Lemonade

I may have posted this in a much earlier blog, but I think it is worth reposting.

I would say I am an optimistic person.  Not just because it is in my nature, but because Christ's spirit lives in me and I have trust in him and his path for my life.  There is a very old saying that goes "when life hands you lemons, make lemonade."  But have you really thought out the process of making lemonade? 

I once read a book by Sharon Etheridge "Women at the Well" and she went into the process that has remained with me and seems when summertime rolls around I remember it all over again.  It goes sort of like this...

          Lemons have to be picked from their life tree. Sort of like God taking the "lemons" from each of our lives...us handing the lemons of pride, bitterness and even anger are examples.

          Then the lemons must be cut open. This is like allowing our hearts to be searched for any sins or things about our lives that we are trying to fix on our own instead of just trusting God. 

          Then the lemons must be squeezed to separate the juice from the pulp.  This is how God can take our sins and remove the "bad stuff/sins" from our lives and leaves the "good stuff" to be used for His plans.        

          And the last step is adding some "sugar" to sweeten the lemonade.  This is His spirit and our ability to have a close and intimate relationship with him.

The transformation from the lemon to the lemonade is based on our relationship with Him. He is merciful and full of grace and does things for His children so that we may have testimonials to help others quench their thirsts.

The most important part is the lemonade must be stirred.  As you know, if you don't keep lemonade stirred, all the good stuff goes to the bottom and it looses its sweetness.  This is how we are to constantly look for opportunities to encourage others, share with others so that we can continually be "stirred up" for God and all the people He loves. 

I don't know about you, but I want to remain "stirred for God" so that others could maybe get a taste of what Christ's sweet taste of life is all about.  I only hope that when I stumble, and being human I will again...that I remember the process of my testimony to remain sweet.    

I don't know about you, but I am now thirsty for some lemonade!!!               
                       ((hugs until next time!!!))    

Learning

The hardest part of a relationship is when we search for love in others before we truly love ourselves.  We can go from relationship to relationship and it is until we are happy with ourselves will we ever be happy with another. 

I personally learned this the hard way.  I don't think I actually loved myself until I hit 40.  As far as relationships...I enjoy my wonderful relationship with Christ, my family and my friends.  I just had to learn the hard way..and I was a little slow at it.                                  

 ((hugs until next time.))

Laugh on Me

I am normally not bothered by "shallow things" in life.  But I must admit, a couple of month’s back it got away with me.  One morning just a couple of weeks shy of my 48^th birthday I had just finished up with a previous blog and I had glanced over and looked under my picture and it had my age listed as 48.  At that time I immediately began thinking. I AM NOT 48, yet!! 

Well, I immediately thought that maybe I had put in the wrong age when I signed up and had never really noticed that it was incorrect.  But when I looked into it, everything was entered right SO WHY did it have me at 48?  I WAS NOT 48, yet!! Why was this bothering me, I have never cared about age, for it is just a number. 

It was then that it was as if someone had tapped me on the shoulder to remind me I am but a traveler here on earth.  My life here is to allow God to use me; my true life awaits me in heaven. 

So, yes then indeed I was not 48, yet...but what did a few more weeks really matter to the number. 

May each of you receive gently taps on the shoulder to remind you what really is important in this life here on earth.   (( hugs until next time ))

Kindness

There are many forms of kindness.  So often we forget the simple acts that can make another smile. 

Think about it, when a stranger opens a door or says hello at that moment you stop thinking of "you" and begin thinking of that person who is being kind to you in that moment. 

The other day I was in Wally World and my cashier seemed to be not having the best day.  So I asked her how she was and she gave me a casual answer.  I proceeded in a dialog with her with genuine concern.  By the time I was ready to complete my transaction she was smiling.  Why?  I think it was because she felt validated that someone was willing to listen to her.  Someone simply showed her an act of kindness.   That is when I thought to myself.  All day she hears those "casual conversation" of "how ya doing..."  but knowing that most people really do not care.  Leaving her smiling allowed me to be smiling as I walked out the door and to my car.

"Your own soul is nourished when you are kind...." Proverbs 11:17

"By you watering others, you water yourself."  Proverbs 11:25

                                      ((hugs until next time))

Just in His Name

As I sit here this morning, drinking my coffee, both eyes verily and my body wanted to go back to bed...my soul is so inspired from the night's restlessness.

Awakening at 2:30am, I opened my eyes from dead sleep and it was like a highway of information...all the things I need to get done for the next two weeks and all the plans for the next two months that needed "follow up" calls made on them.

This went on for some time, tossing and turning.  I think the last time I had looked at the clock it was 3:45am...that is when I had had enough of trying to clear my mind and go back to sleep.  And it was then that a simple song entered my head that went like this "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus..there's just something about that name..." I began to hum it at first, and then all the words came to me. 

Here I had wasted so much time trying to solve my issues ONCE AGAIN..and all I really needed was to look to Him.  All the missed "beauty sleep" (and honey at my age, I need all I can get!) and I just needed to BE STILL long enough to hear the song given to me.  Somewhere between the initial humming and the words coming to mind, I heard the most loving voice just say "it will all be ok."

I remember once reading or hearing, that sometimes in the midst of our problems if we would just say His name over and over..still waters would come within us.  And it did for me along with a beautiful melody and His sweet acknowledgement of knowing my distress without me even calling on Him.

So as my body may be saying..."I am sooo tired" my soul is so INSPIRED for the reminder that He is always near...He knows what is going on at all times...and HE is the one in control and we are not to worry!!

So as you go through today and if you find yourself stressing, over the traffic, the phones at the office or the people in the check out lines...Just slowly start hymning His name.  A beautiful peace will come over you and you can't help but burst with a smile!!!      (( hugs until next time!))