Gratitude is Contagious

I was reading my Facebook news feed the other day and it was just oozing with negativity. Since I've begun this gratitude journal, I've become more aware of the non-affirmative emotions. Even the Christians were down on somebody or something. I finally had to stop and say something. I am rarely ever critical of other's actions online, but I guess I woke some folks up! I asked if anyone had something they were grateful for or some joy in their life that they could share with everybody!

See, one person can make a difference in people's lives, just as Jesus did in mine, for it sparked several grass roots efforts to pass on lighter fare, one of which I'm participating in called the "Pay It Forward Initiative." So far three people have said "I'm in" on my wall.

 

 



One person said they were not going to pass along so many political statements and another decided to begin posting one thing she appreciated for 100 days (#100happydays) with her three daughters and her best girlfriends.

 

This reminded me of a song we used to sing called "Pass It On" by Kurt Kaiser.

It only takes a spark to get a fire going,

And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing;

That's how it is with God's love, once you've experienced it

You spread His love to everyone, you want to pass it on.

What a wondrous time is spring-when all the trees are budding,

The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming;

That's how it is with God's love, once you experienced it,

You want to sing, it's fresh like spring, you want to pass it on.

 

I wish for you, my friend, this happiness that I've found--

You can depend on Him, it matters not where you're bound,

I'll shout it from the mountain top, I want my world to know,

The Lord of love has come to me, I want to pass it on.

Happy Father's Day, Dear!

 

 For A Father
By Reginald Holmes
 

There are few to shout his praises

And in every song and story,

It is sweethearts, wives and mothers

Who attain the fame and glory,

But how sad that one so worthy,

So deserving of our mention,

Is so seldom given homage

And receives such scant attention.

Faced with problems never ending,

Uncomplaining, never daring

To relax his toil and striving;

Ever giving, always sharing,

His reward lies in the pleasure

That his years of service bring;

And to those who love him dearly,

He is just an uncrowned King!

 ~~ <> @ <> ~~

 Thank you, dear, for being such a loving daddy to our boy!

Happy Father's Day!

She's One of His Kids

She was born with cystic fibrosis and she's a fighter/survivor, Praise the Lord! She's in her 20's, has had a double lung transplant twice and in January, her completedly stopped truck was rear-ended by another car going full speed while she sat waiting at a school crosswalk. Both her truck and her person were damaged.

Cystic fibrosis is usually a death sentence for young children. If kids survive, it means precarious health and endless rounds of doctor visits. God has had his hand on her young life, allowing her to live way beyond her life expectancy and endlessly sharing his miraculous provision and grace in her life.

She healed and after she left the hospital, she found an apartment and was going to move in at the end of May, then left for her dream vacation to Hawaii with friends. She surfed on Sunday, crashed a moped on Thursday, and was taken to a hospital where she awaited surgery to remove a piece of it from her foot. Her family, meanwhile, back in the continental states began praying and asking friends to pray. This is where I came in, watching the story unfold as her mother, Annette, relayed her daughter's story to her Facebook friends about her struggle in that faraway place away from her watchful care. . .

I felt I had to share one of Annette's posts and yes, I have permission. Perhaps it will help you today. I met Annette online at a rubber stamping forum many years ago, amazed at many of the things we had in common. (One that I think is especially neat is that her then current church district superintendent was a former pastor at the church I attend.) Without further ado, here's Annette:

Annette May Schmoker Clyde

"Do you KNOW what an ANGEL looks like?

I mean - really? Do YOU?

Have you had an experience with an Angel, sat and shared time with one?

I have . . . . but that's another story for another day.

I have been mentioning the many blessings that we have received for our needs (esp. Joy and me) while we are here -- things people have done to try to make what could be disastrous or even devastating, most certainly financially crushing. . . possible. From the big to the small -- Hotel, food, flights. . . etc. And some of these "angels" have names and faces that I am familiar with, others not so much, but still they are being obedient to God's call on them to extend help to us. That is how God works.

This morning I wanted to be in worship, and had made requests from area Nazarene churches that went without reply. . . so there is this Chinese Church of Christ that we walk past on our strolls to/from hotel & hospital. . . that has a sign - English services at 7:45 AM and English S.S. at 9:30. . . and I went. PTL -- though small in number (perhaps 30 in service, 10 in S.S.) they are mighty in faith, and prayer and in their obedience to God's call to help a stranger in need. They collect food for the food bank on the first Sunday of every month (Ummmm sound familiar B LK Nazarenes?) and as we left they surrounded me with hugs, heartfelt prayers and pressed small folded pieces of paper into my hands . . . How small was my faith, thinking they were maybe 5's or 10's or possibly a 20 . . . I have no idea which angel pressed which gift . . . I have no way to thank them individually . . . but PTL, God KNOWS and He will reward them. What a blessing for me -- as I have no way of knowing how long this "hospital stay" will be for Misty & me. I have every way of knowing God will continue to take care of me! And perhaps, just like the way God multiplied those fish and loaves of bread -- He multiplied the bills pressed into my hands. BTW-- Curious are you? $200 was their love multiplied to me."

Annette says it so succinctly, God is providing and for that, she is grateful.

"We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near;

(wo)men tell of your wonderful deeds."

~ ~ Psalm 75:1

Update:

Misty went to be with her heavenly Father. Please pray for the comfort of her family.

Thank you.