Thank you to those who have prayed and encouraged us through this loss of our friend.
The memorial service was today, and although it was a time of seeing some friends we do not get to see often, it was a bittersweet time.
We can rejoice at Kyle's being with the Lord, but we are shedding tears at the thought of his death, and of missing him, missing all we would have shared with him, all the life he would have had.
It causes a person to be very introspective, analyzing our lives in relationship to our impact on others.
How we may say we will pray, and do we? We say we care, but do we take the time to really build relationships and be there for others?
I know we cannot be close and of great support to everyone that God puts in our path, but there are those few that we are called to take time with. To share a bit of ourselves with, and to let them share themselves with us.
It takes time, a lot of time. It takes a commitment. It takes following through. It takes listening to the Holy Spirit, and not putting off what we are nudged to do.
It means taking our eyes off ourselves so we can see others. It means putting some of our own pain aside, so we can share the pain of others.
Our granddaughter, 14, was receiving a math award at her high school tonight. We only found out at the last minute.
The thought never crossed my mind when we were drying our tears so we could be there for her, that we would be walking into a school filled with kids just like Kyle. Kids with needs.
Kids who might have aching hearts. Who might have pain no one knew about.
I looked at those kids differently. I looked wondering. Wondering if anyone was connecting with them. Did they know they were loved? They all looked so happy on the outside. Were they really happy? Or do they have secret lives where they ache, and their joking is only to cover up their hurt selves? And what about us? Are we in pain but we laugh and cover it up?
Or do we have a friend we can share our pain with? I'm thinking we need to open up and share our real selves with each other. We need to love and be loved, in pain and in joy.
Well, I'm pondering, and you are all good listeners. I'm grateful for that.
I do hope we all learn something from this heartache, and other things that touch our lives so deeply. And that when we realize some of these things, we chose to do something about it. Care more, listen more, hug more.
I expect i will shed more tears for awhile, as many will. But with time God will ease the pain and fill our hearts with joy once again. He will turn our sorrow into gladness and our mourning into dancing. His mercies are new every morning.
Blessings, and thank you,
Barbara Jean
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Prayer Please
"God is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Ps 34:18
Please pray for us as we mourn the loss of a precious young man in our church.
At 15, he felt his life too burdensome to keep living.
None of us had a clue.
Please use this as a reminder to keep in touch with those close to you,
to make sure they know they are loved, and you are there for them.
Don't just assume they know it.
Tell them.
Hug them.
Listen.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
Blessings,
Barbara Jean
Please pray for us as we mourn the loss of a precious young man in our church.
At 15, he felt his life too burdensome to keep living.
None of us had a clue.
Please use this as a reminder to keep in touch with those close to you,
to make sure they know they are loved, and you are there for them.
Don't just assume they know it.
Tell them.
Hug them.
Listen.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
Blessings,
Barbara Jean
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Thankful Thursday
Sometimes it is really hard to be thankful.
We had bad news tonight that our friend at church just lost her 14 year old son.
It is uncertain right now whether it is an accident or not.
We do not know any other details.
We are all devastated by this news.
So today, I am going to be thankful for all the prayers that will be lifted up for this family.
I am thankful for a God who will use this horrible event for some good.
I will choose to give thanks, though my heart breaks right now.
I will choose to give thanks for the peace that only He can give.
I will choose to give thanks for strength to go on for this family.
I am thankful for a God who will see us through this storm too.
Please pray with us for this family, and never take for granted those around you.
Blessings,
Barbara Jean
We had bad news tonight that our friend at church just lost her 14 year old son.
It is uncertain right now whether it is an accident or not.
We do not know any other details.
We are all devastated by this news.
So today, I am going to be thankful for all the prayers that will be lifted up for this family.
I am thankful for a God who will use this horrible event for some good.
I will choose to give thanks, though my heart breaks right now.
I will choose to give thanks for the peace that only He can give.
I will choose to give thanks for strength to go on for this family.
I am thankful for a God who will see us through this storm too.
Please pray with us for this family, and never take for granted those around you.
Blessings,
Barbara Jean
Sharing Suzie's Thoughts
My friend Suzie, has written a wonderful post I would like to share with you.
It is "Things I Believe"
Go on over and be blessed.
Blessings and Good Night.
Barbara Jean
It is "Things I Believe"
Go on over and be blessed.
Blessings and Good Night.
Barbara Jean
Pondering Time
Good morning everyone!!
When is the last time you had time, or took time, to think?
If you are like most of us, you are running from one thing to another, one appointment, one scheduled event, one more stop, to another.
Our lives seem to be a constant barrage of things to do, places to go, and people to see.
Who really has time to think? And what would we think about if we did have time?
Maybe we could think about the next breath we take. Sounds funny doesn't it?
But think about it. If you are like me, I am so busy running, I do not even take deep breaths any more. My breathing is short and shallow.
Take a minute. Breathe in, I mean think about it, and take a deep breath.
Can you feel yourself really needing that breath? It's almost a struggle to get it in.
Breathe in again. Another deep breath. Don't think about where you need to be in 20 minutes, or what is next on the list, just breathe. Can you feel your body start to relax? Is it making you realize how tense you are all the time, and you don't even realize it? Breathe, relax.
There is really nothing worth rushing for. Nothing worth the tension. Nothing worth the stress we put on our bodies and minds by racing.
OK. Now, think.
Think about Him. Think about how He wants to place His loving hand on your shoulder. How He wants to share His peace with you. How He has already directed your steps for the day.
How He will use all that happens to help you grow, and that He will be glorified through you.
Think about His love for us. Think about how when you cry, He cries with you, and colllects your tears in a bottle. Think about how there will be no more tears in Heaven.
Think about how when you laugh, He laughs with you.
Think about how He delights in you.
Think about a love, so huge, a desire so big, He would give His son so we can be with Him for eternity.
Just breathe. And think. And thank.
Now go on your way, not rushing to the next appointment, but go in peace, and go out in love,
like He loves us, unconditionally, and with our whole hearts.
May your peaceful heart touch the hearts of those you meet today.
Blessings
When is the last time you had time, or took time, to think?
If you are like most of us, you are running from one thing to another, one appointment, one scheduled event, one more stop, to another.
Our lives seem to be a constant barrage of things to do, places to go, and people to see.
Who really has time to think? And what would we think about if we did have time?
Maybe we could think about the next breath we take. Sounds funny doesn't it?
But think about it. If you are like me, I am so busy running, I do not even take deep breaths any more. My breathing is short and shallow.
Take a minute. Breathe in, I mean think about it, and take a deep breath.
Can you feel yourself really needing that breath? It's almost a struggle to get it in.
Breathe in again. Another deep breath. Don't think about where you need to be in 20 minutes, or what is next on the list, just breathe. Can you feel your body start to relax? Is it making you realize how tense you are all the time, and you don't even realize it? Breathe, relax.
There is really nothing worth rushing for. Nothing worth the tension. Nothing worth the stress we put on our bodies and minds by racing.
OK. Now, think.
Think about Him. Think about how He wants to place His loving hand on your shoulder. How He wants to share His peace with you. How He has already directed your steps for the day.
How He will use all that happens to help you grow, and that He will be glorified through you.
Think about His love for us. Think about how when you cry, He cries with you, and colllects your tears in a bottle. Think about how there will be no more tears in Heaven.
Think about how when you laugh, He laughs with you.
Think about how He delights in you.
Think about a love, so huge, a desire so big, He would give His son so we can be with Him for eternity.
Just breathe. And think. And thank.
Now go on your way, not rushing to the next appointment, but go in peace, and go out in love,
like He loves us, unconditionally, and with our whole hearts.
May your peaceful heart touch the hearts of those you meet today.
Blessings
Monday, April 20, 2009
Muddling Through
I see i have been neglecting my friends over here, so here is a fun story.
(Hope it doesn't lose it all in the telling).
Background:
Scott and I are teaching a Home Blessings session at our church on May 2nd.
This is a big stretch for us as neither of us are 'public' speakers. We both do well leading a small group but...
Assignment:
It was part of our commitment to announce it at the Sunday service. We were petrified about this.
Sat. night we figured out what we wanted to say and started working on it.
Being the creative person that i am, I already had some ideas. And, being the person he is, my husband said go for it.
So, my plan was that we not make a plain old "here's what's happening. Please come" type of announcement. Too many people sleep right through those.
So we wrote this whole little comedy, and practiced it for an hour! (for a 5 minute announcement). Well, we just laughed our heads off while practicing, but eventually felt like we had it down, and scooted off to bed.
Sunday morning:
We set up our little table in the foyer, pretty table cloth, teddy bears, flowers, things arranged just so.
We are both extremely nervous.
Church:
Two worship songs, then we are on! (oh my, I'm getting a queasy stomach just thinking of it again.)
Announcement:
we got off track right from the start!!! We muddled back and forth. People were smiling and shaking their heads in agreement with things we were saying. Women were poking their husbands with their elbows. We just kept on muddling. People were laughing. That was good. We kept muddling, they kept laughing. Finally, we were finished!!!!
WHEW!! So we go back to our pew (good thing we always sit in the same place, or we'd have never found our way back!!) Scott does not think he heard the first half of the sermon, and I wondered how long it took till i was not red any more.
The finale:
Church is over, and people are telling us how great that was. So funny!! (because we had started out with a funny presentation, they just though all the jumping around was part of it!)
They said no one in the sanctuary could miss that announcement it was so funny.
(oh, I forgot to tell you, we are speaking on communications, and how our brains work!) =0)
the Future:
we are just wondering now: it took us 1 hour, and tons of laughter to put together a 5 minute announcement.
We are supposed to share for an hour and a half at the session, and it is less than two weeks away.
Hmmm, do we have enough time to prepare???
Hope we laugh as hard on the next part, as we did on the announcement.
I'm glad God can use even our 'muddling thorough' for His Glory.
Blessings, and oh, prayers requested. =0)
Barbara Jean
PS
Later I was apologizing to the leadership that we took so much time. He said we just did out 5 minutes! Seemed like an eternity to us!
(Hope it doesn't lose it all in the telling).
Background:
Scott and I are teaching a Home Blessings session at our church on May 2nd.
This is a big stretch for us as neither of us are 'public' speakers. We both do well leading a small group but...
Assignment:
It was part of our commitment to announce it at the Sunday service. We were petrified about this.
Sat. night we figured out what we wanted to say and started working on it.
Being the creative person that i am, I already had some ideas. And, being the person he is, my husband said go for it.
So, my plan was that we not make a plain old "here's what's happening. Please come" type of announcement. Too many people sleep right through those.
So we wrote this whole little comedy, and practiced it for an hour! (for a 5 minute announcement). Well, we just laughed our heads off while practicing, but eventually felt like we had it down, and scooted off to bed.
Sunday morning:
We set up our little table in the foyer, pretty table cloth, teddy bears, flowers, things arranged just so.
We are both extremely nervous.
Church:
Two worship songs, then we are on! (oh my, I'm getting a queasy stomach just thinking of it again.)
Announcement:
we got off track right from the start!!! We muddled back and forth. People were smiling and shaking their heads in agreement with things we were saying. Women were poking their husbands with their elbows. We just kept on muddling. People were laughing. That was good. We kept muddling, they kept laughing. Finally, we were finished!!!!
WHEW!! So we go back to our pew (good thing we always sit in the same place, or we'd have never found our way back!!) Scott does not think he heard the first half of the sermon, and I wondered how long it took till i was not red any more.
The finale:
Church is over, and people are telling us how great that was. So funny!! (because we had started out with a funny presentation, they just though all the jumping around was part of it!)
They said no one in the sanctuary could miss that announcement it was so funny.
(oh, I forgot to tell you, we are speaking on communications, and how our brains work!) =0)
the Future:
we are just wondering now: it took us 1 hour, and tons of laughter to put together a 5 minute announcement.
We are supposed to share for an hour and a half at the session, and it is less than two weeks away.
Hmmm, do we have enough time to prepare???
Hope we laugh as hard on the next part, as we did on the announcement.
I'm glad God can use even our 'muddling thorough' for His Glory.
Blessings, and oh, prayers requested. =0)
Barbara Jean
PS
Later I was apologizing to the leadership that we took so much time. He said we just did out 5 minutes! Seemed like an eternity to us!
Friday, April 17, 2009
What kind of fruit today?
Ever feel like life's giving you lemons?
Or like someone is throwing rotten tomatoes at you??
Those are my words added to the free images over at Tami's.
Those are the thoughts that came to mind the instant i saw these pics.
Then i had to laugh out loud at myself.
You know, some days, or even weeks, that is how life seems.
Everything seems worse than it is. Every thing, and feeling, seems bigger than it is.
Things seem like they go from lemonade to lemons.
That's just life sometimes.
Then our whole focus becomes negative,and things seem even worse.
We can't quite get things back in perspective.
Just feels like someone is throwing rotten tomatoes at us, when what we really need is a brownie.
That is how my week has seemed.
And things really got out of control in my mind.
Today I am having to make a choice. I am choosing to let the HS be in control.
It is not easy, because my feelings are still telling me things are crumby.
And you know what? They really are still crumby!!!
But, I can trust they will get better. I can trust that the HS will have His way if i let Him.
I can trust that the sun will rise tomorrow, and that life will go on.
So Lord, this is my prayer. Help me to keep letting the HS have His way. Help me to choose the fruit of the Spirit, and not that rotten fruit that shows itself when the HS is not in control.
Thank you Lord.
Blessings to all of you,
Barbara Jean
Those are the thoughts that came to mind the instant i saw these pics.
Then i had to laugh out loud at myself.
You know, some days, or even weeks, that is how life seems.
Everything seems worse than it is. Every thing, and feeling, seems bigger than it is.
Things seem like they go from lemonade to lemons.
That's just life sometimes.
Then our whole focus becomes negative,and things seem even worse.
We can't quite get things back in perspective.
Just feels like someone is throwing rotten tomatoes at us, when what we really need is a brownie.
That is how my week has seemed.
And things really got out of control in my mind.
Today I am having to make a choice. I am choosing to let the HS be in control.
It is not easy, because my feelings are still telling me things are crumby.
And you know what? They really are still crumby!!!
But, I can trust they will get better. I can trust that the HS will have His way if i let Him.
I can trust that the sun will rise tomorrow, and that life will go on.
So Lord, this is my prayer. Help me to keep letting the HS have His way. Help me to choose the fruit of the Spirit, and not that rotten fruit that shows itself when the HS is not in control.
Thank you Lord.
Blessings to all of you,
Barbara Jean
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