It's All About The Season

         

        Seasons reverberate around us all the time and we barely recognize most of them, or take the time to even think about the season we've either gone through or are coming out of!  Certainly most of us realize we are in the beginning of the ‘Christmas season,’ although there are those who will say it started weeks (months?) ago.

We are also officially heading into the ‘winter season’ (perhaps not so much depending on your geography!)  —But, none the less, there are subtle changes even if not dramatic.   With the Thanksgiving holiday over, and changing weather patterns, regardless of where you live, you can tell 'change' is in the air.  (Sometimes it has more to do with travelers from one area of the country to another!)  

We know in a few months changes will happen again as spring brings newness to the earth where winter has put it to sleep; then summer arrives, followed by fall, then winter and the cycle repeats itself.

As adults we often relate to ‘seasons’ through our ‘life markers’.  We were children first in elementary school, then middle and finally we reach high school graduation!  We’ve learned to drive and have a job.  Many of us go to college, have sweethearts and marry.  Eventually we have children and then they follow the same cycle we did before them.

As we get older, we discover we are in the ‘season’ of grand-parenting!   We reached retirement and perhaps a slower pace of living and even find time for travel until our health changes our plans.

All of these ‘changes’ are seasons we seldom realize we’ve moved into since many are subtle and, expected changes; just like the weather seasons.  Anything different seems out of place.

How do all these seasons fit into our spiritual life?  Perhaps the better question would be how have we fit our spiritual life into all of the different seasons?   We get so caught up in the movement of life (often at a frantic pace) we tend to put our relationship with Christ on the shelf.  There just isn’t time to fit everything in!

As young people we strive to ‘fit in’ with our peers. We don’t always talk about our faith because the last thing we want is to have a friend think we’re ‘weird’ because we believe in someone called Jesus!  

      As teenagers our world is all about ‘us’ as we attempt to discover who we are and what we want out of life.  Once we are married and have a family of our own, we are busy with jobs, being a ‘taxi’ for all the events our kids are involved in; we’re caught up in trying to be the best parent on the block, while trying to keep up the status we are expected to carry in our neighborhoods or at work and sometimes even in our church!

All these elements end up being a distraction and we back off from what once might have been important—way back when we were young— our spiritual life.  

We end up feeling empty and lost, and searching; even sometimes for something we can’t define.  In desperation we remember that person called Jesus.  We cry out and rekindle that relationship we’d almost forgotten about.  Ever so slowly we find ourselves in the final season of life; nearing death.

The last thing we want is to be nearing our last breath and wondering when and how we veered off the right path!  How’d that happen?  Where did time go?  What choices did I totally mess up, or miss?  Was I the servant God called me to be, or just a shadow of what could have been? 

In what season do you find yourself?  Is this Christmas season filled with the hope, joy and love of Christ, or are you a little off course?  There’s no time like the present to again remember that unique person we know as Jesus.  He really is 'the reason for this season'!

Happy Thanksgiving

  “I remember Thanksgiving Day from my youth,” said a friend one day.  “It was such an amazing time of relaxing and sharing.  My aunts, uncles and cousins, along with Mom and Dad and my siblings would all gather over at my grandmother’s house where we shared an incredible meal of turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and beets or some other vegetable, cranberry sauce, fresh bread and lemonade or tea to drink.  

“The adults sat around and caught up on all the family news while the kids played games or even football if the weather was agreeable.  Sometimes someone would pull out a checker board or even monopoly or chess.  It was really entertaining watching the teen boys trying to figure out who would do what in that particular game.  They’d end up playing the winner and the competition could go on for hours.  

“The teen girls and my aunts would all help in the kitchen until the meal was done.  Of course every one brought something to share even with all the “fixin’s” Grandma would fix.  And then the dessert!  Oh my goodness!  There were pies of every description, brownies, cookies, and there were even times we actually made homemade ice cream.  It made for a long day, but it was awesome!

“We don’t do that anymore,” she lamented.  “And what’s sad is as an adult with children and grandchildren of my own, I’m not seeing that tradition continued.  Oh sure, those who live close come to eat, but not until most of the meal is finished.  The kids, instead of playing with each other watch TV, and then there is football.  It’s all changed.  After dinner and the kitchen is cleaned up, we share dessert and then everyone goes home.  The house is left empty and sad.”

I related to my friend’s story.  My own children are spread across the United States.  It’s difficult getting all of them together in one place for any holiday!  So I am especially thankful I have one of my five children and four of my seventeen grandchildren close to share Thanksgiving.  

Early in the day the grandchildren come in to watch the parade on TV while their momma and I work on dinner.  My husband and son-in-law are usually outside doing “guy” stuff, while waiting for football to come on after the parade.  

When we gather around the table, we hold hands to say grace, and with thankful hearts ask for blessing on the food, and for those who are with us only in our hearts.  We, like my friend lament the missing siblings and families, but are thankful they remain part of our lives, even though many miles separate us.  

We recall times at the Thanksgiving dinner table of when they were small, sharing some silly stories and some serious.  We are thankful for first responders, like our son-in-law who protects us as a police officer and for all those within our family, both immediate and distant who, by design, are part of our family.  

We are also thankful for all those people who have touched our lives, whether directly or indirectly and caused a smile.  We are thankful for our church family and a country where we can worship and teach our children respect, morals and the meaning of love, life and family.  We are so very blessed!

I am thankful for YOU!  I am grateful you choose to read my words and make my work worthwhile.  Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

#HappyThanksgiving   #ThankfulHeart  #Blessed  #Blessings  #TurkeyDinner  #Family #memories

Photo Credit:  https://www.istockphoto.com/search/2/image?phrase=thanksgiving

Be Thankful

It seems everyone can lay claim to “the most dysfunctional family!”  Mine is no different.  But I love the description of one friend’s family, as she in good humor, breaks it down. 

       “It seems Dad was married before he went into the war and they’d had a baby, but somewhere along the way, he met my mom and they had a child and eventually married after dad divorced his first wife.  They had issues all through their marriage and finally divorced.  My dad went “hippie” for a while and had several “relationships” and my mom married one of his brothers, but that marriage didn’t last either; and somewhere along the line my dad and his first wife got back together, but that only lasted a while too.  I’m not sure how my siblings and I turned out alright, but I sure am thankful!” she adds laughing.

Another friend tells the story of being deep within a family of alcoholics. She recalls putting her mother to bed while she was in a total stupor.  She says most of her family is gone now, but will tell you she misses them, despite the abuse that occurred during her young life.  She still has her mom who gave up alcohol after a long struggle and shares a good relationship with her.  For this, she is thankful.

      Obesity is the focal point of a story for another flawed family.  It seemed everyone in the family struggled with weight.  Even the toddlers were heavy.  High fat and carb meals were dominant three times a day.  Food was used for comfort, or when they were sad, happy, tired or celebrating.  Food had become the most important part of their world.  This family experienced sadness, depression and had its own kind of dysfunctionality.  And then one member made a decision. She would stop the cycle-- and through a two- year journey began making wise food decisions.  It changed not only her life, but those of her family.  For this she is thankful.

Disability is the center of a story revolving around another family.  Yet, when I read her story, I was in awe.  She was grateful for her disability, because it changed her perspective!  She believes she is a better person and has a stronger faith because of the ‘suffering’ that comes with having a disability! She is thankful for her disability!

What I find interesting is despite the dysfunctionality of any family, life goes on!  Lives can be depressing, horror filled, diseased, pained from bad decisions and circumstances.  But ultimately decisions can be made that are right and good, giving reason to be thankful.

We also have a church family, which also can (and often is) flawed.  This family binds us together in spiritual beliefs which helps keep us grounded, accountable, and striving to be more like Christ. It is in this place where our faith wraps around us in the form of family all united through God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit.  

        Even though we have our biological family, this is family where we often turn to when we are sad and lonely, happy and glad, questioning our steps, wondering what the world holds next and so many other questions directly related to our Biblical beliefs. 

Consider all the 'families' of which you are a part.  There is your biological family, church family, work family, neighborhood, community, sports families, national parties, special interest parties, and so many others.  Can you see the differences and still see the good? This is reason to be thankful!  

        Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!  I hope you are thankful and blessed!

#Thankful  #Thanksgiving  #BlessedAndThankful  #Disability  #Struggles  #BeThankful

Photo Credit:  https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/thankful.html 

Making Of A Hero

  Heroes come in all shapes in sizes. We are fast approaching Veteran’s Day.  On this day we pay tribute to service men and women in all branches of the military for their dedication, commitment, loyalty and sacrifice to protect the freedoms we enjoy and often take for granted in this country.  The cost of their sacrifice often includes emotional or physical distress.  Sometimes it costed a person’s life, the biggest sacrifice of all.

What makes a hero?  When I hear the word ‘hero’, besides our military, I can’t help but think of the 9/11 attacks.  Much was said about those firefighters and emergency personnel who honestly did heroic acts.  They worked tirelessly and selflessly to save as many victims as possible that horrible disaster.  And as brave and courageous as all these men were, the truth is our firefighters, police and military personnel do this day in and day out and hardly is any recognition given.

Jesus is rarely described as a hero.  Yet wouldn’t He exemplify the word to the greatest degree?!  Jesus was a man who went against what was traditionally taught and against the greatest evils of this world.  He went so far as to defy death with His resurrection.  What mere man can make that claim?  He set the stage for the opportunity of change in the right direction.

So the question bears asking.  Can anyone be a hero?  It is said happiness is staying focused on your mission, not your results.  We can be happy when we are humble, gentle, and patient.  When you add goodness, knowledge, self control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love while thinking about what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy, we have the perfect recipe for happiness!  

When we feel good about who we are because we are focused on the task before us, even if it seems dangerous to any observers, we can be heroic, even if others do not view it in the same light.  

Sometimes the task before us is to grow spiritually.  That requires the dedication of a hero, as well! It takes faithful determination to search the scriptures with diligence while staying focused on the message.  It is here you will find peace…..  not in what other people think about you!

Are you a hero?  Do you give selflessly to help someone in need?  Could you be defined as a hero in your prayer life?  Are you dedicated to lifting others in prayer?  Perhaps you are a hero to someone who needs meals delivered on a regular basis, or are you someone who is willing to sit and read to an elderly or homebound person?  Are you a hero because you fixed someone’s car, or cleaned their house or raked leaves?  

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes.  Heroes are defined subjectively totally depending on how important your aid is to another person.  It may seem a small act of kindness on your part, but to the recipient, it’s huge and important.  And yes, ----YOU could totally be considered a hero to someone who is grateful for what you do for them.  

free pics of veterans day