Rocking my little boy...

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord." Psalms 127:3

I was rocking Aaron this morning and just cuddling with him. He'd been whiny and just wanted to be held... so up in my arms with blankie we went to mamma's rocking chair... and of course all was well then.  He fell asleep in short order and I told Taylor I didn't think he was feeling very well, after all he had just had the stomach flu a few days before... Taylor laughed and told me I was just making excuses for him! "Well," I thought... "maybe I am."  

Aaron is just two and he is still so sweet and innocent... but he is also very manipulating, as most children are.  It doesn't take long for a new born child to realize that when he cries or screams he/she gets attention... whether it be food, a clean diaper or simply to be held and rocked, they know how to get what they want. As our children grow older into toddler-hood they are still in the process of being trained by parents or training their parents. Either way, some training is going on! Younger children definitely know how to hold onto a parents heart strings and woo with their sweet  smiles or sorrowful tears.

What happens when the child is in control though? I would say much frustration and exasperation are more often felt over the child then feelings of peaceful joy. Children are a job and one not to be taken lightly. We as Christian parents need to prayerfully seek the Lords leading and wisdom in this challenging role.  As many of you know our family you know we are in most stages of the 'parenting game', and challenged we are.  It is difficult to know when to scold and when to overlook... when to punish and when to understand... But God is with us when we seek Him and His wisdom.  We need to remember that these children are not really our own... they are His, loaned to us for a short time... a time to raise them for Him... to train them for His glory.

"Brighten your day and lighten your way and lessen your cares with daily prayers.  Quiet your mind and leave tension behind and find inspiration in hushed meditation."  Helen Steiner Rice.

Until next time,
Jean



   

Kindness...

     
"And be ye kind one to another..." Ephesians 4:32a

As a professing Christian I believe that it is of utmost importance that I show the love of Christ in my heart through my attitudes, actions and words.  If I want to be a proper witness to my husband, children, friends and strangers, I need to be able to have that love reflecting in all I say & do.  I understand fully that I will fail and that with those failings, repentance and apologies may be required.  I believe this is one way to show that love... admitting when I am wrong. 

Recently Evan has been enthralled with a certain story in one of our Bible story books about a little boy and showing kindness... "Kindness always comes back" is what we are reading.  Sometimes it's not easy to show kindness, especially when we have been hurt or had a wrong done to us... but Jesus teaches us otherwise.  When Aaron takes something away from Evan, and he gets cross, I like to remind him of this story and the kindness that will come back if he just talks to Aaron.  It is hard for this little, almost five year old to understand that statement... especially when his two year old brother just snatches his toy away. But kindness in words and deeds need to be shown so the character can be built while little.  It is a difficult lesson for children and adults alike, but one that will always reap what is sown.  Evan's natural human reaction is to retaliate and get even, it's his toy and he want's it back... but this is not the nonresistant life that we are looking to teach and live by.  I want the children to learn that it is better to give than to receive... that they need to turn the other cheek... to give their coat as well as their cloak... this is what Jesus taught... to love our enemies... to forgive...

Cheerfully showing the Lords kindness, long suffering and compassion will always be returned.
Until next time,
Jean
     

"A soft answer turneth away wrath..."

How I wish I could incorporate this into my life as much as I would like too... because it really does work.  I have been on both ends... an angry answer as well as a soft answer... and I can honestly say the later works better.  Some people hurt others with words, others with a silent treatment while others use hateful tactics to defame others... which ever, they are all wrong.  How do we practice a loving and tender way to others when they hurt us?  How do we turn the other cheek when we want to hit back?  How do we give them our coat when they already took our cloak?  These principles are taught in the New Testament by Jesus and they are a basic guild to help us love our enemies... whether they be a total stranger, the neighbor or a family member... we must love as Christ loved. The Christian walk is a daily trial... one that is filled with testings along with peaceful walks in the valley... it is a constant growing and maturing. We are children of the Heavenly King, and we need to act as such... even when it is really hard. 

But what about when we fail and fall flat on our faces... what about when we do the things we try so hard to not do... what about when we have done our best but it just isn't good enough...

We need to look up... He will lift us back to our feet as we cry out, "Abba Father..." He will wipe the tears away... He will say, "Let's keep pressing on together, I am by your side..." 

As the song goes, 'Trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey..."
Until next time,
Jean
       

Swinging my little boy...

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is His reward." Psalms 127:3

Swinging my little boy...

What a beautiful day... the sun was shining, church was wonderful and we had a delightful afternoon of fellowship and food at a dear friends home... what more could we ask for?  The boys played hide 'n' seek through the woods, volley ball with an imaginary net while the girls sang songs and went for walks along the woodland paths... life is good.

I laid Aaron down for the night and then I strolled outside to watch the boys play ball... Evan was 'wandering'... he asked me to swing him... so he climbed on the tree swing and I pushed him... he loves to be pushed... we laughed and told each other how much we loved each other...'all the way to the stars & the moon mom!'... children can bring so much joy to our lives.  Soon it was time for him to go to bed... that didn't go over so 'sweetly' shall I say, he still wanted to swing, but mother knows best so off to bed we went... we talked about how he played today with his little friends and showed them his tree house... how he hunted for bears... 'are you afraid of bears mom?' ... 'yes, but I am sure you will protect me...' 'of course I would mom'... Then he went on to pray for our neighbor lady so she would quit smoking because she is nice and she always gives him cookies.  He is four and a half and so very adorable to this mommy...  I wish I could hold onto these moments forever... I wish I could always protect them... I wish I could always help them make the right decisions...

Until next time,
Jean

Expectations and Thankfulness...

Life is filled with expectations that don't always pan out...

When we experience tribulations and trials what do we do?  Do we turn to the Lord, but when He doesn't answer us as quickly as we think He should or not quite how we wanted to we turn to ourselves... the world around.... God says in Isaiah that His ways are not our ways, and our time is not His... can we trust in that?  

When a child is born it is a demanding creature... it needs to be... it is totally dependent upon the caregiver for food, warmth and all of it's basic human needs.  It has to be able to let us know when it needs changed and is hungry... Children as they grow older still can be demanding and they still  have expectations.  They expect that when they wake up in the morning they are going to have clean clothes to put on, toothpaste to brush their teeth, warm water and soap to take a shower and a nice fuzzy towel to dry off with... then they will expect to have a nice breakfast waiting for them and of course a cheery 'good morning!'  Their lives are filled with expectations that are more than likely fulfilled  by their parents.  Younger children have no concept of how any of these things get there, they simply trust that they will be.  As they grow older they start to understand that dad and/or mom 'work' for all this stuff and hopefully are learning to not so much expect, but more appreciate and be thankful that the stuff is always there....

The teaching of this thankfulness can be the real job at hand... teaching children to understand how things are acquired needs to be shown through both example as well as practice on the parents part. 

It is like that as well with our Heavenly Father... in the beginning of our christian walk things are a bit easier and things come a bit more quickly. As we mature and we are not such babes in Christ, the trials become a bit more... this is to help us grow in trust and faith...  growing pains can be difficult, but we must believe 'that He will never give us anymore than we can bear and He will always make a way of escape for us...' 

Trust builds faith, faith builds trust,
Until next time,
Jean
     

Complexities of Life

"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." Colossians 3:13 KJV

The tongue is an unruly evil that no man can tame... this is true because the Bible say's it is.  I believe it, because I live it!  My mouth is where I most often stumble and fall in my christian walk along with my bad temper.  It seems my temper is lit and then my mouth follows right quick behind.  It seems no matter how hard I try I just can't seem to conquer this unfavorable trait.  I wonder if this is what Paul means by the thorn in the flesh... or maybe it is a bit of pride...I don't know. 

I always tell the children to use kind words and be kind to one another and others... but more is caught than taught they say.  I want to set an example of this through my life for them, but boy is it difficult some days...  They also say that our children are a reflection of who we are... I want so much to have a reflection of Christ in my life that it will shine through onto them... Forgiveness is also a trait that I want to teach them... one I hope I set a better example in.  I know that I often need to go to them and ask for forgiveness... Children are so forgiving in nature when they are little... they are so quick to say, 'no problem mom!'  I am thankful for that.  Our children will learn to ask and give forgiveness much more quickly when they see it being practiced by us parents... just like kind words and slow to anger lessons... I have a lot of work to do in my life, but I am glad that He is always there to forgive and help me keep moving forward.

Forgiveness is a gift that none of us are truly worthy of...  
Until next time,
Jean

"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give" Winston Churchill

Boy time has a way of ticking on by... I can't believe I haven't been here in several days... I absolutely love my blogging but I love being outside even more... strolling through the gardens, picking a weed here & there... walking hand in hand with little Evan and Aaron and smelling the flowers.  The other day I was watering the porch pots and Aaron wandered over to the front garden where I have a row of peonies... there he was very carefully clutching each bloom, which by the way were almost the size of his precious little head, and sticking his wee little noes way in to take a big whiff... so innocent & sweet. 

On Sunday at church the minister gave this quote:  "Satan would rather have us to do good things and not be good people.  God would have us to be good people so we do good things."  I thought that was interesting... and then the above quote by Churchill was on the bottom of my journal page... how fitting I thought, and very true indeed.  We are always on the way to do this or that and life has a way of getting ahead of us... then all of a sudden we realize that we missed some important stuff along the way.  Our children won't always be little and we always won't be young...

Today was our second child, first son, Kyle's first day of driver's training... wow, how time flies.  I can still see him taking his first steps and toddling about in a diaper... now he is behind the wheel of our truck... they don't stay little long.  I want to take the time to be what they need... what my husband needs... what God want's me to be... I want my family and friends to remember me for what I gave in the way of my time and love, not what I accomplished in life.

Take time and smell the roses... the blooms fade fast.
Until next time,
Jean

Tender Moments

"God often visits us, but most often times we are not home."  unknown

Last night I was going up to bed and I thought I was the only one still awake, but as I was walking down the hall to our bedroom I hear... "Mom...".  "What is it Ryan", I ask... Well it was raining very hard and had been since Thursday night with very little break.  Yesterday was off and on all day, but we got a lot of rain.  Ryan wanted to know if it was going to flood... so sweet and innocent.  You see, he is not the middle child but he is the middle boy... he is ten years old... the older boys are 13 & 12 and the little boys are just abut two and 4 1/2... so he really is at the in between age... not old enough for that and way too big for that. I will say though he is a wonderful babysitter for the little boy's when I need help and his big brothers always want him too play ball or hockey, what ever it may be with them... so he's not just left out.  But last night, the little boy in him was talking loudly to this mother heart... I went to him and asked him what God said about sending floods... he very wisely said that God promised not to flood the 'whole' earth again... smart boy! Anyway I asked him then, if God did send a flood would He look over us?  and of course he said, 'yes'.  I consoled his tender heart as best I could and told him to try to go to sleep... he did then. 

As I went to bed then I pondered this moment and I thought about how faithful our Heavenly father is, and when ever I am afraid or worried how He always lead's me to scripture to reassure me, or sends a poem through a friend... and sometimes I hear Him whisper quietly in my heart.... 'Fear not my child, I am with thee....'   My hearts prayer is that my heart and my childrens will always be open to hear that still small voice...

Until next time,
Jean

Want's & Needs...

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:19

Wants... well those are the things that we look at and think about how nice it would be to have. Or they can be things that we genuinely feel we need... maybe it is something we think will bring us joy... for the moment... 

Instant gratification kind of falls into this category.  I am all about instant gratification... yes, this is a confession.  I do also know and whole heartedly believe that, 'all good things come to those who wait...'   I always tell my friends that's why God made me to love gardening so much... there is no such thing as instant gratification in this department...  I am one of those gardener's that loves to trade plants with friends... every time they bloom you can smile with the thought of that person.  I also always look on the clearance racks in the plant department for the half dead plants that they are about to throw away, but just know that I can revive it.  I also have learned to be patient and wait till the end of the season when everything goes on sale!  Want's to some degree can be temporal and notwithstanding although they may make us feel good for the present moment.

Needs... on the other hand fall into most often a not so glamorous category... food, clothing and shelter. Relationships too are a need I believe...  I wonder if many people realize their need for Him... He will always provide to His own the needs in life... not always the wants but always the needs.  He provides His love and forgiveness for free to any and all who ask... all He asks in return is for your love and adoration, a commitment in your life to Him and daily relationship...

Wants and needs... it takes daily seeking and asking of wisdom to be able to distinguish between the two.

Until next time,
Jean
    

Roses and Diamonds

"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck."  Emma Goldman

I love roses... they remind me of my grandmother and my mother. My grandmother loved roses and had many that adorned our yard.  My mother now has many as well that dance on her fences and create a beauty that is car stopping.  I have in turn also fell in love with roses, especially climbers.  I have almost a dozen of them plus several shrub bushes as well.  A rose is truly unique... a Christian's life is often referred to as a bed of roses... I think it is a beautiful analogy.  A rose is beautiful and yet at the same time can inflict terrible pain.  The Christian life is like that... it is filled with beautiful things like the love of Jesus, forgiveness, long suffering, quiet devotional moments with the Lord, the blessing of being able to gather in a fold and the  sweet fellowship that comes with it.  Yet there are also the thorns in this walk... temptations, looking to the past, hurtful events and many other snares from the wicked one. 

The rose has the sweetest scent... as I pass by my roses and the breeze softly blows, I enjoy the musky and spicy aromas... I close my eyes and imagine Heaven and what it must be like... peace and happiness... no one is mean or sick and there is only love and kindness.  I am sure roses abound there... It is like that when we have fellowship with the Lord... it is sweet and kind.  He is ever there looking over us, walking and talking with us...  The song say's that Heaven will be worth it all.  I believe that... if only this life wasn't so prickly.  But it's OK, because He knows...

Until next time,
Jean

"What a wonderful life I've had! I only wish I'd realized it sooner!" Collette

What a thought provoking statement... I wonder how many people at some point or another think this very statement.

There are people out there that have had some tragic things happen to them in their lives... things I can't imagine in my wildest nightmares.  I personally know some folks who have endured such horrible instances that it makes my skin crawl. To think that any human being could do to another person some of the evil things that happen doesn't seem possible... it  doesn't seem real... except to the victims... it is very real to them.  There is a sadness and despair that must be overwhelming at times... life is not so wonderful.

Then there are those who 'seem' to have been born with a silver spoon in their mouths... everything always goes their way, life treats them seemingly fair, there don't seem to be a whole lot of bumps in the road... but there still seems to be a sadness and something missing. 

We hear about healing and therapy and yes all this is well and good and most definitely necessary. Often times I have heard people say that a loving God would never allow these kinds of things to happen.  I always say that it is not His perfect will for such horrific instances to happen but we live in world that is filled with sin; He has given us all a free mind to make choices and act accordingly... unfortunately sometimes bad people hurt good people...

But God is there for each hurting soul... every person that has suffered He is waiting with outstretched arms, waiting to heal and bound up the broken hearted... He is faithful and loving as we cast all our cares upon Him, for He careth for us...  He want's us to be able to say we've had a wonderful life... with Him.  Don't delay, He is waiting.

Until next time,
Jean

Winning Their Hearts...Having Their Love

"Mother is the heartbeat in the home; and without her, there seems to be no heart throb." Leroy Brownlow, from Flowers For Mother

Being a mother is one of the most fulfilling things in my life.  I love my children more than words could ever describe... more than they will ever understand until, Lord willing, they have a precious child of their own.  At times I don't feel worthy of the title, but I keep pressing on with that faith that someday it will all be worth it... line upon line... precept upon precept... so the saying goes.

Today Ethan and I planted two new climbing rose bushes.  The one is yellow and I told him that the color yellow is for friendship in the world of roses... I told him I want this to be his rose from me because he is my friend and I love him... he looked at me and said, 'thanks'.  That may not sound like much to you, but believe me that was a thousand words for Ethan.  You see he is my 'still water's run deep' child... not to mention his first choice of activities is not gardening!  He is so very sweet and loving... yes he can be a stinker just like any other child, but his soul is so deep.  I long to 'train him in the way he should go so when he is old he will not depart from it'...

Training is the hard part with children; consistency, loving discipline, tender words, occasional stern looks, gentle touch... oh for wisdom.  Most of you know we have six children and each one of them is so unique and different in their own ways.  There are obvious similarities among some of them in the way of looks and temperaments... but they each have their own likes and dis-likes, favorite foods, hobbies and the list goes on.  It can be a challenge to know how to deal with each one and their own special 'needs'...

As a mother, mom and mommy my days are filled with loving and caring for each of these blessings... I couldn't ask for more.

Until next time,
Jean

Wisdom in Faith...

"Within the oldest books of the Bible is the story of Job. This book is the account of a righteous man who is allowed to suffer enormous loss, grief, and difficulty. Job pleaded for God to reveal why he was suffering but God did not answer Job's questions. Instead, God pointed to His own creation, power, and knowledge. In this way Job was reminded to trust God and his purposes."
"As part of this dialogue, God asked Job if he had ever entered the springs of the sea. We now know there are such springs off the coasts of Greece, Italy, Israel, Syria, and Australia. In 1976, the U.S. Geological Survey also found fresh water in the Atlantic Ocean along the seacoast from New England to Georgia. How could the writer of the book of Job, which was written thousands of years before ocean exploration, have known there were fresh water springs in the sea?"   (Taken & Adapted from, 'A Study Course in Christian Evidences' Page 128) 

I got the above quoted literature in a daily devotion that I receive and thought how interesting this was.  You know we often just 'read' the Bible, yes I do believe that we get a blessing from reading it and looking into His word for direction, courage, revelation and encouragement... of course, but there is some really interesting historical and archeological facts as well. 

It just show's me once again how little I am in the whole scheme of things... how unimportant a lot of 'stuff' really is... how small the world is... and how big and great my God is.  There is wisdom in faith in God because He is creator of all...

Until next time,
Jean





   

Good Morning!

What lovely words to hear as you start your day afresh... a smile alighted upon your face...
I love when I hear little Aaron's toddling feet scamper down the upstairs hallway and then call out 'maaaammmmm' so sweetly.  As I reach for him, his little outstretch arms and open patties just waiting for me to snatch him up and cuddle.  Evan is a real morning cuddler too... he'll sweetly say that he just wants to cuddle... these days won't be here much longer... how I truly cherish them. 

Although I do appreciate how they grow and mature,  it is different with the older children. They're not much for cuddling, now they want to talk and share, this is equally as precious.  When they share their fears and cares, their joys and laughter, their trials and temptations.  As a mother my heart often seems to be in prayer for these children of mine... prayers for safety, continued purity, tenderness of heart, sincerity in life... and most importantly a desire in their own hearts for a personal relationship with Jesus. 

As a parent we only want the best for our children... I want them to have a peace in their hearts and lives that they can only know through a life that is surrendered to Him... a life that is more interested in others than self... a life of devotion.  There is such joy in a mothers heart when our children walk with the Lord.

"Children and mothers never truly part- bound in the beating of each others heart.' Charlotte Gray

Until next time,
Jean
     

Love In A Mist

It's a flower... yes, Love in a Mist is a name of a flower... interesting isn't it?  I was just looking around in my seed packs and realized I still had a pack of these seeds from a few years ago.  There is a trick to getting them to grow... which I have never succeeded in doing by the way. The seeds need to be go through a winter... a cold spell.  The seed packets say that you can 'trick' the seeds into believing they went through this by simply putting the seeds in the freezer for a few weeks and then planting them.  I tried it but didn't succeed... oh well it's not the first thing I tried and didn't succeed at. 

There are lots of things that we can relate to this, the tricking thing that is.  Sometimes we think someone is a friend, but they are not. There may a situation where you have trusted someone and come to find out they were not sincere or trustworthy with what you have shared... life is full of hurts.  Although there is one that will never trick us or betray us... that person is Jesus.  He cares for us beyond words... beyond actions... beyond expectations... He is ever faithful and He is the best friend you can ever find.  Even when we have not been faithful to Him as we should be... there is no love in a mist with Him... His love is ever perfect and more importantly... it's free to any that ask.... with Jesus life is full of joys that help us along with the hurts.

"Do not be anxious, said our Lord, have peace from day to day.  The lilies neither toil nor spin, yet none are clothed as they.  The meadowlark with sweetest song fears not from bread or nest, because he trusts our Father's love, and God knows what is best."  Helen Steiner Rice

Until next time,
Jean

Happiness Is A Choice

"Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect.  It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections."  Author Unknown

 As a human race much of our happiness is dependant upon what we have in the way of material things... what a person's income is ... whether or not they have children... being married or single... the neighborhood one lives in... what kind of car one drives... and the list could go on and on!  Life is filled with stuff and distractions, but not a lot of true happiness. 

When we look outside and see the big blue sky... listen to the birds singing... watch a butterfly flutter about... hear the trickle of a gentle brook... watch a sunrise or a sunset... listen to a child laugh... we can find a bit of happiness and peace.  There is happiness that comes from the world around of course, but it is fleeting...  

True happiness and inner peace can only be found with a personal walk with Him... daily looking to Him for everything in our lives... daily walking side by side with Him...

Until next time,
Jean

Today and Everyday...

Life on the farm holds it's challenges... but the joys that come with this life are far beyond words. We hold part of nature around us... we can hear the breeze as it lights softly through the trees lifting and teasing the leaves... the whizzing of the humming birds wings as he chases his female in and around the front porch.  Life is so good and is filled with such an incredible amount of fullness.

As each day draws longer, the sun seems warmer on my cheek, the air has that smell that only can be had in the earliest of spring... when the spring peepers in the pond start their song each evening... the bats swoop over head to gobble up all those pesky mosquito... pulling over wintered onions, oh that earthy goodness!

I love my life on the farm...  I love the sky at night when all you can see is the apparently never ending stream of stars... then suddenly there is a falling star... quick make a wish...knowing and never doubting that God is in Heaven and that everything is all right...

I love watching my children climb trees, roll in the grass, chase butterflies, dig in the dirt, play sword fighting with branches, hear the crack of the ball when it hits the bat.  I love that my children can hear all the sounds without the distraction of traffic, television, radio and the like.  I love that they play and make believe... that they make snow forts and snow men... that they know the good morning song of the robin and the dee-dee of the little chickadee and the caw of the blue jay.... I love that my children can be children...

Until Next Time,
Jean

The Root Of Bitterness...

"When one maintains the root of bitterness, he takes in the poison while waiting for the other to die." 

This was a quote one of our ministers used this past Sunday at Church and it really stood out to me.  So often you will hear people saying that a person offended them by doing something, or they are holding on to a past hurt or a grudge.  This often saddens me because as I think on what they may be saying, in my mind I am thinking, "But you are only hurting yourself."  Most often times when folks hold on to such things, the supposed offender may not even know they had done something, or if they do, they are probably going on their merry way not thinking twice about it.

So what does one do when the hurts seem deep, the wounds are so clear in our minds... Look up, look up, look up.... Remember what He did for us... hanging on that cross, dying innocently.  Is any pain or hurt that we may be suffering from so deep as what Jesus suffered for us?  I think not...

Forgiveness is a choice.  It is the most pleasant, soul healing choice anyone can ever make in their life.  As we have the choice to accept Him as our Savior and experience that all healing grace, we too must choose to forgive our offenders.  Only when this happens can one experience the complete healing and peace that only He can offer.

Until next time,
Jean
       

Hidden Treasures

"The human heart has hidden treasures, in secret kept, in silence sealed."  Charlotte Bronte

In life we have many secrets... I don't mean bad things, I mean the good ones that we cherish and share with only the closest of loved ones.  Secrets shared by husband and wife, by sister's & brothers, by the very dearest friends... secrets of those we would never betray. We all have secret dreams and hopes for our children, our futures, our retirement years...  things we hope to accomplish, goals we strive to meet, places we wish to go and so on could go the list. 

When you were a child did you ever do the 'blood sister/brother' thing- the 'swearsies' to always keep that secret? I remember doing all those silly childish things... but when I was a child it was for real, it meant something.  Our children come to us now with their hearts secret hopes and fears, they come with laughter and tears, joys and sorrows... in secret they come to us.  We must always respect their hearts pouring out, their sharing, their trust in us... and we must always keep praying, praying and praying.

As the song goes, "prayer is the hearts sincere desire"... 

Until next time,
Jean
    

Be Happy

"The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer someone else up." Mark Twain

What a happy thought this is... I can really appreciate it.  It is such a pleasant feeling when you make someone smile, laugh or otherwise take a burden off their shoulders with a listening ear or a sympathetic look or a shoulder to cry on... sometimes words are not even necessary.  It is easy to be this for our loved ones and friends, but what about that stranger in line behind you in the grocery store?  The other day I was shopping with some friends and an older gentleman approached me and asked if I was Amish or Mennonite.  I told him I was Mennonite and smiled at him.  His eyes seemed to sparkle and light up when I smiled.  He went on to tell me he was from Pennsylvania and he had made many Amish friends while there and that since then he had come to know the Lord as his own personal Savior. We went on to talk about how good the Lord is and what Jesus had done for each of us... it was a blessing I hope to him as much as it was to me.   Yes I was in a bit of a hurry and I probally wouldn't have made a go with a conversation on my own... but I want my heart to always be open to talking about all the good things the Lord has done for me in any and all situations. 

Until next time,
Jean