blessed

Posted on December 10, 2024December 10, 2024 by landktheluckyones

Comfort

We mom’s, will do anything to protect our “cubs’ from pain and heartache. We do this each step of their journey of breaking away from us to their adulthood. We are their biggest advocate. Cheering them on with all our might. For us, it does not stop there. We live through our kids. Their moments of joy, their achievements, their pain. When they have spouses and their own children, it continues on, Our “cub family” grows and our heart does as well.

My own heart is breaking for the loss of one of my sweet cubs and the pain the rest of my family is enduring. Some pain, a mom can’t fix. Despite their yearning to do so.

To magnify my own grief, we have lost more family and friends and everyday hear of more pain and suffering in those whom we know.

Often, I can find peace in the Words of my Lord. There are times though, that I don’t feel God speak to me through His Word. He knows me in and out. He knows where to speak to my heart.

He knows I am relational. He knows that I don’t take the care of others for granted. He knows how much I value those around me. Kindness bestowed.

In 2 Corinthians 1, it states that God comforts and encourages us in every trouble so that we will be able to comfort and encourage those who are in any kind of trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

God has comforted me numerous times in my life and sometimes, I didn’t see it until much later. However, during the course of several years, the Lord has been surrounding me with friends and family that He, in his wisdom, knew that I would need for this time. If you are in pain or in a hard season, I imagine He has done that for you as well.

God has comforted me through a dear friend meeting for a cup of coffee and praying over me,cards from those I hold dear, words of comfort from so many. My family’s sacrificial love. Through my sisters in Christ who have surrounded me with love, acceptance, encouragement while my “armor” is a little cracked. Through ladies that I meet with weekly, that mean so very much to me.

Even in unlikely places, such as our financial advisor and his assistant that brought words of comfort and has gifted me with attachments for my boots so that I wouldn’t fall again.

I believe God placed me to work side by side for seven years with a young man. An unlikely friendship, yes. Yet, we share a camaraderie. I believe we have a mutual respect and think highly of one another. He has reached out with encouragement at just the right moment to bless my heart.

These people have humbled my heart in their outreach of an underserving soul and I am filled with love for each one.

I am a selfish person by nature.That has been revealed to me more times than I care to admit this past year. I can feel sorry for myself as quick as you can snap your finger.

I feel the Lord is urging me to put my selfishness aside and look for opportunities to reach out to those around me who are hurting. To comfort those as God has comforted me through the hands of others.

Does it take the pain away? No, but I want to turn my pain into someone else’s comfort. For there are many who are suffering, not just me.

Posted on April 30, 2024 by landktheluckyones

Recently, I have enjoyed the Amplified version of the Bible. This Bible is intended to bring out the original meaning of the text. They do this in brackets so that you know that it is an explanation.

As I was reading the Beatitudes, I listed all the words for blessed included in the brackets. Here they are:

Spiritually prosperous
Happy
To be admired
Forgiven,refreshed by God’s grace
Inwardly peaceful
Spiritually secure
Joyful
Nourished by God’s grace
Content
Sheltered by God’s promises
Anticipating God’s Presence
Spiritually mature
Spiritually calm with life
Joy in God’s favor
Comforted by inner peace and God’s love
Morally courageous and spiritually alive with life
Joy in God’s goodness

It goes on to say:

Blessed are those that realize their need for God.

Blessed are those who mourn over sin when their burden of sin is lifted.

Blessed are the kind hearted,sweet spirited, the self controlled

Blessed are those who actively seek right standing before God. For they will be completely satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful for they will receive mercy

Blessed are those with integrity, moral courage and godly character for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers for they will express His character and be called the sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for doing what is morally right for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

I don’t know about you, but are these not things we want in this life and the one to come?

Jesus makes it possible for us to live this way. I personally, am thankful to be blessed. To realize my need for God, to seek Him, to want what He wants. To be freed from my sin and independence that drew me away from Him.He brings peace in chaos. He knows me in and out and through everything. With this, I can and you can, live in peace despite what is going on in the world. We need not fear. Trust Him today and be blessed! 😊

Posted on March 22, 2023March 25, 2023 by landktheluckyones

God is So Good

Everyone has things that go on in this life that are not good. We, as we journey through this life have a series of highs and lows. That is life.

Despite this fact, God is always taking care of us. He shows us bits of himself through friendships and loved ones. As we talk with Him, He gives us peace through the storms. Yes, we are the Lucky Ones to have an Awesome Father and those friends and family that touch our lives.

We had the opportunity to go visit my son and family. It was an amazing and enjoyable trip. My daughter-in-law was feeling good and we had the opportunity to not only see our grandson, Andrew’s first theatrical debut but also his band concert the next night. What a joy that was.

Even though he had a minor part. He did an excellent job!

Rather than giving him a bouquet of flowers for his performance, I made a candy bouquet.

Andrew is in the back with the green folder, playing trombone.

They did an amazing job!

On our way home, we were able to visit my daughter and grandson. Seeing both my kids in one weekend!

Today, I was blessed with talking with three of my friends. One of those friends that has been my friend since elementary school, treated me to lunch and gave me a beautiful card, some flowers and a little “smiley guy”. These are the connections that God designs to bring joy to our hearts and boy, does it! I am thankful for these times. He has blessed me with true, praying friends that I cherish so much!

If you know me, you know that I like “smiley faces”. I was excited when I came across this great find…and they go so well with the smiley guy! I just think that’s so fun! I feel smiling and laughter are God doing something special for His kids.

I am thankful to those whose kindness goes well beyond what I could ever dream.

Posted on September 18, 2022 by landktheluckyones

So Good

God is so good to us! We are so lucky to have a God that cares and gives us so many blessings! Yesterday, we went fishing. God provided so much for us. The beauty of Northern Michigan, fish and vegetables to sustain.

A couple years ago, it was so hard to get canning lids. I purchased some online and they have not proved to be good quality. Last night, while processing tomatoes, I was removing a jar that had one of those lids. When I placed it on the counter, the lid blew off!! 😳 Boiling tomatoes came out of that jar with such force!! All over the counter, walls, appliances, floor and unfortunately, on my hand and lower arm. I immediately rinsed off the tomatoes with cold water and applied lavender oil. I kept a bag of frozen corn on it for awhile. It was quite painful. This morning, the pain is gone and I have just a few areas where I missed putting lavender oil on that have blistered. I am so thankful that I had lavender oil on hand. Lucky!!!

Despite this mishap, I feel so lucky and blessed for God’s provision and that I didn’t have my face down there!

One thing I find interesting, is that I never felt I had anything in common with my grandmother. This year, as I ponder things… I find that we do have some similarities.

When I was 10 years old, my grandmother slipped on a rug and fell into her bathroom. Our dog, “Lucky” snuggled up to her all night keeping her warm in the old farm house. In the morning, she crawled across the large farmhouse kitchen and pulled herself up the refrigerator where the phone was kept on top to call us for help. She had broken her hip. Similarly, when I fell in our driveway, I crawled to our shed and pulled myself up the upright freezer and I also had broken my hip.

My grandmother always had a brown spot on her cheek. When asked about it, she claimed that a pressure cooker blew up in her face while canning. Her face was burned but she applied a Swedish liniment that she called Pitsi and the brown spot was an area that she had missed. Hmm. Similar! In any case, we have much to be thankful for.

Posted on January 29, 2022 by landktheluckyones

Ah, the Weekend

There is something about the weekend that brings a sense of relaxation (even if you are busy). The end of the work week, it seems is our own little sense of personal freedom. Even if that is just a mirage.

We are lucky today to experience the rays of sunshine in our midst. It beautifies the billows of snow within or midst. Oh what that precious sun does to bless our hearts. I thank God for this sun and for His Son that brings light into the darkness. Oh yes, we are lucky and blessed this day!

Posted on December 19, 2021 by landktheluckyones

How Lucky to be so Blessed!

If you know me, you know that everything that I do, relates to the heart.

I have been very fortunate (or lucky) to have had many people that have blessed my heart and dear friends that are etched in my heart forever.

I am so proud of my daughter that she persevered in her teaching degree while taking care of a household, husband, son and job. Having to put aside her friends for a time. She is such an inspiring teacher and role model for these precious little ones. Friday, some of her fellow teachers invited her to a get together . I am happy that she can finally resume friendships and have those blessings that I have grown to cherish and I know she will also.

We were lucky enough to hang out with Isaac for the short time that Tina was with her colleagues. Win-win for us!

On the very same day, my long time friend and sister in Christ gave me such an awesome gift. It blessed my heart and will think of her every time I mix up some yummy treat!

One of my coworkers shares my enjoyment of the “Snoopy” gang. She, much more than I. She has shared with me her progress as she and her husband created lawn ornaments for Christmas. I told her that I would check it out once they got the lights on.

Yesterday, while finishing up our last minute shopping, we stopped at Wendy’s. A young man that grew up in the Wesleyan church that I attended and was in my Sunday School class was there. He is involved in a ministry of mentoring young men. Teaching them how to study the Word and pray and how to discipline. Meeting them where they are at. What a blessing it was to see him!

God is so good. He makes me feel lucky and blessed so many days. HE is the reason for us being “lucky” and I am so thankful!

Posted on November 26, 2021 by landktheluckyones

Thankful

We are definitely the “lucky ones”. Lucky for us is synonymous with blessed. I am so thankful everyday for God showering us with His favor and blessing us so much more than we can imagine. He is so good to us!

Even though we would have preferred to have all our family together, we were blessed to have both kids and their families on different weekends.

My daughter and family came for a Leonard’s birthday/Thanksgiving celebration. We are lucky to have them over!

Leonard got his 8-point that he’s been wanting.

Posted on July 25, 2021 by landktheluckyones

I Remember…

I remember telling my friends that I didn’t want anything to do with kids. I was not going to have any…Ever!

Well, life has a way that at times, causes us to eat our words, especially those spoken as a young adult. I became a parent and the joy that has filled my heart through this has flowed like a river through my life. Now, as a grandparent, I am filled with love and pride as I yearn to be a memorable part of their lives. It is only in God’s great mercy and love that He has designed us to fill our hearts with such love for our children and then our grandchildren. What a “lucky” gift this is from Him.

There have been times that it has been hard to be a parent/grandparent when we have to witness our children and grandchildren go through hard times. Also, it is a hard thing when they have to be set free to live their own lives and we don’t get to see them as much.

I remember loving the days that my kids didn’t have to go to school. It was so exciting to “hang out” with them. They were such a joy to be around.

This is the same feeling that I get when they visit.

This weekend, I not only had the privilege to see my daughter, Tina and grandson, Isaac once as they came to pick berries, but twice…when, Leonard had the idea of a surprise visit to their house. I love seeing these special people. I am so glad, that God had a better plan for my life than what I had for myself. This has happened so many times in my life! I am so thankful!

I look forward to this afternoon also, when my son and grandsons call for a video chat. I am thankful that both of my children are attentive to me, their humble but loving mum and their fun dad.