Tag: blessings

  • Two Sleeps Before Christmas

    I’m flooded with thankfulness from family, friends, and neighbors who volunteered their time and energy sacrificing to go out in this blizzard. Volunteer of whatever we needed whether food or supplies. Specialty potato puff appetizers arrived from my brother and his wife from out west. Steve’s friend-brass music group founder gifted us with an amazing goodie box. Our hearts rejoice with these thoughtful actions! Thank you!!!

    Many are praying for health and healing for which we’re most grateful. You truly are the hands and feet of Jesus.

    I’m seeing progress in Steve. He left the recliner for a bit yesterday and did a few minor tasks. Yay! Baby steps, little steps we are celebrating.

    Here I go out to brave the blustery, blizzardy cold world out there. Skipper is calling for me to take a walk. To the mailbox and back again—that is my limit for now. Will take me longer to suit up than to accomplish the walk.

    Hunker down, stay warm, and safe. CHRISTmas blessings to you & to yours 😊

    “You might be thinking you don’t have the power within you to accomplish great and mighty tasks. Think again. Then fill in the blank below.” [From my book, “The Child becomes The Parent: Coping with Grief.”]

    I can accomplish ____________________.

    “I can do all things through Christ who strengthened me.” – Philippians 4:13

    How are you coping in this weather? Doing anything different/special this Christmas season? Love to hear from you.

    I can accomplish ___________________________.

    “I can do all things through Christ who strengthened me.” – Philippians 4:13

    ***How are you coping in this weather? Doing anything different/special this Christmas season? Love to hear from you.***

    Post by Teresa K. Lasher, author of:

    “The Child becomes The Parent: Coping with Grief” and

    “Life is: Good, Fragile, and Precious–Loving yourself so you can love others”

  • There’s No Place Like Home

    There’s No Place Like Home                                                                                                                  

    Spring sprung while we were away.                       Red Dogwood at Home
    Jonquils pop tiny yellow & white heads.
    Trillium burst forth in uniform whites.
    Purplish buds appear from Red Bud tree.
    Pink-red colored Dogwood blossoms
    Surge out alive and well.

    To think I would have missed
    This grand display
    Had I not traveled this way!
    Iris whites shoot forth.
    Leafy rose leaves waking up.
    Assorted green tree buds say hello.
    Grass blades stand tall & proud.

    I’m so thankful for this chance     Trillum at Home
    To re-acquaint myself with
    My blessings I oft
    Forget amidst day-to-day routine.

    All shout Happy Spring
    Glad you are here now!

    Daffodils at Home

    Iris at home

  • Best Friends

    “Best Friends. Slumber Parties. Cake. Presents. Secrets. Laughing 4 Ever!”
    – Mary Engelbreit

    I have the privilege of having several Best Friends. Admittedly, I am blessed. Friends from the past and friends from the present. Friends from past workplaces and various places of worship. We gain wisdom as we brainstorm together.

    Best Friends
    Best Friends

    There’s no particular agenda. We come as we are, not counting up the days since we’ve seen each other last time. No blaming, just listening. Laughter and cries oftentimes indistinguishable.

    When we return to our home spaces, we smile and count our blessings that God allowed us to meet yet another time on planet earth.

    • Can you name a friend(s) that you can get together with and just be yourself?
    • If not, where might you look for such a friend?
    • Isn’t it time to call a gathering?

    “By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped”—Ecclesiastes 4:12/MSG

     *******

     

  • Do you consider yourself an Encourager?

    “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today”—Hebrews 3:13.

    We must not give up! Some days and hours are just tougher than others. We all have days when we feel good about ourselves, our family, and the world in general. But there are also those times when we feel the entire world is against us.   purple-white crinkle flower (Copy)

    I get that. I’m with you and have the same types of ups and downs. My ups and downs may not be the same as yours, but nevertheless can be defeating. The writer of the book of Hebrews tells us to encourage each other. Daily. That’s a whole lot of encouraging. He knew that as humans we are likely to forget yesterday’s triumphs. For me, a good feeling is easily replaced by a not-so-good feeling. If one person make a comment about my work that I consider negative, my mind lingers on that thought a lot longer than a praise note.

    That’s why we need a lot of cheerleaders in our life to counteract the naysayers…those who think before they speak. I understand the need for people to critique. I’ve been amazed at the great counsel that comes from writer’s groups and friends who work with the English language on a daily basis. Great value comes from another set of eyes to look through my work.

    The problem comes from when one or two negative comments cause me to quit writing or creating all together. Through the years I’ve learned there is something to be learned from every commentary I receive. Asking God what portion of this information I need to take to heart and what part do I need to discard and forget. God is my ultimate source of critique. His wisdom trumps all others.

    Prayer of encouragement: Dear God, may I be the one to communicate hope and light to someone in need. I know that when I share with others the blessings go both ways. Amen.

    How about you? Do you have a resource to filter your writing or creativity mode through? Maybe it’s a writer’s group or group of friends whom you trust their intuition. If not, why not make that a priority this week to find at least one other unbiased person to share your talents?

  • Water your own grass

    “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” —
    1 Thessalonians 5:18.

    “I am calling you to a life of thankfulness. I want all your moments to be punctuated with thanksgiving” — Jesus Calling.

    Unfortunately, there are many examples where I failed to thank God for all my blessings. I find myself complaining about petty items.   image002 (Copy)

    The weather is too hot or too cold. We need more rain or there’s been too much rain. This meat is too spicy or too bland. They get more time off to do what they want to do. Or, their grandchildren live close by and mine don’t. She’s further ahead in her writing career, or he has more published magazine articles than I do.

    Instead, I need to be thankful for:

    • Sufficient food on the table
    • Employment opportunity
    • Children & Grandchildren alive & well
    • The gift of writing
    • My own platform to proclaim my story

    I am right where God intended me to be. He placed me in this family for a reason(s).

    Dear God, forgive me for daydreaming and wondering what the grass on the other side might be like.

    “You may think the grass is greener on the other side. But if you take the time to water your own grass, it would be just as green” – unknown.

     

  • From Tears of Sorrow to Tears of Joy

    One word that described my mother would be “Encourager.” My Mom was my biggest cheerleader. If she only knew how far I’ve come along with my dream of writing and publishing … she’d be waving those imaginary pom-poms and saying, “You go, girl. I am so proud of you!”

    Jimmie Joan
    Jimmie Joan

    But she isn’t here to wish me a Happy Mother’s Day. On July 23, 1990, God chose to bring her home to him. How could such a good woman, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and daughter be taken from us at such a young age? Yet I know that God’s “thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” (Isaiah 55:8).

    Fast forward nearly 23 years later. Sometimes it’s tough to see and appreciate all the blessings and good God has bestowed upon my family and I. Where do I begin? The best place: right here & now.

    I feel especially blessed this Mother’s Day. Both of my children were with me, my grandchildren, daughter-in-law, spouse, mother-in-law, sister & brother-in-law, various nieces, nephews, friends surrounded me at some point in the weekend.

    My gifts included fresh flowers, rose bushes, fancy pendants, hugs & sloppy kisses, heart-felt cards & notes. It was all good. Truly, I feel loved.

    Just seeing family members seated around the table filled my heart to the brim with love & appreciation! Life is sweet. God is good. All the time.

     

     

  • Be thankful along the way

    “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” –
    1 Thessalonians 5:18.

    I am calling you to a life of thankfulness. I want all your moments to be punctuated with thanksgiving –  (Jesus Calling).    Be thankful along the way (Copy)

    Unfortunately, there are many examples where I failed to thank God for all my blessings. I find myself complaining about petty items.

    The weather is too hot or too cold. We need more rain or there’s been too much rain. This meat is too spicy or too bland. They get more time off to do what they want to do. Or, their grandchildren live close by and mine don’t. She’s further ahead in her writing career, or he has more accepted magazine articles than I do.

    Instead, I need to be thankful for:
    * Sufficient food on the table
    *  Employment opportunity
    *  Grandchildren alive & well
    *  The gift of writing
    *  My own platform to proclaim my story

    I am right where God intended me to be. He placed me in this family for a reason(s).

    Dear God, forgive me for daydreaming and wondering what the grass on the other side might be like. 

    “You may think the grass is greener on the other side. But if you take the time to water your own grass, it would be just as green” – unknown.

     

  • Psalm 115 Muse

    “I love the Lord, for he heard my voice” – (He listened to me! No one else on planet earth always has the time or even the inclination to listen to me all the time).

    “Because he turned his ear to me (He listened so intently), I will call on him as long as I live” – vs. 1, 2

    Orchid Water Lily - photo by Steve Lasher
    Orchid Water Lily – photo by Steve Lasher

    “The Lord is gracious & righteous; (it is he who makes things right — not one person, not an acceptance/rejection slip) our God is full of compassion” – vs. 5.

    “The Lord protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me” (when I find no time to finish my tasks and words don’t come) I cry out to God who hears my plea. In my own strength, I am truly helpless.

    “Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you” – vs. 7… (showered me with blessings and dealt bountifully with me.)

    “Here I am, your servant, your faithful servant: set me free for your service!” – vs. 16.

    Thank you, God, for giving me life, breath, and stories to pen and share with others. Even if only one person reads my story and responds, I know I must tell the story. 

  • His grace is an ocean

    “And we are His portion and He is our prize
    Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
    If His grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking
    And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss
    And my heart turns violently inside of my chest

    I don’t have time to maintain these regrets
    When I think about the way
    Oh, how He loves us, oh
    Oh, how He loves us, how He loves all …” — How He Loves Us, by David Crowder band

    I recently listened to this song several times. I still have a hard time comprehending or beginning to understand the depth and immensity of God’s love. For me. For you. For humankind … knowing we often fail to show our love toward God. I say and do things I know displeases and makes him sad.

    Grace. Forgiveness. Love. All these characteristics are clearly evident in God. I claim this New Year — 2013 — to be a year of fresh starts. How about you?

    Dear God, I chose to be more aware of your love for me, my family and friends. I chose to recognize daily and even minute-by-minute blessings you freely give. I chose to learn more of you in your love letter, the Bible. I ask for your strength to accomplish these activities. Without you, I can do nothing. Amen.

    ***

  • Trust – Search – and Expect blessings

    Crumbly, old stairway (Iowa)
    Crumbly, old stairway (Iowa)

    The challenge continually before you is to trust Me and search for My way through each day. Do not blindly follow your habitual route, or you will miss what I have prepared for you — Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.

    Let’s face it — we are creatures of habit. If it worked for us last time and the time before, why mess with the program? Why? Because maybe … just maybe … things could be better.

    Sarah Young shares a few valid reasons to ignore status quo:

    1.      Trust God. Why wouldn’t I trust him? He created me, sustains me and wants only the best for me.

    2.  Search for God’s way continually. Not just once and say it’s done, but again and again throughout the day. Here’s the definition for search: to make a thorough examination of, look over carefully in order to find something. To come to know, to learn.

    3.  Expect blessings and surprises! God loves to love us and give us the desires of our heart if we ask with the proper motives.

    Dear God, forgive me for rushing into today without praying to you and asking what you have in mind for me. I intentionally seek your wisdom and your way. You know what’s best for me. Thank you for what you’re going to do.

    “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” — Isaiah 55:8–9.

    Do you feel you’ve got your life under control? Do you blindly go through your day without considering what God would have you do and say?