Articles

Jun 25 2021

Good Morning Officer

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments

 

 

 

Good Morning Officer,

Over the years I realized I have a heavy foot. I am constantly late and must speed to get to appointments on time. My family blames my California roots for all my bad habits.

I struggle with time management and over the years and assume I have plenty of time when I have no time at all. And yes, the police and I have had our discussions over several tickets.

I always want to respect the police, but I grumble when the tickets I feel are undeserving. But, in my heart, I know I deserved far more tickets than I have received. I am reminded of a time when I was on my way to an appointment and a police car pulled me to the side of the road.

I knew I had not been speeding (thank goodness for the speed control) and surprised to learn my taillight was faulty. The officer walked back to his patrol car and confirm my certification and data. Watching him walk back, a thought occurred to me: what a thankless job he has. I cannot imagine that people are always grateful and kind for their tickets these days. I know I am not!

When the officer came back to my car, he handed me my license, insurance card, and an extra ticket. I thanked him for his service, for my ticket, and for a good job is doing to make our highways safe. He did not know what to say for a moment and, thank me, and said no one had ever said that to him. How sad. As I drove away, I giggled and wished I had taken a picture of his face. Priceless.

Makes me want to do it again. LOL. Isn’t it amazing to honor someone else and you get the joy in the deepest part of your soul?

 The Bible says:

Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify your name.

Isaiah 26:8 NLT.

 “Well,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

Matthew 22:21 NLT

 I am so glad that I did not react to the young officer the way I felt like. After all, I was in a hurry to doing God’s work. But while I am here on earth, I am to trust the Lord, obey his laws and the laws of the land. And to bring honor and glorify His name. That is my purpose as I walk daily, staying close to him. ©.

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

Mar 24 2020

The Messy Look

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments

 

Sorry I couldn’t resist this one!

 

The Messy Look

I stopped at Costco to pick up a few staples and as I wandered up and down the aisles, I became aware of a man who was staring at me. “I like your hair, he said.  “I know what it’s called, it’s a messy bun.”

I felt suddenly self-conscious and thought the messy look was not what I was aiming for. He then explained he had seen a young woman with the same hairdo, and she told him it a messy bun.   I thanked him for his comment, but in my heart, I was feeling insecure about my thinning hair.

Last year when I returned from a vacation in California, I was so overwhelmed and fatigued and unable to get enough sleep. Along with sleeping problems, I noticed a large amount of hair falling-out. After visiting my doctor and tests taken, he confirmed it was Lupus.

During the time it took to find the right medication, I watched my hair go from a ponytail to a miniature tuft.  Seeing the balding and thinning at the sides and back of my head was traumatic.

I now spend time searching the web and watching YouTube videos on how to find a good wig, extensions or a great hat. Lol

After I left Costco, I reflected on my hair problem. The thought of people looking at my missing hair had made me anxious and fearful when in reality no one likely noticed. My insecurity became so severe I didn’t want to go anywhere or see people and I just stayed home and felt sorry for me.

And then, at my lowest moment, someone mentioned they admired my hairstyle. Thank you, Lord. You knew just what I needed, a new perspective! God delivered a gift at Costco that afternoon.

For almost a year, I put so much emphasis on this problem and it robbed me of joy. I am so thankful God is gentle in leading us to consider new perspectives when we lose our way.

God uses the old, the broken and the messy lives of ordinary people to show us His great love and compassion.  How many times have I believed the sting of Satan’s lies? “Telling me I am unworthy and not good enough to serve a Holy God. The lies we believe take our joy and confidence, so we stay home.”

What are the lies that you believe that steals your joy?

Should we hide in shame from God? He is the one who knows us best and will always love us?

I am so glad God uses ordinary, broken and hurting people to share His Good News and love to a broken and hurting world.

Philippians 4:13      For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength

Jeremiah 1:7    Don’t be afraid of the people, for I, the Lord, will be with you and see you through.”

Father, help me stand with open hands before you, surrendering to your will. I want my ordinary life to be extraordinary for you.©

Do you ever feel you are too old, too broken, flawed or wounded to be usable to God? Do you think it’s too late for you?     I would love to connect, let me hear your thoughts.

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

Lovingly, Karan

 

 

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 26 2019

Can Our Sense of Humor Be Off?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

 

 

 

Can Our Sense of Humor Be Off?

“My sense of humor is slightly off this month. The adjoining apartment flooded, and my bathroom and part of my bedroom had damage. No one was living in the apartment.  A cracked toilet went undiscovered until a few days later when people noticed water rushing down the halls.

The last few months I’ve been waiting for apartment insurance approval and workers to show up and start  working. Then, when they finally inspected the damage, they discovered the dreaded asbestos. They spread plastic tents all over everything and fans are blowing full blast!  

Moving out on August 2nd and have been living with my daughter on their farm/ranch, about 12 miles out of town.

One weekend I decided I would try to stay in the apartment. Brushing my teeth and washing up in the kitchen, would be just like a camping.

However, the toilet became unusable, because they put it into the bathtub. The three brave tradesmen suggested I could run down the hall to the public restroom.

Somehow the idea of scurrying down the hall at night in my pajama didn’t appeal to me. I almost burst out laughing when I realized they were serious! Apparently, they did not understand a mature bladder! 

I’m uncertain when I will be back in my apartment. I now have been out close to three months.

The last few months have been very discouraging and frustrating but I have a beautiful place to stay with a warm bed and wonderful food and company. To be honest, there is nothing to complain about.

Life can be like that for so many of us. We all make our plans but when unexpected events disrupt our agenda, we become upset. Besides, doesn’t God know he needs to deliver a memo first? We need time to prepare and schedule an interruption, right?

When our schedules get messed-up and things get Crazy, I wonder if God just busts out laughing; He is the one in control of the universe, not me. He sees the Big Picture. God always takes care of us with his everlasting love and care. 

I love this verse it is so simple and encouraging.

We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.  Proverbs 16:9

Faith never knows where it is being led, but it knows and loves the one who is leading. Thank you, Father for loving me.

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