Practical Tips

The task that I am doing right now is the most important one to be doing. I need to do it carefully, thoroughly, and as unto the Lord.

The chore that is the hardest, most distasteful--i.e. the one I want to put off to last, is the one to do first. When it is done and out of the way the others will go fast! Plus that stops me from procastinating and not getting done what needs to be done.

Take time for health--brush teeth thoroughly, eat right, don't cut life short by cutting corners because "there isn't time".

Perspectives II

At one time, I thought that God was to supply all my "wants", for I perceived that wants were needs. I was often disappointed in what I saw as His lack of supply until I realized that my needs had always been met, just not my desires for things that weren't really needs.

Along with this misconception, I had the idea that God showed love toward us by giving us a pleasant existence without trials, sickness or hardship. Then I read about a pastor who had been imprisoned in a communist country and made to walk around and around in his cell every day like a horse on a tether line. His minimal ration of food and his sleeping conditions had rendered his body extremely weak. In this condition he was sent to a hard labor camp in Siberia. After his release, he said that what had sustained him during that time of extreme hardship was the love of God. He had even composed a little song about how God's love had made the ice of Siberia melt. His experience showed me that I had no concept of the love of God! I'm glad to say my perspectives are changing.

Hundred Year Old Dirt?

Recently a man came to help Rich level the floor in the basement. That involved breaking up the old floor and carting out the concrete before the new cement could be poured. In the process, some of the dirt under the floor was also taken out. When I saw the pile of dirt, I thought to myself, "that's 100 year old dirt."
It probably isn't, since the concrete floor wouldn't have been poured one hundred years ago, but the house is that old, celebrating its centennial this year! The thought brings to mind some others concerning old things.

When we moved here, Esther and Josh were sure that there must be buried treasure somewhere in the house. They were always on the lookout for the hidden treasure whenever a wall or floor was opened up for repair. Although nothing that wonderful ever appeared, when the cistern was cleared of debris, several interesting old bottles were found, including glass milk and cream jars from the days when milk was delivered to the home.

I always enjoyed reading pioneer stories when I was a child. Much of my pretend play centered around pioneer stories. While exploring the pastures around my home, on the lookout for old pioneer artifacts, I discovered an Indian arrowhead.

I'd Rather Be

This morning I'd rather be writing all the blog ideas that I've thought of today, writing emails, and chatting on the computer.
But--I need to stay on track or everything else in the day will be derailed!

A Quote to Live By

Mat 6:33 - Seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness - Singly aim at this, that God, reigning in your heart, may fill it with the righteousness above described. And indeed whosoever seeks this first, will soon come to seek this only.

John Wesley commenting on Matthew 6

Perspectives

While growing up in a poor family, I developed a mindset that happiness was connected with a nice home, a pleasant home environment, being like everyone else; or in a nutshell, being different than the way I was.

Consequently, I spent much of my adult life measuring myself by others and by what they looked like, what they had, or what they did. My house needed to be as clean as everyone else's seemed to be, for surely I was the only one who didn't keep my house spotless and shiny all the time. I wasn't comfortable having guests in my home for this reason.

One day while living in a nice home that we had remodeled, I realized that I wasn't any happier there than I'd been while living in other run-down houses!
That realization started the removal of ideas that happiness consisted of having nice things, plenty of money and no problems. This new perspective has helped me learn to be content and happy in cricumstances less than ideal!

Thoughts on being 60

I guess people set landmarks for different things. When our oldest son had his 10th birthday, I felt like that was a landmark-he was already half grown up (grown up being 20 to my thinking at that time!) For me to be 40 or 50 years old didn't seem any big deal , but 60 has been a landmark year for me.

I'm still learning new things, sometimes things I should have learned long ago, such as how to be efficient in the kitchen. Just as it is suggested to only handle something once, such as mail, the same can be applied to dirty dishes. As soon as a pan or utensil is no longer in use, but has been gotten dirty, wash it and put it away!
My friend Mardie practiced that years ago, but it seemed like a waste of time to me then!

Wrinkles are happening! My body looks older, but I don't feel any older inside.

I qualify for more senior citizen discounts. Oh my!

The best advice: follow your own advice!