Random thoughts, funny life events, inspirational thoughts, cat stories. This blog is inspired by things that occur on a daily basis in my life. Sometimes humorous, sometimes sad, sometimes informative or inspirational, but always inspired by my daily walk with God.
This post is very special to me. Mother’s Day is a time to recognize all the women who have nurtured children in their lives. My mother won’t be here with me this year to celebrate all she gave me. I miss her.
I miss the time when I was a young girl and we went to the zoo to see all the animals and to share a picnic lunch there.
Mom and I at the St. Louis Zoo
It was remembering those special times that gave me the inspiration to invite her on a vacation to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Just the two of us. We shared stories, laughed, and listened to books on tape during our drive. We visited Dollywood and Cade’s Cove. We shopped, sampled meals at different restaurants, watched shows. And at night we sat in chairs and did needlework and talked about all the good times we’d had that day. It was Mom’s first real vacation … EVER. Two years prior to the trip, Mom had undergone a six way by-pass heart surgery. The doctors said many of her smaller arteries were still clogged but they couldn’t do any more. She revived well, lost weight and regained energy. I’ve never seen my mother’s eyes so full of joy as during our time at Dollywood.
Mom at Dollywood
After my father passed in January 2005, I tried to convince Mom to sell her house and move to Ohio to be with us. She wasn’t ready yet to leave her home and I could understand that. She’d lived in the same place for 50 years. But I did convince her to come visit us at the end of summer. She’d never been to our house before. We always made the trip to Illinois to visit them each year. What a treasure this picture is of her with her grandchildren in September 2005. But after two weeks she was ready to go home.
Family Gathering 2005
Four years passed and mom could no longer keep up with the house. So we made plans to convert our home to accomodate her. I know how difficult the decision was for her to make. She had to leave her beloved home, family members, and her cherished cats behind. She felt her cats were too old to make the journey. This is a picture of Mom in her home holding Maggie, her special friend.
Mom and Maggie 2006
On Memorial Day week in 2009, we traveled to Illinois to get her. It was a bittersweet time. My heart ached knowing I would never be visiting my childhood home again and I know Mom’s heart was breaking. She was a trooper. The first night in her new bedroom, she was sitting on the side of the bed with her head down. When I asked her if she was all right, her response was: “I’m just thanking God for all my blessings.”
Being near her grandchildren and great grandchildren was special to her. We all lived so far away and some of her great grandchildren she’d only seen in pictures before. Mom liked to have fun. At one of the great grandkids birthday party, she put on some silly wax teeth with me and middle daughter and let her picture be taken. Though mom worried about appearances and whether people would like her, with family she was a different person.
Having fun wearing silly teeth at a birthday party
Mom made the best of her new situation. And our cats comforted her in the loss of the ones she’d left behind. Templeton adopted her. He would lay on her walker and wait for her to give him a ride. Mom got her exercise pushing him around from kitchen to bedroom and back again. To this day, we occasionally give him a ride on the walker.
Mom getting her walk with Templeton
Mom enjoyed sitting in her chair in the living room and visiting with family. On Christmas, everyone came to visit, even a son who lives in Colorado. I love this picture of her taken on Christmas 2009.
In her favorite chair Christmas 2009
Then just four days after Christmas, Mom suffered a major heart attack. On December 30, 2009, she went on to her eternal home. I miss her all the time. I’m so glad we were able to spend her last seven months on earth together and I know she’s looking down from heaven with a smile. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. I love you!
Today while working out on my treadmill, I watched a sermon by John Magee Ministries. Pastor Magee was talking about our perspectives. This really hit home for me. Too many times I complain about the state of our country, the politicians, and all the things that are wrong and should be different. I shake my head when I hear of another law that goes against God’s word.
If there is one thing I’ve learned from years in the business world, it’s that change happens not from the top down, but change happens from the bottom up. Go ahead and disagree with me, but if you have an office filled with workers who complain about everything wrong with management and decisions they make, whining and griping, negative attitudes…guess what? You’ll find a negative attitude in the seats of power, too. But what if all the workers did the job they were hired for and did it to the best of their ability, being joyful in the opportunity God has provided? Smiles and positive attitudes are catching. If people see you doing this, they want what you have! If you see an office where people are happy, smiling, working hard to achieve their goals, you’ll find a happier management willing to do more for the people who work for them.
I also believe that change must happen in our homes first. If we have a Bible in our home, if we have prayer in our home, if we have respect in our home, then we will pass that on to others. It’s catching. Change must happen in the streets before it can ever reach our politicians.
Jonah 3:5 “So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.”
The people believed God! Then what happened?
Jonah 3:6 “Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes.”
Can you picture this? Can you picture our political leaders abandoning their bashing of each other, and clamoring for higher positions through lies and avoidance? Hard to do, right? But close your eyes and picture it! Picture them turning aside from political agendas and turning to God. Picture them admitting their sins and asking for a “God plan” instead of a “stimulus plan.”
We’ll never know unless we begin to make the change within ourselves and within our own homes. You want respect? Teach it in your own home. When you go out on the street today and see someone who doesn’t meet your personal criteria of the right kind of person, treat them with respect. God loves everyone! He doesn’t love just the people we love, just the people we want to associate with, just people like us.
We are to be like Jesus.
Changes happen in small increments. Change doesn’t happen overnight. But with God all things are possible! If God is with us, who can be against us?
My cat, Templeton, is such a character! If he knows I’m doing laundry, he will jump in the laundry basket and refuses to get out.
Templeton in the empty laundry basket
He even allows the clothes to be piled on top of him!
"What do you mean? There's room for me, too!"
He remains in the basket as I carry it up and down two flights of stairs. This cat is NOT afraid of anything…not even the vacuum. In fact, the other day I put the curtain attachment on and brushed him. He didn’t even blink an eye. He’s not afraid of electric tools, including saws. He’s just full of curiosity and needs to be part of every experience.
I love this cat!
We have a beautiful blue sofa in our family room which was given to us by a dear friend when she remodeled. It’s been in our family room for a good five or six years now and it’s as gorgeous today as when we received it. With the oncoming spring sunshine, I wanted to spruce up the family room with some lighter curtains to let in the light.
With just a few touches, a room can look completely redecorated and revived.
I found some perfect curtains and while I was browsing, I ran across some gorgeous throw pillows which perfectly complimented the colors in the room. Next my eyes were drawn to a nice throw rug which would look great at the bottom of the stairs. With just a few touches, our family room looks great.
Close Up of Pillow
Sofa with pillows
Not a very clear picture, but this is the rug
I was reminded once again of the difference in the way the male brain operates as opposed to the woman’s brain when hubby and I purchased a new weed and edge trimmer yesterday.
Hubby could not wait to get his hands on the new tool, but I had to help him remove all the pieces and parts from the box. Immediately he began turning things and then complaining that the trimmer portion was facing the wrong way. Um, yeah, YOU turned it while you were playing with it.
I asked him to hand me the instructions. I opened the book and then showed him how the “lock” “unlock” codes worked to allow the instrument to be turned as a weed whacker or an edger. To which he replied, “Yeah, that’s right.”
I pick up one of the parts which has an instruction tag on the handle and proceed to remove it.
Then he said: “Wonder what holds that to the handle?”
“Wait just a minute,” I said. “Let me get this instruction tag off and we’ll see how it works.”
Hubby: “Oh, so suddenly I don’t know how to put things together?”
Me: I hand him all the pieces and parts and say, “Have at it.”
Men do not need instructions. They can handle anything by jiggling and playing around with it until they get it right, break it, or get frustrated and ask for instructions.
I hope he puts his glasses on when he reads the instructions which obviously were printed for women who purchase the product.
What do your actions say about you as a Christian?
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) says: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
In my busy life, sometimes I’m hurrying to meet a deadline and instead of a smile, my face probably registers an impatient frown. When I hear something I question or don’t agree with, instead of keeping a passive face, my expression might be one of “eye-rolling”, a tightening of the lips, or a smirk.
These are not Christian traits! These are the things I struggle with and pray each day to overcome. I want to be a blessing to others, to show others the joy and happiness that comes with having the Holy Spirit fill my heart and soul.
The media is filled with so-called Christians hurting others in some of the most horrid and wicked ways imaginable. Those who have not yet been saved, point fingers and say: “See what Christians do! They are hypocrites!”
Stereotyping.
Something we should beware! No one wants to be labeled. Judging others is not what we are called to do. God will handle the judging and he will impart the punishment. All of us will one day stand before our Maker and confess our actions while we walked on earth. The masses will be separated, one half going into the eternal fire and the other into a new heaven and earth…our eternal life, our inheritance.
What do you reflect to others by your actions, words, and expressions?
Does anyone else have a spouse like mine who plots the perfect time of day to pull an April Fool’s joke each and every April 1st?
I can never think of anything to retaliate or to get him first! Every year I tell myself I’ll be ready. This time he won’t get me. Ha!!
So, Sunday went along smooth and quiet. I thought he had forgotten. I relaxed my guard. Bad mistake.
We were getting ready to head out the door on Sunday evening when hubby makes a calm statement that the wheel is loose on his oxygen caddy.
Hubby: “The wheel is loose.”
Me: (thinking) I guess I’ll have to call the oxygen company tomorrow and have them bring out a new one.
I walk closer.
“Loose?”
Hubby: “Yeah. It came off. I had to push it on, but it’s loose.”
Me: As I bend down to check it…
Hubby: “April Fool!”
Gah!!!!! Caught again.
Hubby decided he needed to have our Cleveland Select pear tree topped. It’s spring and the tree is filled with lovely blooms and just getting it’s gorbeous green leaves. Now the poor thing has about 15 feet of growth chopped off the top and it looks slightly like a person with long hair getting a buzz cut. I hope the tree survives.
I looked up info on the internet and found that these trees rarely need pruning and if they are pruned it should be in the winter, not in spring when they are in growth cycle. Also learned that the tree should only be pruned of branches that are not at 60 degree angles and should be cut at an angle. Hmm. Poor little pear tree.
Hubby and the Wishing Well He Built
I wonder…is he right brained or left brained? I would tend to think he’s left brained except for the annoying habit of not researching before he does things like chop off our lovely pear tree!
I make lists, too. Sometimes. They are difficult for me unless they are simple grocery lists. I make them so I don’t forget to buy milk because I get distracted looking at all the items as I stroll up and down the aisles and come up with ideas for new recipes to try.
I would love to be able to write out the scenes for my books, write a detailed synopsis, or use one of the great outline techniques I’ve learned. Talk about painful! I just can’t seem to do it. My comfort zone is grabbing an idea and just writing. Sometimes I run into a snag and I ad lib to fix it.
I think I’m right brained…but then there is that annoying habit of researching what should be done BEFORE chopping on a pear tree.
So after I had my emotional meltdown and asked God to help me and lift me up, He answered right away! How can I not share this with all of you?
After posting my emotional meltdown blog and prayer, I made a cup of tea, fixed two pieces of cinnamon toast, hugged my hubby and told him I would be downstairs doing my Bible Study lesson. Before that, I opened my “God’s Great Blessings Devotional” written Patricia Raybon and published by Tyndale. The title of the devotion is “Praise: That Shakes Things Up.”
I read the scripture Acts 16:23-26 which tells the story of Paul and Silas who were beaten and imprisoned after removing an evil spirit from a slave girl. While they remained chained in the deep inner cell of prison, they prayed and sang hymns to praise God. Suddenly, an earthquake shook the prison and all the prisoner chains came loose and the doors opened!
I was reminded that the time to praise God is while we are in the midst of trouble, not just when we are walking on smooth ground and all is good! I feel washed in God’s spirit, joyful, hopeful, and smiling.
Thank you, God, for Your answered prayer, for removing the heavy burden and giving me the armor of Your unfailing love with which to approach all things. Nothing is too big for You! No mountain can withstand Your mighty power! I am blessed! I am humbled. I am Yours. Amen.
A personal emotional meltdown. I’m in the middle, trying to pull myself back out of the hole. For weeks I’ve been battling with my procrastination toward writing, not sure why it’s become an issue. Wondering if it is the devil throwing stumbling blocks in my path, or if I’ve chosen a calling that God really didn’t call me to do.
The weather is warming up. Spring is sprouting beautiful flowers weeks ahead of time. The sun is shining. The yard is in need of serious attention. Flower beds need weeding. Mulch needs to be removed, soil treated, new mulch required. Land timbers need replaced. Rotting wood along the base of the deck. Stairs in need of repair. The shed floor rotting and dangerous to step on. Weeds, weeds, everywhere.
Inside the house, walls in need of painting. Carpet needing replaced. Stairs giving a loud groan of protest, signaling possible collapse. Ceilings too high to reach the cobwebs. Flooding in basement which reached carpet. Musty. Damp. Depressing.
My eyes scan and see the multitude of tasks needing done, but my mind cannot process it without a feeling of overpressing depression. Can I do all of this myself? Can I keep my feelings hidden, show joy and not make my husband feel guilty for not being able to help? He used to do all these tasks, but now he’s not able.
I’m having an emotional meltdown, but I can’t unload it on my beloved husband. For years he carried the burdens, and he did it without complaining, without breaking down. Now it is my turn. I need to be strong for him.
I am so grateful for all the blessings God has bestowed upon me. Way too many to count. I am thankful to have a home, and I’m trying to find the joy needed to maintain it.
Father, God, I need You. I need Your arms to hold me, comfort me, tell me it’s going to be okay. Lift the depression and let me turn control over to You. Take the burden and walk with me as I tackle one small thing at a time. Help me not to be overwhelmed, not to look at the big picture but to see small tasks instead. Let me be joyful in work, in small accomplishments. Satan is nipping away at me, trying to find a foothold in my weakness. Help me to be strong, to keep my eyes focused on You. Fill me with Your loving Spirit so there is no room for evil to slip in. I pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Copyright 2011 by Carol Ann Erhardt
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