us.  Have you ever stood naked in front of a mirror and quoted Psalm 139: 14a “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” Personally, I could not get past the fearful!

 Our confidence comes from knowing that God made us in His image, he knew what we would look like before we were born and loved us, anyway.

The Bible says: 

    You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!

    Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.  You saw me before I was born.

          Psalm 139: 13-16a (NLT)

When he looks at us, we are perfect in his eyes; he sees each one is of us is unique and special. ©

  God loves you.   

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

 Lovingly, Karan

 

Aug 19 2019

Could We Be Friends?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 1 Comment

 

Could We Be Friends?

I never dreamed a friendship could begin, two young women with totally opposite personalities would became lifelong girlfriends.  

Dee has always been a no-nonsense, goal setting woman who embraces laughter and life with a bear hug.  She is wise beyond her years with a sensitive heart.  I have seen her notice a complete stranger in need, and stop to help them. My friend has the keen business savvy of Donald Trump (with good hair), and the creative talents of Martha Stewart— a domestic goddess with a warped twist. 

She has a style all her own; a possible visual might include Peppy Long-stockings dressed in Ralph Lauren, with the sense of humor and the quirkiness of Carol Burnett— ready to laugh at almost anything (especially herself).  That is my dear friend, Dee.

She is a very physical and thinks she hasn’t had a thorough work out unless she is sweating buckets.  My idea of a good workout is a color coordinated sweat suit, 1-inch gold flip-flops and pearls, fully loaded 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 truly comic relief.  Dee in practical shoes and clothing, charging ahead, getting the workout over in good time, with as much sweat as possible; while I leisurely stroll along, trying my best not to get all misty, gingerly stepping over rocks, puddles, and other debris. 

Although we have never lived in the same continent, we try to meet occasionally.  I love having a friend to talk to; someone in whom I can confide my deepest secrets (even if she is jogging circles around me so she can keep her heart rate up.)

But the greatest comfort about my friend, Dee, is the assurance that our friendship is secure. I know she loves me even with all the fluff and glitter, blonde hair and pearls. She allows me to the freedom to be myself, I never have to impress her; she is already on my side, and loves me.

I have often heard it said, “If you have five best friends in a lifetime you are fortunate.”  True friendship is a blessing. ©

The Bible says;

“No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish 

but have eternal life.” John 3:16

The longer I live, I realize that I would not have made it without my friendship with Jesus. I can talk to him, rely on him and trust him.

He is my shelter in the storms, and most of all I know he loves me and wants the best for me. 

Where would I be without him? Who is your best friend?

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, have a wonderful week.

Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan

 

Jul 21 2019

Any Regrets?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

 

 

 

Any Regrets

I have often looked back over my life and the opportunities I have been given.  I wonder if others do the same.  Some I have taken, others I have been too afraid to attempt. What if I fail, what will people think? Can I afford it, do have time? Life seems to be a long line of opportunities and ones that are missed. I have heard it said: “One of Satan’s most effective tools is to distract, disable and ultimately destroy God’s people with this one phrase: “IF ONLY”

I can certainly attest to that quote.

  • If Only I hadn’t waited so long until it was too late.
  • If Only I was more disciplined, I could have made more time.
  • If Only I had spent more time with loved ones and friends.
  • If Only I had spent more time writing and finishing those books
  • If Only I had listened more and talked less with family members who have died. Always thinking I had more time with them.
  • If Only I had exercised more and taken better care of my body.

 

I am sure we each have our own regrets and opportunists missed and wasted time on our “If Only.” I am so thankful that each day with God is a clean slate, a new day.  I can decide how I want to live each day. Will I choose regrets, discouragement and get carried away with distractions?

Or choose to pursue God’s plan for me by honoring Him, serving others and joyfully taking the opportunities that God gives me each day.  

The Bible says “Now is the time to use what we have to serve and honor God.”  I don’t want my life to get stuck with the “If Only” I want to keep moving forward, onward and upward, running the race well with no regrets. 

  • Loving others unconditionally.
  • Laughing with joyful abandonment.
  • Dancing freely like no one is watching.
  • Living my life loving and pleasing God.©

 

I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.

Philippians 4: 11-13

Let the Adventure Begin! 

                         

Dear Friends, thank you for stopping by and spending your time with me today, I love each of you. 

HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan

What is your “If Only”  regrets?  I would love to hear your opinions.