Thank You for Being a Friend

 

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. ~Proverbs 17:17

When I stop and reflect upon all the amazing people I've met in my years of writing this blog, I am both humbled and filled with gratitude.  It has been one of the most rewarding, enlightening journeys I have had the privilege to embark upon and I treasure being able to do so once a week.

Living in Blogland is an incomparable adventure.  We connect with others' hearts and minds, and share hopes and fears honestly and openly.  Most of you who follow my blog have become dear and valued friends, even though we've never met in person, I feel that your words, photos, beliefs, and dreams are woven into my being like kindred spirits who always encourage me to be better, to fully become the person God created me to be.

That being said, my hope and prayer is that I've brought the same authenticity and inspiration to your day in my once-a-week message.  Some of you faithfully leave comments to that effect, giving me the feedback that every blogger needs to keep on keeping on.  While I know some of you don't respond to comments left on your own blog, your continued visits here assure me that you are still vested in me and on the same virtual page.

Any way you might choose to acknowledge another's presence in Blogland should be honored and respected.  Please know that when you do leave a comment here, my practice is to respond to it in a timely and positive manner.  Yes, I've messed up with this from time to time, but it's my goal to stay the course I've set out for Mediations of My Heart.

Afraid you might not get back around to see if I've responded?  I have a solution that most of you have probably figured out (I can be a slow learner when it comes to all things tech).  Before you publish your comment, check the Notify Me box just below to the right.  You will not only receive an email message when I've answered, but also you'll have the benefit of seeing the comments of others who are, more likely than not, blogging buddies we share in common.

I've also adopted the habit of using your name when answering your comments.  That way, you can see immediately the response that matches your input without having to return to the actual blog itself.  Easy peasy!

Each and every one of you holds a special place in my heart, and you always will.  Thanks for the blessings your blogs give to me and so many others.  But most of all, thank you for being a friend. 

 

Amen!

Swords to Plowshares

 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ~Matthew 5:9

My generation, the Baby Boomers, and all the ones who have come behind us, have witnessed seemingly endless conflicts between nations around the world.  Sadly, many of those wars involved our country at one time or another, and the loss of human treasure, those brave men and women who willingly fought to keep us free, is incalculable.

Sometimes, conflicts are unavoidable and necessary to protect our country's sovereignty and freedoms.  Just ask any veteran why he or she served in our military.  They are patriots without equal.  And I, for one, am so thankful to each and every one of them for the lengths they were willing to go so that we can enjoy a prosperous life in the United States.

Danny's son, Giovanni, is a staff sergeant in the Air Force.  We couldn't be prouder of him and his honorable and dedicated service to our country.  But like all parents, we pray that he will never be in harm's way because of a decision to put boots on the ground (or planes in the air) in a foreign land.  Yes, we pray for him and all our children, but now, because of President Trump's peace through strength initiatives, we can afford a sigh of relief.

In the short seven months since the second Trump term began, we've witnessed a whirlwind of monumental achievements by his administration, not the least of which is brokering peace between warring nations.  Here's a rundown of clashes resolved:  India and Pakistan; Thailand and Cambodia, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Armenia and Azerbaijan; Serbia and Kosovo; Egypt and Ethiopia, and a cease fire between Israel and Iran.  As of this week, seven countries have nominated President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.

We don't yet know what will come of the Russia-Ukraine war, but with such a track record of success, I'm praying that the aggressions can end before the year is out.  Economic sanctions and tariffs have certainly contributed to foreign countries coming to the table to make a deal with the United States.  I believe that no true leader who loves his or her nation wishes to be remembered as someone who financially bankrupted their people because they refused to compromise in some way.

President Trump is masterful when it comes to the art of the deal, and he's employing the skills he's honed over a lifetime to not only make America great again, but to improve the lives and prospects of millions of people around the world.  He and his administration are proving day after day that strength and peace go hand-in-hand.

And someday, when our Lord returns to reign, the prophetic words of Isaiah will see fruition:

He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples.  They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.  Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. ~Isaiah 2:4

Amen!

All it Takes is a Smile

 

Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. ~Proverbs 14:31

Here's a riddle for you.  What costs you nothing to give, yet makes you richer in the giving?  The answer?  Kindness!

In my comings and goings, no matter where I find myself, I try to be aware of the demeanor of the people around me.  What expressions do their faces display?  Do they seem worried, preoccupied, frustrated, detached?  Armed with a smile, I will try to make eye-contact.  It's amazing how quickly an unexpected smile will be flashed in return.

Many times, too, when the situation seems appropriate, I'll actually speak my kindness aloud.  For example, earlier this year, Danny and I are dining out and I spot a young couple with a toddler who has the most stunning eyes and excellent table manners to match.  I approach them and offer my sincere compliments regarding their child's behavior.  Their thank-yous and sweet smiles are the only reward I could ever want or need.

I'm willing to wager that all of you who regularly visit my blog practice random acts of kindness in your daily lives as much as you possibly can.  I can tell not only from the encouragement you give me in your comments, but also from the content of your varied and meaningful blogs.  So many of you highlight kindness in words and in the photos you share.  I hope you know, dear friends, that you are making this world a better place with every post you pen.

In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul lists kindness as one of the fruits of the Spirit.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  And we know as believers that the source of these virtues does not have its origin in sinful humanity, but comes from God through Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  We are only able to nurture these fruits horizontally if first we seek the vertical:  a living relationship with the Lord.

As Solomon states, when we are kind to the needy (and I would argue that we are ALL needy), we are honoring God.  To do otherwise is to pose the lie that we don't need our heavenly Father every single moment of every single day.

When we intentionally practice kindness toward others, we are doing our part, no matter how small, to bring God's kingdom to fruition here on earth.

And sometimes, all it takes is a smile.

Amen!

Slow and Steady

 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ~Hebrews 12:1

Danny's doctors advise him that it's safe to resume exercising once he gets home from the hospital, but to take it slowly at first.  I'm not at all surprised by the take-it-slowly part.  After battling his pneumonia-type illness, Danny has quite a way to go when it comes to getting back ho feeling what he would call normal.

In light of that, we go downstairs to our "gym" so Danny can get some time in on the treadmill while I try out the stationary bike for the first time.  It's one that Danny orders when he is trying to heal up his knee a while back.  It works for him, but most certainly doesn't work for me.  I find the bike to be awkward as it places too much stress on my arms when I attempt to ride it.

The solution?  Right here!

Danny orders this "mini-bike" from Amazon (where else) and when it arrives, he successfully assembles it in about an hour.

The best part about this mini-bike for me is I can easily lift it and set it up wherever I am - either downstairs with Danny or sitting in front of my computer watching a show.  I have no excuse to not use it as much as I possibly can.

The older we get, the more crucial it is for us to stay active.  And it's necessary, considering our limitations, to not let the sin of being sedentary hinder our progress as we persevere in the race God has marked out for us.

The days for running like a hare have been replaced with the slow and steady plodding of the turtle, but even that lowly creature makes progress over time.  And in Aesop's famous fable, it's the turtle who eventually wins the victor's crown.

We know when we faithfully traverse the path that Jesus has laid out for us in this life, we can rest assured that we will be with Him for eternity.  Could there be a more glorious win than that?  I think you know the answer.

Amen!