Veterans Day, Flag Day, 4th of July, etc.

The calendar calls for a patriotic theme!
Some will reminisce with grateful emotions;
Others choose to spend another holiday
occupied with ordinary commotions.

Hold on there! Give a moment for reflection:
Honor, duty, sacrifice for a worthy goal,
Everyone free, so everyone can choose
Godly values that ennoble the soul.

Mama Can't Fix

     For years, it was “run to mama, and she’ll make it all better.” She gave lightly blown kisses for skinned knees, a refuge from pestering sisters behind her apron. In later years, there were words of wisdom dispensed while she was peeling potatoes or kneading bread dough.
     We little girls saw how mama did it, and from our hearts of love we did the same things when we grew up and had our babies. It just seems right that mama can fix physical and emotional “owwies.” It was up to daddy to fix the wagon, the tricycle, and the washing machine.
     What worked when Danny and Lola were little established us in the “Super Mom” mode. And that set us up for disappointment.

One Reason to be Thankful

        Need a reason to be thankful?  A trip down memory's lane, via the old photograph album might be just what you need . . .
        Washing clothes outside on a sunny day was quite a chore. In cold weather mother would be downstairs in the small dark basement in a room lined with shelves full of jars of food she had canned. The clothes lines were strung across the room, and some long wooden poles helped prop them up when they were heavy-laden with wet clothes.
        Wouldn’t she be surprised to see our washing machines and clothes dryers now! We can be thankful for electricity and the genius of people who invented the amazing machines in our homes.

 (Mary Anderson, 3-24-1856 to 3-7-1939; 

she was my dad's grandma)

Click to enlarge the photo.

An Optimistic Look at My New Day

It’s a brand-new day, a grand new day,
I’m ready to take it on;
I’m going to be stronger for even longer,
Starting today at dawn.

The Shepherd and the Sheep

Do we see eye to eye?

It’s really impossible, isn’t it!

But there’s curiosity -- and caring -- and patience. 

“I’ll take care of you,” the good shepherd said,

“and you must learn to trust my leading.”

Viewing that quiet exchange of concern

gives you and me something to ponder:

We are the sheep of His pasture

And He is our Good Shepherd.

by Elaine Hardt ©2011
photo by Carlene Hardt ©2009 

Is It True?

        Our friend, Lucille, died yesterday. She KNOWS if it’s true, or not.
        You and I are still here, and we don’t know what Lucille knows.
        What happens at death? Where did this vivacious woman go? Her worn out body is left behind, but she is not here.

Every Day This Week: What I Want to Remember

SUNDAY:
I cannot do life on my own;
Thank You, LORD, I’m not alone.

MONDAY:
Today’s troubles are a test;
Help me, O LORD, to do my best.