Articles

Feb 25 2019

I’m Dreaming Spring

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 3 Comments

 

 

 

 

I’m Dreaming Spring

As the winter winds and snow is blowing in Alberta, Canada, I wait expectantly for spring to come alive. I have been longing for the warmer weather and checking seed catalogs for the flowers I hope to grow. There are so many different kinds of flowering plants it is hard to make a decision as to which one is the best. Each one is beautiful and special in its own way.

For years, I too tried to grow where I had been planted, searching for love and acceptance from others. In my world circumstances were never as they might have appeared, I was afraid if people saw the real me, they would not accept me. I hide behind a mask, which I called a smile, and I learned to become what I thought others wanted me to be. You know, Perfect Mask—Perfect Life

Although I had a husband and family who loved me, my concept of love was flawed. I thought it had to be earned: If you were good, drove the right car, had the right friends, or joined the right country club, you were loved. If you did not have all those things or were not in the right social group, you were not loved. I thought love and acceptance could be given and taken at a moment’s notice.

Do you step into life’s arena every day wearing a mask, striving for the right appearance and performing your best for love, and approval? I have news for you.

Do you know how beautiful and special you are to God? He sees us without our masks and thinks we are beautiful, he loves and accepts us just the way we are, no conditions. ©

Luke 12: 25-28, the Message- says:

Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers.

They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? …If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

His love is forever, unchanging, and constant, it is unconditional! He has your back!

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

 

Jan 15 2019

Mouth Engaged

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 1 Comment

Mouth Engaged

 

 

Reflections: Mouth Engaged

Does your mouth often engage before your brain does? I will admit mine does. Thinking back to a time when we stopped for fast food with my girls, and a young man took our order. He had trouble remembering my order and getting it put into the computer.

In my mind, I suspected he was a few Fries short of an order. As the line grew longer the people behind me we are getting restless with this never-ending comedy of errors. I was on my last nerve and almost told this guy what a nitwit I thought he was. However, I thought it.

Looking up from the register with a huge grin of recognition on his face, he said, “like your dog-tags, I have one too.” In shock, I recalled I had my “WWJD” (What Would Jesus Do) dog tag on, and he then showed me his tag. I stood with my mouth open as he described how his youth group at church were all wearing “WWJD” tags to remind them to be kind and look for ways to serve others. He also told me how excited he is about getting his new job, it’s his first day!

As I left, with my order I smiled and thanked my young server and felt convicted about my sour attitude. Thanking God for keeping me from saying what I was thinking. I am sure I would not have pleased Him at all. Have you ever felt like God just slapped you across the face with a rebuke so strong that you never forget that moment or how you felt?

Remembering the day I bought the necklace and thought it was a good reminder for me to watch my words and actions so I could honor the God I love. I need to find the necklace again, and put it back on and remind myself God cares how I represent Him, and I should too. We live in a world where people desire to see God’s love. If we were the only Bible people read, I wonder what their opinion of Him would be.©

True love doesn’t consist of holding hands… It consists of holding hearts.

Psalm 42: 1, 11

As the deer longs for streams of water,
    so I long for you, O God.
I will put my hope in God!

  I will praise him again—
    my Savior and my God!

Dear Friend, thank you for spending your time with me. 

What has God been teaching you this last year? 

Hugs, 

Lovingly, Karan

 

 

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

Jul 16 2018

What Are You Waiting For? 

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

 

 Somedays...

 

What Are You Waiting For? 

I have often put my life and dreams on hold using one word,

LATER.  I wonder if others do the same.  See if any of my excuses are ones you can relate too.

  • LATER: when the office is clean, I will have time to write.
  • LATER: when the house is clean, I will invite company for dinner.
  • LATER: when I lose weight, I will buy a swimsuit.
  • LATER: when my children are out of school, I will have more time to study the Bible.
  • LATER: when I catch up on all my TV series, I will have time to visit friends.
  • LATER: when I clean the garage, I will have a place to park the car.
  • LATER: when I get a treadmill, I will start exercising.

 

Recently, I had a realization, or a blonde epiphany, (is that legal?) 

  • I realized the office will never be clean enough.
  • I realized the house will never be perfect enough.
  • I realized no matter how much weight I lose or gain, I will never buy a swimsuit.
  • I realized when my children finish school, marry, and have children of their own we will never have time. We will be too busy attending ball games, recitals, soccer, having sleepovers, taking pictures and having fun.  Grandchildren automatically move to top priority.
  • I realized a TV-series is never done; there is always another new one to watch.
  • I realized landscaping and yard work is a weekly task, the weeds and grass just keep growing.
  • I realized if the garage is cleaned out we will have to rent a large storage unit.  Besides the car looks good outside and everyone knows where we live.
  • I realized I will never start exercising when I get a treadmill, bicycle, or the Wii.  If I haven’t started before now nothing else will help. 

I have wasted a lot of time waiting for the “LATER” to get done so I could move onto the important in life.  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 later and never get to the serving of others.  I want to keep moving forward, onward and upward, running the race well. ©

Philippians 2:16 (NLT)

Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

    1 Corinthians 9:16

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?

So run to win!      

 

What are your favorite “LATER” excuses?  I would love to hear from you and get your opinion on these thoughts.

 

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

Hugs to All, Lovingly Karan

 

Jul 09 2018

Remembering ~ The Wallpaper Crises

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 1 Comment

 

    I want to remember every day the soldiers and families who serve our great country with their sacrifice.

To remember them daily is an Honor.

John 15:13
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

 

 

 

 

 

Reflections: The Wallpaper Crises

I have always loved wallpaper. Over the years you could find different types of it in each of our homes. So, when we moved to Foremost, Alberta in the spring of 2011, I again looked for some wallpaper for our home.

I found a charming pre-pasted vinyl in the pattern and color I wanted and couldn’t wait to get it up on the wall.

Now, seven years later I decided to get to work on it. Speedy I’m not. When life gets busy the more important activities take precedence. I’m sure you can attest to that too.

First I needed to find my supplies, but they were nowhere in sight. I must have loaned them out but to who?  I can’t remember.  So after buying new supplies, I started to get excited and inspired.  I put towels on the floor, filled the water trough, put the ladder up and laid my scissors, sponge and measuring tape where I could reach them.  Finally, I was ready.

Being a seasoned wallpaper enthusiast, I decided to measure and match the pattern before getting the paper wet and on to the wall. All seven pieces each eight feet long. I thought I was a genius to even think of this time-saving step. Wrong!

The first three lengths were on the wall looking great, but due to the late hours, I decided to go to bed.  And due to previous commitments, it was two and a half weeks later before I got back to it.  Feeling inspired again, I picked up the fourth length of wallpaper, put it through the water trough and proceeded to hang it on the wall, however, the wallpaper was not matching very well and looked a little off. I decided to let it dry a little hoping it might look better.

After an hour I looked at it again and noticed it looked like a different color, and at closer inspection, I realized the pattern was upside down. Ugh!  I gently pulled the paper off the wall hoping to turn it right side up and save it.  As I stood on the ladder I tried to lay the paper flat with the paste-up thinking when I was down from the ladder I would fold it paste to paste to preserve the paper.  As I stepped off the ladder, my socks caught the edge of the wallpaper glue and I landed on the paper and slid the whole eight feet on my backside.  I had glue all over my clothes, hands and in my hair.  Of course, the paper was crumpled up so bad it was never going to see the wall again. 

At this moment I must confess I am a little nervous about the whole wallpaper idea.  And yes I am still looking at my wall half papered and half not.  Lol, I’m waiting for my inspiration to return!

When things don’t go as I would like and time seems in short supply, I tend to get discouraged and wish the world would stop for awhile and let you off. To have a chance to regroup and collect our thoughts?

When those times come for me I know that I can talk to God about any situation and he will calm my spirit and give me hope to keep moving forward. I love the promises he gives to us to hold on to. Where would I be without him in my life.©

Psalm 62:5-6  NLT

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken.

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