It's Tough Being a Woman!

MY HEART IS BROKEN

It is difficult to believe that it has been almost 7 years since my precious daughter and her prince were married. They married young enough to have their family before 30. Yet, 30 is here and there are no new family members. This breaks my heart for them and for me.

It is, also, hard to fathom that it has been 10 months since my grandson has been allowed to spend an afternoon with his Papa and Nana. This breaks my heart again every day.

It is difficult to know which pain is worse.

YOU CAN'T OUTGIVE GOD!!

Recently I gifted a friend with a certificate for Zesto banana splits. I have never eaten a banana split simply because the thought of bananas with ice cream does not appeal to me. My husband is a banana split lover, however I would choose a simple sundae and pass on the banana split.

A few days after I had gifted my friend with the banana splits, my daughter and I went to dinner at a favorite restaurant. Someone in the kitchen goofed and my daughters' salad arrived without dressing or several other toppings that should have been included. My own 'peppers and onions' had no peppers.

When the error was noted and corrected, we were told that dessert would be on the house.
Soon two beautiful dishes of ... you guessed it, BANANA SPLITS, were placed in front of us.
Never having desired a banana split I picked up the spoon to taste it planning to just take a few bites to be polite. I was pleasantly surprised that the desert was delicious. Even the bananas. It didn't occur to me until later that I had given banana splits and I had been given banana splits right back.

And here I am back at the Island Spa, gifted with weeks of pleasure by a friend who I simply called to check on a few years ago. Working and volunteering together I knew little about her personal life. When I learned she had lung surgery I called. My friend asks nothing in return. I did nothing deserving of this. Yet I am here. Enjoying vacation time that I knew I was giving up when I left my job. I am humbled by the gift, as it reminds me of another gift.

The gift of love from God who sent His son Jesus to die that I might have the gift of life. I do not deserve the gift, yet I have it.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. "

Philippians 4:19

Lifestyle Evangelism

She was as red as a red rose.

As we stood in line in the Piggley Wiggley, she turned and asked,

"Do you know of a natural remedy for sunburn? We don't have money."

My husband hearing only the "natural" part said, "aloe".

Me hearing the 'no money' part, looked closer at the sunburn.

She pulled up her shirt to show that her stomach was burned also.

The flaming red burn covered every inch that was exposed, arms and back, also.

Having once been in that same predicament and remembering how painful and miserable it was, it was easy to feel compassion.

~

I chose to ignore the fact that the young couple was unwisely purchasing beer and cigarettes, when medication was the greater need.

I hurried to the first aid isle and found the only sunburn product.

Back at the check out, I watched as the young woman put back the cigarettes when she could not find enough change in her purse to pay the cashier.

The man chose the beer over her physical pain and remarked that he had told her not to go to sleep in the sun.

As they completed their transaction, I told the woman to wait a moment.

When the Solarcaine was scanned I handed it to her with a God Bless You.

Whether they were grateful or spongers didn't matter.

I would have felt shame if I had walked away without trying to help someone in pain.

The outcome is not what matters, doing what Jesus might do in the same circumstance is paramount.

Although He might have healed the burn, naturally!

~

"In the same way, let your light shine before men,

that they may see your good deeds

and praise your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:16 (New International Version)

Gifts - Tangible and Intangible

TANGIBLE

INTANGIBLE

The amount of energy

expended on a project of love,

whether growing tomatoes or planting flowers.

TANGIBLE

The flower stems after the flowers were destroyed (eaten?)

by a small animal.

INTANGIBLE

Frustration and desire to end the take-over

taking place in our yard and garden.

TANGIBLE

Weapons to take defensive measures to save our home land.

INTANGIBLE

The thoughtfulness of my daughter in gifting her Dad

with these products for Father's Day!

TANGIBLE AND INTANGIBLE

The delicious dinner my daughter prepared for her Dad.

And the heart warming words "I've seen Mama do it."

"I thank my God every time I remember you," Philippians 1:3