What a beautiful day

"This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.." Psalms 118:24
What a beautiful day... I love summer!  Honestly though I can't believe we are already to coming to the end of June... where does the time go?  Soon we will be looking at the beautiful colors that Autumn will bring and then for me the dreaded snow of winter.  But let's not focus on that... I am in my summer and I am happy to be here.
There are a lot of things to get us down in the dumps... but there is so much more if we only take the time to look that will bring joy into every day... Right now I hear the birds chirping away... saying 'good morning' to all who will listen... the sun is shining... the sky is blue... there is a gentle breeze that is making  the tops of all the plants flutter about... and then there is the quiet all around... a simple quiet that allows my thoughts to focus on higher things... thoughts of all I have to be thankful for...
A cheery thought...
"You are never alone... there's truly nothing we need know if we have faith wherever we go.  God will be there to help us bear our disappointments, pain, and care, for He is our Shepherd, our Father, our Guide.  You're never alone with the Lord at your side."   Helen Steiner Rice
Until next time,
Jean

Our Speech...

... is a true reflection of our hearts... the Bible says it is, so it is.

As I reflected on this, I thought deep and hard and sought the Lord and wisdom for myself... for as I have mentioned this is my weakness.  Each day I long for the Lord to 'keep a guard over my mouth...'  Each day I strive to think before I speak... He is faithful even when I am not. 

As I pondered I thought about the truth in this... often times what goes on in our thought's isn't necessarily what we want to come out of our mouths... we don't always think 'nice' things.  Then stresses come along... frustrations...  we get diverted out of our 'positive' thought patterns and... oh no, why did I say that?  happens again.  Sometimes our thought patterns are not what they should be... sometimes we don't want to hurt others with our true feelings... sometimes we are just mad...
How do I find victory in these things is my constant question and longing... I need to concentrate on the Lord and what His word teaches...

Here are some helps that I treasure...

What is Peter’s advice?
"Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing: knowing that ye are
thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile" (I Peter 3:9-10).

Who does the Apostle James say is a perfect man?
"If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body" (James 3:2).

How do our words reflect the condition of the heart?
Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things."

His word is true and will bring life to those who seek it's truth,
Until next time,
Jean
    

The Courage of Faith

"Be still, and know that I am God... " Psalm 46:10a

"The Courage of Faith is consistent with Commonsense. Even though Paul had God's assurance, he felt that he must do what he could, as though all depended on his sagacity. Faith ought not to make us act presumptuously or foolishly. Holy calm and stillness rule in the heart of him whose mind is stayed on God.  We are likely to encounter many storms in our life before we anchor in the Fair Haven of Eternity, but in the heart of every cyclone there is a point of rest; and in the fiercest storm that sweeps our world, we may hide in the secret place of the Most High, and sing Psalm 46:1-11."*

Some days it takes a lot of faith to endure the storms of life... When I was reading this it just reached down into the depth of my soul and filled me with a peace that can't be described in words.  He is ever faithful as we allow Him to be in our lives.  We are so human and we fail so easily, but if we allow Him, He will catch us before we fall.  The flesh is quite willing to stray, but our souls long for that intimacy with Him... our souls came down from Heaven and long to return home with our Saviour.
 
What do we do when we come to a cross road in life? Do we take the narrow or the wide way... Only the narrow way will lead to life everlasting... look up and believe... have faith... trust...

"By day and by night, in life and in death, may I ever be true to Thee, O Lover of my Soul, my ceaseless Friend, my unchangeable Saviour. Into Thy hands I commit my spirit! AMEN."*

*Taken from e-sword Daily Devotionals, Meyer, June 17th, 2012

Until next time,
Jean

    

God's Children

"We are all god's children and He loves us, every one.  He freely and completely forgives all that we have done, asking only if we're ready to follow where He leads, content that in His wisdom He will answer all our needs."  Helen Steiner Rice

Forgiveness is a gift that we can receive if we ask for it.  Yet we are not always 'asked' for this by someone that may have offended or hurt us.  Forgiveness is required on our part whether or not it is asked for. What happens though to our peace of mind when forgiveness is not given?  Typically we are the ones that lose out on peace and happiness in our life... it goes back to that root of bitterness that I mentioned the other day.   It is sad to see people who have clung to hurts & wrongs done to them over their lifetime... their faces often show that pain and lose. 

But it doesn't have to be this way... no not at all.  God's grace is always there to help us through the hurt, the lose... all He asks is that we trust and follow Him.  He is ever faithful and full of grace...  If we can but look at the hurts and pains as a means to draw us closer to Him...a way  to let all those around see His grace in us... a way to build our trust and faith... a drawing closer to Him...what a testimony that can be!  No, it is not always easy... we are human and sometimes the hurts are so deep.  That is why we must look to Him everyday for everything.  He will never lead us astray... He only means good to His children.

Trust in Him and He will see you through,
Until next time,
Jean     

 
    

Other's Above Oneself

"Consider the rights of others before your own feelings, and the feelings of others before your own rights." John Wooden

This morning Evan, Aaron & I were watching 'our' first Robins having a 'male' fight for the tree this morning.  This was quite interesting to both the little guys.  If you have ever watched a robin fight, it really is quite fascinating~ they seem to be caught up in a whirlwind, twisting and turning as their wings flutter and they peck at each other until they finally fall to the ground with one on the other. This onslaught went on for several minutes until the dominant male won out and the other flew off.  Yesterday we watched as two mean, stinky Starlings tore apart a nest out of one of my bird houses that a pair of house sparrows had built in anticipation for Spring. It was mean, downright mean.  I hate starlings and never feel bad when one gets 'wiped' out! Even cats won't eat them, they have a repulsive odor and just plain stink!  Today after school Ethan & Kyle took Evan out and filled all their bird feeders and hung out cobs of dried corn~ they are so sweet to their little brothers.  I love to watch them talk to him and explain what they are doing and to see him admire and look up to them.  I often tell the two oldest and even Ryan, that they have little brothers that are watching all they do and are looking up to them.  They need to set the right examples in all things. 

The bird fight and nest destruction were both sad to Evan, he couldn't understand why they were being 'mean'. I told him that is how I feel when he is mean to baby Aaron. He was quite offended not thinking he was ever mean to his baby brother.  But I reminded him of how sometimes he takes toys away or a book and so on. He looked at me as though he understood... that is until the next time he wants Aaron's toy tractor :-) !  It takes time & effort to be nice, and then when you are not being treated nicely it's even harder. But if we can just remember that golden rule in all circumstances, I think it would be a bit easier.  Without Him and His love in our hearts, it is much harder.

Until next time,
Jean

Complainers...

We all know a few of these unfortunately don't we?  How do we keep looking up when things don't always seem so wonderful?  My question often is,  "How do I prevent my children from becoming a 'chronic complainer'"?  One that is thankful for Brussels sprouts and just eats without complaining... or one that says 'my cup is still have full instead of my cup is already half empty'.  I have so little patience for a complainer.  My discussion yesterday about unconditional love really comes into play for me in this department.  I just look at all we have and how good we have it.  I wonder if the starving people in Africa or Russia would complain about the food put in front of them... I wonder if the child sleeping in a card board box in a Los Angeles alley because they have no home would complain about going to bed at nine o'clock.... I wonder if the widow would complain about her husband coming home late from work or just be thankful she has him coming home... I wonder.

Complaining  can become a terrible habit and the more one looks for the negative the more one will find it.  When we look for the good, we are sure to find that as well.  Today it is snowing so I must practice what I preach right now, and it isn't easy for me on days like this.  Especially when yesterday I walked to green house with no jacket.  But I try to be thankful for the snow because my children love it, and I love them.  It is all in our mind set isn't it?

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."   Philippians 4:8

Until next time,
Jean

Unconditional Love & Appreciation

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart."  Helen Keller

Today Evan & I were in the green house again, him playing in the dirt box and me seeding pepper's, eggplants, lettuces and more herbs.  I am getting some things ready for the plant swap at the winter market.  It was 80degrees in there and the warmth of the sunshine felt so good.  Evan wanted to go bare foot, and really it would have been warm enough, but I thought not yet little buddy.  His big blue eyes looked at me and suddenly he said to me, "Mom, know how much I love you?" Of course he wanted to me to say no and ask how much, so I humored my little boy.  "I love you all da'way to da' stars & moon mom."  "I love you that much too Evan".  When I saw this quote from Helen Keller who couldn't see any of the beautiful things that I get to gaze upon each day, I thought of this moment with Evan. He is so sweet and little and his unconditional love for me never seems to fail. 

Unconditional love is not always an easy thing to give but when we bestow it upon the unworthy it always comes back three fold.  When we give a smile, we are sure to receive one back.... when we give a listening ear to a weary soul, we will someday be rewarded with a caring friend.... when we give a helping hand, we will indeed be helped some time in one of our times of need. 

"Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails..."  1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

Until next time,
Jean

"Angry words, oh let them never rise..."

"Treasure each other in the recognition that we do not know how long we shall have each other."  Joshua Loth Liebman

Whenever our truck pulls out of the lane with some of my family members, I send a prayer Heavenward.  We never know if in the morning when we wake if we shall go back to bed that evening.  We hear stories everyday of people suddenly being taken out of this world and sent into eternity.  We have no guaranties in life and with that thought do we consider the things we say and do?  We are all human and have our short comings and regrets.  Each day presents itself with different joys & sorrows, how do handle them?  Each day we are graced with gives us a new opportunity to keep or make things right in our lives. I know for myself there are days I wish I could erase out of my life, I am sure most of us do.  Although I need to focus on everyday being an opportunity to add a happy page in my life book.  What will people remember us by when we are gone?  How much money we had or how successful we were?  By the kindness and love we showed to others or by a mean spirited temper?  Everything we do everyday of our life will leave some memory or story about us with someone.

On that note lets focus on making joy filled memories. One's that our children will grow up telling their children and laughing over.... one's that will bring tears, not of sadness but of tender, loving moments in their lives.... one's that we will have no regrets over.  The things we do today will be the stories they tell tomorrow.

Until next time,
Jean
 

Life's Happy Moments

"Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts." Charles Dickens

The sun is shining and the day is absolutely beautiful.  Neil & I went for a stroll in the green house to look things over and the plants are growing famously.  You add a few days of sunshine and some smelly fish fertilizer and wow, how things burst forward- or should I say upward.

This brings me to another type of growing, what we allow to grow in us.  I am a gardener through & through which means  I relate a lot of things to growing and what it takes to make them mature.  Love for instance only grows when we are happy, content, peaceable, respectful, friendly and most importantly lovable.  Love can't grow through anger and bitterness nor can it grow through disrespect and thoughtlessness.  Just as a tiny seed must be nurtured, so must love in any relationship.  Plants need four things to grow: a container of some sort with a growing medium, moisture and  sunshine. If I were to water the seeds with vinegar they would never grow.  The two main ingredients to a happy relationships are love & respect. Most ladies want to be loved and most men want to be respected.  These two ingredients make for a much more friendly environment and when applied liberally you watch things grow. It's not always that easy is it?  Not at all, but this is where the growing part comes in.  I once heard, "Feed what you want to grow and starve what you want to die."  There is a lot of wisdom in this and can be attributed to just about every aspect of life.

I find as I feed my Christian walk with 'good stuff' I grow upward and this helps with the everyday stuff that happens in life.  When I slack off and start starving myself of the 'good stuff' then I start on a downward slope.  Each day is a choice on what I will feed or starve.  It is for each one of us...
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

Until next time,
Jean

Giving...

Do not give in hope of receiving. As another has said, "If we bestow a gift or a favor and expect a return for it, it is then not a gift, but a trade."

Life is filled with giving and taking, taking and giving... but we are taught that it is better to give than to receive.  I have found a lot of truth in this over the years.  It always gives me such a happy feeling to see a friend or stranger's face light up when you hand them something just for the anyhow of it.  Awhile back there was a small child eying our popcorn at market,  she was so cute & sweet so I handed her a bag and told her to enjoy it.  Her eyes got so big and she smiled from ear to ear. Her mom said it was not necessary, but even she couldn't hide her smile and that she felt touched.   I know it wasn't necessary but those little blue eyes & that smile were too good to pass up...

There are so many things we can give that cost nothing... a smile, a hug, a simple wave across a room, a helping hand, a 'it's gonna be OK' or just a listening ear...

Until next time,
Jean