​ "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27). 
 
Hello weary one,
          Yes, we have been busy, so busy being the Good Samaritan, with our jobs, endless house work, caring for children and/or aging parents, that we might have missed an important part of the above scripture: “Care for your neighbor as yourself.”
           Jesus demonstrated the need for self-care.  When He was tired from a day of healing the sick, He went to the mountain by himself.  When He was thirsty, He stopped by a well for a drink.  When He needed companionship, He visited friends in Bethany.  He told Martha to stop her fussing in the kitchen and come sit down with Him.  You, and me too, need to get comfortable making our needs a priority.  We can’t give tender care to others while we ourselves are overwhelmed. 
          Years ago, I used to sing beautiful lyrics to an old crooner’s ballad, “She may be weary, women do get weary, wearing the same shabby dress, so when she’s weary, try a little tenderness.”  Friend, give yourself what you most need right now.  Some tenderness.  Sit with pen in hand and write what you most long for.   Do you need a day away?   Can you manage a relaxing bubble bath?  Or a walk on the beach with a buddy? 
          Sometimes, our most pressing need is for spiritual refreshment.  Jesus understands how you feel. He knows that life can be difficult and sometimes downright unmanageable.  He said, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.”  Same verse, different translation: “Come to me if you are heavy laden and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28)   Christ’s simple answer to our complex burdens, “Come.”                                                                                                     Linda

​“I want you to be concerned about your next-door neighbor.  Do you know your next-door neighbor?”
                                                                                                                   Mother Teresa
Hello Friend,
          Jesus gave us one great commandment, "you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27).
          God expects us to not only care for our neighbor, but to see as neighbor anyone who is in need.  Mother Teresa has been called “The Saint of the Gutters” during her lifetime because of her charitable work with the poor.  Pope Frances said. "She bowed down before those who were spent, left to die on the side of the road, seeing in them their God-given dignity. She made her voice heard before the powers of this world, so that they might recognize their guilt for the crime of poverty they created."
          So, this week, I ask you to ponder, “Who is my neighbor and what is their need?”  Do they need my time, attention, or financial assistance?  Will you be the Good Samaritan for someone this week?
                                       Embracing my neighbor,
                                                            Linda

Joy in th
 
God knows the secrets of our hearts.                       Psalm 44:21
Hello Dear One,
        I know many of my friends are addicted to Facebook. Sometimes I am also.   Such smiling faces.  Glowing reports of kids performing perfectly.  Winning trophies.  Getting scholastic awards.  And celebrating anniversaries as if their relationship was the model for romance paperbacks. Once in the while, someone will post a prayer request for a sick relative or friend.  I get it.  No one wants the world to know that their heart is breaking.  That their marriage is in trouble or their kids are on drugs.  No one wants to post about their financial woes.  But here is a warning:  don’t let these posts persuade you that somehow their life is perfect.  We all put on a brave front.  Truth is: we are all living in the middle of a mess.
        Jesus warned us that “in this world you will have tribulation” (John 16:13).  I am not recommending that you share your pain on Facebook.  I am suggesting you confess your pain to Jesus and one or two trusted sister-friends. Finding a safe place of authenticity where you can be real is your true path to hope and healing.  Only then will you find the peace you so desperately need to experience. 
                                    You are so loved just as you are. 
                                                       Linda

Joy in the Morning
"Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand."                                                              Psalm 73:23

Hello, my dearly loved friend,
            My, adopted in my heart, grandson Mark was here for two days.  He is growing so fast, going to be in the 7th grade this coming school year.  It seems like yesterday I would hold his hand to keep him safe when crossing the street, or to keep him from getting lost in a crowd.   Often, I grabbed his little hand to keep him from stumbling when he was coming down the stairs.  Grandmas do that when they love their sweet precious little ones.
            The Psalmist said, “My steps had nearly slipped” (72:2).   Lately, Jim and I have had lots of bumps in the road and that is when I get out my cd player and start to sing old gospel.  Loud!   It’s both a plea and an affirmation.                                                                                                                                                          Lately I’ve been singing:                                                                                                                                                  Many things about tomorrow,                                                                                                                                      I don’t seem to understand,                                                                                                                                      But I know who holds tomorrow,                                                                                                                             and I know who holds my hand.
            Do you remember that chorus?  Another song I belt out is, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.    I’m sure some of you are facing trials, and if you and I are not vigilant, it’s easy to slip in our faith and become discouraged and lose hope. 
           Dear ones, don’t fret.  God is very near and longs to hold your hand.  Whatever reminds you of His Presence, be it meditating on His Word, walking in nature, prayer, just do it until you feel His everlasting arms embracing you.  Jesus said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored” (Matt. 12:13).   Stretch forth your hand in faith, dear one.  Hope, healing, and restoration are on their way.
                                                    Reaching for His hand, now and always,                                                                                                                                                            Linda

This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.                                                           Psalm 118:24

Hello Dear One,
        Are you rejoicing today?  If not, let me point a judgmental finger at you and ask, “Why Not?”  If you have faith, put a smile on your face and all will work out according to God’s plan. That is what some of your Christian friends might say, but not me. 
        Let’s you and I be real.  Life is messy and hard.  This season of my life is difficult.  My dear one, Jim, has been in the hospital three times in the last month and in severe pain.  He had back surgery which isn’t seeming to relieve his suffering.  And when you love someone deeply, you suffer with them.  So how does a Christian respond to life’s challenges?  I say, “Be real.” 
        First, I am in continual prayer for healing.  I believe God hears my prayers.  I also know that we don’t always get the answer we seek.
        Next, I wrote a dear friend who lives just a few miles from me and is going through her own very real difficult season.  I shared my heart with her.  It is important to be honest with a trusted friend who understands your need to vent and one who won’t judge, and who also knows she can unload to me when her strength is waning.
        Lastly, I am allowing this season to propel me deeper into my faith.  After venting to my friend, I turned to my on-line Bible study and God answered me with this prayer by Sheila Walsh: 
Prayer for the Week

Jesus, thank You for the incredible compassion You show to us when we are in trouble, when our shame is out there for all to see, when we’ve blown it, and when we are devastated by loss. You are so kind. You are so loving even when we are in the lowest places of fear, doubt, grief, or disgrace. Help us to be honest with You in prayer. We don’t want to fake it or cover it up any more. We just want Your arms around us. We love you, Lord. Amen.
          Dear one, if you are in pain, you don’t have to fake it!  Be real. Be honest with a trusted friend and with God.  God did make this day, and we can rejoice that in this difficult season, we are loved by trusted friends and by our Father.
                                        Learning to lean,
                                                             Linda
 
 
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                        A Love Note                                      Just for You
 
Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”

Hello Dear One,
        This week I wish to again reflect on the above scripture, focusing on the phrase, “whatever is noble. . .think about such things.  I am aware that what I think controls my moods and my actions.  My thoughts may not always be noble, but I can choose to change them and act with noble intentions.  According to Webster, noble means great, elevated, being above every thing that can dishonor a reputation; as a noble mind, noble deeds of courage.
        When I am tempted to speak harshly, I can choose to hold my tongue and wait till I gain control of my thoughts.
When I am tempted to keep the extra money the cashier mistakenly handed me, I can act with nobility and return it.
        When I am tempted to gossip, I won’t.  Think on these things!
Friends, we won’t always act with nobility but it is a journey I am willing to undertake.  Will you come with me?      Love you bunches,    Linda