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Is Anyone Watching, Swimming lessons anyone?

 

Is Anyone Watching?

lunchThe children were lined up in the cafeteria of the Catholic elementary school for lunch.  

At the head of the table was a large pile of apples.  The nun made a note, and posted it on the apple tray:

“Take only ONE. God is watching.”

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. 

A child had written a note, “Take all you want. God is watching the apples..’

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Reflections:   Swimming lessons anyone?

As I enjoyed watching the Olympics the last few weeks, the discipline and commitment that each Olympian strives to achieve are amazing.

Every time I see or hear about the Olympics, I think about my daughter who became intrigued with the swimmers. I would find her in the living room practicing the butterfly stroke with the swimmers on our shag carpet. Every day she came home after school to practice. And at night I would find water on the bathroom floor as she perfected her strokes.

swimming2We soon learned that she be going on a kindergarten school trip. The class was going to a swimming pool, and she did not know how to swim. And the trip was only a week away. So we went and bought a new swimsuit for the occasion, but caution our daughter not to go into the deep end because swimming around the living room does not make her a swimmer. But, she kept insisting that she knew how to swim, after all, she had practiced!

The day arrived, and Lyle took her to school that morning and again cautioned her not to go into the deep end. He got a smile, hug, and a wave as she headed for the bus and her friends.

We waited impatiently until the time arrives to pick her up, and Lyle raced down to the school to get her.

As she got into the truck, she was unusually quiet, so Lyle asked her how the day went. And with a surprised look on her face, she said,” I jumped into the deep end of the pool, and I almost drowned?”

She was so convinced that she knew how to swim. After all, she learned all the strokes and had practiced with the best. The only thing she was missing though was the water!!!

Although we laugh at remembering this story, I wonder how many times do I think I know what’s best for myself too?

Those times when I don’t want to bother God with my problems.  And when I try to fix them myself I only I only make them worse.  I was so sure I knew how to do it.  I used God as my last resort when He should be my first. Is it pride or stubbornness that keeps me from asking for His help? ©       In:

Psalm 121:1-3 (NLT)

I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there?

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.

Do yo ever feel like God has too much to do to take care of your little problems?

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

Lovingly, Karan

It’s Time To Practice Your Music!

It’s Time To Practice Your Music!

Lviolinittle Harold was practicing the violin in the living room while his father was trying to read in the den.

The family dog was lying in the den; and as the screeching sounds of little Harold’s violin reached his ears, the dog began to howl loudly.

The father listened to the dog and the violin as long as he could.  Then he jumped up, slammed his paper to the floor,

and yelled above the noise, “For pity’s sake, can’t you play something the dog doesn’t know?”

 

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Reflections:

I am not a good singer, and I am self-conscience of my voice.  But that doesn’t keep me from singing because I do love to sing. After all the Bible says in Psalm 66:1, “Make a joyful noise unto God, all the earth.” I always think God must have included that verse for me!

carThey say, “Music washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.” I believe those words. There have been times of sorrow, depression, and sadness in which I found it hard to keep my mind and heart from constantly dwelling on them.

I’ve often said,” It’s a long way between my head and my heart.” When we don’t understand our circumstances and find ourselves in hard places, we often want to rely on our knowledge, experience, and know-how to make everything better. But in our hearts, we feel afraid, worried and confused.

There have been times in these last few years that my head knows all the Bible verses and promises from God’s word, as well as all the praise and worship songs. But my heart still says, why? Have you ever had those feelings??

I have found over the years when I listen to music it lifts my spirits. It is something that gives me energy and joy when I can turn up the volume and sing as loud as I want. I have found the car is a perfect place for my personal concerts also. 

Psalm 13:6 (NLT)

I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.

Being able to sing lifts my spirit and helps me to delight in the love and care of God.  Singing also reminds me there is no problem or circumstance that is too hard for Him.  When I am singing my heart and head are one and at peace with Him.©

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me,  Do you agree?  I would love to hear what you think.
Hugs to all.

And have a great week

Lovingly, Karan

He’s Wired for Sound!

 tangled-up-in-wires-and-cablesHe’s Wired for Sound!

The preacher was wired for sound with a lapel microphone, and as he preached, he moved briskly about the platform, jerking the mike cord as he went.

Then he moved to one side, getting wound up in the cord and nearly  tripping before jerking it again.

After several more times moving back and forth, a little girl in the third pew leaned toward her mother and whispered, “If he gets loose, will he hurt us?’

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Reflections:

They say “laughter is the best medicine for a hurting heart.”  I believe it.  As a child when life happened I could always see the funny side of any circumstance. Maybe it was a way to hide my anxiety and hesitation. Growing up I was unsure how to respond to stressful situations, so I just laughed.  And sometimes I would get in trouble for the inappropriate times I did laugh!  Can you relate? But I learned if I could find humor and laughter, it would relieve stresses and give me joy in a crisis-driven world.

laughing10Many years ago I was guest speaking for a group of women, in northern Canada.  The weather was warm enough to wear a skirt that day.  It was a little big around, but the button seemed secure. Besides, it was a cute skirt and matched my suit jacket. What can I say? 

As I was in the middle of my presentation, the button fell off, and I caught my skirt as it was sliding down. Trying to act as normal as I could I kept talking, grabbed my skirt and tucked it into my slip elastic. Whew! I am so glad I decided to wear a slip that day; it could have been just a pantyhose day.  I am also thankful for the women at the head table beside me, who remained stoic during my presentation, they can surely say they have seen it all.

I believe God has a great sense of humor. He must laugh when he sees us scurrying around trying to fix all our problems. Only too soon we reach the befuddling, confused and worn out state of crises.  I often do that myself.

Many times I think I don’t want to bother God with the little stuff he is too busy. I can be his deputy shepherd, and help him by taking care of them myself. Only to make a bigger mess. Only to run the back to God so he can fix it quick. Do you do that too?  I love that He never refuses and always has plenty of grace, forgiveness, and love to fix that which in broken.  The Bible says;

You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.       

 Nehemiah 9:17 

God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, let me know what you think.

 Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs to all.

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

Hold On!

Hold On!

Eleven peoplhelicoptere were hanging on a rope under a helicopter, ten men, and one woman.

The rope wasn’t strong enough to carry them all. They decided that one had to leave because they were all going to fall.

They weren’t able to name that person, until the woman gave a powerfully, touching speech.

She said that she would voluntary to let go of the rope. Because, as a female, she was used to giving up everything for her husband and kids, or for men in general.

And she always made sacrifices for others and never expected anything in return for her efforts.

As soon as she finished her speech, all the men started clapping their hands…….

 

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Reflections:

holding-hands (1)A While Back I found myself in a place of discouragement. Wondering if the goals and dreams God had placed in my heart were achievable anymore. The way forward seemed so complicated and the challenging, I wasn’t sure I had the enough energy to finish.

Johann W. Von Goethe once said,” Instruction does much, but encouragement is everything.” Many times a kind word of encouragement, a smile or a simple touch can lift a heart out of sadness, grief, exhaustion or despair.

An act of kindness encouraging others and lets them know you care about them, and they are not alone. It also gives us the opportunity to show God’s love as we touch the lives of others. Encouragement gives hope and inspires determination to keep moving forward when life gets tough, and we become weary of the struggles.

One morning as I was reading my Bible and praying I asked God to encourage my soul with his love, compassion and guidance. Asking Him to give me a new perspective and passion for the task He had given me. I had become tired. And His promises and love lessons come just in time. I received emails that afternoon of encouragement and confirmation; God is not finished with the dreams and goals He has placed in my heart.

Jeremiah 29:11

I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future.

 

LIFE can be tough, and the struggles of life and ministry can be harsh. With God’s encouragement, we can remember His promises and rely and lean on Him. The journey will be brighter for us and others as we stand together building one another up with encouragement.©

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

Have a great week, HUGS
Lovingly, Karan