Distractions

"Distractions may hinder, but once the heart is committed to Him, the attention will return again and rest upon Him like a wandering bird coming back to its window." Tozer

We are wanderers... we get side tracked with the everyday things in life and begin to wander... suddenly we find ourselves in a dark valley and wonder how we got there... we feel alone.  We begin looking around for some familiar thing, some comfortable thing that feels like home... but it just doesn't seem right....

When I was a child I was a wanderer.  When we went on school field trips none of the parent chaperones ever wanted me in their group because I was always the one that got lost. I remember getting lost at The Detroit Zoo, at The Henry Ford Museum and several other places.  It was a sickening feeling as a child... to suddenly look up and there be a sea of faces around and none that you know.  I would start to cry and of course someone that worked there would find me and bring me back to my group.  Now as a parent I have taken my children to these places and I am always so cautious of where they are.  I've told them all my horror stories of getting lost, so I think I have instilled a sacred fear in them.  As a parent it is a different kind of sickening feeling... the thought of losing a child...

When I say lose a child I don't only mean in the physical sense but also in the spiritual sense... they both give me that empty feeling... a feeling I hope and pray I will never know.  There are so many people lost out there today... lost and hopeless.  But they don't have to be... Jesus is there ever waiting with open arms to gather them into His fold... to protect and give meaning to one's life. 

Only He can fill the void that leaves one feeling empty and without meaning...
If you have wandered away... if you are lost and don't know where to turn... if you're struggling with the cares of life... Jesus has all the answers... He is your hope... call unto Him and He will answer... like the wandering bird coming back...

Until next time,
Jean


     

Attitude With Gratitude

"Simple gratitude helps us experience God at work in every moment of every day." Harriet Crosby

We have so much to be thankful for in our lives... most of us have very little that we 'want' for ... 
With an attitude of gratitude we can look on in faith and not allow the distractions in life to move us... We can remain grounded in Him and trust that each wave that wants to crash over the joy cannot move us because we stand on the Rock.  With the Lord carrying us through we can be thankful for not only the good days but be joy filled when trials come as well.

Today being a day that is set aside to give thanks, what do we think of? As I ponder on this I thought it would be enlightening to make a list...

I am thankful for...
My Lord and the salvation that He has provided for me through His shed blood on Calvary...
That salvation through grace was available to a wretch like me...
That no matter how many times I fail in my daily life, I can turn to Him with a repentant heart and know that He is there for me with open arms... 
That my God forgets...

I am thankful for my family...
For the smiles that greet me each morning...
For the cuddles and the hugs from the little ones...
For the 'thanks' and 'I love you too' from the older ones...
For the love and the laughter we share...
For shared dreams and desires... and the tears that are given me with shared inner fears...
For the "I prayed mom..." from those young tender hearts...

Oh that my life would be one that shows all those around me a thankful heart... A heart that is an out pouring of His perfect love in every situation... An example to my children that no matter what He is there for them...

"That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works." Psalm 26:7

Until next time,
Jean

Home

"Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home..." J.H. Payne

Home is where the heart is... home is a place that should be a relief from the cares of the world... the noise and the hussell and bussell of life...  home is where we create memories, whether good or bad... home is important.  When our children get home from school and it's been a hard day, do they feel the warmth and understanding of mother, is there a nice treat, is there peace for their weary soul?  When our spouse comes home from a day where things just didn't go as planned, are there inviting arms with a hug and 'it's gonna be OK?' Home should be the place where each family member comes and can relax after a tiring day. 

This is the ideal setting...  but we live in a real world where  there and ups and downs to each family members life.  We try to be pleasant and cherry, but we've got a splitting head ache and life wasn't fair today.  Such is life, as I always say...

How do I deal with the head ache and the bad day... do my children hear all the complaints of the trash not being taken out, another broken glass, clothes not picked up, the list goes on and on... do I make excuses for my behavior or use their behavior for an excuse? I am sure most of us can say that both these setting's take place in our home's.  We would be liars to say otherwise... but back on yesterdays note on apologies.  When we have those bad days and don't react like we should or want to, a simple "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be grumpy" goes a long way, especially with children. When we can admit we were wrong and not make excuses for our behavior or theirs for that matter, they will see us set that example, they will learn to apologize and accept responsibility for their own actions as well. When our children come to us we too need to be there with a willing and open heart to their 'I'm sorry's'... such is LOVE!

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 

Kindness Begets Kindness

"Never lose a chance of saying a kind word."  William Makepeace Thackeray

Have you ever been in line at the grocery store, or at a park sitting on the bench or just going for a walk and someone asks you a question?  I am sure everyone reading this can say a hardy yes! It may be an elderly person, a small child, or a busy mom.  You are kind of having a not so hot day and you are really not in the mood to be 'sociable'. You have two choices~ either snub your noes and give a curt, short answer or put on a smile and answer cheerfully and make small talk.  It can make all the difference in your day as well as that persons.

As a professing Christian I try to show the latter, but believe me I have failed more often than I care to confess.  But you know what, there isn't always going to be another day, another chance to do the kind deed or make things right.  Everyday is a new day, but even when we don't feel like being nice, we need to try, try with all our might.  I need to be constantly on guard for an opportunity to show Christ's love and be that light to a sad person.  I need to be an example for my children to see how Christ's love can shine a light through me to those around.  A wise dear old friend has a sign in her bathroom that reads, "More is caught than taught."  A kind word can never be mistook and it won't quickly be forgotten.

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

A Light Unto The World

A friend shared this with me.... I thought awhile....

The light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.
The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration, as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup.
As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up.
He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a holding cell.

After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door.  She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects. He said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the 'What Would Jesus Do' bumper sticker, the 'Choose Life' license plate holder, the 'Follow Me to Sunday School' bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk, so naturally ... I assumed you had stolen the car."

Let your light shine,
Until next time,
Jean