ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE DAY

I love quotes and thought these were awesome so am reblogging so others can enjoy also. Have a wonderful day!

Momsfirstscreenn's Weblog

~ A pat on the back is only a few inches from a kick in the rear.

~ Always be yourself because the people that matter don’t mind, and the ones who mind, don’t matter.

~ “Be my Valentine…forever.” – GOD

~ By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he’s wrong.

~ Do not believe in miracles…rely on them.

~ Do you brighten a room just by entering or just by leaving?

~ Friends may come and go but enemies accumulate.

~ God only gives us what we can handle, but sometimes I wish he didn’t trust me so much!

~ He who slings mud generally loses ground.

~ I cannot do everything, but I can still do something.

~ If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.

~ Make sure you have finished speaking before your audience has…

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If I Knew

In light of the shootings in Aurora Colorado, we are reminded of the uncertainty and  fragility of life.  As I was going through some grief information, I came across a poem of whom the author is unknown.  It reinforces the need we each should have to remind those near and dear to us how much we love them.

If I knew it would be the last time

That I’d see you fall asleep

I would tuck you in more tightly

And pray the Lord your soul to keep

If I knew it would be the last time

That I would see you walk out the door

I would give you a hug and kiss

And call you back for more

If I knew it would be the last time

I would hear your voice lifted up in praise

I would video tape each action and word

God knows I would play them back day after day

If I knew it would be the last time

I could spare an extra minute

To say “I love you”

Instead of assuming you would know I do.

If I knew it would be the last time

I would be there to share your day

While I’m sure you’ll have so many more

So I can let just one slip away

For surely there’s always tomorrow

To make up for an oversight

And we always get a second chance

To make everything up just right

There will always be another day

To say, “I love you”

And certainly there’s another chance

To say “Anything I can do?”

But just in case I might be wrong

And today is all I get

I’d like to say how much I love you

And I hope we never forget

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone

Young or old alike

And today may be the last chance

I get to hold your love so tight

So if you’re waiting for tomorrow

Why not do it today?

For if tomorrow never comes

You’ll surely regret the day

That you didn’t take that extra time

For a smile, a hug or kiss

And you were too busy to grant someone

What turned out to be their one last wish

So hold your loved ones close today

And whisper in their ear

Tell them how much you love them

And that you’ll always hold them dear

Take time to say”I’m sorry”,

“Please forgive me”, “Thank You”, or “It’s Okay

And if tomorrow never comes

You’ll have no regrets about today.

Author unknown

 

 

The Disagreement

Words spoken…

Drenched in feeling

Long contemplated

Filled my thoughts for way too long

Unrest, turmoil

Sleepless nights

“It’s not a big deal,”

Deception smoozes,

“Just stay quiet, keep the peace,

At any cost.”

But who is peaceful…?

It’s a sham, a cover up.

Finally… proded and provoked by reality,

Out fly words clothed in frustration!

There, it’s out!

And the usual follows…

It’s exhausting, but necessary.

Now begins the conversation,

Two  reasonable, loving people

Working on coming to terms with differences.

Self examination…Oh God bring the awareness, the change,

The stuff of which relationships grow,

For our good and Your glory!

Amen

Lynn Radke July 24,2012

IT’S HOT…HOW HOT IS IT?

It’s so hot the squirrels are drinking from the water fountain!!!!

Equipment

Well I got out my bike the other day

And down the road I did ride

It’s been a while I have to admit

And parts of my body cried.

Each bump became a torturous event

As standing I tried to avert

The soreness and pain that went along

With this whole personal hurt.

I’d forgotten that it can be like this

And so necessary to me,

Was acquiring the proper bicycle seat

And padded shorts can be key.

The dangers are many and wary I must be

As on the road I ride

Scan the horizon, look both ways,

And the rules by which I abide.

All there for my safety and comfort

So I can enjoy the journey

To reach my destination by bike

And not end up on a gurney.

The hard helmet looks kind of goofy to me

But speeds could cause me to fly

Down the road at the slightest mistake

Alas,” to wear, its good,” I sigh.

Someone is approaching from behind

You couldn’t see or hear

Check those side mirrors just in case

You didn’t know he was there.

So how do we think we can take to the path

Of life so unprepared?

It throws  many obstacles, surprises and twists,

Without Him I would be scared.

Yet this journey too, has equipment needs

Instructed by our Father to take

Along with us on the journey

“They’re necessary, make no mistake.”

The helmet of salvation,

The belt of truth procure,

The breast-plate of righteousness in place

Is God’s instruction sure.

Without the sword of the spirit,

The gospel of peace on our feet,

And the shield of faith in our hands,

No armour would be complete.

Always praying in the spirit,

Is sure to be sound advice.

Guidance like this cannot fail us

If you’re not prepared, you’d better think twice.

For it’s no small battle we’re fighting

And endurance is the key

Pray, stay alert, and armoured

To attain the victory.

Next week RAGBRAI begins here in Iowa.  For those who don’t know that’s: Registers Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. Hence the inspiration for my poem today.

Lynn Radke July 19,2012

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN’T LOOKING

I written many times concerning my grandchildren and today God is reminding me of the responsibility we have as parents, grandparents, etc. I don’t know the author but the words speak loudly. A message every adult should read, because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say:

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you feed a stray cat and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you though I wasn’t looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don’t.

When you though I wasn’t looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn’t feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw that you cared and wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I learned most of life’s lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, “Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.”

LITTLE EYES SEE A LOT!

Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher or friend) influence the life of a child.  How will you touch the life of someone today?

Author unknown

I cringe over opportunities missed but I smile at the things I did right as a parent.  Grandparents get another opportunity to do a better job.

The Road of Life

Well, I try to stay pretty active walking about 5 miles a day 6 times a week. Today however I finally got out my bike.  It had been about 8 years since I had ridden so this was an adventure.  As I rode along it all came back to me how even the slightest rise of a hill required more energy than I imagined.

As with most things I encounter in life I began to compare it to my relationship with God and remembered this writing.  Please enjoy!

The Road of Life

At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die.  He was out there sort of like a president, I recognized his picture when I saw it, but I really didn’t know Him.

But later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal.

I don’t know when it was that he suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since.

When I had control, I knew the way.  It was boring, but predictable…it was the shortest distance between two points.

But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds, it was all I could do to hang on!  Even though it looked like madness, He said,”Pedal!”

I was worried and was anxious and asked,”Where are you taking me?”  He laughed, and didn’t answer, and I started to learn trust.

I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure.  And when I’d say, “I’m scared,” He’d lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy.  They gave me gifts to take on my journey, my Lord’s and mine.

And we were off again.  He said,”Give the gifts away, they’re extra baggage, too much weight.”  So I did, to the people we met and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life.  I thought He’d wreck it; but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, knows how to jump to clear high rocks, knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.

And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I’m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.

And when I’m sure I just can’t do any more, He just smiles and says…”Pedal!”

Author unknown