Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Stay Tuned

It’s been 1 ½ years since I became a widow and my brain still gets foggy occasionally. By foggy I mean hard to focus or concentrate. I guess that’s to be expected from time to time after suffering a huge loss. When that happens, I usually go out in my yard and start pulling weeds or move some flowers that I think would look better in another location. Working in my yard and digging in the dirt is a good place to talk to God or just listen to nature. Sometimes I go out on the back patio and swing, remembering all the family activities that have taken place in the back yard over the last 38 years. Those were good times and I cherish all the happy memories we had with our kids, neighbor kids and now grandkids.


Since I’ve been retired, I have the opportunity to pick and choose when and where I spend most of my time. Staying in tune with God is my first priority and I love attending Sunday School, Church, Bible Study Fellowship, Encouragers (our widow support group at church) and especially praying and reading a daily devotional. I’ve also been reading a lot of books on Heaven lately; I guess because that’s where I know my Christian loved ones are and that’s where I’ll be one of these days. 1 Corinthians 2:9 – “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him”.


Some other things I enjoy and also helps keep me stay tuned into God is to be around His people (family and friends), enjoy His creation (fishing, gardening, traveling), and to encourage those I come in contact with; even if it’s just a smile. Job 29:24 – “When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them”.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Family Ties

Remembering how my life has changed over the last 60 years, I can’t help but reminisce about my younger days. Growing up my family was always together, whether going fishing, swimming, skiing, traveling, or just working around the house. Back then we didn’t have cell phones or computers to keep us occupied, but we did have a lot of fun just being together. Those family activities gave me a sense of security and that’s what I wanted for my children when the time came.
I married my high school sweetheart after dating four years. Four years later we started our family and had our first daughter; and three years later our second daughter came along. We did everything together like going to church, fishing, swimming, bowling, softball, and many other family activities. Sure, we had our struggles, but God helped us get through those tough times and our family stayed together.
Becoming grandparents was a wonderful experience and of course we wanted to be a part of their lives, just like our family had done in the past. We were there when our first three granddaughters were born and I was there when our grandson was born– it was important to be there to greet them as they came into this world.
When my husband of 43 years passed away from cancer, it was God and our family ties that helped me as I went through the grieving process. The Bible talks about both an earthly family and the family of God, which is all believers united together by the bond of faith. James 1:18 – “In His goodness He chose to make us His own children.” Having a wonderful earth family and a loving church family has meant more to me than anything this world could offer.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

New to Blogging

I am new to blogging, but not new to writing. I write the monthly newsletter for the widow support group at my church. Since my occupation was a secretary, I can't seem to rid myself of the writing bug. I am not sure what I will be writing about exactly, but I would like to post things that would be an encouragment to others. My favorite Bible verse to share is 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."