I don't remember who sent me the email several months ago, and I can't even remember the lesson that went with it. Well, it wasn't about memory, so stay with me. The email was about self-worth. I think at some point each of us has wondered about our own worth. And sometimes I think we wonder what kind of impact we leave on the people around us. "Do they know we are here?" "Would they miss us if we were gone?" "Would they be happy if we were gone?" "Or sad they we've left." I had a friend, or perhaps I should call him an acquaintance. I think his lot in life was to argue with every one he met. I'm sure you've known someone like that in your life too. If you said it was raining, he would say the sun was out. If you saw blue skies, he saw clouds. And so it would go. After being around him for a while, I have to admit I was anxious to see him leave. I've been with other friends I couldn't get enough of. When they get up to leave I try to entice them with one more cup of tea, or another cookie. Just to spend a little more time together. I read just this morning I Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others. My prayer is that I'm doing that. I hope I'm the one you want to spend just a little more time with, you will entice me with another cup of tea, or a cookie. I pray that I leave you feeling a little better when I leave than when I got there. Whenever I visit my children my daughter-in-law usually says to me, "Mom, please stay another day, I'll take you to the mall and I'll buy you a new outfit." I smile at her and gave her another kiss. And with tears of joy in my eyes at her outpouring of love. But what I have always said to her is, "Honey, I would love to stay another day, but I don't want you to be as happy when I leave as you were when I got here." Try to make a difference in someone's life today. Make them happy they know you. I am, and I love you.

TOTAL SUBMISSION

For over a year and a half every morning I prayed, asking God for a specific request. And every morning I would add my own understanding of what God's answering that prayer would mean. I asked friends and family to join in my prayer. I usually added, "Your will be done." But did I really mean it? I don't think so. I knew what was best for me. Didn't I? I could see all the work I was doing for the Lord, couldn't HE? I prayed everyday, without ceasing. I Thessalonians 5:17 pray continually, "Okay, Lord, isn't that what I'm doing? I thought I was doing every thing right. Giving God all the glory and honor. One day while sitting in my office, facing one of the bird feeders, a Painted Bunting landed and began eating. He looked around, as if checking everything out before he continued. He was all alone. He had no idea where his food supply was coming from, but yet he looked well fed and healthy. It was almost like that little bird was looking at me. "What are you thinking? Telling God what's best for you?" Right that minute I got down on my knees, "God, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. I am giving this petition to You. I will do Your will. I will go where you call me." Three days later, after my total submission, God answered my year and a half long prayer. My prayer today is, "why am I such a slow learner, God?"

WAIT A MINUTE

My husband likes to share with our friends that he spoils me. I'm not arguing, because he does. He does so many things for me that are wonderful. Like always keeping the car full of gas. In fact, since we've been married I think I've only made one or maybe two trips to the gas station. He does most of the yard work, takes out the trash, and a few months ago when I pulled some of the hair out of my head from frustration he took over the laundry. He loves to go shopping with me and seems to enjoy our time together. We laugh together about a lot of things. That's probably one of the best aspects of our marriage, the silly things we laugh about. Just a few days ago I was working in my office. I had papers scattered across my desk, and was trying to make sense of research I've been doing for my latest work in progress. Completely focused on what I was doing, I heard a little voice from the living room. "Honey, do you know it's lunch time? I'm hungry." Okay sweetheart let me drop everything and rush right out to the kitchen. Wait a minute. I'm spoiled?

WHERE ARE YOU?

Several years ago I was driving through an orange grove and suddenly realized I had no idea where I was. The further I drove the more disoriented I became. In a near panic I called my husband, who happened to be on the golf course at the time. I was close to tears, and late for an appointment. The first words out of his mouth were "Where are you?" To which I responded a little more curt than I meant to, "If I knew where I was, I wouldn't be calling you." "Okay, honey, just calm down and give me an landmark." "I see lots of orange trees." I guess that didn't help him much, and besides that he was anxious to get back to his golf game. He knew if I continued driving, as long as I stayed on the main roads, I would eventually get to a familiar place. This morning while reading my morning devotions I came across a familiar passage in the Bible. Isaiah 65:1 I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me. I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name I said, Here am I, here am I. Reading that passage in the Bible brought me a great deal of comfort, just knowing even when I'm lost, no matter where I am the Lord is always with me. And isn't our life like that too? As long as you follow the Lord's path you will eventually come to a familiar place. Not only that, my husband bought a GPS for me a few years ago, so even when I'm driving around lost in the orange groves, I know I'm not really lost. Just like my life, the Lord is always with me too.

Sunshine Blogger Award

I received this award from Joylene Nowell Butler. And what a surprise!. Joylene is an inspiration to me and to anyone she comes in contact with. As I understand the rules which follow, it is my responsibility to pass this award on to 12 others. I can think of so many of my colleagues who deserve this award. At first I thought I couldn't think of 12, but in fact I can think of more than 12. People who not only spread sunshine, but hope as well as joy in their writing. My hope is that I don't forget any one of them. Thank you again Joylene for this wonderful award. You, my friend are the "sunshine" and JOY in my life. The rules for accepting the Sunshine Award are: - Put the logo on your blog or within your post. - Pass the award onto 12 bloggers. - Link the nominees within your post. - Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog. - Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

NO BACK BUTTON

My husband is an avid golfer, so he pays close attention to the weather. Every morning his first question to me is, "have you checked the weather this morning?" I have it loaded on the desk top, so as the computer boots up, the weather channel displays the current weather conditions in our area. This morning was no different. "Sorry honey, rain all day." He shrugged his shoulders, "is it raining now?" I nodded my head. "When did it start?" Since the weather browser has no back button, I assume most people don't care what the weather was an hour ago, only what it will be in the coming hours. I sat thinking about that for a second, and realized that's a lot like the way our Lord works. He doesn't have a "back button". He tells us to ask for forgiveness, know that He will forgive us and move forward. A friend called one day with concerns on her heart. She shared with me and talked for a while. She said, "I know God will never forgive me. I'm not worthy. This is going to be hanging over my head the rest of my life." I waited until the tears stopped, then asked her. "Have you asked God to forgive you?" "Of course, many times." "You have to forgive yourself. Then you have to know that He has forgiven you too." Jeremiah 15:19 Therefore this is what the Lord says: If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman." We prayed together that day. She told me she had never felt more at peace. Today she is working as a crisis counselor. And she is worthy in the Lords eyes as well as her own.

I'M SORRY

One of the things I try not to do is thank people in public. It seems when I do that, I always forget at least one person. And it's always someone important to me. Not because they were less important than the other people I was thanking, but just because my memory has shrunk to one fourth it's capacity. Yesterday I had the opportunity to nominate fellow writers with the Prolific Blogger Award. While I was cutting and pasting blog addresses I was also trying to cook dinner. I answered a few phone calls about a huge fund raiser we are having and also checking on my husband. I'm not making excuses for myself, but I just want you to know I badly I feel today. I intended to nominate Karen Lange http://karenelange.blogspot.com/ and her blog, Write Now. Karen forgive me, please accept this award. You are a Prolific Blogger! I love your posts. Check out her blog and drop her a note. Tell her what a moron I am while you're at it! Hugs Karen-----