Building Relationships and Playing Canasta

When I was about 8 years old, I lived in the high desert in Southern California.  We had 5 acres of land, most of it a field. Aunt Margaret and Uncle Jimmy lived on the other side of the field, about a mile away.  

We were pretty close and liked to spend time together.  I had a pony named Frosty and I rode him across the field to their house every week.  Aunt Margaret taught me how to play Canasta. We played every week for about 2 years until they moved. 

 

Not only did I learn how to play Canasta, I got to spend time with Aunt Margaret.  She taught me how to be a “good loser” by saying, “if you’re gonna cry, I’m not going to play with you.”  I really wanted to play, so I sniffled, blew my nose, and stopped crying.  In other words, it worked.  Now I enjoy the game and Aunt Margaret and I have a good relationship as adults. And, of course, good memories from some 40+ years ago.

It didn’t take a lot, but Aunt Margaret’s spending time with me on a regular basis, made an impact on me and is a special memory I cherish.

God's Love Letter to His Children

This world gives us lots of ideas of who God is.  But if we want to know the truth, we have to read what He tells us about himself in the Bible. 

 My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in My image. Genesis 1:27

In me, you live and move and have your being, for you are my offspring. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake; all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me. John 8:41-44

I am not distant or angry, but am the complete expression of love. I John 4:16

And I desire to lavish my love on you. I John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your father. I John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.  Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalm 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and soul. Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

For I am the one who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13  

I can do more for you than you can possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.  II Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. II Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you.   Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes, Revelation 21:3-4

And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.  Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23

He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not opposed to you. Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins against you.  II Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so you and I could be reconciled. II Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. I John 4:9-10

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. I John 2:23

Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7 I have always been Father and will always be Father. 

My question is: will you be my child?  John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, 

Your Dad, Almighty God

   

Making A Difference In The World Today

Sometimes it seems like I don't make a difference.  Maybe you've felt the same at some point.  Just watching the news, reading the newspaper,  or seeing things online  can be depressing with all the wars and senseless tragedies we hear about.  

But the truth is we can and do have an impact.  We may not solve all the problems in the world, but the small, seemingly insignificant actions can impact someone more than we know.

I ran across this story recently that illustrates just that.

Book Review: Marrying His Best Friend

Today's the 3rd Friday of thew month,so  I'm posting a book review on Favorite Friday Fiction on  Jennifer Hallmark's site. Read more here.

Birthday Surprise

I've been blessed with the opportunity to travel quite a bit in my life.  When I was in high school, I was a foreign exchange student

An Opportunity to Help Someone In Need

The weather’s been a bit dreary lately here in SC, with lots of rain. Even when it’s not raining, there’s lots of clouds overhead. Not exactly uplifting, in my opinion although it is good for the gardens. 

A few weeks ago though, the sun was out and I took advantage of it, taking Tommy for a walk. We headed down the street and I unexpectedly met up with a neighbor of mine. She needed some help and I was there to provide it.  Read the rest of the story here.

Suspense-Filled Story by Lynette Eason

It's the third Friday of the month, so  I'm posting on Jennifer Hallmark's blog, Small Acts of Kindness Favorite Fiction Friday.  Lynette Eason has written over 20 books over many years. Today's post is a review of one of them, Don't Look Back. Learn more about it at  here.

Even Little Things Can Make A Difference

Sometimes I feel insignificant. As if  the things I say or do don't matter because they only affect one or two people.  But what if I'm wrong?  What if those things, even small things, DO matter?  Perhaps making a difference in one person's life reaches more than just him or her?  Could it be that those people can bless others  because of what we've said or done?  We may never know, but it's possible.  Read more here to see an example of what I mean.

Looking Forward to Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just a little over a week away. It’s a time when we look back over the past year and celebrate what we’re grateful for. One thing I’m most grateful for is my family.  It’s changed over the years with the grandkids getting married and having kids. Now some of the great grandkids are married too.  

We gather at someone’s home and everyone brings something for a potluck of everyone’s favorite foods.  Turkey (of course), stuffing, cranberry sauce, both canned and homemade (there an on-going debate in my family as to which is the “real” kind),  mashed potatoes, an appetizer, rolls, fruit salad, deviled eggs, and several pies.  

Festivities typically start around noon that day, with people arriving

5 Tips to Make Thanksgiving Travel Less Stressful

photo courtesy of pixabay

I always enjoy Thanksgiving.  It’s the one time a year my whole family gets together. It's also the busiest day of the year for traveling. Since that can be stressful, I’ve come up with a few ways to make it a little easier.

Plan ahead. One of the worst stressors in traveling is having to make sure you have everything. One week before you leave, (instead of the night before) write down everything you’ll want with you while you’re gone.  Making a list has a couple of benefits. First, you can actually see it on paper.  That helps you organize your thoughts instead of thinking you’ll just know it all when you leave. It also reduces your stress level because you don’t have to remember everything.  It’s there for you to see when you pack. The third advantage is that you have a list to check things off as you pack, making it more likely you’ll have everything you need.

Medicine. When you make your list, remember your medicine, if you take any. The most obvious thing we think of in packing is, of course, the clothes we’ll wear. But medicine is even more important. Depending on where you go, you may not have access to your doctor. We can’t just run across town to get another prescription when we travel, so we have to make sure we have it all before we go.  Make sure you take everything with you. 

Pack two days before you leave.  Once you’ve listed and laid out everything you need, pack your suitcase(s) two nights ahead of time.  This gives you an extra day to double check that everything’s in there.  If you’ve forgotten something, you have time to stick it in there without rushing at the last minute. 

photo courtesy of pixabay

 Are you flying?  If you are, take a carry-on with you and check the airline’s requirements for what’s allowed and what’s not. Check the weight limit for each suitcase you plan to check.  Weigh each bag at home and adjust whatever’s necessary before you get to the airport. Most flights limit the amount of liquids allowed in a container in a carry-on (a few ounces) and allow only one quart-size, transparent, resealable bag per passenger.  You’ll have to show it to an employee, so keep it out of your bag until you get on the plane.

ALWAYS pack your medicine in your carry-on.  You never know if your luggage will get lost somewhere along the way. Several years ago, I flew from California to Washington D.C. My luggage went to St. Louis instead, so I was left without clean clothes.  The humidity, combined with rain there in the middle of July, made me miserable for 3 days before I was reunited with my luggage. Fortunately, I had my medicine in my carry-on so it was just an inconvenience. 

These are my thoughts.  What other tips would you add to the list?

Reaching Out in Friendship

I'm fortunate to have a close family.  And my mom is the best. She means the world to me and is more than just my mom. She’s a close friend and I treasure our relationship. 

She means a lot to her friends as well. She’s been in a bowling league for many years now and has met a lot of people she wouldn’t otherwise know. Click here to read about how she's reached out and helped improve some people's quality of life.

Dinner Out Every Week

I’d finally gotten out of the hospital after four months.  I’d come home but was very limited in what I could do.  Walking with a walker and quite slowly at that, it was discouraging, even as I improved each week.  Unable to drive, I was cooped up in the house, other than doctors’ appointments and physical and occupational therapy. 

One of my friends recognized my need and asked if she could take me out for dinner one night.  "Sure!" I said.  I'd get out of the house and spend time with a friend.  What an opportunity.

Today's the second Monday of the month, so I'm posting on Small Acts of Kindness.  I'd love it if you'd pop on over and read the rest of the story.

Surprise!

I’m not sure who was more surprised—him or me, but I just had to laugh. I had just finished my breakfast and taken my dishes into the kitchen. I put the dishes in the dishwasher, walked back to the dining room, and stopped short. There was a piece of food on the floor near the chair I’d been sitting in. “Huh? I don’t remember a piece of food there. That’s weird.”

I bent down to pick it up and it hopped. “What in the world?” I said. Food doesn’t hop. My eyes widened and I jerked my head back. I bent down to take a closer look. Gray with a dark gray spot on its back, it was a toad!

Why is there a toad in my house? “When did you get in here? HOW did you get in here?” I shook my head. I bent down to pick him up, take him outside, and set him free.

He hopped under the table, afraid of me. I’d gotten a paper towel from the kitchen to wrap him in to get him outside. I figured it was big enough to cover him from both sides so he wouldn’t escape, but I couldn’t reach him now. I stooped to get under the table. He heard me and jumped further. I peered under the sofa, and spotted him just on the other side. Paper towel in hand, I walked around the couch and bent over. After two more tries, I succeeded. I’d caught him. I covered him from both sides so he couldn’t escape.

He tried to jump out of my grasp, but I had him this time. I went outside and released him on the deck but he didn’t move. I wondered if I’d hurt him when I picked him up or when I carried him, but soon enough he hopped forward and away he went. He must have just been scared.

That’s the 3^rd time I’ve had a wild animal in my house here. Read about the other times with a bird here and here. I at least know where the birds came from and how they got in, but I have no idea how that a toad managed to come in.

It reminds me of how I can get into the strangest of places or situations at times. Places where I don’t belong but have adapted to. When someone sees me and tries to help get me back where I need to be I may try to escape. Just like that little toad, I’ve gotten used to where I am and change is scary, especially if I don’t initiate it

.

Eventually, and it may take quite a bit of time, I may decide to relax a bit and see where it takes me. Usually, it’s to a better place. It can take some time to adjust to it, but with time, (sometimes longer than I’d like) I see the benefits outweigh the costs. 

How about you? When have you been in a place where you needed help but had to trust someone in order to get it?  Share it here.

God, the Sun, and the Solar Eclipse

The solar eclipse in the U.S. is less than a week away and Greenville, South Carolina, will be directly in its path. In the middle of the day, the moon will pass in front of the sun, blocking its light for approximately 2 minutes.

photo courtesy of pixabay

There’s been quite a buzz about it over the last few months. It’s all over the news, in the papers, and online.

It’ll begin to get dark in early afternoon as the moon begins to cross between the sun and the earth.

Everyone's Gifts Are Important

 If the only tool in your belt is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Abraham Maslow

I heard this quote one day and later realized that it reflects how we go about most things in our lives. We tend to see circumstances through our own lens, which is relatively small, and we react the only way(s) we know. The opposite is true as well. When have multiple “tools” in our “belt” we can better determine an appropriate solution to any given problem.  

Personal Care at a Local Family Pharmacy

I'd forgotten to pick up my medicine.  Medicine I can't afford to go without.  So when I realized it last month, I called to pick up a refill.  I use a local, family-owned pharmacy about 3 miles from my home. 

 

They know me there and even know what medicine I take before I tell them what I need.  I walked in last month and Tony, the pharmacist, said, "Hi Ellen.  How're you doin' today?"  I smiled and told him what I needed.  To read the rest of the story click here.

Pauses for the Vacationing Soul--A New Devotional for your Summer:

Today I’d like to let you know about a newly released devotional, Pauses for the Vacationing Soul, a Sensory-based Devotional Guide for the Beach a Sensory-based Devotional Guide for the Beach by my friend, Cathy Baker. 

I asked Cathy a few questions to let you, my readers, know a bit about the book before you buy it. Here’s what she said.

What made you decide to write a devotional?

Too many years I returned home from the beach with my Bible unpacked. My intentions were good but I felt as if I’d missed out on something while on vacation—and I had. Perhaps this is why when the idea for the devotion came to mind one morning while on the beach, I felt sure someone else could write it better. But the following summer, the same idea came to mind but this time, with more details. When I returned home from vacation that year, God confirmed that I was in fact the person who should write it.

I love that it’s specifically about how to experience God at the beach. Why the beach? 

It seemed the natural place to begin since I feel God gave me the idea while sitting on the beach. I don’t know about you, but seeing the vastness of the ocean and smelling the salty air seems to draw me closer to our Creator.

One of the book’s most unique features is how you take the reader through each of the 5 senses.  How did you come up with that idea? 

I taught adult Bible studies for over twenty years and often shared sensory items to drive home a particular truth. I love how God takes certain desires and displays them in different ways years later for His glory. It was during our second year at the beach that God gave me the idea of experiencing Him through each of our senses. Each day in the devotion, the reader will focus on one particular sense – seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or touching. A brief scripture reading and devotion coincide with the sense of the day.

What do you want people to take away from this devotional guide?

Throughout the Bible, we see where God chose to share powerful stories that included sensory details (for instance, the Temple). He wired us to be able to draw closer to Him through our senses, and that is my prayer for the readers of this little book.

Is there anything we haven’t covered that you’d like to tell our readers?

Yes! The beach devotional guide is just the first in a series of guides that will include other vacations like the mountains, lake, staycations, camping, and hopefully, Disney. There will also be devotional guides for the holidays. If you would like to stay updated on all the happenings of the Pauses devotional guides, subscribe to my site at http://www.cathybaker.org. In the June newsletter, I’ll give my community of subscribers a sneak peek of the new book covers and more.

Cathy Baker is a Bible teacher and an award-winning writer who delights in observing God at work in the nuances of life. Her recent release, Pauses for the Vacationing Soul: A Sensory-Based Devotional Guide for the Beach is the first in a series of books created to draw readers closer to God through our five different seasons. A variety of vacations, as well as holiday celebrations, will soon follow.

Her work has been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Upper Room, and Focus on the Family’s Thriving Family. Her poetry has been published in two anthologies. She and her husband, Brian, live in the foothills of the Carolinas where she one day hopes to raise miniature Pygmy goats.  

Light Makes a Difference

My hallway and kitchen were pretty dark, but I'd grown used to it.  One day, we decided it was time to improve and update the lighting, which had clearly been around for decades.  The difference has been amazing. To read more, click on this link.

Memorial Day 2017

Today I went to a ceremony honoring veterans for Memorial Day, in Simpsonville, SC.  It was wonderful.  As it said in The Greenville News today, Memorial Day is often thought of as just a day off from work or school.  Often called the unofficial start of summer,

More than Just Walking The Dog

Last week I was out walking my dog, Tommy,

when I came upon a neighbor named Jo.

It turned our walk into more than I'd bargained
for.  Read the story  on Small Acts of Kindness  here.