See ya later...

Instead of "Good-Bye", sometimes I like to say "See ya later"! I don't know, it somehow seems to sound more 'light-hearted' and promising. Good-Bye seems so final. Visits between our "Good-Byes" can sometimes be VERY long... even into the next life...

With the passing of family, friends, co-workers... we realize that saying "Good-Bye" can be hard... devastating or tragic.

Just this week, with the passing of two well-known men of our fellowship: Rev. Billy Cole and Rev. Cory McCool, many "Good-Byes" were said. But the great things is... we will meet again! We will not sleep forever! Some day, on the golden streets of heaven, we will be able to say "Hello" again!

I was considering how long it had been since I had seen some of my friends. It has been MANY years for some. I told you this summer that I got to meet up with my friend, Kim. She and I were room-mates at JCM (Jackson College of Ministries) in 1981. I had not seen Kim for 29 years, since her wedding. (See our 'reunion' picture below!)



The same weekend, I caught up with Sue. She has visited me during my father's services and we just had to have a "girls day out"...and we did! After almost 28 years, since MY wedding, she and I had a fun day or food, talk, fellowship... repeat! (Sorry! We BOTH had our cameras with us and forgot to take pictures...too busy talking!)

Sue and I met up with Teresa, another 'long-lost friend' for breakfast the next day. Why had we let the years go by and not re-connected before? Life just kind of steers you in different paths at times... so nice when they "intersect" again!

So, this week, I am off for another visit. I am almost 'guilty' in saying that I am FINALLY going to visit my brother Al and his children in Texas! He has been living there for about 27 years and this is my FIRST visit! Shame on me! I know....LIFE just kind of "filled-up" my time. Now, my hubby and I are alone... the kids (both girls) are married and living in Indianapolis (too far, fo sho!). Their husbands and the grand-baby are just too far away! I'm not good with the "separation" issue!

When I get on the plane in Columbus on Thursday, it will be such a treat! Sorry that my hubby cannot go (work, work, work...). I will miss him...:(

I WILL get to meet some new friends and meet up with some more older ones! Lori, my new sis from Minnesota gets to go with me as my traveling buddy! I am so excited to meet her and travel with her... she has a wonderful heart and I know that all will be fun and encouraging when we are together! Some of my dear girl-friends from yester-year: Bonnie, Susie and Lori, will be there for me to "catch up" with. I know I will meet others and that is exciting too!

So, when we start to say our good-byes at the close of another visit, I'm going to say, "See ya later"! That is what I truly want to happen... I want to see ALL my friends later... if not in this life, then in the one to come!

Strength for the task

Since I have never been a military soldier, I am overwhelmed by the courage and commitment that I see in the men/women of our armed forces. Trying to explain their brave hearts or unselfish acts would be unfair...to them. They are what they are ~ They do what they do ~ it is protection in it's rawest form..... right in the heat of the fight!

Today I will TRY to say thanks. With Memorial Day just past, I realize that the need to appreciate our soldiers is greater than ever before. Veteran's Day is nice to honor the living, and Memorial Day is there to honor those who gave the greatest sacrifice for us, to have a "free" America.

My father served in the Army when he was VERY young. Luckily (and from much prayers of my Grandparents) he returned safely from the Korean War, serving time in Korea and Japan. Although he talked of his experiences, I never told him thanks.

As a youth, many times we take the "strength and courage" of others for granite. Reflection, many times, will remind us of the simple tasks that others have completed that makes our life easier today. We should be thankful, we should express our thanks.... not wait.



Since I have never had to be commanded to go into the "heat of the battle", I marvel at the fortitude (guts, grit, stamina and determination) of the soldiers mind. When you read or see a soldier "readying their mind" for service, many times you will see them praying. They know that the ultimate strength and protection comes from above.




As we face ANYTHING in life, may we be wise enough to follow the soldier's example.... seek help, ask guidance and pray for protection/knowledge from HIM.

Ephesians 6:10-12 (King James Version)

¹⁰Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

¹¹Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

¹²For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Yes, we are in a spiritual battle. We must have help. We CANNOT complete the task on our own.

There is a beautiful old song that The Hemphill's sang that said:

There's not one hole in my armour

Jesus covers me well

I'll never fall, if I wear it all

Satan's darts cannot prevail

Yes, we are in a spiritual battle. May I be smart enough to ask for strength for the task...

God's Stars...US!

Recently during the 2009 season of the popular British TV show "Britains Got Talent", some extra special talent was brought to light. You Tube, Oprah and other popular media outlets were "abuzz" with the video clips of two people: Paul Potts and Susan Boyle. If you haven't checked them out, you need to start "Googling" (Googling is a word now, right?) right now! Paul singing opera and Susan singing "I dream a dream" with perfection. It "started" the judges and all that heard them.

As my hubby and I watched the You Tube clips of these contestants, we cried. Such raw, natural talent....unpretentious....just wanting to show their God given talents to the world! Very moving. In reflection, I thought of how many times God picked the "underdog" over the "popular choice".

My first thoughts went to David. The young, ruddy, shepherd boy...out taking care of his family's sheep. Only God knew his "hidden strength". Why, he slew a lion and a bear that came in to threaten his flock! So, when the prophet was told to go anoint a new king from the house of Jesse, the older, more experienced brothers were brought forth first. They were paraded before the prophet Samuel, one by one....each time with the Lord saying, "No"...until there were no more brothers in the house! But out in the field the cry was given, "David, come home." It was David's time to shine...by God's design, not man's.

Another wonderful Bible story of mine is the one concerning the publican and sinner at prayer. The publican was "puffed up", spouting his virtues, acting "better than" the lowly sinner over "there". The sinner was so moved and "awed" by the grace of Almighty God, that he smote his chest and said, "Be merciful on me, Oh God, a sinner." Jesus said the sinner went away more justified.....chosen and accepted.

Gideon was "threshing" in the field when God called him a "Mighty Man of Valor". He looked around, wondering, "Who? Me?" After verifying the will of God by laying out the "fleeces", he let God use him for great victory for his people. What a story!

Many movies are made, heralding people who have "overcome" great obstacles....Rudy, Shawshank Redemption, the Count of Monte Christo...and the list goes on. These are my favorite types of stories....where the average guy/girl wins!

To God, it doesn't matter if you are popular, the "right" age, better equipped, have more experience, or are more beautiful than others....HE does not go by outward appearance (looks, charm, personality)...(can I interject a loud "Hallelujah, Thank You Jesus" right here?)....He makes us worthy and sees our worth in our character....the true essence of us! He "sees" me with eyes of love like no-one else can do or ever will. He believes in ME.....

So, with a thankful heart, I am overwhelmed today that a King would even acknowledge my existence. He picks me out, let's me shine for him, and continually assures me that I am the apple of his eye. No, I'll never figure out how or why he loves me like this, but it is past my finding out and I will just "receive" his love and acceptance. Just as I am I come to him....he waits for me with open arms and a smile. I'm his favorite kid! And what is so cool, his love is not diminished by loving all of us just as intently and equally.

Yep, I'm glad he's my heavenly father....the best for sure! :) We are his STARS!

You name it....

Some call them antiques, collectibles, treasures, heirlooms....and some just call it "junk". I have a little of "all the above".

My love for antiques comes mostly from my mother. Her house is full of antique beds, dressers, dolls, mirrors, pictures, glass...I think you get the picture. My little grand-daughter had a "hey-day" at her house a few times...picking up and chewing on all the fancy "kick-knacks". My Grandma Forsythe called them "dust collectors" or "plunderations". Yes, we all are guilty of "collecting" mementos from the past. Each have special meaning to us that makes it's price invaluable.

I am reminded of a contest that happened in our town a few years back. A local "recycling" chapter started and wanted a new slogan. My girls submitted the "You refuse it, we'll reuse it" quote....and they won first place!

I have quite a few such "treasures" in my house. I have the cabinet that Grandma and Grandpa Forsythe purchased the year that my Dad was born (1935), I have Grandma Forsythe's McCoy pitcher, gravy boat, paring knife and sugar spoon. I have a teapot and a pitcher from Grandma Richards, a gravy boat from Grandma McBride and a couple toothpick holders from Mamaw McBride. All these "collectibles" are in my old cabinet.

The cabinet is new to me. I found it at a building supply store in Wheeling, WV. I stopped by there one day to "ramble" through the furnishing torn from houses demolished in the area.....I saw mantel after mantel....some ornate, others plain and serviceable, but all beautiful! My eye caught a cabinet with the glass broken out. The sale sign said $20. I could not believe my eyes! It's a good thing I was driving an SUV that day, it barely fit into the back of the vehicle. When I arrived home, my husband said, "What are you going to do with that piece of junk?" I told him it was a treasure! He promptly cut me a new piece of glass for the front and I think all total, we have invested $38 in this beautiful antique.



None of my pieces are in perfect condition. The cabinet has the legs scared and chipped paint....but I love it! I think the beauty is in the flaws. Looking at these items lovingly is the way that I imagine God looks at us. He knows we are not perfect, he sees the flaws, but he loves us dearly!

I received a real treasure last week. My step-mother, Jean, was cleaning out Dad's things and found another harmonica. We had found the small one that he played regularly at an earlier time. This harmonica was a large, Mississippi brand, key of C, harmonica. She gave it to me! I was so grateful! My husband has just started playing a harmonica, and I know he will enjoy practicing on this one...but for now....I go to the cabinet in the corner, full of my "precious souvenirs" and put Dad's harmonica in the gravy boat owned by his mother. It gives me peace, makes me happy knowing that they are together in this manner on earth...for I know that they are reunited in heaven. I just hope they don't start the full celebration til I get there....cause I don't want to miss a thing!

The Important "Things"....

I found myself singing the other day an old tune (won't go into how old!) that I heard from the ORIGINAL Gaither Vocal Band. If you don't remember their beginnings, you may be too young to read this post! (just joshing ya!). The song was, "The things that last forever". I'm not sure if I have all the lyrics right, but I think it went something like this:

The things that last forever, the things that never die
I give myself each day I live, to what I know will never die
Yes, I will give myself away for things that will never die

"Things"...I have PLENTY of those! I'm sure you do too. "Stuff" that is just material possessions...stuff that I/we can live without. We could make lists of the types of items that fill our lives. Isn't it easy to become attached to these 'things"? The "things" we cannot live without (or so we think!).

If there was one item you could not do without, what would it be? In this day, I would probably guess that the answer would be the "cell phone". Have you seen the new choices? The phones can call, text, serf the web, take pictures, play music, record videos, link computers and much more. Astounding! Your own personal robot in a box...

I asked my Sunday School Class the other day what they would grab in the case of a fire in their home/location. Of course getting all family members out safely was the first, and unanimous answer. After loved ones, the Bible and pictures were the next "grabs". Everything we "rely" on for survival would be gone: clothes, appliances, furniture, beauty aids, pantry items, toys, electronics and much more. All these "things" can be replaced, purchased again...people cannot.

"The things that never die" are the "things" worth living for: Your spouse, your kids, family and friends. Let's even break it down a little further....your neighbor. The disciples asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus proceeded to tell us that everyone is our neighbor in the wonderful, caring story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37). He also let us know that we should be concerned about them. "Love thy neighbor as thyself". Wow! And we think we do good to take care of our own, I am commanded to take care of everyone else too! The lessons that matter...

A new song by Tim McGraw, "Nothin' to die for" talks of many "silly" choices we make that are NOT worth living for. The chorus then tells of the "things" we do live for:

You'd give your last breath to your wife
Take a bullet for your kids
Lay your life down for your country, for your Jesus, for your friends
There's a whole lot of things you say you're living for
You've got to fight it somehow, stop and turn around,
'cause this ain't nothin' to die for

Stop and turn around....take "inventory" of what is most important to us! Are we spending our time, health and concerns on "empty", temporary, "things" that have no future value? Embrace the choices that have lasting rewards.

Are you spending enough time on the right portions of your life? God reveals the true treasures...."Sweeter than honey, more precious than silver or gold, fairer than anything, is Jesus to my soul."

Singing in the rain

Woke up this morning to the sound of thunder. April showers are definitely here! Should I rise or not rise? The sounds of the distant "thunder rumble" is lulling me back to my slumbering place.....a place where all is content and wonderful....it's like a water bed without the seasick feeling....I can stay here..... all is well and joyous.... till the alarm clock starts irritatingly ringing! Why do we have to arrise at 5 AM? Seems inhumane on a day like this!

But, my hubby is up early, as always, getting ready for work, doing his morning workout ritual. He falls asleep and wakes up FAST! You can be talking to him and when he doesn't answer, you hear his snore...yep, he fell asleep...just like that! AMAZING! In the morning, before his feet hit the floor, I hear him say, "Thank you Lord for another day!" Now for me, it is an entirely different story...

I cannot even find my voice box when I first arise. Hubby has learned to interpret my mubblings....really funny! Three short mmmm,mmmm,mmmm, means I love you. Uhuh, UUah stand for "Yes" and "No". He "gets" me....

When my feet first hit the floor, my eyes are barely open. For me, it takes a full "cycle" for me to become "fully" awake. I describe it like a computer rebooting....first the brain gets a nudge, then each of my faculties begin to fire, none of them wanting to outdo the other...they are not zealous and have to be first up to bat! I am usually going about my morning ritual by rote before my brain finally becomes functional and says "oh, I'm awake!" It is then like I am "firing on all pistons" at once.....watch out, here I come! Full steam ahead...

When my girls were small, hubby said he would watch me go from a deep sleep, to walking across the room when one of the girls would just whimper in their sleep....It's the "mother's inner sense" coming to life....we just "know" when we are needed and respond accordingly, by natural instinct we nurture, divide and conquer for our children. I am thankful for my motherly instincts, they are a blessing!

Seems like life can be our "wake up call". How we respond is up to us! Yes, we have to take responsibility for our daily actions AND reactions. We may be the type that jumps up and takes charge, or lays back and "picks up steam" on the down-hill track. Whichever type you are, we just need to eventually "open our eyes" and wake up! If you are kindhearted, sometimes it is painful to open your eyes to the situations that surround us. I must confess, I have that problem. When a situation effects me deeply, I have the "kick into overdrive, fix it syndrome". The "troubleshooting" part of my personality takes over and I WILL find a solution! But, sometimes after working so hard towards an answer or solution and do not see ANY change or positive results, I get tired or so hurt that I "want to go back to sleep to escape the hurt". Been there too?

In my "pull the covers over my head times", the Bible is my greatest encourager! The scripture always increases my faith and lightens my "outlook".

Philippians 4:6-7 says:

⁶Be careful (anxious, worried) for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

⁷And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

We are all looking for the "peace that passeth all understanding", and it can be found in taking all our needs to the Lord. Then can we find rest for our souls, hope in troubled times! We won't want to miss out on the rain! Rain has it's benefits...

A couple of years ago, my hubby bought me a plaque that says, "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." I am trying to aspire to his thought. It has not been easy, but I have found that all "good plans for success" in life are a work in progress. I have always loved the term, "Singing in the rain".....trying to literally make a melody in the downpour!

As always, let me hear from you! I have set up a "Followers" link, please take the time to join with me and celebrate our "reflective hearts". Your story is important, share and you will be blessed! Can't wait to hear from you...:)