The prompt for today asked me to identify my favorite pastime… I am doing it: writing. Especially writing on my blog, but also writing text or e-mail messages to family and friends and sending greeting cards for all kinds of occasions ie: Birthdays, Anniversaries, Get Well, Thinking of you…
Writing poetry is another favorite activity. If you’ve read my blog for awhile, you know I like to take sermon notes in church on Sundays. Sometimes they rhyme… but more often lately they are free verse. It’s my way of capturing the main message as I hear and understand it.
Rev. Mary Grace Reynolds used Matthew Chapter 5:13-16 as her springboard for today’s message. Here’s what the sermon said to me today:
Be Salt and Light
Salt preserves. As Christians, We, too, must preserve What is right in the world.
We must become Salt and Light. Salt that exists For a specific purpose.
Light that shines As a witness to Jesus. Salt that creates A thirst for what is Good.
Fight for each human’s Right to live in The light of Torchbearers – Lighting the way for others.
Blessed are the merciful. Blessed are the peacemakers. Think first to help someone else. Be a light who blesses others.
Don’t lose your saltiness. Don’t cover your light. Create pathways to Wholeness in this world.
Amen? Amen!
Are you Salt for a specific purpose? Does that influence your choice of Favorite Pastime? Does your purpose shed Light on your pathway? Is it peaceful?
What is your favorite pastime? Don’t tell me you don’t have one!
In her blog she wrote, “Age is a topic that adults of different ages often talk about in my therapy groups. We have so many preconceptions and judgments about age. For example, women aren’t supposed to share their age. Why not? I’m proud that I’ve reached the age of 71.”
She posted many quotes about aging. They got me thinking about that topic and how it relates to today’s prompt. Prioritize tomorrow? What about today? You’re one day older… How do you feel about it?
Do you look in the mirror and count your wrinkles? Or do you wink at the mirror and thank God for another day?
I commented about aging on Ann’s blog. This is what I wrote:
“Aging is a gift not all humans are given. It’s a privilege to age along side my 85-year-old hubby. I’m only six months behind him. We will celebrate our 63rd anniversary this February (and there were nay-sayers who said it wouldn’t last!). I can honestly say we love one another more now than we did the day we were married. It’s a well worn, comfortable, endearing, respectful love. If you are given the gift of aging, unwrap it, flaunt it, appreciate each day, share your gained wisdom, and thank God for each sunrise-sunset. Life is a gift!”
The Lord promises His continued love and concern for the elderly. “I will be your God throughout your lifetime — until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you (Isaiah 46:4)
Thank God for this new day. What is your number one priority for today? Carpe’ Diem!
In what ways does hard work make you feel fulfilled?
Hah! Hard work? How about YOU do that? I just wanna enjoy my retirement!
Maybe work on some creative project … but not too hard!
Enjoy the way cooling temperatures bring an early autumn, and…
smile with little Oliver because his twin, Noah, is coming home from the hospital today. His mom gave birth a week or so ago to two little angels – each nearly 8 lbs. – now, that’s hard work!!
Here’s Noah. Pray for him. Pray hard. He’s been having seizures. Pray for his complete health and happy future.
That’s Oliver, smiling because you’re hard at work praying for his brother!
God hears us. He cares. He answers prayer. Keep on praying. 🙏🏽
Are you hard at work praying? That makes me feel fulfilled: to encourage others and to help us all keep the faith. Yes! God bless you. Have a fulfilling day!
As most of you know, I spent my career in education. I taught all grades K-8 (except 3rd… don’t know why I skipped that one). Children are my passion…. their education, their safety, their equal opportunities. It breaks my heart when I see evidence of neglect or abuse or (heaven forbid) sex trafficking. Children are our most vulnerable humans and they need our protection, for they cannot protect themselves.
My passion for animals is especially poignant right now – – especially after our horrific accident last week when we lost our sweet puppy, Owen. I still can’t stop crying. My heart aches.
He was such a little rascal, but he wrapped himself around our hearts and we miss his company more than words can say. I am passionate about having a pet. Our house feels empty and vacuous without one. Owen filled all the empty corners of our hearts and our home. He brought such joy. How can we go on without a Boston Terrier chewing on our rugs, tugging on our heartstrings, filling our days?
Rest in peace, sweet puppy. You were an object of my affection, the recipient of my passion. Bob & I miss you so much!
My mom always quoted this saying: “It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”
I don’t know its origin, but I certainly believe it.
This week one of our writing prompts was: What strategies do you use to cope with negative feelings?
My daily routine helps me nip any negativity in the bud! I invite you to adopt this 12 step program, too. You don’t need a 12 step staircase like mine to do it. You can do it sitting in a chair! I say this 12 step prayer every morning on my way down the circular staircase from my sanctuary:
1. Thank You for the love 2. the joy and 3. the peace that are mine. Help me with 4. Patience, 5. Kindness, 6. Goodness, and 7. Faithfulness that brings blessings. 8. Gentleness and 9. Self-control. 10. Help me live humbly with an attitude of gratitude, and 11. a response of generosity, forgiveness, 12. Obedience and integrity.
In Jesus name, Amen!
May your day be filled with love and joy! May you adopt a daily routine that helps you chase any negative feelings away!
God Bless You! Hugs, JanBeek (and Bob ‘n Owen, too)
My middle name is Laura. I was named after one of my dad’s sisters (Aunt Laura). Twenty-one years later, it ended up being the name of my mother-in-law (Laura Belle). And eight years later, we named our daughter DeAna Laura.
The name Laura is the feminized form of laurus, Latin for “bay laurel plant”, which in the Greco-Roman era was used as a symbol of victory, honor or fame. The name represents the embodiment of victory and strength.
In British North America, the name Laura reached 17th most popular in 1880 and 1882, but dropped to #43 in 1899. It was among the top 50 names for female newborns for much of the early 20th century in the United States, but dropped to No. 100–120 between 1930 and 1950; reached No. 10 in 1969, and has since steadily decreased in popularity.
In Europe, Laura remains popular. In 2009 it ranked within the top 10 in Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Greenland, Luxembourg, Spain, and Switzerland.
(Isn’t that interesting, given the fact that DeAna Laura now lives in Switzerland?)
Here is my mother-in-law, Laura Belle with our daughter, DeAna Laura. (That was almost 50 years ago!) Two very precious ladies of victory and strength!
What is your middle name? And what significance does it have?
Today’s JetPack prompt was: Do you believe in fate/destiny?
Fate or free will? Destiny or our own decision-making? Can we have both?
I want to believe in both! Does the Bible teach us that God has numbered our days?
What does the Bible say about numbered days?
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending,” saith the Lord, “which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (Â Revelation 1:8)
On the Bible app, it then tells us, “In conclusion, the fact that God has numbered our days should serve as a reminder of His provision and care for us.”
Is that what you conclude? Does that scripture say God numbers our days? Does God really know on the day that we are born how many days we will live ?
Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom. Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
This scripture seems to tell us that WE need to number our days! And we need to treasure each one and live in wisdom. Making wise decisions!! What does that say about FATE?
In her blog she wrote, “Age is a topic that adults of different ages often talk about in my therapy groups. We have so many preconceptions and judgments about age. For example, women aren’t supposed to share their age. Why not? I’m proud that I’ve reached the age of 71.”
