I have a guardian angel Who is faithful – yes, indeed! He’s saved me from disaster, Been there for every need.
An angel guarded Angela, Our Boston Terrier pup, From dying when a rattlesnake Bit her on her butt!
You have a guardian angel Who’s watching over you. I hope that you are grateful And careful on your feet, too.
Sunday in church our pastor Read a poem that touched my heart. It conjured up my angel; Who’s compassionate and smart.
Yours is, too!! In fact, YOU may BE somebody’s angel! Serving love with glee.
“The World I Live In” Mary Oliver
God of Grace, help us to see Your angels at work among us, lighting upon the unhoused in the street, delivering cups of coffee, Ziploc bags full of toiletries, and deli sandwiches.
Help us honor Your angels with our praise and gratitude – the patient teacher, the loving parent, the determined wildfire fighter, the volunteer rescue worker, the visitor of the elderly, the sick and the imprisoned.
Give us eyes to see, O God, your angels at work and help us be among their ranks.
Click the link below and enjoy listening to Alabama sing for us “Angels Among Us.”
The joy that’s comin’ Is here if you’re hummin’ Git yer guitar and start strummin’ Yer smile’s quite becommin’
I found the beauty today In weeds I saw along the way. Many folks would probably say Pull ’em out – or douse ’em with spray!
Joy is a part o’ yer make-up. It’s inside ya ready to take up Residence and cause a shake-up; So smile and light yer face up!
And a joyful face is good medicine fir others!
Just let yer heart glow With the joy that ya know Is inside; Let it show! Let yer love flow.
Luke 8:16
A Lamp on a Stand
16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.”
I let my light shine. It’s part of my design. Lips aren’t a straight line – They should curve up real fine!
Smilin’ makes ya feel better; So, my friends, be a trend setter! Turn off sorrow; don’t be a fretter. You look so much better when you SMILE!
Let yer joy be real clear. Share it with those you hold dear. Give it to those far and near Who need your brand of cheer.
Picture it radiating And wiping out all hating. Picture it pulsating And erasing what’s frustrating.
Yup, this bears repeating:
Joy is a part o’ your make-up. It’s inside ya ready to take up Residence and cause a shake-up; So smile and light yer face up!
Bob is an angel who is here for me. It took a few minutes of screaming his name To wake him from his nap, but I could see him there … And when he heard me, how quickly he came!
Yes, my friends, angels are among us. We need to open our hearts and our eyes To see and to feel them around us. Mine’s trying to teach me to be more wise!
In Hebrews 13:2, Paul said, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” That verse leads us to wonder if angels appear to us in human form at times. We know that they appeared to many in human form in the Bible. [See Genesis 18:2].
You may be blessed to have an angel living with you all the time, too!
Thank you, Sweet Bob – For being my constant angel!
The lazy, sunny days of summer are here They’re full of friends and play and cheer Blogging takes a back seat these days Company comes, but rarely stays
So, take the day and live it with joy Go for a walk or ride out in your favorite toy Raid your neighbor’s garden of fresh tomatoes Barbecue tri-tip and bake some potatoes
Keep exercising that broken finger Remember the stiffness – don’t let it linger Make flexible progress every day But don’t let the pain get in your way
Now is the time to dance and to laugh Too soon these summer days will be past The sun shines now – but the warmth won’t stay Come on, Bob, let’s go out and play
I took a blogging break for almost a week Celebrated birthdays and hiked near the creek Then I took our TazE out for a run What’ve you been doing to have some fun?
I may see you tomorrow…. Then again, I may be out having fun… How about you?
At a memorial service last weekend, 175 friends and family gathered From all over the USA to honor My friend, Phyllis Wasick.
Phyllis died over two years ago In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Folks couldn’t celebrate her long life (88) At that time; travel & gatherings shut down.
So now, as travel and gatherings resume, We were able to gather together To praise and celebrate our “Best Friend.” I say that collectively intentionally!
Here is Phyllis with her daughter, Lisa This was about a year before Phyllis Went to be with her other best friends Who had gone on to eternity before her.
At the memorial celebration of life A few of her best friends were asked to speak. It was not a “open mike” – that would have been crazy! Everyone would have wanted to talk!
When asked, “Who was Phyllis’ best friend – really?” The answer was, “The one she was with!!” She made each one of us feel special. She made each of us feel important.
She lived a life of love and inclusiveness. She was a true friend to all and a servant, too. She worked at the Food Bank, the church, The library, and was a treasured Book Club member.
At the service, her great grandchildren Gathered up front, led by one of her grandsons, And they sang, “You are my Sunshine!” Yes – the world was brighter with Phyllis in it!
So, who is YOUR best friend? How would folks answer that about you? Do you make each person you are with Feel special, appreciated, and important?
It is a wonderful quality to posses. I used to tell Phyllis, “I want to be you When I grow up!” I am still growing – And improving – with the memory of
Phyllis Wasick tucked deep in my heart! Who inspires you to be everyone’s Best Friend? It certainly was a lesson Jesus taught every day of His ministry!
Click on that link to hear a piano rendition of that song with the lyrics for you… Sing along!!
Psalm 133:1
“1 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
A friend encourages unity and interdependence. No divisiveness lives in a true friend.
Jesus was a friend to all ages!
A best friend cares about you A best friend is a good listener A best friend is someone you can confide in A best friend knows how to keep sharing confidential A best friend is supportive and trustworthy A best friend loves you just the way you are A best friend keeps in touch
Be a best friend to whoever you are with! Maybe I can emulate my friend Phyllis- With the help of God’s grace living in my heart And the Holy Spirit within to guide me.
You can, too!
Jesus is my best friend! And He helps me be more like Him every day… Phyllis does, too!
Thanks for visiting my blog today. See ya tomorrow (God willing). Love, JanBeek
The world needs your cheer Be excited for today Be inspiring
You can lift others Out of their pessimism Make joy contagious
Faith is the power That helps you stay connected To joy that abounds
So, just keep the faith Keep letting God shine through you He’ll keep you upbeat!
Cheers!
What are you feeling positive about today? Share your good news! We all need your smile.
(My good news is that my hand is healing. The swelling is going down. I was able to get my watch on today… It fit over my hand for the first time since the fall and broken finger April 20th. The fingers are learning to bend again. That’s my good news. What’s yours?)
What are those divine gifts? Do you have them memorized? Are they yours – living fruits in you?
Each day as I walk down the circular staircase from my sanctuary, I repeat my 12 step program:
Thank You, God, for the 1) Love, 2) Joy, and 3) Peace that are mine!
Give me help, God, with these Fruits of the Spirit that I need help to exhibit: 4) Patience, 5) Kindness, 6) Goodness, 7) Faithfulness (which brings blessings). 8) Gentleness, and 9) Self-control.
Help me 10) live humbly with an attitude of gratitude and 11) a response of generosity, forgiveness, 12) Obedience and Integrity.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
When you pray daily Asking God to give you fruits, Trust, my friends, He will!
Be fruity!
Oh, and don’t forget to keep smiling, my friends. Fruity people are happy folks!! Be a fruitcake!
Happy and content is how God created us. Let’s claim that idea!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today. See ya tomorrow (God willing) – Hugs!
If you’re happy and you know it, you can be a little fruity like Jack Hartmann and sing along with this song for all kids and young at heart!
I went to occupational therapy today. A compression glove should help reduce the swelling on this hand now that the pins are out and the hand can move again. But just wearing a glove isn’t going to get my fingers back to being functional again. I gotta work at it!
Darci, the therapist gave me a glob of silly putty. Do you remember playing with that when you were a kid? Rolling and squeezing the putty is the order of the day. It feels like I am rolling a bale of hay and trying to squeeze it! Ouch! The little finger (the one that was broken) and the ring finger next to it (the one that was taped to the broken pinky to give it stability) both are hyper-sensitive and stiff. Suck it up, Jan! You can do this! No pain, no gain, remember?
Have you tried putting on a sweater with just one functional hand? Or better yet, pulling your pants up single-handed? No fun! Can’t play my accordion. Have trouble cutting a piece of meat. Try folding the laundry with only one hand. Oh, brother, suck it up, Jan! There are a whole lot of people in this world worse off than I am. Think positively!!! Grab that silly putty and get to work!
I can do this! Grin and bear it!!
“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights.”
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”
What kind of struggle do you face these days? Are you needing to just “Suck it up” and do it? Have you prayed to the Lord for help? I’ll pray for your strength and tenacity… You pray for mine, OK? Thanks!
Have a great weekend. See ya tomorrow (God willing). Love, JanBeek
The word for 2022 (that I chose on January 1 before I knew how MUCH I would need it) is STRENGTH. What kind of strength do we need each day in order to survive and thrive? I asked myself that question today as I realized it’s been the longest stretch of non-blogging that I have had in several years. My last post was when I dug to the bottom of my strength barrel and pulled out “Speechless.”
The deaths in Ukraine and that ongoing conflict drained me. The Texas mass shooting sucked the drops that were left. I felt lifeless. Then I discovered that two of my dear friends I do Bible Study and Bingo with each week in our nursing home – two of them – died this week. My heart is hurting!
Where does my strength come from?
Isaiah 41:10
“God strengthens you So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. God has promised us His strength. He will never give you a trial you are unable to handle.”
Personal Strengths Defined
Wisdom. Creativity. Curiosity. Love of learning. …
Transcendence. Appreciation of beauty and excellence. Gratitude. Hope.
Notice that the last of those personal strengths defined is “Transcendence,” and the last of its characteristics is Hope. Seems to me those should be first. They transcend all the others in my mind!
Without hopefulness Life has no sense of purpose Can’t cope without hope
Hope renews our strength Hope helps us face tomorrow Hope is essential
Take my life, Lord. I give it to You. Take myself. Renew my strength.
Take my hand – and let it move – please!
Take my hand – and let it move – at the impulse of your love! I pray the pins come out easily! (One more week til that appointment)
I pray the joints move with ease as I exercise them in the ways I have been taught to do. I pray I am able to use my life again consecrated to the Lord and the work He has for me.
Let’s hear that hymn again… and let’s internalize it. Let’s renew our sense of HOPE and let’s express it in ways that encourages others to give – Give HOPE for this day, Hope for all healing, Hope for His Love to flow through us always! Sing along!!
I’m back… the one-handed bandit… Back to send words of faith, love, joy, hope, and unity to a hurting world. Pass it on, my friends! The world needs the strength you have to give.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Today I woke after a good night’s sleep. Feeling a throbbing, I looked over at my hand; It was more swollen than when I went to bed. The pins holding the pinky in place were buried.
Yesterday I visited the occupational therapist. She put compression sleeves on the fingers. They are designed to reduce the swelling. Maybe it would have been worse without them.
Who knows?
It doesn’t do any good to complain, To mope around and feel sad and blue. You gotta keep on the sunny side of life – And a good way to do that is to let go!
Let go of the doubts and relinquish grumbles. Find someone who’ll hold your hand and assure you That everything is gonna be okay – be patient! Give your troubles to God and put on a smile.
Bob and I seem to trade off times for help. There I am holding his scarred up hand! Now it’s his turn to gently hold mine. We are so blessed to have one another!
I pray that you have loved ones beside you Who comfort and assist you when you need it. It’s easier to see the sunny side of life When God gives you family and friends who care.
So relinquish your troubles to those who can Be the hands and feet of God beside you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – and accept it! Let others share the sunny side of life with you.
janbeek 