ALIVE!

 Lord,

     You have given me another day to walk with You. 

     As it was from the beginning, I am Yours. My body and mind… 

     everything I am is Yours. Energize me for today’s purpose. 

     Give me awareness of Your presence and the wonders surrounding me.

     I pray, in Your Son's name, that all I do and think will be pleasing to You.  

    Amen.

     Yesterday, I reminded myself that 

 and wrote the above to begin each day. For me, it is a reality that I might not wake up. So I am grateful and feel blessed for each additional day I receive. 

As I chose the little bird illustration above, it reminded me of one of those teaching moments I shared with my first grandchild when he was a pre-schooler. 

A tiny bird lay underneath the window, as we began our walk. It had not seen the glass as it flew. Its tiny neck broke upon impact.I explained the bird was dead. Meaning it could no longer fly or sing because it was not breathing.  

Later as we walked, he pointed happily toward the sky saying, "Gramma, they're breathing!" Indeed, the flock of geese flying overhead were honking and breathing. They were alive!

Living with chronic illnesses makes me wonder if there is any purpose for me to fulfill. Thanks to oxygen 24/7 I am breathing… 

I am alive!

I am blogging… sharing my thoughts to encourage you, my reader. I ask that you take a deep breath and do something to encourage someone today. Like maybe leave a comment for me!   

Selah...

Connie   

P.S.  

                                                                                                                                                                                               

    

Heart Day, a Week Later

I am still feeling special. 

On Valentine's Day, I received flowers, candy and cards. The candy is long gone, but the cards and flowers remain on my coffee table to enjoy. As nice as each gift was, it was a neighbor that touched my heart when she said::

"I just want you to know I'm glad you're here."

As a person with chronic illnesses, it fits my daily prayer:

 [the chance to make a new beginning]

At bedtime, I say:

Note: I find that using quotations help me to express myself. So both are posted on my bedroom's closet door.

How did someone make you feel special lately?

Selah --

Connie

What Makes You Happy?

As I put a roast in the oven today, I thought of my Brandi.

Brandi was placed in my bathrobe pocket by my husband many years ago. "Shut your eyes," he'd said. A few moments after he removed his hand, I felt something wiggling. John's eyes twinkled as I gently pulled out aTblond puppy a little bigger than my hand. She looked me over then went to sleep on my lap.

As she grew, she turned into the color of fine Brandy. She was a mutt, yet had signs of beagle in her face. Brandi was an instant source of fun and unconditional love. Best of all she favored ME!

In the beginning, we were worried because she wouldn't eat, but come morning her food dish was empty. That was her lifelong pattern. She waited until she was sure she'd get no people food. After we went to bed, she'd settle for her own. She grew healthy and strong.

So, you say, what has that to do with a roast? Brandi's favorite people food was cooked carrots. My least favorite vegetable was... yep, cooked carrots. But I always added them to a roast for flavor. As a roast cooked, Brandi was a happy dog with a tail wagging in delight. She'd go to the stove, sniff and run circles around my feet.

At dinner, I would break the rule and sneak her my carrots. I had to reward her happy dances, right?

Don't you wish life was that simple?

Brandi left me years ago with many fond memories:

• how she protected my son, 
• how she would never let the meter reader in, 
• how good a mother she was to her 5 puppies, 
• how she dragged the toilet paper throughout the house without tearing it- because we'd left her home alone, 
• how she loved going to the bank to get People Crackers from the teller, and, of course, 
• how she loved carrots.

Every time I fix a roast, I think of her and the joy she added to my life. I remember to add those carrots, even if I don't eat them because it is the simple things that flavor our lives.

Then I take the time to remember my favorite things.

Selah ,

Connie