If I could leave a legacy that exemplified these six words, I’d die happy!
First, I want folks to say, “She loved the Lord with all her heart ❤️ and she sincerely loved her family and friends.” 🥰
(Yes, my family is a huge part of my legacy… they will live on and on … and hopefully exemplify the values I hold so dear!)
Additionally, may they say, “She was ethical and lived a life of integrity. Trying to avoid hypocrisy, Jan lived to show her faith on her sleeve, striving to behave in a way that would be pleasing to God.”
Gracious living means extending to others the undeserved love and forgiveness, the acceptance, inclusion, and hospitality that we received daily from the Lord. May they say, “She was gracious.”
I hope my legacy includes the idea of attentiveness to others, attentiveness to the details of the responsibilities assumed, and daily attention to prayer and Bible Study. I happily shared those with others. A desired part of my legacy would include, “Jan was attentive.”
Daily I asked God to help me shine His compassion through me to others. My heart reached out regularly to family, friends, former students, neighbors, and others in need. Strangers were just “friends I hadn’t met yet.” I would like my legacy to include, “She was compassionate.”
Yummy? It’s not that I want to be considered yummy, it is that I love to cook. As part of my legacy, may I be remembered as someone who delighted in preparing yummy meals for Bob and for guests in our home. May I be remembered as someone whose greatest joy was in serving others.
Hebrews 13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
When I leave this earth and join the heavenly angels, I am counting on seeing all those saints who went on before me… And we’ll feast on heavenly food and feed the scraps to all my Boston Terriers who’ll be there at the pearly gates to greet me.
Yes, you’re in my life for a reason. Thanks for showing up on my blog!
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.”
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!
Yes, my new little great-granddaughter is here! Faith & Kyle named her Mable Iris. Don’t you love old-fashioned names?
I tried to get them to name her Janet (that’s JanBeek’s God-given name), but I lost out to one they chose simply because they both “like it.”
Oh well, I tried!
Choosing names for our children is such an important part of parenting.
The last “child” I named is this little moose who sits on my bed every day. He is named “Faithful” because he was a gift to me about 15 years ago from my granddaughter, Faith. She bought it at the Yellowstone National Park gift shop. We had just seen the geyser “Old Faithful” erupt. Then we went into the gift shop and gave her and her three siblings each some money to buy a souvenir for their visit. She bought this moose and then gave it to me as a “Thank you for taking us to Yellowstone” gift.
What a thoughtful little pre-teen she was! Each day when I make my bed, I put “Faithful the Yellowstone Moose” back on my bed with a prayer. I say:
“Dear God, Please tuck them together in love and watch over Faith & Kyle today. Amen”
When we named our son Ty (I have told you this story before), it was because I had a student named Ty in my kindergarten class in 1963. He was such an adorable little boy – and I loved him as well as his name. In 1965 when our son was born, Bob agreed to use Ty’s name for our little baby.
Today when Kyle let us know that he & Faith had named their little girl Mable, I asked, “Is there a history of that name in your family? Or is it just a name you both liked?”
Kyle texted back and said they just liked the name – no family history for it.
So, I told Kyle that I have a history with that name. The only other Mable Bob & I have know is Mable Cronan. She was the dear, sweet, compassionate, loving grandmother of Ty Stiles (that kindergarten student of mine). Mable attended our church in California with Ty’s aunt, Marilyn Sena. So now – come full circle: our Ty has a granddaughter named Mable – just like Ty Stiles had a grandmother Mable. I love it when things seem to be so synchronistic, don’t you?
Ty & Roxanne Stiles with me & Bob
When I looked up the meaning of the name Mable, Wikipedia said,
“Lovable, dear: Mabel is an English female given name derived from the Latin amabilis, “lovable, dear“.
I told Faith and Kyle that Mable Cronan (Ty Stiles’ grandma) was definitely lovable and dear. I am so glad they chose that name. It will be fun to live long enough to see this great-granddaughter’s personality and values develop, and to watch God bring out the “lovable and dear” qualities that were born in her.
I saw a picture of my new great-granddaughter, Mable, today. I won’t post it here – out of respect for the privacy of her and her parents – but here is her mom, Faith, when she was a baby:
Mable has a cute little pug nose like Faith’s ( I lay claim to that feature – and told them so).
Mable has parents who love her – and an extended family who can hardly wait to meet her in person and give her and her parents great big hugs!
Yes, my friends, she’s here! It’s been a beautiful April 1st. I pray yours was a memorable day, too. Thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts as we waited for this baby to arrive.
For some reason, I am hoping this lovable new baby, Mable, will learn to play a musical instrument someday – maybe the soprano sax like Kenny G. I dedicate this album to her and hope she grows up to enjoy music someday as much as her Great-Grama (GG) Jan does!
This baby was the highlight of my day, obviously! Tell me about a highlight of your April 1st.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek tonight. See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Do you take time each morning to read your Bible, pray, and study at least one devotional? It is such a powerful way to start each day.
Let God help you begin your day with your heart focusing on a message you receive during the time you begin with Him. I’ve been using Guideposts’ devotionals for over a decade now. I find it to be constantly spirit-lifting!
Daily Guideposts’ format includes a selected Bible verse, a reflection on that scripture, a prayer, and a couple of related scriptures in a section called Digging Deeper.
Before leaving the daily page, I write my “Take Away” on the page. It’s a message I carry with me that day – a lens through which I encounter what the day brings. Here are the daily take-aways from this month of March 2022:
Daily Take-Aways in March 2022
Trust God’s Perfect Timing
Wear Your Faith
Enjoy a Grace-Filled Perspective
Forgive Always
Seek His Help First
Where He Leads Me,
I Will Follow
Seek God’s Wisdom
For Everything – A Season
“Bee” Compassionate and Patient
“Bee” a Servant Leader
“Bee” Not Dismayed
Stay the Course
Pray for our Troubled World
Give Cheerfully
Trust His Perfect Timing
Pray for World Peace
Take Delight in Others
Life is An Adventure
Jesus Never Leaves Us
Show Agape Love
Believe: I Am Fearfully & Wonderfully Made
Avoid Procrastination
The Spirit Flies
God Supplies Our Needs
Focus and “Bee” Clear
Adopt the Courage of the Cross
He Equips Me
Wake Up Eager
Share Your Smiling Face
Enjoy the Unexpected
If you follow my blog and have a read a few of my posts this past month, you recognize that many of those take-aways were the inspiration for JanBeek’s posts. Which of those topics resonated with you the most?
Will you consider creating a “take-away” from your Bible or devotional reading each day? Try it! See if it helps you focus in a new and different way.
Before I leave you this evening, I need to wish you a Happy April, my friends. Tomorrow’s a new day. It’s a new month. And as I write this my youngest granddaughter, Faith, is in labor – expecting my #4 great-grandchild. We are expecting a beautiful little girl. I am praying she is born quickly, as painlessly as possible, and as perfect as God creations can be. Won’t you pray with me? I’ll keep you posted.
Faith’s older sister, Hope, has given us two great-grandchildren:
Here is Xander Great-grandchild #1
Here’s Sienna, Great-grandchild #2
Faith’s brother, Jordan, has gifted us with great-grandchild #3 :
Here’s Cosette! Look at the RunAway Bunny – Too cute, huh?
I can hardly wait to meet Great-grandchild #4. Here is her mommy, our granddaughter, Faith, when she was a baby:
Aren’t I a blessed lady?
What’s your take-away today? Happy April 1st, dear ones. No fools among us!!
See ya later today with my good news, OK?
Love, JanBeek
Don’t take-away love! Give it generously instead! Good night!!
You know where I am going with this. You know that I begin each morning in my sanctuary where I focus on scripture, devotionals, and my angels.
I have a collection of these wonderful angels. Most were given to me as gifts from dear friends. Each has a story to tell – each reminds me of someone special. Some have wings, others do not. I focus on their message. “Lift someone up today.” “Let the Chains of Love bind you to others.”
It was my first devo today that caused me to choose the word FOCUS as my focus.
Then each scripture I read – and each of the other devotionals seemed to reinforce those thoughts until I got to the last one for the morning. It was in a book titled, “Ever Faithful” by David Jeremiah.
And what do you think the title for today is? “Clouded Vision”
And the scripture for today?
1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you, be of one mind, having compassion for one another, love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.”
The story accompanying the title and scripture could not have been more perfect! (Thank you, David Jeremiah, for this!)
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of Heart! Music that calms the soul…
Have a great weekend, my friends. I am off to clean my windows. I need to see the world around me more clearly. How about you?
My granddaughter, Faith, is expecting a baby girl this April. This Sunday her mom is hosting a virtual baby shower for her. It’ll be my first ZOOM baby shower. Have you ever attended one?
In preparation for the event, we were invited to go on-line and offer advice using a variety of prompts. That was a fun thing to do. Fun to read each other’s responses! Also, Faith’s mom (our daughter-in-law, Monika) will be posting pictures of all the gifts as Faith virtually opens each one. How clever, huh?
Faith and Kyle were married in July of 2020. It was a fairy tale wedding.
Such a darling couple! They met at a Young Life Christian camping activity about 2018. They both have a strong faith. They have many ideals and activities they enjoy in common. One of their mutual activities is snowboarding. This photo gives you a glimpse into their personalities:
Hah! Sweet Kyle – Sassy Faith!
I am looking forward to attending the virtual shower tomorrow. Should be a fun, unique experience. I’ll post afterward to let you know how it went.
Faithy is an old fashioned girl. Her desires are simple. This is the bassinet/carrying case she chose for her baby!!
Fun, huh?
Don’t know how many months Baby McSparron will fit in there… but should be fun while it lasts!
This is a picture of Faith when she was a baby. She was a true gift from God! I have this photo framed and displayed up in my Angel room:
Precious baby! Ty & Monika were blessed to be able to adopt her at her birth!!
I can hardly wait to hold my newest little miracle baby when she comes. She’ll be our 4th great-grandchild. Yes, I know… we are mighty blessed.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek See ya tomorrow(God willing) Hugs…
Bye for now
Oh, before you go, I need to share with you a song that came to mind as I was writing this post. The Penguins went to the top of the hit parade in 1955 with this song. I was a sophomore in high school!! (Yes, I know… the dark ages!!) I loved dancing to this one … Thanks Phil & Benny – happy memories!
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Thank you for continuing to pray for Bob as we work together trying to get the medication he needs for his heart ailment. Did I tell you that after co-pay the first month of the medication costs over $3,000 ?? Pray that we can get assistance from Pfizer, the manufacturer of the medication, OK? This is a life-saving treatment plan that we need… God knows that!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek See ya tomorrow (God willing)
No reason to be afraid! Take peace… He’s in control!
Where do you find your peace, my friend? Ihope it’s in your heart today! Let faith rise up in you…
“I remind myself of the agreement I have with my Guardian Angels. They are allowed to take anyone and anything from my life that it is not and will not be good for me. No questions asked. It doesn’t need to make sense.”
Do you believe angels can actually work to save you from harm?
There is a story in the book of Acts about an angel who freed Peter from prison. It always has fascinated me. It’s hard to deny the presence of angels when you know things like this have happened:
Acts 12:5-17
Peter Freed from Prison
5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but [a]constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were [b]keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”
12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. 15 But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.”
16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.
I asked Bob this morning, “Have you ever been saved by an angel?”
“Oh yes,” he replied without hesitation.
“When?” (I knew what he was going to say.)
“When I fell asleep at the wheel of my truck with a load of honeybees on the bed of the truck… I went off the road and missed a culvert by 6″ before being jarred awake and slamming on the brakes. I know my guardian angel was working overtime!”
Psalm 91:11 assures us that our angels are indeed here to protect us.
My friend, Sue, and her husband, Jerry, had a similar experience. They were driving back from Bozeman one rainy Saturday when their car slid on a slick, rainy spot. They were facing down the steep side over the railing when Sue spontaneously said, “God help us!”
Immediately, their car tilted backward and onto the road. The two of them sat there astounded. They drove home in awe and wonder. They shared their experience in church the next day. Yes, many nodded in a knowing way… others shared their Guardian Angel stories during fellowship that day.
Not all angels are celestial beings. I believe God has put invisible wings on each of us!! He asks us to “Love one another” just as He has loved us.
(I had fun posing in front of a myriad of wings that are displayed in Redlands, CA at a spot dedicated to 58 beautiful souls who were gunned down.
“Live and Let Live Live and Let Love”
I wrote a poem for a resident of our Madison Valley Nursing Home several years ago. She had damaged her shoulders in a fall and was unable to lift her arms. For Christmas that year, I gave her a Willow Creek angel with no wings.
Here is the angel and the poem:
“Angels on earth Such as Gloria Wear their wings in their loving arms. Though she may not Be physically able To reach out And embrace you, Her invisible wings Stretch her heart To reach miles With warm smiles, Sparkling eyes, And words of grace – Loving and wise.
Amen
EMBRACE THE ANGEL IN YOU!
Do you have a story to tell about a time your guardian angel saved you?
