Hope Archives - Page 16 of 28 -

God’s Beautiful Bouquet from Burdens and Brokenness

Only God can create a beautiful bouquet from burdens and brokenness.

The beautiful bouquet pictured here is actually three broken, dying plants. My life has been like that of late.

The first, a huge basket which once overflowed with colorful plants. My life was the same–every where I looked was joy and laughter and hope.

The second, a beautiful red geranium used to hang on the front porch, gaily swinging in the breeze. The plant, as did I, eagerly greeted passersby and visitors alike.

Thirdly, a perky yellow mandevilla stretched her way up a post, reaching toward the sky as if praising the Creator with every new bloom. My life, too, was full of activity and joy and color. Then came a little bump; then another, then another. Each little brokenness kept me from tending to daily chores. Without care, the plants began to wither and die.

Stress and busyness kept me occupied. No time to sit on the porch or water flowers. The withered geranium was taken down. Likewise, the mandevilla, with no water and no cords to climb, finally began to retreat.

Does your life feel that way? Stressed, strained, overwhelmed? I can tell you for a fact: God wants to build a beautiful bouquet from burdens and brokenness.

One day it was as if God said, “that’s enough crying! Trust Me!” Only a little dusty miller and other greenery had survived in the big basket. I plopped my frazzled geranium right in the middle of those struggling plants.

Then I moved enough dirt and roots in the geranium to squeeze in the mandevilla-still in its temporary pot. Carefully I picked off all the dead blooms and stems and began watering. God did the rest!

What old dead stuff are you hanging on to. Can you do a little weeding, even a little bit?

What is there you need to give to God? Let God build a beautiful bouquet from burdens and brokenness in your life.

My circumstances have not changed. In fact, they are worse than ever from a human perspective. Deadlines loom, water leaks and broken phones and other things still need fixed. Loved ones are in hopeless situations and I can’t be there to help.

But I know … I KNOW … Who makes bouquets from burdens and brokenness. He gives me peace, comfort, and direction. He will do that for you as well. Ask Him. Trust Him.

Hugs,

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Summer Family Activities Tips for Older Adults

Enjoy summer family activities with these tips for older adults!

Like me, you probably slowed a bit; perhaps you can’t participate in everything, but there is hope if you lower the barriers and plan ahead.

Six years ago daughter Laura and I trudged Branson Hills exploring every corner of Silver Dollar City’s Theme Park. As she vacationed this week from California, it was the one thing she asked to do again.

She, more agile and fit as ever; and me, not so much! Health issues, weight, and inactivity had taken their toll. So, while I dreamed big dreams for the day, I knew it would not happen. Well, at least not in the way it did years ago.

God provided great weather for the most fantastic summer family time ever because we went prepared. I trust these helpful tips will help you survive theme parks and other summer family activities as your personal lifestyle and abilities change.

Be honest with yourself and your family. Plan to go, but go with a plan. Picture yourself in that situation; what can you do? What do you need? Rent a scooter? Bring a walker or cane? Extra water or ready snacks? Medicines? Clothing?
Know your limitations. Your personal enjoyment (survival) will depend largely on knowing your limitations. If you barely motivate your local grocery once a week, don’t expect to do more walking in a busy theme park. (Check out the park website and you’ll quickly understand #3 below.)
Set your boundaries early. If you are familiar with the venue, think about what you can actually do and enjoy. Realize the entire park may not be an option for you. Laura and I sat together on a shaded bench just inside the park gate. As we sipped on a cold drink. I told her which part I could do comfortably; and where I could be found. She was free to explore and enjoy hours of fun and shopping.
Find a few things you can do together. Laura joined me singing hymns in the Old Country Church. Later we had a freshly baked roll and coffee under the rose arbor. She would be gone a few hours at a time while I scoured the shops on top of the hill; listened to bands in the gazebo; and had time to meet some wonderful people from other states as they stopped to rest on the park benches.
Probably the most important of all—keep your focus on your family and friends, not on your limitations. Be thankful for one more opportunity to enjoy those special gifts from God–your family. Take time in the quiet to praise Him for family, friends, freedoms and choices.

Let me know how you are adjusting to life and the daily changes aging brings. I really do enjoy your comments. Praying for you a blessed summer indeed!

Hugs,

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To Remember Me Some Final Thoughts

To Remember Me Some Final Thoughts does not mean this is

my last blog or newsletter (say “Amen” here, please!) Also, I’m well and hopefully not heaven-bound any time soon (that is in the Lord’s hands.)

Robert N. Test’s poem, To Remember Me, captured my heart.

If nothing else, it caused me to be more thankful than ever for daily blessings I have been given: sight, hearing, touch, thinking and feelings, and movement. Please read the entire poem whether or not you are or want to be a donor.

… At a certain moment, a doctor will determine

that my brain has ceased to function and that, for all intents and purposes, my life has stopped. When that happens, do not attempt to instill artificial life into my body by the use of a machine, and don’t call this my death bed. Let this be called the Bed of Life, and let my body be taken from it to help others lead fuller lives.

Give my sight to the man who has never seen a sunrise, a baby’s face or love in the eyes of a woman.

Give my heart to a person whose own heart has caused nothing but endless days of pain.

Give my blood to the teenager who was pulled from the wreckage of his car, so that he might live to see his grandchildren play.

Give my kidneys to one who depends on a machine to exist.

Take my bones, every muscle, every fiber and nerve in my body and find a way to make a crippled child walk.

Explore every corner of my brain. Take my cells, if necessary, and let them grow so that someday a speechless boy will shout at the crack of a bat and a deaf girl will hear the sound of rain against her window.

Burn what is left of me and scatter the ashes to the winds to help the flowers grow.

If you must bury something, let it be my faults, my weaknesses and all prejudice against my fellow man.

If by chance you wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or a word to someone who needs you. If you do all I have asked, I will live forever.

My sincere prayer is that each of us will encourage others along the way; and when we are gone, we will be remembered through the enriched lives of others.

Hugs and many blessings,

check out www.susiesencouragingword.com and share it with others. Thanks. I look forward as always to your comments.