Tired of waiting? The Lord has a remedy for that & my sewing project

October 9, 2014October 9, 2014 / kstrick7 / Leave a comment

How many of you love to wait? Ok, why is no one raising their hands? Probably because you are like me & do not care very much for having to wait. We live in a society that, the quicker we can have results, the better. Our time is too precious to be wasted on waiting. However, there is a wonderful virtue to be had by learning to wait. That is the characteristic of patience or sometimes referred to as longsuffering.

Galatians 5:22-23 New King James Version (NKJV)

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law

God has patience. So it must be a good thing. He doesn’t ask us to do things He wouldn’t do himself.

Psalm 86:15 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁵But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious,
Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.

The Lord is very patient with us. He wants everyone to have a home in heaven.

2 Peter 3:9 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us,^[a] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

If you get tired of waiting, you should know it’s ok. It’s a work in progress. God wants us to discipline ourselves to wait. This leads to being righteous & will finally give us a home with Him in heaven.

Romans 2:6-7 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶who “will render to each one according to his deeds”:^[a] ⁷eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;

Life gets hard sometimes. You want an answer. You don’t want to have to go through a rough time. Nobody does. God’s patience even runs out.

Jeremiah 44:22 New King James Version (NKJV)

²²So the Lord could no longer bear it, because of the evil of your doings and because of the abominations which you committed. Therefore your land is a desolation, an astonishment, a curse, and without an inhabitant, as it is this day.

But we must realize if we are patient, there is a reward for it.

Galatians 6:9 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Matthew 25 : 46 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴⁶And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Psalms 62: 1 New King James Version (NKJV)

Truly my soul silently waits for God;
From Him comes my salvation.

Being patient, waiting & wondering if God is even listening can be disheartening. But God is good. He is right on time every time. When your patience is being tried, & you’ve prayed & prayed & waited for an answer, remember- there are 3 answers to prayer.

Yes

& wait

God’s not being mean. He’s trying to mold you into what He wants you to be. And goodness gracious who does not need some improvement in their lives? We just need to understand waiting & patience is necessary for our walk with the Lord. So, you see my friend, patience is something we must have. We have got to condition ourselves to wait on God. We have to empty ourselves of doubt, fear, & gloom & doom. Then we can fill ourselves with the things of the Lord, like faith, hope, & love.

And talk about somebody needing patience. I made this little dress for my granddaughter. I may have had to re-do some certain parts a time or two. Me & bias tape have this love/hate relationship going on. Oh well, it all worked out. She’s going to look so sweet in it!

I am so glad you stopped by today. I hope everything is going well for you. With fall in the air, I think everybody is in a little bit better mood. We will be making our annual trip to Ames Plantation this weekend. I can’t wait. You can read more about this fun festival here. As for now, I have to be going because I should be washing clothes.

photo credit: http://www.theladiesfeed.wordpress.com,www.ninapaley.com,www.art-of-inspired-living.com,www.curiositesbydickens.com

How I found Faith at the local Sonic & loving Bible study

October 1, 2014October 1, 2014 / kstrick7 / Leave a comment

Does anyone besides me live in the land of convenience? We schedule everything, to our leisure. My Mamaw used to wash clothes on Tuesdays. Every Tuesday, she would go out to the cellar & crank up that old washing machine. It was one of the old ones that had the wringer you put the clothes in. Similar to this one.

Now, I can load a ton of clothes in my high efficiency washer & schedule when I want it to wash. It can wash right then. Or I can schedule it for 3hours or 6 hours to commence to getting our clothes clean. Convenience. Then, there is my dishwasher. My Mamaw did not have a dishwasher. She hand washed everything that passed through her sink. Right then. There was ne’er a dirty dish in her sink. My dishwasher will allow you to schedule the washing of the china (which is actually Corelle), at 3 or 6 hours. What ever is best for me, is just fine with the dishwasher.

There are some things that we must not do out of convenience or leisure. Bible reading is one of them. Not saying reading the Bible in your leisure time is not a great way to spend your time. Just saying it should be a priority, not something you leave to do if you have time. Reading the Bible is a wonderful way of having your faith strengthened. Prayer is our avenue we use to talk to the Lord. And he wants to hear from us & what we have to say. The Bible is the Lord talking back to you. What kind of relationship would you have with someone if you were the one doing the talking all the time? You never took time to listen to what the other person had to say. That’s why I believe it is so important to make time to listen to the Lord daily. We should be hungry for his word. Not, something we just check off our daily list of to dos.

II Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV)

II Peter 1:4

⁴by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

What kind of promises are these that Peter talks about? If we don’t read our Bibles, then, we won’t ever know.

Satan tries to

Limit your Bible Study

Because he knows your

Bible study will

Limit him

Melanie over at Only a Breath, has begun a faith series about reading the Bible. It starts today. Go on over & see what she has to share about Bible reading. I will be joining her for this wonderful series. I hope you will make a little time to be with us.

We had a funny thing happen to us Sunday night. We attended church at a sister church. The churches in our area sponsor Campaign for Christ. Which is like an area wide meeting or revival . The preacher spoke about faith. He spoke about how to have faith, having faith, & how faith works in our lives. It was a wonderful night. There was 1,013 folks in attendance. It was a great night. (Did I already say that?) We really enjoyed ourselves. Afterwards, Miss Neenee suggested we stop for ice cream. I placed our order & waited for the deliciousness to arrive. After awhile, the carhop came out to the car. Of course we were excited to see her. She came bearing sundaes! As I was handing the treats to my daughters, I noticed her name tag. You know what her name was? Faith. Coincidence? I think not.

I hope you all are having a wonderful week. My past weekend was full of little boys playing, rippin’ & rompin’. We made a trip to see the ducks & to the park. Even though there was a fare amount of ballin’ & squallin’ their eyes out when we were leaving. Fun was had by all. (Hey, sometimes little kids don’t want good times to end.) And by Monday, I was going to work to rest. Thank the Lord for sweet grandbabies. Amen. Until we go on more adventures, I have to be going, because I should be washing clothes.

Mr. Sweetie Pants blew out the candles on his Mickey Mouse cake like a boss

Mr. Sweetie Pants had a happy birthday!

Hang on boys ya’ll are gettin’ too close to the water!

Come up here & let me make your picture by this tree.

Now let’s get to sliding down the slide!

How I had my faith strengthened & it’s ok to pick up your dirty socks

September 26, 2014September 26, 2014 / kstrick7 / Leave a comment

You know, I never get tired of having my faith strengthened. God is such a working God. He is on time, every time. This past week, a sweet friend shared with me a beautiful story of God being hard at work in her life.

A friend of mine has been going through some trials. She has had her fair share of ups & downs here of late. Sometimes, during the week, we may just get a minute to share what we have going on. At times, it’s just a shaking of our heads in passing, saying- “Pray for me.” And we do. That’s why when she sent me a quick message, this week, I knew our prayers were being heard. My friend’s mother has been in poor health. She is older & is having quite a time. My friend & her sister have been wearing themselves to a frazzle trying to take care of her. Her doctor had discussed with my friend & her family about moving her to an assisted living center. Of course, there goes more sleepless nights for my friend. She knew in her head this was what was best for her mama. But her heart kept tugging at her to keep her at home. When the day finally came to talk to her mama about staying in an assisted living home, her mama was just fine with it. The doctor talked to her mama & explained to her this was what she needed right now. She was all in. No kicking, screaming, spittin’, cussin’ or anything, from my friend or her mama. My friend was so thankful to the Lord & relieved. She knew it was the prayers of hers & her family & friends that made it all work out.

Change is hard. Sickness & getting older is hard. There comes a time that we have to make decisions we don’t want to. We have responsibilities to others. And sometimes those hard decisions may have to do with our parents. I know for me, when my mama got so sick, it was awful. It was especially heartbreaking to have to move her to a place with 24 hour nurse care. Nobody wants to have to move a loved one from their own home, to somewhere strange & unknown- even for their own good. But with a lot of prayer, we did what we had to do. We put our heart to the side & went with what our head told us to do. Our main goal was to take care of her needs. That’s what I told my friend, the last time we talked about her sweet mama. “Remember, this is something to work out in your head, not your heart.” She did the right thing. She asked the Lord for help. I think sometimes we don’t receive because we don’t ask.

Sadly very true….

James 1:6 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

Just like anything, our asking has conditions. We must ask for things that are Godly & for the glory of the Lord. Not for our own selfish benefit.

James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

I think it was wonderful that my friend took all of this to our Lord. He was the One that made the difference. We must rely on God’s divine will. Not ours.

I am so glad you stopped by to visit with me today. Have I told you lately that I’m happy you are here? I appreciate the time you give to coming by this little blog. I also wanted to take this time to apologize to the cable man that came to fix our internet this week. I am sorry you had to see my husband’s dirty socks on my bedroom floor. I had fully intended on being home to pick them up before you got there. Don’t worry. I gave him a good scolding. Since he was the one that let you back there anyway. Trust me. I know the talking to I gave him did a lot of good. Because his dirty socks, he took off last night, were perhaps in the exact same area this morning. I do love that man. Even though he is a non-dirty sock picker upper. I hope everyone has a blessed weekend. As for me, I will be doing a little sewing for my granddaughter. She’s got to have some new things for fall & Christmas. I will share some of it with you, soon. Until then, I have to be going because I should be washing clothes.

Oh & p.s. Happy 3rd birthday today to Mr. Sweetie Pants!!

photo credits: http://www.abetterdream.com, http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com

Preach it brother & what happens if you ask a truck driver to church

September 22, 2014September 22, 2014 / kstrick7 / 2 Comments

You know life has a funny way of doing things. Sometimes funny in a difficult way. Other times funny in a, “Wow! I wasn’t expecting that!” way. Whatever the way, God has a plan.

This morning, a guy I work with, came to my office. He told me about meeting a driver, that had come in for a load. He said yesterday, he had gone to a local eating establishment for breakfast. While there, he commenced to talking to a guy from out of town. He found out he was in town, because he was picking up a load at our company. After having breakfast together, the new found friends parted ways. As my co-worker walked to his truck, he thought, “I should have invited him to church.” So he turned back around & that’s just what he did.

The driver said, “I don’t have anything to wear.”

My co-worker kindly reassured him it really didn’t matter. He told him he would give him an hour & he would come back & pick him up. The driver agreed & in an hour, they were sitting in church together.

What was so remarkable about that situation is my co-worker was ready. He was presented an opportunity & he acted on it. What happens to a lot of us is we miss our times to present the Lord to people. I know I am at fault of the “I wish I had said this or I wish I had done that,” when it comes to sharing the Lord. And too, there are times we may do our daily Bible readings, go down our prayer list & pray, & may think- is this really doing any good? Well, yeah. We have to prepare ourselves for the times we run across someone who needs our help & encouragement. That’s how the Lord uses us for His will.

Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

Jesus came across a Samaritan woman who needed encouragement & salvation. It was just a normal day for this Samaritan woman. That is until she met Jesus.

John 4: 7-9

A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” ⁸For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.

⁹Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.

¹⁰Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

This lady was so intrigued. She wanted to hear more about this living water. When Jesus was finished talking to her, she told anyone who would listen to her about her time with the Lord.

How do we know where we will find someone to share the good news of Jesus Christ with? Standing in line at the grocery store? At the convenience store, where we get our gas? At the fast food restaurant where we eat breakfast on Sunday?? God is working. Whether we see it all the time or not. He’s there, making plans, making things happen, for plain, ordinary folks like you, me & other people. People that we may not even know, yet.

Which also brings me to share with you about to an awesome project, I am so excited to be a part of. Melanie over at Only a Breath has started a “Secret Sister” mission. You can read about it here.

What it is , is a way to strengthen & encourage others- like total complete strangers. It’s for ladies only, sorry fellas. We shared our addresses & we are given 2 ladies addresses. We send a handwritten note of encouragement & hope to that person at least once a month. I got my addresses yesterday & I can’t wait to send my “Secret Sisters” a note. This will be such a wonderful way to further the cause of Christ.

I am so proud of my friend for sharing Jesus. He truly blessed someone else,by his act of kindness. You just never know when you will get a chance to make a friend. Now you know what happens when you ask a truck driver to church. Sometimes they will go with you!

I hope you are having a blessed week. We had a busy weekend. Miss Neenee had a friend sleepover. Then, after church Sunday, I got to play with my grandbabies all day long! We had an area wide youth devotional at church Sunday night. There were 269 people in attendance. God is so good to us. Until next time, I have to be going because I should be washing clothes.

photo credits: courtneyaitken.BlogSpot.com & keepcalm-o-matic.comuk

Miss Neenee & her friend having a good time touring the local boxcar.

Some high priced fun. Which mainly involved some water, dirt, mud, buckets, & 8 handsome rounders

Some high priced fun. Which mainly involved some water, dirt, mud, buckets, & two handsome rounders

What would a weekend be without a good ol game of Chunk a Chicken?

Memory loss required

August 27, 2014August 26, 2014 / kstrick7 / 2 Comments

Memory loss is a major concern in our society. Why, there are pills boasting improved focus & mental faculty. Medicines to improve short term & long term memory loss are in abundance. Remembering how to complete daily tasks is essential in life. When you are having a conversation with someone, it’s especially helpful if you can remember what the subject is. Just the other night my husband & I were talking. Our Miss Neenee came in the living room, where we were. She asked a question, then went back to her room. We looked at each other for a moment. Then, my honey said,

“What were we talking about?”

I paused for a moment & said, “ I haven’t got a clue.”

Those are probably times you want to be able to recall what’s a goin’ on. Other things that I do, that are a smidge aggravating, which is caused by lapses in memory, are:

Losing my keys. Which are always in the last place I look. Funny how that works out.
Forgetting to put in my contacts. On my drive in to work: “Is that a police car? Are those lights on top of that car? No, that’s a luggage rack. Whew.”
Forgetting to take my hormone replacement. Which is specifically only good for no one around me.
Misplacing bills. Not just your regular ol’ I can pay any time in the month bill. The water bill is my most popular misplaced bill. Luckily, I have made friends with a lady in the office, at the water department. Bless my heart.
Losing my phone. More often than not, Miss Neenee gently says, “Mama, it’s in your hand.” Hey, those things can sneak up on you.
Forgetting what I am doing. I’m making a sandwich. I go to the pantry to get the bread. I look into the laundry room. I forgot to put the clothes in the dryer. I go to putting the clothes in the dryer & I pick through the clothes to leave out some things that need to be hung up to dry. I don’t have a hanger. So, I go back to my closet to get one. On the way, I walk through my bedroom. There’s that bill I was looking for. I go back to the kitchen to get an envelope to put it in. Wait, why is there lunch meat sitting on the bar? Oh yeah, I’m making a sandwich. Sheesh.

As much as I need to remember things, the apostle Paul says there are some things we need to not remember at all.

Phillipians 3:13 …but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, (NKJV)

Things that have happened to us in a negative way, are not worth remembering. We need to forget how rude, stubborn, & hateful people can be. Sunday, our preacher, Bro. Brad said that people who are know it alls, hard headed, & can’t get along with types will experience much heartache & difficulty in life. They don’t think they have anything to learn. They don’t see themselves as needing any improvement in their lives. They never really realize how their ways keep them from healthy relationships. They are never ready to accept their own part of their issues. Because hey, how could anything ever be their fault? The situation is always somebody else’s doing. They miss out on the happiness, that being around others, can bring. They miss out on all the richness God would add to their lives, only if they would humble themselves. All because being judgmental, hard headed, & above their fellow man, are qualities they practice frequently.

We must strive to be humble, gracious folks. We have to know that we can just as easily not have enough – than have plenty.

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. (NKJV)

What if the Lord only blessed you with what you were thankful for? What if you were the only thing that was holding you back from true blessings & riches from the Lord? According to James, first you do your part, then the Lord will do His. So, you kinda are. Let’s make sure we forget to be stubborn.

Not a real good way to be humble.

You never know what life is going to throw at you. We must understand we must react with love & concern for others. And always be mindful that God doesn’t owe us anything. He gives good to us, however, can take it away, as well.

Job 1:21 And he said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

We need to forget to have a hard heart. No matter how people treat us. We have to be what God wants us to be regardless. We need to forget to be resentful. We need to forget to have hatred in our hearts. It’s just not worth the blessings you will miss- without all that there.

I am so very glad you came by to visit today. I got an exciting call from my aunt today. She said she had picked a big bucket of okra for me! All I have to do is go get it after work. I sure hope I don’t forget it. 😉 Until then, I have to be going because I should be washing clothes.

photo creds: michaelkonick.com, zazzle,

Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching?

Learning from an 8 year old & somebody come mow my grass

August 13, 2014August 13, 2014 / kstrick7 / Leave a comment

I was talking with a friend recently. He was telling me his 2 grandsons had come to visit. The grandkids live in North Carolina & my friend is from Alabama. Their dad is in the military. So, they only get a few visits a year. One grandson is 8 years old & the other 5. One afternoon my friend had not gotten home yet. His family went ahead & had supper without him. After eating their meal, the 5 year old started asking his grandmother for dessert. She asked him what he wanted & he said ice cream. As she went to fix him a bowl of ice cream, the 8 year old pulls him to the side & says,

“Don’t ask Grandma for ice cream. You have to wait on Papa to get home. He gives you more.”

With that, the 5 year old calls off the ice cream with Grandma. As soon as my friend comes through the door, the 5 year old is all over him. Hugging & kissing him. Telling him how much he missed him. Then he politely asks,

“Papa, do you think I could have some ice cream?”

Unbeknownst to my friend, he happily agrees. Then, goes off to make 2 sweet boys big bowls of ice cream.

I love that story! It made me think if only we could be as patient with the Lord, we would reap so much more in the end. If I could discipline myself to see the big picture, of what’s to come, I would be more content. When temptations, in this life, come our way, if we could say,

“Nope, I’m passing that by, so that I can have the better things Christ has to offer,”

wouldn’t we all be ahead of the game? Just kick those things we are tempted by to the curb, because something better is coming. It sounds easy enough, but the flesh is weak. Or I know mine is!

Matthew 26:41

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”(NKJV)

Just when I think I have a bad attitude licked, here comes something I let make me worry & fret & get all in a tiz about. If I would just remember, this is the devil trying to break me down. But then, I go to talking when I should keep my mouth shut. I get to passing judgment & getting jealous instead of looking around at all of the blessings I already have. The devil is a smart one. He knows exactly what it takes to get us going. He will try every way he can to trip us up.

II Corinthians 2:11

lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. (NKJV)

I just need to remember, if I can make it past those obstacles, the Lord can give me more. However, if I choose to give in to temptations, nothing good comes out of it. And I have to remember, sometimes I can learn something from an 8 year old!

I hope you are having a great week. The sun is shining & the grass is growing (especially in my yard. Does anybody want to come mow it??) This is our first full week of school. Hoping everyone is getting back in the swing of things. This Friday Miss Neenee has a fitness test in PE. Please pray she will be able to get those sit ups & planks done like a boss. We have been working on it. Last night we walked 2 miles, with my 80 something year old friend from church. He can out walk me any day. Bless my heart. However, for now I have to be going because I should be washing clothes.

Oh & did I tell you I think the devil makes people not use proper road signals? This is exactly how I feel when they do not.

photo credit: simplyscratch, facebook

My one job & why we love to pat a cake

August 5, 2014August 5, 2014 / kstrick7 / Leave a comment

Have you ever been given an important job? A task that you knew had to have all your attention. You knew you could not do anything to mess up. You had to be on your game. No excuses. Well, I have got one of those big important jobs today.

I am picking up my new granddaughter from daycare.

She will be going home with me for a visit. Her mama has some work stuff to tend to. And her daddy’s at work. So, me & Miss Neenee are making our way over to the daycare later on today. I am so excited! I just can’t wait to get that little bundle in my possession. Oh we have a big time, anyway, with her mama & daddy around. We sing Sunday school songs. We pat a cake. She loves pattin’ a cake. For no other reason, she gets to eat it up at the end. And she is like her Grand, she loves to eat, too.

***On a side note- I was looking on line to put a cute pat a cake picture here. There were some with the pat a cake rhyme on it. None of them had the words on it that we say. A long time ago, my mamaw taught me how to pat a cake.

Pat a cake, pat a cake baker’s man. Bake me a cake as fast as you can. Roll it up, roll it up pop it in the pan. Eat it up, eat it up as fast as you can!

I’m not sure where this version came from. Mamaw may have made it up. But it’s the one that was always sung to us & we have sung to our kids.***

We have some talks about how everyone is treating her. And she rides the airplane. Which is really just me holding her belly down & twisting around some. Which right now, that’s as high as she needs to be flying. So, some of that stuff will be probably be going on this afternoon. Only, unsupervised. Meaning, I’m not supervised. Oh, the things we enjoy in life! I just know as this precious angel continues to grow, we will have a special bond. Why, she already thinks I am the funniest thing ever. I only have to make faces, noises, & baby talk to her. Her whole face just lights up in a grin. She just turned 4 months old. Time quit flying!!

Luke talks about a special bond the early church had.

Acts 2:44-46 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need, So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart. (NKJV)

Those folks had love for each other. Just like I have a special love for this 1^st granddaughter of mine. Jesus wants us to have people in our lives that we love & love us. He never meant for us to be an island. That is why it’s so important to have a good church family. And I have the best! I have their support & love, as we all go about in our daily walk with Christ. Thankfully, many of my family members are a part of this wonderful church, as well. That makes me have a gladness of heart!

I hope you are having a wonderful day today. It’s getting closer to time to picking up the sweet baby! I know I keep saying I am so excited, but I am so excited!! I just hope we can get all of our playing in before her mama gets there to pick her up! As for me, I have to be going because I should be washing clothes.

photocredits:pinterest, etsy,helenatyce

Do you want a piece of me? & what a wonderful life it is…..

July 31, 2014 / kstrick7 / 2 Comments

As I get older, my life gets more full & blessed. I am so thankful for the people in my life. I am so glad our family is close knit & loving. Even though my daughter is married, with a baby & my middle daughter has a busy life, we still can’t hardly go to town without calling each other to see if the other one wants to go. Just the other day, I asked my 10 year old daughter if she ever felt like I didn’t give her enough attention. You know I got these grandbabies, now, that we just gush over. Then, the older girls, my 2 sons, my daughter in law, my sweet husband & I try to keep up with my Daddy, as well. I work full time, teach a Bible class at church, try to keep a house, cook, clean (sorta) & sometimes, after all that, I feel like she may get a little left behind. But when I asked her if she felt left out, she looked at me in utter surprise.

She said,

“No, I love my life. I couldn’t imagine it any other way.”

Whew,nailed it.

Isn’t that what we all strive with our kids? We just want them to feel safe, loved, & well, happy. Now, ask her how happy she is when she can’t keep Mr. Sweetie Pants out of her room messing with all her stuff & you may get another answer!

Nonetheless, with my big family, something is always going on. Ne’er a dull moment. My oldest daughter got her degree in May (Yay!) She has gone to work for a school district. They had a 2 day kindergarten camp with the kids to get them ready for the school year. She said there was one little boy that was a mess. On the first day, he kept asking her,

“Miss K.K. do you want a piece of me?”

She kindly reassured him, she did not.

On Tuesday she finally had to get on to him. She said,

“If you don’t stop doing that, you are going to have to come stand beside me & hold my hand. Do you want to have to come hold my hand?”

He sweetly replied, “Maybe.”

Looks like she will have her hands full & heart full by the end of the school year!

I am so proud of my daughter & her love of children. Her grandmother loved children, too.

Jesus had encounters with children.

Matthew 19:13

Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. (NKJV)

Jesus knew the value of children.

Matthew 19:14

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” (NKJV)

We should be ever mindful of these little fellows. They have an innocence & trustful, loving, heart just like we should have. Those are the kinds of things that will get us a 1^st class ticket to be with Jesus.

I am so glad you came by today. I hope your week has been full of good days. If you have not had the grandest of days I want to share this quote I saw this week:

You were born for a purpose,

You are here for a purpose.

When live knocks you down,

Remember your purpose.- Billy Cox

Now, go out & make it a great day! As for me, I have to be going, because I should be washing clothes.

What is gumption & where do you get it?

July 24, 2014July 24, 2014 / kstrick7 / Leave a comment

I would like to talk about something today, that some people may not want to hear. Before you stop reading all together, it does not have anything to do with blood, guts, or anything you might have to squint your eyes, just to look at it. This is more personal. You know when we start to get personal, things can get hard. People don’t like to face their short comings.

Since I was very young, I have been of the opinion, that when hard things are presented to me to take responsibility for, if I don’t admit it’s a problem, then it’s not. I don’t try to put the blame on someone else. I just don’t want to acknowledge it. If you don’t admit it, then it’s not really happening, right? My Daddy loves to tell how when I was little & got caught doing something I should not, I would say,

“Let’s just not talk about that.”

Not much has changed. Although, I do try harder to be more responsible, now that I’m older & wiser, ya know. So, let’s all get on our big girl(or boy) pants & open our minds to what I am about to say. If it applies to you, I ask that you think about what you really have going on. And make things right. If it does not apply to you, great! Try to help someone that it might.

There are things that have happened to us in life or will happen to us, that is not pleasant. Things that you would just rather not have to deal with. Problems that come up or untimely issues, that just have a way of surfacing. These are things that need tending to. These things cannot be put off. Like when someone passes away, or you lose your job, or your husband or wife decides they would rather run off & chase a rabbit than be responsible for a family. Maybe someone’s health has failed them. Or your health has failed you. You know, hard stuff. When you are on the receiving end of these tragedies, how you react makes all the difference in the world.

The most positive way to react is to get you some gumption. If you do not know what gumption is, nor where in the world you would get it, let me tell you about it. My Mama used to say in a bad situation,

“He just needs to get some gumption & go on with it.”

Or she would say,

“He ain’t gonna do it , because he ain’t got the gumption.”

Either way gumption is the same as courage or guts. It could mean having the common sense to do something, too. Now, if you have trouble getting you some gumption, then, I suggest you pray about it & let the Good Lord help you with it. Gumption is necessary in life. We have to have it many times, whether we want to face things & or not. People who do not have gumption are sorry, lowdown, cusses who deserve what they get. Life is like a circle. What comes around goes around. You reap what you sow.

If you have things happen to you, & you don’t get you some gumption & handle it in the right way, then, whatever comes to you comes. I pray one day you will see the error of your way, before it’s too late. A person who may have not had the gumption to do the right thing, in one situation, may take a turn & decide to make things right. You have to give that person the benefit of the doubt. However, when presented with several opportunities to do right & they just won’t, don’t waste your time with those people. It’s Just.Not.Worth.It. I hope you don’t have to deal with others who refuse to get some gumption. If you do, just remember, they may eventually come to their senses. Then, we have to be there to have some gumption, as well.

Gumption is sometimes hard to find. However, if you want gumption bad enough, it will come to you. Pray about it. God will be glad to help. He said so.

John 14:14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (ESV)

King David found out that not having gumption was a hard thing to live with. When he decided to sleep with another man’s wife & then kill that man, his regrets finally caught up to him.

Psalms 32:3-4For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. ⁴For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. (ESV)

But David did the right thing. He got him some gumption & asked God’s forgiveness.

Psalms 32: 5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. (ESV)

I am so glad you came by to visit today. Thank you for letting me get that off my chest today. It’s nice when you just lend me your ear like that. I hope it is a beautiful day wherever you are. The humidity has been released, yet again, in full force, here in northeast Mississippi. It’s just like the top was popped & ever so gently pulled back. The humidity just came pouring on out! I hope to be seeing you all again, soon. Until then, I will have to be going, because I should be washing clothes.

photo credits: pinterest, adodsons.com,shebrands.com

Why we don’t have to forgive & forget & what we’ve been doing

July 17, 2014July 17, 2014 / kstrick7 / Leave a comment

Well, hello my online peeps! I hope all ya’ll are having a wonderful day. I have been busy doing lots of summer stuff here lately. We had our Super Saturday VBS at our church last Saturday. We have had youth group events, going to the movies, summer devotionals, shaving cream wars, etc.,.

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Miss Neenee went bowling with the Girl Scouts & will be going to a movie with them, next week as well. My beautiful niece has been at my house, visiting from a faraway land. My sweet husband has been grilling lots of wonderful stuff. We have a birthday to celebrate this weekend. My grandbabies have been coming by for visits. Of course I have been as accommodating as possible. My daughter in law was telling Mr. Sweetie Pants just last night to quit writing on the kitchen floor with a magic marker. Well, Lord have mercy, that’s what Mr. Clean is for. Mr. Sweetie Pants kinda gets away with a lot at my house. And when I say a lot, I mean everything. Except back talk. We don’t do that at my house. Everything else we can pretty much handle. I have been doing my best to keep up with my 100 days of scripture. With that, my Sunday School lesson & Wednesday night class I have been studying my Bible.

I try to be attentive to what people are saying. Words mean a lot to me. I really take them to heart. I guess that’s why I get so irritated when people use words in a hurtful, disrespectful, or uncaring way. Words can’t be unsaid. And forgetting what someone has said to me or my family is something I work on daily. That’s why when my uncle said this the other day, I took note.

He said, “The Bible teaches forgiveness. It does not teach to forgive & forget. Man said that. Not God, because God knows we are human.”

I had never considered that. So, I did what I normally do, when someone makes an expounding statement, like that, about the Bible. I go look it up. Here is what I found out.

William Shakespeare in King Lear made the statement, “Pray you now, forget & forgive.”

In the Bible, the apostle Paul had a big problem with forgiving & forgetting. It all had to do with himself, too. Before Paul became a devout Christian, he persecuted Christians. He never got over that & what he had done to the church. You can tell by how he addresses it all.

I Timothy 1: 12-13 ¹²And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, ¹³although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. (NKJV)

His former life humbled him. He understood that he was a chosen vessel. However, he did not take it lightly. He talked about his past openly.

Acts 22:2²⁰And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death,^[b] and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ (NKJV)

He did not let his past cripple him of his service to the Lord. He did not say, “I’ve done too many bad things, the Lord will never forgive me.” Or “I’m not good enough to serve the Lord.” He made mistakes, but then got him some gumption & did what he was supposed to do. He did not let his past sins hold him back from doing what was right.

The Lord knows we are human. As humans, we make mistakes & are not perfect. For our sakes, we should be willing to put things behind us & move on. Paul finally got to that point,

Philippians 3:13-14 ¹³Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.(NKJV)

God is the only One capable of selective erasing events from His memory. When we receive Christ’s forgiveness, He acts as sin hasn’t happened. We aren’t made up that way. We are commanded to forgive.

Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.(NKJV)

Forgetfulness is a much needed discipline of our emotions. Which is hard, because we are stubborn creatures. But let’s be stubborn for the things that matter. Like our faith & family. It’s a good thing to put things in their place & focus on what is to come, rather than where we have been. You have got to have some peace somewhere. Not dwelling on how someone has wronged you is a good way to put things to the side. Then, peace will come.

I am so glad you took time to visit with me today. Our weather has been oddly FANTASTIC. July in Mississippi is normally hot, humid, & unbearable. A big thank you goes out to whoever ordered the awesome weather we had on the 4^th of July. That was stinkin’ wonderful. We were at some of our friends Tuesday night. Just sitting in their backyard enjoying the cool weather. I had on a long sleeved shirt. It was crazy. I’ve so enjoyed you today. But for now, I have to be going, because I should be washing clothes.