RETRO-FOCUS!

Retrofocus has only been a photography "lens" term that I never quite understood.This past week I have used it as a lens through which I revisited my past times with Sarah Young. 

Looking back has soothed my soul. A much needed balm. 

A signature. A picture. Texts. E-mails. A cuppa together.

Notes in my Jesus Calling journal & other journals as well.

No WOE with her, no matter how many opportunities for woe in her life, her focus was rarely there. Maybe a simple prayer request that I saw as a "biggie." Then a turn  to Words of Encouragement for me. 

She also gave me encouraging words to share with others during tough times, when I had no words.

At the crux of my MAC cancer journey in 2009, an 8:37 pm email offered comfort so I could sleep.

Helping me to hang my guilt away in a locked area of my mind.(Isaiah 61:10)

Modeling God's grace to replace remorse.

Teaching me time with Him is the best R & R! (1 Chronicles 16:11)

Helping me focus. Refocus. And Refocus. (Repeat as often as it takes.)

Today I wished she were here with me, an SOS of sorts. 

I already know that she would remind me of the BEST SOS---when in distress, Seek Our Savior!  

I'll refocus with that sweet reminder from Sarah.

IMPORTANT EXERCISE

Exercise is important! 

Exercise can be difficult to incorporate into one's daily schedule.

Exercise with another can be an encouragement.

Exercising with another, aka fellowship, is essential for growth, from physical to spiritual! 

Fellowship, sharing time in God's word laced with prayer and physically coming alongside others in their struggles of life is an important earthly exercise with an eternal result. (Acts 2:42, 44)

ENCOURAGING WORDS!

ENCOURAGING WORDS!

Words from friends to lift one's spirit. Words one needs to hear.

A perfect card for today.............."Thankful Thursday." 

SWEET WORDS ON MEDITATION MONDAY

What a way to begin Valentine's Day!

Sweet words from scripture served up alongside a "cuppa" with a tad of honey and a splash of milk, yummy heart-shaped cookies (thx Wynellen) and an open Bible.

The Bible has a lot to say about "Sweet" words. Today let's start as we "Taste and See" that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8) as His words encourage us.

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and heart to the body. (Proverbs 16:24, ESV) NIV describes those gracious words as sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 

Other versions use different adjectives: Good words, (Brenton Septuagint); Kind words, (NLT);  Pleasant words, (Berean); speech of the wise, Aramaic; Well ordered words Douay-Rheims. Pleasant/Pleasantness used in 19 versions & kind used in 3.   

Regardless of the translation it's easy to get the idea. 

Today my focus is own "kind" words---spoken from the heart. Heart-shaped.

Like honey--sweet to the taste and good for your health. (Good News Translation)

May the Lord use my words to others as sweet to the spirit & body. 

Words of love on Valentine's Day and every day.

PUZZLED!

PUZZLED!

I've always heard, the 3 stages of life are...youth, adulthood and "my you're looking well!" When you reach the last stage you are checking the last box on all forms---65 or older!

Yesterday, I went to teach Bible Study at Town Village, a residence for "senior" living. I had hoped to "bless" their day through sharing God's word with them and to encourage them to be steadfast in their faith.

These folks continue to "walk with the Lord"---even if that walk is a bit unsteady or includes a cane, a walker or a wheelchair. One came fresh out of the shower so his wife had to save him a seat. His strength has been a bit "spent" lately but he didn't want to miss. He brings with him a sense of humor that lifts us all. Pretending to take a bite of the "apple" of our object lesson had all of us laughing. He is one who continues to "fight the fight" to finish the race and keep the faith.

There was fellowship in that room of "mature" people on the same side of the physical struggles brought on by aging. Other trials and problems as death of friends and family to loneliness and diminishing finances are shared but not despaired. 

How can that be? Puzzled? Not really. They have remembered to "number their days and apply their hearts to wisdom" (Psalms 90:12) so they show up.
They know aging can be a blessing for Christians.

This framed puzzle, put together by some of the residents of Town Village, says more to me than the beautiful teacups of the finished work. Their eyesight might be dimming and their frail hands translucent with visible purplish veins..... but together they keep the faith, 

encourage each other and complete a masterpiece. 

I go to bless others---but everytime I teach, I am the one who is truly blessed. 

PUZZLED? No....that's the way God works. 

CHOOSE SLOWING

Choose slowing. Sometimes age chooses slowing for us.

Then we have new choices. Attitudinal ones.

Will we "slow" because we have to, thus wearing a burden or agitation on our shoulder?

Will we choose to "slow" with acceptance, by His grace.

Slowing allows time for pondering.

Pondering can lead to praying with folded hands.

Praying can be encouraging for self...

...and others as one "pays it forward" with a smile on his face.

Note last letters in encouraging. Do something to encourage someone else---maybe someone a little older, and allow the Lord to take the aging process out of your self-focus to focus on others!

Pondering, as a verb, is to think carefully (Philippians 4:8) about something. Chew on. Contemplate. Consider.  Dwell on.
But.....pondering requires slowing. Slow down today so that your ponderings (noun) might be "God-focused"

CHOOSE: HAPPY

This sign is a BIG reminder of the "choice!" Thanks to Nancy E. for sending it to me from somewhere in Nashville.

Sometimes "happy" is a choice but receiving this encouraging picture let's me know someone out there is reading my blog. Intuit way, "happy" found me.

Just after typing this I headed upstairs to put away linens and "happy" found me once more---in the form of encouragement.

My T-Cup travelin' buddies gave me this "happy" bear as I was preparing to leave for Texas (2009) for an unknown # of of cancer surgeries. It even had "my cancer" verse, Psalm 30:11,  embroidered on it. 

To this day overtime I squeeze his little foot and he sings, "Come on Get Happy,"  I smile---and puddle at the same time, as I recall their send-off filled with love, prayers, encouragement and hope!!! God so answered prayers of healing and blessing during that season of suffering. During my surgeries, they took turns coming to Texas to be my "came-giver/nurses! 
Click here to hear the tune---"Come on Get Happy"

Hello world here's a song that we're singing Come on get happy. A whole lotta lovin' is what we'll be bringing We'll make you happy. 

Travelin' along there's a song that we're singin' Come on get happy. A whole lotta lovin' is what we'll be bringin' We'll make you happy We'll make you happy .

We had a dream we'd go travelin' together And spread a little lovin', then we keep moving on Something always happens whenever we're together We get a happy feeling when we're singing a song. 

Maybe I should choose to encourage others so that "happy" can find them.

"Lifter Uppers"

Been feeling low these past few days, especially in my lower back....but God sent a lifter upper from the "land of the living" (Psalm 27:13) and from His word.

But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. (Psalm 3:3)

A plethora of "lifter uppers"---an encouraging email from a "new to me" sister in California plus food with flowers from Jerrie's yard and Dove chocolate served with God's truth.

Let us.....

12/5/11 Let us draw near to God..... Let us hold fast to our hope that is in Him..... Let us consider one another..... (Hebrews 10:22-24) Part of my BSF lesson tonight dealt with these actions. Yet, it was verse 25 that has been speaking to my heart today. It comes right after stimulating one another to love and good deeds. "Encouraging one another."

It brought me to my knees. Then it brought me to my computer to solicit more prayers for Michael at St. Jude. The response has been so encouraging to me---others willing to approach the throne of grace on his behalf. Now Larry & I are asking the Lord to "let us" encourage this family in some way while they are in Memphis.

Let us all meditate on the "let us" verses and then let us rise and take action as we encourage the one whom God brings across our path.