Author Archives: Patricia Ann

It’s Virtual Coffee Time Again

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Hi! We haven’t met for coffee since July 2017 and we need to catch up.

As always, my opening question is, “What’s new and interesting in your life since we last had a coffee date?”

Ah, you’re recovering from that nasty divorce that set you on your derriere shortly after our last get-together. I’m so sorry you had to go through that but, as you say, it was a learning experience and life goes on. I know there is a great new life for you just around the bend.

Oh no! You’re usually trustworthy old car has let you down for the last time and the mechanic said don’t spend any more money on it and you said, “Now what? I’m 86 years old and not about to buy a new car.” Then the mechanic tells you about a ride program for seniors and there you are…on the road again. There’s an answer to every problem and you not only solved your own but offered the information to other seniors whose transportation problems were solved as well. Good for you!

Hey! You’re back in the music business after a few years out in the work world. I’ve seen some of your gigs online and they are pretty awesome. What a wonderful way to spend your retirement years. Congratulations!

You’re working on publishing your second book? Fantastic! I can’t wait to read it.

What? You’re granddaughter-in-law is expecting a baby after being told she probably never would? That’s a God-send! It’s your eleventh great-grandchild?! Congratulations! Let me know when that baby gets here so I can rejoice with you.

You saw the movie, Book Club, starring four famous divas and laughed so hard you nearly …. …. …..? That’s almost as funny as the movie. Yes, I saw it too with the same reaction. I now have new respect for my aging self, don’t you?

Have you read any good books lately? I just re-read Jonathon Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach. It has been on my book shelf for years and it’s time to let it go. Good old Jonathon..he’s still out there soaring the skies and teaching that there is more to life than the habitual daily grind.

Gee, it’s fun being with all of you again. Let’s not let so much time go by before our next virtual coffee date. I love being in your company and catching up on your lives. Oh, yes, and tea is good too. Until next time…..

 

 

What a Friend!

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Can’t resist this powerful message. Happy Sunday.

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

  1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
    All our sins and griefs to bear!
    What a privilege to carry
    Everything to God in prayer!
    Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
    Oh, what needless pain we bear,
    All because we do not carry
    Everything to God in prayer!
  2. Have we trials and temptations?
    Is there trouble anywhere?
    We should never be discouraged—
    Take it to the Lord in prayer.
    Can we find a friend so faithful,
    Who will all our sorrows share?
    Jesus knows our every weakness;
    Take it to the Lord in prayer.
  3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
    Cumbered with a load of care?
    Precious Savior, still our refuge—
    Take it to the Lord in prayer.
    Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
    Take it to the Lord in prayer!
    In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
    Thou wilt find a solace there.
  4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
    Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
    May we ever, Lord, be bringing
    All to Thee in earnest prayer.
    Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
    There will be no need for prayer—
    Rapture, praise, and endless worship
    Will be our sweet portion there.
    Sources:

  • Faith Publishing House, Evening Light Songs, 1949, edited 1987 (179)
  • The Rodeheaver Hall-Mack Company, Quartets for Men, 1926 (140)
  • The Gospel Trumpet Company, Select Hymns, 1911 (323)

Let the Porter Take Your Baggage

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While talking to a friend yesterday, we touched on the subject of the excess baggage many of us carry through life and how God is our heavenly porter. It prompted today’s post:

How many of us have journeyed through life carrying more baggage than we should?

Everything we need for life can be carried in a carry-on case…wisdom, love, caring, common sense, trust, forgiveness, compassion, helpfulness, and more.

But we are loaded down with bad memories, guilt, revenge, unforgiveness, self-centredness, and other things that weigh a ton and cause life to be a heavy burden rather than the learning experience it is meant to be.

Weights can be good for fitness and toning when used in moderation but when dragged through life in the form of overweight baggage, they can wear us down rather than build us up.

When life becomes overloaded with the weights that drag you down, do yourself a favor…let The Porter take your baggage.

The Good Life

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Today’s post is a repeat and can be referred to as “an oldie, but a goody”. It is God’s advice for a good life. Happy Sunday.

Drink the living water……….John 4:10

Eat the bread of life……….John 6:35

Wear the full armor of God……….Ephesians 6:11

Rest in Jesus……….Matthew 11:28

Breathe in the Holy Spirit……….John 20:22

Do Not Worry……….Matthew 6:5

(Laugh often) A cheerful heart is good medicine…………..Proverbs 17:22 (brackets mine)

 

 

Of Human Interest

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Of the eight-hundred-and-seventy  posts I’ve written, it is the human interest factor that has prompted the most views. “Small Mercies, Large Mercies” on August 24th, garnered over five hundred views on Facebook.

Wedding stories such as “Barefoot Over the Bridge” September 9, 2016, and “Love in the Afternoon” June 5, 2014 were well received as were stories of funerals, memorials, special anniversaries and people facing serious health issues.

“On the Sidewalk of Life” July 31, 2014, spoke of a very kind fifty-two-year-old man, who, having a severe heart condition, got off the sidewalk of life and onto the stairway to heaven after fulfilling a final act of kindness.

It is heartwarming to know that despite the world’s woes and the front-line television and newspaper reporting of them, there is still an element of human interest in the everyday lives of ordinary people.

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians  2:4 ESV

A Full Crop

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Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…this is the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22

There are days it is evident that this fruit is an integral part of our lives, if not all of it, at least some…other days, not so much. May we experience a full crop today. Happy Sunday.

Upon Reflection

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Sometimes a Saturday can be a good day for just reflecting. If you’re out on the water, on a hiking trail, strolling a sandy beach, or just lazing in a hammock, let thoughts wander until suddenly there is the perfect life scene to reflect upon and then enjoy the journey. Happy Saturday

Small Mercies, Large Mercies

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I was on my way to a delightful church function yesterday morning at 10:00 a.m. While making a left turn on a green light, a large vehicle (I drive a small car) ran a red light and slammed into my driver side.  After the dust had settled I was amazed when a policeman told me my car would be taken to a pound as a write-off while I walked away, (or crawled away as I couldn’t exit the driver’s side) with a painful right wrist.

A visit to a nearby hospital emergency, insisted upon by paramedics, confirmed that the wrist was not broken and would likely be painful for a couple of days. After reassuring everyone that I suffered no other pain, and had not so much as a scratch on me, I came home to ponder the events of the day. I took some extra strength Tylenol and prayed my way into a much needed nap.

How often do we go about our days taking everything for granted, not knowing one minute what the next minute holds.

For the rest of my life I will not forget to thank God for small mercies…although I do believe this was a very large mercy. TYG!

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; Psalm 91:11