When life on earth is over….

Yesterday we heard of two people we know who passed away. One was a young man leaving a wife and four precious kids. He loved God ,people and life. He was a magnet for teens as he was so laid back that people felt comfortable around him. As a youth pastor he joined in with the mud soccer or snow boarding and just was around to hang out with the kids.. He didn’t want a Sunday faith but a faith that wore the ordinary man’s clothes, spoke the ordinary man’s talk and mixed with ordinary people. He wanted to make a difference in his world for Jesus. And he did!

The other was an older woman, the wife of one of our leaders who has retired for some years now. She was a quiet unassuming woman. A woman of faith and kind deeds but not many words. Her health has been failing for many years and lately even her mind was slipping. She now has a healed mind and body in the presence of the Lord she faithfully served for so many years. She too wanted to make a difference in her world for Jesus. And she did!

Was the young man’s life cut short? Did the older woman live longer than she wanted in pain and confusion? I remember a quote from a grieving father who had just buried his 11 year old son. Someone said to him, “Isn’t it a shame that your son’s life was cut short?” “No,” he replied with peace on his face, “ He lived every day God planned for him.”

May I have that perspective as I live out every day God has planned for me!

I've learned

You may have seen these quotes before but these are the few I have expereinced to be true! What about you?

I've learned....That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned....That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned...That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned....That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned....That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned...That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned...That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned....That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned....That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned....That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned....That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned....That I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.

I've learned....That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness, and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

My Quiet Soul

How quiet is my soul? I have been thinking of that lately as my husband and I find ourselves running out of time on both ends of the day! I don’t think stress comes from busyness or circumstances so much as how noisy, overwhelmed and discouraged my soul is. I found a poem I wrote a few years ago in Canada. It rings true for me today too!

My Quiet time with God

How I hate getting out of the warm, snug covers.

My head feels weighted down to my pillow.

It is so quiet and so dark.

Just a few more minutes of sleep would be so welcome.

I stumble out of bed and wash my face.

The floor feels cold to my bare feet.

It is so quiet and so dark.

I find myself at my desk with my Bible in front of me.

Darkness is like a wall that keeps the rush of the day at bay

All is asleep except God and I.

It is so quiet and so dark.

But I can hear my thoughts in this wall of darkness.

Is this just a ritual that I have done since a child?

Surely I can meet God in a few hours from now!

It is so quiet and so dark

The morning is about to break and with it the clamor of a busy life.

I read His Word, written so long ago

Yet I feel I am sitting in a room alone with God

It is so quiet and so dark

“Morning, wait to come” I am enjoying my God’s presence.