Author Archives: Patricia Ann

100 Years and Counting!

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I was delighted to hear that one of our church members recently celebrated his one hundredth birthday with not one, but two celebrations.  This delightful gentleman is of tall, straight stature and occupies a third from the front row pew every Sunday. He continues to drive, and up until a few years ago, drove “old” people to their appointments. He keeps fit by doing “the bicycle” every morning, walking every day, except for icy weather, and climbing up and down stairs during television commercials. He belongs to a community center where he enjoys shuffleboard and other activities. He is pleasant to look at, pleasant to speak with, and travels a few miles out of town every weekend to visit his daughter.

Because of being “under the weather”, I missed the church celebration of his Big Day, which I hear was a huge success with lots of food, two giant cakes, and a pile of birthday cards. I hope I’m well for his one hundred and twentieth!

So the Lord said, “My spirit won’t remain with human beings forever because they are truly mortal. Their lifespan will be one hundred and twenty years.” (Genesis 6:3 ISV)

 

 

 

 

 

A New Sound of Music

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Every once in awhile something comes along to give us goose bumps, teary eyes, and gratitude for the awesome talents shared with us by others. Here is a clip from Facebook that I watch numerous times, and it never ceases to amaze me just how much God has blessed some people with incredible musicality. Please click on the link to enjoy a new sound of music.

Not Alone

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It is one of those years when Christmas is not going to be very merry for some people. There are those who have lost loved ones over this past year, or even over a few years, who, although surrounded by family and friends will still feel alone. It comes with the territory; their special person is no longer with them to share the season with. There will be no special gift to think about, no one to decorate the tree with, no one to put their pinky to the wishbone with them. Each year gets a little easier, but for those spending a first Christmas without their loved one, this will be the most difficult.

Let there be some consolation in the words of Jesus in Matthew 28:20, “And surely I am with you always…”

If we believe in those words, feel the memory of love, submit to the peace of the season, we will realize that in most ways we are not alone.

 

 

Huggies, Not to be Mistaken

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It may appear from the title that this is about those absorbent paper pants that cover a baby’s bottom for comfort; not so my friends.

This is about all the hugs I received at church yesterday from all my huggy friends. I’m a bit of a hug fanatic and seem to have gained a reputation for this. But others appear to enjoy getting hugs too, and that’s a good thing.

Like a squirrel storing food in his cheeks, yesterday’s hugs are stored in my heart in case there are no more until next Sunday.

I sometimes joke that I go to church for the hugs, but that includes God’s hugs as well.

“Have you and God had a hug of the heart today?” It’s a question I read somewhere and realized how uplifting it is when we spend time with Him, either on Sunday or any day of the week, just how much that feels like a heavenly hug.

Huggies…whether God hugs or human hugs, are indeed a source of comfort. Have you had yours today?

 

 

Something to Smile About

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Every day there is something to smile about…well, mostly every day; family, friends, babies, memories, a full moon the night before, a squirrel looking for a handout at the door, playful puppies, skittish kittens, blessings by the number…smiling is good for the facial muscles.

Yesterday this picture was posted to my Facebook Timeline by one of my daughters. It really gave me something to smile about and I hope it stretches your facial muscles too.

God’s Social Club

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Sometimes I wonder where my next blog will come from because they are mostly spontaneous rather than planned.

I spoke to someone yesterday who referred to church as a social club. It caused me to ponder the statement, which is how I came up with today’s title.

In a way this person was correct. To begin with, each man, woman and child is warmly welcomed as they enter the building. Next they find a comfortable (or not so) place to sit and pass pleasantries with the person next to them in the pew.

After the final formality of the worship service is completed in orderly fashion, the pastor is praised (or not) as we, the congregation, file out to gather for tea, coffee, goodies and socializing in the meeting hall.

As people catch up on each other’s lives since the previous week, stories are exchanged, jokes are shared, hugs are plentiful (a boon to those who live alone) and parting words are usually a cheerful “See you next Sunday, if not before.”

I’m very happy to belong to God’s social club where we come together for praise and worship, tea and coffee, and a chance to pass the raisin bread.