Heaven or Home?

After leaving Sharlas's house last week, I made my way to see my baby sister, Dovis Diane. I think one of my grandmothers had "Dovis" as a second name. My Mother liked it because it was different. And I just had to share it with you. We call her Diane, or "Nanner." She is ten years younger than me. She is another sibling that I cared  for as a young girl. It was like having my own baby doll to play with, only she was real. Oh, how I loved her! And still do. She has had three strokes and a really bad back problem for years. Pain is certainly not foreign to her. But in spite of it all she has this immaculate house, where nothing is out of place. And it is decorated with  many extras to make it look so homey and comfortable. It made me wonder if  God is getting my mansion fixed up and comfortable for me. I know heaven is beyond description. But I guess I love homey and comfortable more than anything. When He said He is preparing a place for me, does that mean it is specifically for my liking? I don't know. But I just imagine that since Jesus is there it will automatically be to my liking. That would make anyplace HOME. Some call it heaven, but I call it HOME.....

John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you,

Homeschooling, Gardens, and Froley

My little trip last week took me to our daughter Sharlas's place next. She is our third daughter and the mother of seven children (ages 5-20). They live on ten acres in the country and take care of chickens, sheep, a horse, and little dog named Froley. Sharla is a busy little lady. Not only does she homeschool six children, but she is a pastor's wife. She teaches Sunday School, takes care of the nursery, does children's church at times, and sings specials, takes care of any special event the church has. She also cleans houses and helps several older folks in her community, and she even has a garden! I could go on and on but I get tired just thinking about it all. It is a mystery to me how I produced such hard working kids. I did work very hard when they were growing up. I cleaned as much as ten houses a week. But I didn't homeschool, so I did not have some of the pressures they face. I am thankful that God has given them the desire, and the ability to homeschool. They feel that teaching and training their children is not a responsibility to be taken lightly. And by the way, neither does God. They are HIS heritage and HIS reward. We had better take good care of what belongs to HIM.

 Psalm 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is His reward.

Not An Old Lady

I realized one thing for sure this last week. I do not want to be an "old lady." Now mind you, I know I am getting older. Yes, my sixty seventh birthday is in two weeks. But that doesn't mean I'm old yet. Why, you should see Mrs. Cotton, (sweet lady in our church ) she still picks up people for every service. And she is eighty seven years old. She told me tonight, that she worked in her yard all day. I think I got my back out of whack climbing steps while gone, so I was in pain and sorta complaining to her. (I am content to suffer as long as the world knows it.) But after her comment I decided to suffer in silence. I won't be an "old lady."

My next stop on my little trip last week was at the home of my friend Sharon. Having been friends for over forty years, we take trips down memory lane when we visit. She tells me stuff about me that I can't remember. And she is two years older than me. Now, what is that about? We decided to eat breakfast out at a cute little Mexican place.  And guess what we find in the store right next to it?  A wig shop. Yes mam. We are looking at these Raquel Welch wigs and I say, "People tell me I look like her," ( someone did tell me that one time) and that whole shop turns around and looks at me like I should be at home where my family could watch me.  I'm telling you, I am not, absolutely am not, going to be an "old lady"...... I Wish.

 But getting older is inevitable if we live long enough, and it can be a great time of our life. We can spend more time praying for our children, grandchildren, and others. I use the prayer that Paul prayed for the Colossians in chapter 1:9-12 to pray for each one.......... For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;   That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Family, Friends and iPhones

Last week was a time of being with friends and family. And though I didn't get a post on this blog, I enjoyed getting lots of  ideas and thoughts to share with you in future posts. I started by going to my baby brother's place. He has a unique apartment that used to be an exercise gym.You get to see how much you need to lose weight because of the wall of mirrors (oh yeah). His lawn mower repair shop is right outside and that makes it so convenient for him to go to work (or NOT). I am thrilled to be the owner of an iPhone now, thanks to him. He fixed it right up for me.Yep, I think I'll keep it (and him).

I learned something this week (besides how to use an iPhone). It pays to be good to your little brother, because you reap what you sow. My Mama let me take care of him most of the time. There never was a cuter, sweeter blonde haired boy. I am so thankful for the opportunity to care for him. Little did I know that he would turn out to be such a fine man. I am convinced that a man is needed for just about everything you do. I am not ashamed to admit that I am helpless. But my brother (Johnny) has come to my rescue for many things. I can call him and he always knows what to do. When you lose your sweet husband of 49 years, it is so nice to have brothers (and sisters) in your life. Listen young people, LOVE your brothers and sisters...cause they will be your best friends in your old age. And thank God for friends who are there for you. My friend, Pat has called me almost every week since my husband died. It just makes my heart sing when she calls. And I am encouraged again to keep going.
 This verse is so true...............

. Proverbs 17:17 "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

You Will Be Old Some Day

I am sitting with Miss Mary (the 105  year old) again this week. The woman is just so alert and strong. Today she actually walked five steps (with a walker), but that was a great accomplishment to her. It is inspiring to see how much you can lighten the heart of an older person by just a little bit of encouragement and attention. She calls me "Gertrude" heaven knows why, I don't. I guess it is close to "Grandma" which is what she calls me most of the time. You can just imagine how thrilled I am when a 105 year old calls me, "Grandma." I already feel like an old lady. But I am so glad to get to be here for her. And to help out my hard-working daughter, Robin, and her girls. My brother, Johnny, goes to a retirement home each week and visits the residents there. He has a special attachment to a man named Hoot. I am so thankful for a brother who gives his time to help in this way. I remember hearing my husband's grandmother say, "Just wait, you will be old some day." And I would say, "Well, that beats the alternative." I was just kidding of course ('cause we know heaven is a wonderful place). She lived to be 98 years old and lived in our home the last twenty of those. And I wouldn't trade a day of that twenty years for anything. Just be nice to old people (like me) because remember YOU too  will be old some day.......

.Ps 71:9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.

Sorrow vs. Despair

In his book "Created for His Glory" Jim Berg says.. As you try to help those in our day who are despairing, please understand the difference between "sorrow" and "despair." Sorrow is the emotion of loss--the awareness that something has gone bad and isn't the way it was meant to be. It is the reminder that an essential of life is missing. It is the echo within our hearts that we were made for something better. It is a legitimate pain of the soul-a grief. Jesus experience sorrow in the garden.
 (Matt. 26:37-28 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
 Jesus was not depressed here: He is not despairing. Depression and despair are accompanied by hopelessness, disinterest, and often self-pity. Jesus is experiencing sorrow. It is not a sinful emotion. On the contrary, it is a legitimate emotion. Those who sorrow, however, must beware since sorrow turns to despair when there seems to be no end, purpose, or remedy to the sorrow. When sorrow is laced with self-pity-when the thoughts are turned inward in wound licking and outward in finger pointing. Then sorrow becomes corrupted with the poison of the flesh, and despair is the result.

We have such an epidemic of depressed people in our country. Many are letting their sorrows turn into despair. Beware. This book is a great read.  He also has a book called "Changed into His likeness," this book changed my life! I recommend them both.

Precious Memories

It has been an exciting last four weeks for me. Speaking in a Ladies Retreat and two Mother/Daughter banquets has been challenging. But it was a joy to spend time with all those sweet women. Some I have known  for many years and others only a short time, but all so dear to my heart now. And the Lord helped me to get to my destinations without too many wrong turns and with traveling safety. That in itself, was a great blessing. Preacher always did all the driving everywhere and I simply read a book. You should have just called me "Queen Jeanette." Isn't it a shame that we do not appreciate the things that God gives, while we have them? I knew that the man was wonderful and I told him often, but my memory keeps giving me specific incidents. Like all the mornings that he brought me coffee (just the way I like it). It amazes me that I could even live a day without him. But that just goes to show you how really amazing God's grace is. I am so thankful that God not only gives us so many blessings, but gives us the ability to have memories. Precious memories, how they linger, how they ever flood my soul......

Proverbs 10:7a ..The memory of the just is blessed..........

God is the Boss

Phil.4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests he made known unto God.

This verse reminds me of how much God wants to meet our needs. My friend had a story this morning that just proves this point. He said that he had a wreck in his Handicapped Van. His sweet wife, and my friend, was confined to a wheel chair. And by the way, she was one of the best Christians I've ever known. I never remember hearing her complain about her condition, only praise for her Lord. But back to the van.......He worried, and fretted for four weeks about where and how to get another. He looked everywhere and called all over the US. Finally one showed up in Florida. Now to get it transported to Texas. But on the last day he got a call about one right down the road from home. It was affordable and a better van. He said it would have been so much easier on him if he had just said in the beginning, "God, I need a van. You take care of it. I'm going to get a soda pop." I laughed at this. But isn't it the truth that we worry and fret over things that God already has under control?  I can so identify with him. But thanks friend, for reminding me that God is the boss, not me.

His Only Child

Eph. 1:3-7  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath BLESSED us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath CHOSEN us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the ADOPTION of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us ACCEPTED in the beloved. In whom we have REDEMPTION through his blood, the FORGIVENESS of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

I love the book of Ephesians. I guess because it helps me to realize what I have in Christ. My Mama raised five of us kids by herself. Money was really scarce, but we were together and that meant a lot. Though she was not emotionally stable at times (who would be raising a family that big alone) she did the best she could and I am so thankful for her. Even so, I did grow up feeling inferior and insecure. On becoming a Christian at sixteen, I started to learn that the Bible said that God loved me so much that He gave His only begotten Son for me. Wonderful story.... that Jesus died to pay for the sins of the world and more specifically, mine. And so now..according to Ephesians 1:3-7. .I am blessed, I have been chosen, I have been adopted, I have been accepted, I have been redeemed, I have been forgiven. Inferior, insecure? I don't think so.  "He loves me like I was His only child, I've never been so loved before, who could ever ask for more...He loves me like I was His only child."

Poor Little Rich Girl

Colossians 3:20 Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.

I read a story about a woman named Barbara Hutton this week. She was before my time. But she was the daughter of Edna Woolworth, and the granddaughter of Franklin Woolworth. Yes, the founder of the great Woolworth Department Stores. One of the first chain stores in our country. Barbara's mother married Franklyn Hutton, who was the founder of E.F.Hutton. He was a philanderer and her mother committed suicide when Barbara was only 6 years old. At the ripe old age of 21, she inherited 50 million dollars.That is equal to 900 million in today's money. Almost a billion dollars. She spent lavishly on clothes, jewelry, cars, husbands, (she had seven of them, one of which was Gary Grant) mansions all over the world. Because she could not find love or happiness, she turned to drugs and alcohol. She died nearly broke in a hotel room at 66 years of age. Just like her, many spend their entire lives in pursuit of this same thing. Her grandfather, Franklin Woolworth, had a poor childhood. He spent a lifetime of hard work building the Woolworth empire, then died and left it all to a granddaughter who only indulged herself. Sad commentary, don't you think?  How I wish this poor little rich girl could have realized, that only JESUS can satisfy your soul.

"Cool Mrs.Trull"

This weekend I spoke at a Mother Daughter Banquet in Eldorado, AR. I had the best time. That is one great bunch of gals over there. Starting with the precious Pastor's wife Mrs. Deanne Weido. Who, by the way, has had to deal with cancer over the last few years. You would never know it. Not a word of complaint or whining. It was just a blessing to see a family that is so involved in the Lord's work. I rode to the Chinese buffet with Jag Weido. He is 9 years old, but quite the young gentleman. He called me "Cool Mrs.Trull." His description of me made me think about what a joy it is to be involved in other people's lives. There just isn't anything any better than being a servant and worker for Jesus. What a great legacy! Some spend their time and money are worldly pursuits, but what a waste. You can have all that. Can't think of anything any more fulfilling than lovin' and livin' for Jesus. I believe this family can agree with this verse.

3 John 1:4 There is no greater JOY than to hear that my children, walk in truth.