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The Reindeer Games

The Reindeer Games

The game show contestant was only 200 points behind the leader and about to answer the final question – worth 500 points!”

reindeerTo be today’s champion,” the show’s smiling host intoned,”name two of Santa’s reindeer.”The contestant, a man in his early thirties, gave a sigh of relief, gratified that he had drawn such an easy question. “Rudolph!” he said confidently, “and, …Olive!”

The studio audience started to applaud (like the little sign above their heads said to do,) but the clapping quickly faded into mumbling, and the confused host replied, “Yes, we’ll accept Rudolph, but could you please explain…’Olive?!?'”

“You know,” the man circled his hand forward impatiently and began to sing, “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – had a very shiny nose. And if you ever saw it, you would even say it glowed. *Olive,* the other reindeer…” Author unknown

 

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Reflections:

This last year has had many highs and lows for me as well as being a year of reflection.  As I have traveled this last year, I am constantly aware people seem unsettled and fear their future. I’ve often said, “Life is tough if I wasn’t laughing I would be crying”. I think others are feeling the same way.

Whcoffee-and-meen your life turns upside down it has a way of giving you a whole new perspective on what is important. 

In reflection I have learned when life is tough I need to focus on the priceless treasures in my life. God’s love, my family and friends who encourage and pray for me.  I am blessed.

The lessons I have learned about myself this year have been enlightening, as I struggle to do better with God’s help:

  • I need to learn to be a better friend and family member by keeping closer contact and letting each person know how much I love and appreciate them.
  • I need to be more faithful in my accountability to writing, which I know God has called me to do.
  • I need to answer emails quickly. I am a procrastinator, then I feel embarrassed because time has slipped away from me. (To those who have written please forgive me, it was not intentional, I am just embarrassed) I will do better.
  • I need to have more faith and trust God as I march into the future. (He sees the BIG picture I don’t) I’m a memo girl, but unfortunately, God doesn’t send memos.

 

“The best Christmas gift of all is the presence of our families and friends all wrapped up in love for one another “. I believe that is true, no matter what our circumstance or need.

This year as we come into the Christmas season, there will be joy and expectation knowing we have the presence of our loved ones and friends. And as we wrap our love around each one, we will lovingly remember those who could not be with us.

I wish each of you a Merry Christmas and pray that the Christ of Christmas will bless your homes as you prepare for the Holiday Season.©

Luke 2: 13 & 14

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in highest heaven,
    and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

Lovingly, Karan Gleddie

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me,

Have a wonderful weekend be safe. Hugs to all.

Didn’t You See the Stop Lights ?

Didn’t You See the Stop Lights ?
   
For years Shelly’s husband denied that he was an aggressive driver. That changed one day when they were out for a drive with their three-year-old son, Mathew.

Seeing teaching opportunity, mom asked Matthew about traffic lights.

“What does astoplights red light mean? Shelly inquired.     “Stop”.

“Good. How about green?”    “Go”.

“And yellow?”  she continued.

And in his best deep voice impression of Daddy, Mathew bellowed…”Hang on!”

 

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Reflections:  I’m Not Lost!

Have you ever wondered why men and women are so different in taking and giving directions?

If a man gives directions, it goes like this; Go three miles, turn left, go seven miles, turn right, then go a quarter of a mile and you will see it on your right, you can’t miss it!  Now I am blonde and a creative thinker is there a three-mile sign, how will I know?  With these directions I could end up in someone’s cow pasture, never to be seen again.

I drive by landmarks, go to Target, turn left, go down to the Burger King, and turn right.  Drive to Sears, and turn into parking lot, the place is right next to the shoe store that is having a huge sale, 70% off.  You can’t miss it. (Now that is my kind of directions)

Thankfully, we decided to get a GPS for the car, saves Lyle and I a lot of time, him from driving all over the country trying to find an address, and me from getting lost.  However, in my creative moments, I have been known, to second guess the GPS system, and go a different way because it didn’t look right to me.  Only to get lost, have the satellite locate and get me back on track.

It gives me great security and peace in my life to know that I am never off of God’s GPS system.  He always knows where I am, and even if I wander off, he has his eye on me.  The bible says:

Psalm 139: 1-3

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.

His loving care sustains, guides, and protects me; I just need to follow his directions. ©

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, I would love to hear from you.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan

 

Can You Hear Me Now?

Can You Hear Me Now?

cookingA man feared his wife wasn’t hearing as well as she used to and he thought she might need a hearing aid. Not quite sure how to approach her, he called the family Doctor to discuss the problem.The Doctor told him there is a simple, informal test the husband could perform to give the Doctor a better idea about her hearing loss.

Here’s what you do,” said the Doctor, “stand aboutn40 feet away from her, and in a normal conversational speaking tone see if she hears you. If not, go to 30 feet, then 20 feet, and so on until you get a response.”

That evening, the wife is in the kitchen cooking dinner, and he was in the den. He says to himself, “I’m about 40 feet away, let’s see what happens.” Then in a normal tone,he asks, ‘Honey, what’s for dinner?” No response. So the husband moves closer to the kitchen, about30 feet from his wife and repeats, “Honey, what’s for dinner?”

Still no response. Next, he moves into the dining room where he is about 20 feet from his wife and asks, “Honey, what’s for dinner?”

Again he gets no response. So, he walks up to the kitchen door, about 10 feet away. “Honey, what’s for dinner?” Again there is no response.

So he walks right up behind her. “Honey, what’s for dinner?”

She said, “Ralph, for the Fifth time, Chicken !”

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Reflections:

womensAs a young woman visiting Disneyland in California my favorite ride was “It’s a Small World”. The exhibition of dolls dressed in different costumes from faraway countries and places were incredible. That display gave me a hunger to study and dream of the cultures I had never seen.

My childhood dreams have continued, becoming a driving force in my life today. Giving me a sincere love and curiosity for other people’s values, beliefs and customs.

In a small way, those early years formed my life’s perspective of my world view. Learning to appreciate others and delight in our diversity is a joy, and lovingly serving others through friendship is a gift.

Father, let me see the world and others through your eyes, not my own. Let your love shine through me.

Dear Lord, may I be willing to be hidden and unknown today, yet ready to speak a word to those who are weary. May your Spirit touch my words and make them Your words that enrich and refresh others.

Thank you for sharing your time with me today dear friend.

What brings delight and Joy to your life?

I would love to hear your thoughts as we share our journey together.

Lovingly, Karan

 

What Is On Your Grocery List?

 

What is on your Grocery List?

Louise Redden, a poorly dressed woman with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. She softly explained that her husband was ill and unable to work, they had seven children, and they needed food.

weighingJohn Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and asked that she leave his store. Picturing the family needs, she said: ‘Please, sir, I will bring you the money just as soon as I can.” John told her he could not give her credit, as she did not have a charge account at his store.

Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer-man that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family.

The grocer-man said in a reluctant voice, “Do you have a grocery list?” Louise replied, “Yes sir!” O.K.,” he said, “Put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries.”

Louise hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it.

She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed. The eyes of the grocer-man and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down. The grocer-man, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, “I can’t believe it.”

The customer smiled, and the grocer-man started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more. The grocer-man stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement. It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer, which said: Dear Lord, you know my needs, and I am leaving this in your hands.”

The grocer-man gave her the groceries that he had gathered and placed on the scales and stood in stunned silence. Louise thanked him and left the store. The customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to John as he said, “It was worth every penny of it.” It was some time later that John Longhouse discovered the scales were broken. Therefore only God knows how much a prayer weighs. Author unknown

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Reflections:

Trying to be thankful is hard when we are hurting? Does God see our sorrows and pain? Can I rely on His promises that He knows and cares about my life and the circumstances that affect me?

These are the questions I have asked myself at different seasons in my life when difficult times come.

Do you ever have those doubts? When your heart does not follow your head knowledge and all our learning and conventional wisdom. When we sing hymns like, “Standing on the Promises”, yet feel like we have had our knees cut out from under us and do not have the strength to stand?

Many times I have listened as people share a heavy burden they carry, and I have admired how they survive the storms of life with a thankful heart with a smile. They press on with a positive determination, always seeing a brighter future and just keep 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. And wondering where is the relief?

During those times I am so thankful that I can remember God is always and continues to be faithful to his promises. I may get upset, angry, emotional and grumble momentarily, but when I stand still long enough and look up, I know that God is always with me, and taking care of the situation.

God may delay our questions, but he will never disappoint our trust. He is in control. Can I daily put my hand in his and allow him to lead me safely along life’s pathway? I think it is a daily choice to trust him for each step.It is a choice.

1 John 5:14 (ERV)

We can come to God with no doubts. This means that when we ask God for things (and those things agree with what God wants for us), God cares about what we say.

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Life is tough, but God is tougher, and He is powerful and big enough to take care of all your needs!©

Thank you, Lord!

Do you ever doubt?

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

Lovingly, Karan

Looking for A Job?

house Looking for A Job?

A blonde, wanting to earn some money, decided to hire herself out as a handyman-type and started canvassing a wealthy neighborhood. She went to the front door of the first house and asked the owner if he had any jobs for her to do. “Well, you can paint my porch.

How much do you charge?” The blonde said “How about 50 dollars? “The man agreed and told her that the paint and other materials that she might need were in the garage.

The man’s wife, inside the house, heard the conversation and said to her husband, “does she realize that the porch goes all around the house?” The man replied, “She should, she was standing on it.”

A short time later, the blonde came to the door to collect her money. “You’ve finished already?” he asked.awesome-car-ferrari-girl-Favim.com-1918433

” georgiaYes,” the blonde answered, “and I had paint left over, so I gave it two coats.” Impressed, the man reached into his pocket for the 50 dollars. “And by the way,” the blonde added, “it’s not a porch, it’s a Ferrari.”

 

 

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Reflections

Have you ever had days when your mouth engages before your brain does? I will admit I do. I was thinking back when I had stopped at fast food restaurant with my teenagers, and a young man was taking my order. He had trouble remembering my order and getting it put into the computer. In my mind, I was sure he was a few French fries short of the order.

linesThe line was getting longer and the people behind me we were getting restless with this never-ending comedy of errors. I was on my last nerve. I was almost ready to tell the kid what an idiot I thought he was; I definitely thought it.

Looking up at me from his register with a big smile of recognition on his face, he said, “I like your necklace, I have one too.” In shock, I remembered I had my “WWJD” (What Would Jesus Do) dog tag on, and he pulled his out too. I stood with my mouth open as he related to me that his youth group at church were all wearing “WWJD” tags to remind them to be kind and loving to others. He also told me how excited he was about getting his new job.

As I left, with my order I weakly smiled and thanked my young server, and felt guilty about my bad attitude. I thanked 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 has just slapped you across the face with a rebuke so strong and hard that you will never forget that moment or how you felt?

I remembered the day I bought that necklace, it reminded me to watch my words and actions to honor the God I love. I haven’t worn that necklace in a while, I need to find it, put it back on and remind myself God cares how I represent Him, and I should too.

We live in a world where people need desperately see God’s love. If we were the only Bible people read, I wonder what their opinion of Him would be.©

Thank you, dear friends for sharing your time with me today,

Wishing you a wonderful weekend with your friends and family.

Hugs to all!

Lovingly, Karan