Thanks-Giving...Giving-Thanks!

“Either way you look at this, it is a giving thing...of thanks. We set aside this time to do just that. So, for that time...even if you do this wonderful expression often...let’s pause & seek to discover the moments, people, & purpose that is your reason for a grateful heart.

When the Lord is the center of our appreciation, we are no longer strapped to the economy that waivers & causes wondering worry of what will happen next. God never changes. After the festive feeding frenzy of thanksgiving...people have already established a plot, plan, & proposed agenda in order to purchase some-‘thing’ to give to someone else. Have we really taken the time to evaluate the priority of that gift? For it is not the price that is important...if it paupers you later, the cost will continue to haunt you for months to come. The richness & prosperity of a person is weighed in the value placed in the relationships they are given, not the gifts. A gift is free.

So, as you stand at the check-out line, really look at your ‘pile’ of presents in the cart. Ask yourself: Was there frustration or freedom in your spirit as you reviewed the names of those you ‘wanted’ to give some token of thankfulness? Or was there a sense of satisfaction knowing that what you have for them is truly something they ‘need’ in their everyday living? Is yours a relationship that is not only wide in understanding but also deep enough to determine their true lack & you wish to provide the present that will fulfill their need? There is satisfying warmth in true giving- not to get-but to complete.

If you buy just for the sense of buying, you have taken the joy away from yourself. It is not how many or how costly the presents...but rather the sentiment, sincerity, & satisfaction in knowing that what you gave was exactly what the person(s) really- really- really need in their life. This is how Thanks-Giving continues throughout the year...not just for the one day we have titled it to be.

For God so GAVE HIS ONLY Son.... The Lord knew what we needed & gave His very Best. May you know the joy of accepting HIS GIFT with a Thank-Full Heart...” Yubw8n? Give thanks always....

Misplaced Moments of a Lifetime

Remember the good ole days?

When the activities of the youth were limited to one after school event,& vacations were to the local state park to take in the sights. Even the thrill of staying in a motel was an event in itself as we stopped the travels in mid-afternoon so we could spend family time in the pool. Then we would dress for dinner at the Howard Johnsons buffet.

These days have been overshadowed by the glitz & rah-rah of expectation & never being satisfied with the simple things of living. As we grow older, we reflect back on these times. Often we are not happy with the transitions. We see our lives moving too fast & time invested in the life of another has diminished, if not almost nonexistent. We place our loved ones, who are now no longer independent, in the care of a stranger or in a home that is not their own.

Then we rarely visit or call. We are too busy. When we invite time to be the enemy we fall victim to the theft of memories we cannot hold on to. We cast blame on the government, the schools, & even the church whether they are a part of the issue or not. Could it be that we are too busy to notice where the blame really is hiding? Take a look in the mirror.

Let’s propose a challenge. Make three appointments to keep for one month; each week no matter what. Make a date with the people in your life that matter the most: one with yourself, one with your spouse or best friend, & one with your parents and children if you are a parent. Rearrange your priorities for a month. Say no to intruding interruptions of your sleep, relaxation, recreation, & quiet times. Turn off the TV, the computer, & stop playing with the phone, apps, & texting. For this time - Just STOP the unnecessary distractions in your Life. Interesting how the word 'NO' is becoming less spoken to children, young adults, and even to ourselves when wanting (not needing) the most recent 'toy' whether it be electronics, or automotive.

We have placed ourselves outside our 'comfort' zone & grown numb to our self imposed debt, disrespect, & delusion of what we can afford physically, financially, emotionally, & economically. “Life was simpler when we were children.” Each generation states that fact as they mature & become dishearten by the following generations. We either ‘remember when’ or we will ‘regret then’. Think about it.

When I was a youth, a box of crayons & building blocks were our iPod. Two cans & a string were our cell phones. It was a soapbox derby that was our car & listening to bedtime stories, our wide screen imagination.

I am blessed to have been a participant in the era I grew up in. Imagine the inner thoughts & memories that your parents who are in their 60-90s must cherish. They have seen so very much. I am blessed to have a strong family & values.

God knows the heart & in my heart are moments of gratitude. We need never take anyone or anything for granted. Memories are to be cherished...not misplaced or replaced. Start today to create your memories of 'remember when' Yes,regret is a choice.

"1...2...4 Give"

‘Please forgive me; I’ve forgiven you; let’s talk it through so we can just let it go!' No doubt, you will have this conversation at one time or another in your life. What will be your response? Or will you react? There’s a big difference.

Some elect to draw solace from their intentional silence as they continue to grasp the illusion that they are 'right'. They embrace stubbornness as they console a bruised ego. Do you not see- You are only hurting yourself. The other person, once in your life, is gone...

Forgiveness is a gift. It is wrapped within the heart that gains inner peace in the ‘giving' away of self need. Sadly, the one who cannot forgive has chosen their masqueraded anguish & clings to the fear of admitting they were guilty too. Repercussions of such a denial will quietly erode fragments of their soul ~ a little at a time.

Unclean wounds may heal but will continue to harbor the infection. These scars will reflect the painful memory of refusing to just let it go. And again the 'one' left al'one with regret has to confront the magnitude of their refusals to forgive themselves ! One day you will become aware of the inner child screaming for comfort from the voice of yourself criticisms. Open the gates of understanding your self.

For when you finally notice that both words 'al-one & g-one' reflect the simplicity of 'one' - you will learn what makes ‘for-give-ness’ a valuable gift of the heart. ONE must 'give' it away & then accept it in return.“ Need to forgive or ask for forgiveness? Yubw8n? Life is far too short...

"Prints" of Peace

“A heart is like pristine glass that absorbs the many touches of its handlers. Some prints are smudged. Other pieces of the glass are cracked & broken. Often fragile childhoods are beyond repair & shattered into little pieces. The inner child sees the jagged edges in the eyes of others. God specializes in broken lives. His touch - the ‘Prints’ of Peace.”

With Every Beat Of Your Heart

"Amazing! The other day there was a praise party ~ I celebrated 18,739 mornings in my life. And every day is filled with new blessings of thankfulness. (Although, I really don't remember some of the wee early year ones, they were unique too. The older I get the more I appreciate the little things - God has never duplicated anything!Each sunrise, sunset, & heartbeat is unique & one of a kind-(for me-that would be about 16,190,496 beats & counting (86,400 /day approximately) His mercies are new every morning. May the little things in your life resound the loudest, measure the deepest, & be a tender reminder - every day may you be thankful with every beat of your heart."

R U Soulfully deFEETed?

“One of the first things on record after a baby is born is the footprint, the sole of the feet. Often even a name has not been decided yet when this one of a kind ‘mark’ is made. The feet help to identify the life from the beginning. Likewise, at the end of a life, another identification tag is often placed upon the toe of the foot.From the beginning, our feet are a foundation for the future destinations. Walk with me for a while...

From the starting line of any race, the toes of feet are aligned against the starting point. Standing on the edge of a cliff usually implies that you have your feet and toes directly at the point of no return. The feet are identified with motion,placement,and ultimately direction. Without feet one’s impaired mobility will result in a flawed stride. Even though the soles of the feet(and palms of the hand) are the toughest areas of skin on the human body, even when this area is injured, the pain is felt throughout the entire body.
Think about your body this way. The lowest area is the sole of your feet. The furtherest areas on either side are the hands. And the highest point, the top of your head.

These were some of the areas on the body of Christ that were wounded upon Calvary’s tree for our Salvation.
It is wise to respect the part of your person that literally supports all your weight when you take a stand. When you stump your toe or twist your ankle you know it will hurt. And should you cut the skin of your feet, the healing may take time. This area is under the pressure unfortunately felt by the wound; a constant reminder of error.

Let’s look at how our spiritual feet are similar to our natural feet.
When you walk in faith, you prayerfully tread upon your enemies. These enemies may be areas of weakness or people who wound your spirit.
When you walk in the natural and something is present that may harm you, you tread upon it by placing it under your feet. Or you elect to turn and walk away from the person or the temptation that is in your path for these are not necessary.
The toughest areas of your spiritual feet are also the softest part of your soul. This area not only withstands temperature but temptation and terrain as well.

We adorn our feet with extravagant and often expensive foot wear. Even though our selections may not always be the healthiest options in upholding our body as we walk, we continue to accessorize our feet with the shoes we like even though...
Remember ~ as you walk barefoot, your sole to the dirt of the earth, you are open to injury. Likewise, if you walk barefoot with your ‘soul’ to this earth, you are more likely to stumble and fall.

Secure 'the Light of the Word' to the feet of your faith and walk the path in your life that God has ordained just for you.

Prayerfully, place your best foot forward. When you walk with Christ, you will never walk alone in defeat!” Ask yourself...Yubw8n?

can you hEAR Me now?

Let me tell you about a dream I had. In this dream I awakened to discover a question mark tatoo on my ear.

As I looked in the mirror, behind my reflection I saw words that had embedded within them or had the sound of the word ‘ear’. These included Ear-a-tating, Ear-rational, Ear-agate, Ind-ear-ment, Ear-regular, Ear-aresponsible, Ear-atable, Ear-raplacable, Ear-regardless, Ear-reversible, Ear-respective, Ear-reverant, F-ear-ful
Then I realized that the tattoo was attracting attention to my Ear.

When others would engage in conversation they would be looking over my shoulder. They were seeing my question-mark and the words that had caused doubt in my life. So no matter what I 'said' or how conviencing I tried to be... the doubt was staring them in the face. Doubt stood behind every word I had spoken.

At this point I heard a voice…you guessed it, whispering in my ear.

“Can you hear Me? I long to answer your questions in life. This dream is to remind you that I, alone, have the answers you seek. Look, listen and you will learn to discover My guidance in My Word.

And as you take heed of the words I continue to give you, you will see that they are designed to lift you up. The world uses words to discourage and confuse you. Please don’t follow your own understanding. I will enlighten you with the wisdom you are seeking.

When you seek Me, you - will - find - Me. As you hold My Words and hide them in your heart, you will discover that the ‘ear’ that is clearest in hearing me is the one that is in the Center of you H-ear-t."

Can you hEAR Me, My Child...Let's talk. Yubw8n? I've missed sharing time with you!"
Love, GOD.

"I Love You Even When...."

Having just overheard a mother speak in a demeaning manner while she reprimanded her adult child in a public setting, I believe this story needs to be shared. Fortunately, the daughter proved wise and respectful in this scenario. She looked at her mother, said “Mom, I love you even when…”

What a shame that this kind of scene is more common than not. Although, in most situations, the calmness of the daughter’s reply is not as prevalent. Most of the responses are wrapped in anger and defensiveness at having been publicly reprimanded as the duties of parenthood were over scripted so they could be ‘heard’ in an authoritative role.

I remember a presentation regarding these familiar Bible verses: “Children, Obey your parents… (Ephesians 6:1) Parents/Fathers, don’t exasperate your children... (Colossians 3:21)”
When you are a ‘child’ you obey or you will be disciplined. And as a parent you teach right and wrong by example and with mutual respect to your child. As maturity in years evolves, the adult is no longer 'the child' and possibly a parent as well. Then it becomes obedience in the form of respect…from both.

Parents...never step on the emotions of your children to exercise your parental platform. And as an adult child,always show respect for the authority God has placed in your life. Each will give an account for their actions & responses to these actions. Love gently as you encourage and edify. Never embarrass another in order to be right.
For should you make it a practice to loudly exercise your parental authority in public, don’t be surprised if your adult child walks away from the situation and sadly even the relationship.

With all due respect, whether you are the parent or the adult child, would you stand there and have someone who says they love you speak to you in that manner? Maybe you are uncomfortable with the story I just shared. Maybe it hits too close to home. Maybe that parent is you. Or maybe you are that child who is also the adult ~ wondering why.

People~Life is so precious.Resolve your conflict of hearts.

Be loving. Ask yourself~Yubw8n?

Cigarettes Kill ~ Yes! Butts About It!!!

Wanted:
The Nicotine & Tar Brothers- Cig & Rette:

For assisting in daily suicide attempts.
These suspects are always armed & wearing a thin paper mask while lingering on the corner of ‘Mouth & Lip Lane'- just south of the smelly Nose neighborhood.
When sources asked the victims, why it is that they subject themselves to such riff raff, they replied that even though they are fully aware of the subtle harm that their association with the known heart attackers, Cig & Rette, can cause them, they simply don't believe that death is all that serious or a big deal.

They feel they have plenty of time to fight back, should Cig & Rette try to hurt them. Off camera, one of the smokers said: “Why make such a big stink about this? Besides, I’m not really serious about killing myself. I look at it as just shortening my life one inhale at a time. I’ve been smoking for decades, and nothing has happen to me, yet. I can quit anytime. I just don’t want to. I'm not hurting anyone...right. ”

With that, he turned, exhaled, removed the butt from his ‘reasoning’ and stepped on it.

This just in...
We sadly have to report that as of yesterday, we have no
further word on the condition of Cig & Rettes' latest victim who inhaled his final harmful denial and exhaled a shallow “excuse”for submitting himself willingly to smoking’s suicide.

We now return you to our regularly scheduled program: The LIFE-time movie series:
“Living One Breath at a Time” already in progress.

... Serving Seconds ....

Seconds are the small segments of a life-time that link minutes to one another to create an hour that joins hands to become a day. These days then mosey on to form calendar months, years, and time. We seldom notice them as they move swiftly past us and rarely, do we give them a second thought. They just are. However, when 'seconds' are more apparent, we take time to pay attention. Stay with me for just a second, maybe even two....

~Ok so you did and now you wonder for what you waited. Well, it could be anything. On second thought it may be nothing at all. But let's take a second look at this small but powerful word, action, status, & position that wears the name that is really second to none.

Everyone wants to be first. What is so great about first? No one really remembers who came in second. However, the runner up to a contest eyes the trophy with desire even though they found themselves with the red ribbon this time. Run past first to second and you are halfway home. Stop at first and you are further from the goal. Get to third, and well, you get the idea.

The birth order designs placement opportunity as the second born is also the youngest child or merely the second to the oldest. That would mean that the first born is simply second to none.


Remember the second helping you ate last holiday meal; it was either because you were still hungry or wanted the repeat sensation of the tastes that satisfied you the first time around.
Seconds can be fun, fattening, frustrating, family related, and frivolous for favor in competition. You have only so many seconds in a lifetime. Make the most of the first and second moment of your day.

Give second chances.
Accept second chances.

Take that second look at life and remember you are only seconds away from becoming your best…

Rearranging Your Views ~ Gizmo Style

Rearrangements of even the most common of things can be traumatizing to some. When I rearranged my living room recently, it appeared to be livable. Well, maybe for me, but not for my Japanese Chin Gizmo. He had gone to the groomer, so I took the opportunity to do a little cleaning & rearranging.

Afterwards, when he was introduced to the new digs, it seemed that maybe with a little time, he would adjust. Wanting to be cuddled & held is his thing, so I figured maybe after a good night’s rest, he would take to the new 'in front of the window' look-out-perch I had created for him.

The next morning, he clearly had other ideas. When he wasn't doing a little pace around the coffee table, he just wanted held. And if not held, to be looking up at me from the floor-you know, with those big brown eyes that make you simply put down the coffee & pick him up. Yep- that’s the look. All of this was more than confirmation. My idea of change was not welcomed. So, we compromised.

I lifted him up & loved on him. As I watched, he glanced over at the window.Maybe he was remembering how nice it was to look out while on the back of the sofa, in between naps, that is. He did a little glance at the blanket, pillows, & steps as if to say: ’Mom,this is not home~would you put it back, please.’(insert little sigh here)

Here we go. We made a few modifications back to the way it was. His steps to the sofa were placed where he could get easy access. And what he knew as home reappeared. As I write this, there is a very contented little dog, that in between look out duty for squirrels & the occassional bird watching, is catching a few moments of Sunday afternoon shut eye on the back of 'his' sofa. This to him is one of life's many joys.

So, what did the 'human' learn from all this? (Besides that I need to remember to buy lighter furniture next time~) Everyday, God teaches me something through my little dog, Gizmo. Today's lesson: One's 'viewpoint of life' although it may be rearranged ~ with a little humility, determination & persistence~you can rise above what is between you & your happiness. This provides the opportunity to once again be a home within your heart

Gizmo…knows that a 'living room' is for just that~living comfortably. Sometimes, even if change is not comfortable, simply asking for help, or rearranging the room & circumstances may get you back to the living part. After all, there’s a whole world of nifty things & critters out there that needs watching over.
Today~Gizmo has that covered.

Thanks for the heart lesson.
I love you too.

"Order Up!"

"May I See A Menu, Please"

Sometimes we go out to eat & then stare at the familiar menu of selections as if it is the very first time we have seen it. Then, we will ask the waiter about the ‘special of the day’& if THEY like it or not. Why do we base our selection choice often on the scale of someone else's likes & dislikes when it is our meal? Everyone’s pallet is different.It would appear that conversation accompanies cuisine in similar ways. Yet, rather than be cautious & concerned about our tone of conversation, & weight of our words, we ramble off statements with little or no consideration as to how they will look on another person’s feelings. We take liberties with the pre-determined portions of praise & curried conflict heaped upon someone else’s plate when we should be more considerate. We would be wise to taste our words before dishing them out.

When you speak, do you weigh your words opposite your thoughts before opening your mouth? Do you regurgitate your opinions & spit & splatter them upon others? Do you shove them down another person’s throat? Is it easy for all to see that you’re full of yourself & not only do you need a healthier dialog diet 'butt' you could stand a little help when it comes to how to scale down your fattened ego of expressions? Don’t worry; you are not alone in this self indulgent society of overweight sentiment.There are many who need to tighten the belt on their panting of complaints & find more compassion in their conversational cuisine. We would not be so miserable to ourselves & to others if we would just walk away from debates, disputes,& side dishes of drama. Indigestion from certain relationships could be avoided if we kept our opinions, comments & harmful whimsical rambling of words to ourselves. It’s good to know when we have had enough of even a good thing…let alone, something or someone who is unhealthy.
Today we have fast food & fast talkers that devour one another with a second helping but rarely a second thought.
Even our sentences contain words related to eating & food.

Phrases like:
You are going to have to EAT your words.
What’s the SKINNY on that?
Oh, we are just CHEWING the FAT.
You haven’t got the STOMACH for that.
I have a lot on my PLATE to do.
They have a healthy APPETITE for living.
You can DISH it out but you can’t take it.
I’ll take another SLICE of the PIE.
That’s CRUMBY.
Have your CAKE & EAT IT too.
Life’s so short, take SECONDS first.
That’s GRAVY.
He had to be SPOON fed all the way.
Your words really cut like a KNIFE.
You speak with a FORKED tongue.
He’s really MILKING the opportunity or is he just EGGING you on.
We had a celebrity ROAST for him even though he’s just small POTATOS in the industry.
It was really WATERED down.
Have you ever been BUTTERED up?
Seriously, what’s the SCOOP on that?
They are the top BANANA.
You are the APPLE of God’s eye. (That one, I like...;)

We talk about FOOD or food related slang even when we are making reference to something that has nothing to do with food. It is self consuming. We wrap our thoughts in niceness or humor, with a lot at ‘Steak’ & even though we meant ‘well’... ‘Rarely’ is this skill-et ‘well done.’

Never leave a conversation or any area of concern that may be ready to boil over, unattended. This could cause a fire that burns a relationship so badly that even the most sincere of apologies cannot extinguish it before its total demise. Season your words to taste. No more, no less. Mean what you say-say what you mean. Get out of the kitchen of comments if what is being prepared does not suit you. Why partake of something or associate with someone who is not to your liking. Be as selective in your relationships as you are in your dining. People of quality are sustenance for the soul & are to be appreciated for their own ingredients to the relationship. Our words reflect our hearts so always strive to be a Gourmet of Edification.

Menu Options:

Too Many Second Helpings:
It is easy to see & clear to hear that many people are extremely obese in physical demeanor & in how they wear their feelings upon their sleeve. Over indulgence is not at all attractive. Words can quickly become a premeditated sentence of situational suicide. Since we are what we eat, say,& profess.What happens if we open our mouth & nothing but air (or error) comes out? Then what? Yet, many are exercising their freedom of speech while not following the proper form in how they weigh words before speaking. Every day we see people in constant communication without even thinking about it. It is like breathing. Phones & fingers move quickly sometimes before the words even form in their minds or the light turns green as horns blare from irritated bystanders. This inconsideration towards others is the feverish food fight of fast forward thinking. Even though driven for better, they are mindlessly tossing the trash out the window of opportunity expecting someone else to pick up after them. This is rudeness with reasons no one will respect. We do this with our words. We say things, hurtfully & expect someone else to come along & make it all right. Wrong! Whether it be spoken from a podium, pulpit, or pillow, WHAT you say is not as important as HOW it is said, heard, & perceived. You know you have said…”yeah, but what I meant was…” This is the specialty of the house…a side-dish of dropped intention soup. A mess you will undoubtedly be cleaning up repeatedly, unless you hear your thoughts through before you pass the taste- test of talking.

The Assumption Appetizer:
This is featuring a popular dish named after many who partake: ‘Me-ism’. This selection takes only a little time to boil over,as it will spew its heated substance on the most sensitive of tough skinned hearted people, & then often leaves a scar of a memory many would like to forget. These people speak in dashes of demands. But rather than keep their words in small easy to swallow bite size morsels, they take each irresponsible action & irrational decision to irritate as many people as they can in one sitting. This is grammar gluttony.Let's dismiss them from the table, shall we.

Too Hot To Handle:
In a heated & haughty (hot) debate, discerning disagreements, or a deliberation of dialog, keep your words short, sweet, & smooth. These very words that dissolve from your thoughts to your voice must be easily digested. For this to happen, they must be measured precisely, pronounced properly, stirred with care as to not stick or scorch,& when tasted by the listener, they need be considered - a delicacy of edible expressions.

The Lighter Fare:
Look at poetry. As a poet paints their emotions in prose,& flavorful limericks, they season them with the right amount of sugar & spice & everything nice. These morsels will be tasted by the most sensitive of poetic palates. This recipe for rhyme is an art form. Therefore, be an artist. Mix & blend the colors of your thoughts in such a manner that when another hears your words, they appreciate your good taste. They will be blessed having shared an enlightening experience that will surely linger long upon the palate of their mind.You will be making an impression that will feed their soul.

Order Up...Wait on Words!!
Be a server & a servant of The Words that nourish & matter most…the Bread of Life.
Go ahead...have a seat. We will be with you in just a moment. While you are waiting-Take a look at GOD's Menu for Living.
Yubw8n.


NOTE FROM SHARON: "This writing was inspired by that of a reading I did years ago. What I learned stayed with me over time. Our words can set us free or we can be surely HUNG BY THE TONGUE. I trust the thoughts I have expressed in this blog will bless your heart & be food for thought. Always speak with words that you yourself would be able to swallow. And remember...once they leave your mouth, there are no leftovers or true do-overs."

Success is yours. Victory and defeat are born in the mind, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7) Humans speak what they believe and think, often causing defeat. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." (Proverbs 18:21) Jesus said, "My words are spirit and life." (John 6:63) Fear will prevent you from speaking victory. This little book has helped many to rise from their defeated condition to a victorious life.

What you say...is often what you get. Place this 'read' on your menu.

"He Can Open Her Heart"

It's a joy to be an instrument
in the life of another~
I know He can open her heart…

God gave me a gift shortly after I met Rosa at the local grocery a few weeks ago. We met in the sardine, tuna, and other quick meat aisle. I was standing next to her when I noticed her shoes. Or better yet, the broken flip flops that only provided a small space of cushioning between the soles of her feet and the floor. As I observed her homeless situation it was another one of God's divine connections.

I asked her what her favorite brand of tuna might be or did she prefer sardines. I mentioned I was not really up to speed on the best brands but was considering making a tuna salad. She looked at me and smiled with her reply. Then she stated that although she did prefer a specific brand of each, because she was without a way to successfully open the container she usually purchased a brand that came with a pull tab.

I glanced at the items she had placed in her cart. She had methodically gathered a cart full of convenient coupon attached items of which most were on sale or from the discounted display. It was obvious that her preference for having food was more important that spending money on a way to get to the better tasting, comparable in price foods.

A few minutes passed and I asked where she was from. And after hesitating for just a moment,and not wanting to embarass her, I added "around here?" She smiled knowingly and confirmed that yes she was local. I mentioned that if I would have known I would have already put the extra kitchen ware which included a can opener, in my car. For I had planned to take this to the Goodwill. She could have it. Not missing a beat, she stated that she could wait here or meet me next week if I would bring it to her. Told her I had some errands in the store and I would chat with her soon.

Now, I know what an everyday kind of missionary is. For in the very next aisle were the handy dandy devices that make our lives easy. And moments later Rosa was the proud owner of her very own can opener. It really wasn’t much of a gift but to her it seemed to mean the difference in everything – what she had for her meals and moreso, what she no longer had to settle for…one less compromise. To me it was a gift as well. For it was in giving a simple gift of comfort that I received the same in return.

She saw that I had signed the receipt with a personal blessing and then when I mentioned that the head cashier was aware it was prepaid, we exchanged a quick smile. I wished her well. Then she smiled as she thanked me by offering to take me to lunch. We both innocently laughed a little at that comment, although it was sincere. As she happily shared the answer to my original question of which brand tuna she really did prefer, the divine connection was obvious to me by our abilities to help the other. Rosa provided me with the answer to my question and I was able to assit with the answer to her quest. Everyone needs to be considered as significant and sometimes the unfamiliar is on purpose.

It is like this in my walk with the Lord. Sometimes He places me in areas I am not familiar and introduces me to people that most folks may just pass by. I get a kick out of His timing. Today Rosa and I both were blessed. I am the one who was blessed by listening to His guidance in sharing with her. He showed me a clever cute way to remember this experience- I pray that Rosa knows the Lord for He ‘can open her’ heart to His unconditional love and acceptance for her.

In thinking back on this experience, I know the Holy Spirit led me to meet Rosa and to learn from this time invested in the life of another. It reminds me of another time when He used sincere simplicity to meet the needs of others...a small child, a couple loaves of bread,and few small fish. These fish just happen to be in a pull top can ;o)