Loosing Teeth...

Why is it that losing a tooth is so exciting? Especially that first tooth...the grandchildren come running with finger on the tooth and wanting everyone to wiggle it. Is it almost out? Will the tooth fairy come? Losing a tooth is a rite of passage.

I begin to think about all the teeth that have fallen out and all the rites of passage I've seen with my own children. Now, I'm watching my grandchildren. Seems to me that they grow up so quickly. Why can't time hold off for a while and let them enjoy the carefree days of childhood just a little longer?

Time...when you are young you usually have too much of it...too much time. Now, I can't seem to find enough of it. Is it a rite of passage, too? If it went by any more slowly could we as adults handle it?

Are you wiggling that tooth again?

The Show Must Go On...

As I look across the room and see pictures of my children, grandchildren, parents, and grandparents I am reminded that the show goes on. It doesn't stop with me. It goes on. So this is my greatest challenge, my commission, if you will. I must insure that God's great love continues through the generations, shared by my grandmother with me now I must share it with my grandgirl, too. So that down the road when my walk has weakened and my light is barely flickering she'll be able to pick up the torch and light the way for the families that are sure to come and follow along behind her.

I encourage you today to share your "light" with those you love.

Taking Care of an Elderly Parent

Aging - it isn't for the faint of heart. Neither is watching as it happens. As a person begins their descent into the end of their lives it seems that the spiral that was their life, begins to swirl and represent everything the person is not. The cover of a book comes to mind, I think it is Oh The Places You'll Go...

Labor Day...

I remember my father working as a hod carrier when I was very young. He worked so hard for such little money. I remember my father working in a sewage ditch cleaning out waste from pipes when I was a preteen. I remember my father working on a construction road job and almost getting hit by a car that didn't obey the signs. I remember my father working hard in his garden. I remember my father when I think of hard labor. He worked hard so that I could have a better life. He worked hard so that I could have more opportunities than he did. Today, on Labor Day weekend I thank him for teaching me the value of hard work.

Light

We are all searching for light. A light to shine on a situation that will make it clear and help us understand how to handle it. A light to shine on an attribute that makes us happy so we can share it with everyone. A light to keep us on the right track.

When...

Just when you think you have it all figured out...you learn something new. I've been concentrating on being grateful and I am. But, now the lesson seems to be trust. The lessons we learn in life from all of our trials and tests create a great opportunity to grow in our faith. It doesn't seem to matter how old you are, you still have opportunities to learn. This week it has been trust. Trusting God and letting him work out everything is sometimes tough. But, when you roll your cares over on him, he gives you peace. Life is like a ball game, except three strikes your out does not apply. You keep getting opportunities to catch the ball or hit a homerun. When life throws you a curve, put up your ball glove and catch that ball! Trust that God will give you the strength that you need to meet your "curve ball."

I read in a book today that fear kills dreams before they can become reality. Keep trusting and believing in God's ability to take care of His children. Dream big dreams!

I am reminded...

Lately, it seems that I am being reminded of just how blessed that I am. How truly blessed my life is and how fortunate I am to be able to live in a wonderful home, have a fabulous job that I love, have my children live close to me, have five beautiful grandchildren, and to have a husband that loves me unconditionally. I don't know if I'd forgotten (or taken for granted) all the blessings in my life, but I surely wasn't as grateful and appreciative as I should have been. I'm so thankful that God still finds me worthy of learning. Worthy of another chance to get it right.

As you look around at your life, make a note of each blessing in your life. For many of us they are vast and for some of us they are fleeting. In either case, praise God loudly and thank him for all of the blessings in your life whether large or small. God inhabits the priase of his people. I don't know about you, but I love hangin' with God! Tell Him thank you - I did!