Author Archives: Patricia Ann

Enjoy Your Journey

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Having just attended a funeral on January 24th and another one today, I found this blog by Bonnie on WordPress to be quite true and touching. I trust she won’t mind my sharing it. May your Saturday be blessed.

In Life’s Journey

Posted on January 31, 2018 | Leave a comment

Life’s journey is taken one step at a time. There are times when we can see ahead and other times when the view is blocked. There are moments when we walk alone and there are moments of togetherness.

For every beginning, there is an ending in this life. For every hello, there is a goodbye. Enjoy your journey and savor each step along the way.

The Pain of Loneliness

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Last week I received a call from a friend of ages past. We had quite a chat, catching up on each other’s lives and making plans to reconnect over lunch in the nicer weather.

Of all the words spoken by my old friend, what stood out the most was, “I’m lonely.”

This lady had spent a good part of her life raising children and welcoming grandchildren. She enjoys Sunday worship and coffee time afterwards but then goes home to an empty apartment. She reaches out to family and friends via telephone but seldom do we reach out to her.

What do to do about loneliness? Obviously the answer is to be aware of these people and make a point of remembering that they do exist and are in need of friendship and caring.

It was a reminder that there are those whose lives would benefit greatly from a telephone call, a visit, an invitation to lunch…whatever it takes to ease the pain of loneliness.

The lonely are everywhere…in our churches, families, public places, long term care facilities, hospitals…everywhere. If you are suffering from loneliness, do what my friend did, make that call and say, “I am lonely”.

 

Locked Doors

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There is s famous picture of Jesus standing at a door and knocking. Someone told the artist that the door’s latch was missing. Not so. The meaning of the picture is that the door can only be opened from the inside.

The meaning is so profound and makes much sense once we are made aware of it. Jesus is knocking at the door of our hearts and lives. It is up to us to either answer his knock or ignore it. There is no outside latch because he will not force himself upon us.

If we choose to open that door we invite Jesus into our hearts and lives which will never be the same again. Happy Sunday.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. Rev.3:20 NIV

Image result for behold i stand at the door and knock picture

How to Say We Care

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Today’s blog is inspired by Pastor Duncan’s sermon last Sunday. He talked about how we tell someone we love them with the gift we give. He then went on to some of the ways we say we care, and I have added to them…

The gift is thoughtful

Preparing a favorite food

A warm, meaningful hug

A telephone call

A surprise visit

Sharing a life event

A helping hand in time of need

A hand written note

There are so many more ways to say we care…

 

 

When a Pet is More than a Pet

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We all know that pets can be more than that as they take their place in our families and our hearts. Losing them to death, then, becomes as soul-wrenching as losing one of human family members. Here is what my sister, Mary, felt when one of her dearly beloved pets, her dog, Farleigh, became a treasured memory. Mary would appreciate knowing how many of us feel the same way.

When Farleigh Said Goodbye

I loved her from her very birth
This special pup God sent to earth
To warm again a heart grown cold
From hurts so deep they seared my soul 
She brought me joy, love and peace
And from turmoil came release.
Thirteen years she was by my side
With a cute smile she could never hide
 Though the years took their toll
She lost an eye as she grew old
Arthritic joints couldn’t be denied
Still she hobbled on by my side
 A spirit so strong illness could not still
She carried on through force of will
‘til that day she could barely stand
And left me for a better land
 I felt my heart pain deep inside
And knew my precious Farleigh had died
But before a single tear could be cried
A veil drew back and I saw her on the other side
 I saw my Farleigh whole and new
Not one eye she again had two
As I gazed at her happy face
I was again touched by grace
 She gave me comfort one last time
As her eyes laughed into mine
She was telling me not to cry
From beyond the veil when Farleigh said goodbye
 © Mary Frances Martin
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God’s Flashlight

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My saving grace is knowing that wherever I am, God is. There is no escaping God’s flashlight. Happy Sunday.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. (Psalm 139:7-8)

Matters of the Heart

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Matters of the heart can mean many things, one being an actual heart attack where the heart is physically endangered and/or damaged. It can also mean that from the heart flows life, not only physical but emotional life…and life is definitely an emotional experience.

Here is some biblical advice concerning the heart:

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 NIV

Create in me a pure heart, oh God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 NIV

As water reflects a face so a man’s heart reflects the man. Proverbs 27:19 NIV

…love one another deeply, from the heart. 1 Peter 1:22 NIV

There are so many more to do with loving the Lord and each other, but these few were weighing on my heart. There are so many lessons to be learned in life and I believe that having a loving heart opens us to each new learning experience whereas a closed heart, as the Bible says, a heart of stone, closes us to them.