Tag Archives: family

A word from a founding father…

Posted on by
Reply

John Hancock

April 15, 1775

“In circumstances dark as these, it becomes us, as Men and Christians, to reflect that, whilst every prudent Measure should be taken to ward off the impending Judgements….All confidence must be withheld from the Means we use; and reposed only on that GOD who rules in the Armies of Heaven, and without whose Blessing the best human Counsels are but Foolishness–and all created Power Vanity;

“It is the Happiness of his Church that, when the Powers of Earth and Hell combine against it…that the Throne of Grace is of the easiest access–and its Appeal thither is graciously invited by the Father of Mercies, who has assured it, that when his Children ask Bread he will not give them a Stone….

“RESOLVED, That it be, and hereby is recommended to the good People of this Colony of all Denominations, that THURSDAY the Eleventh Day of May next be set apart as a Day of Public Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer…to confess the sins…to implore the Forgiveness of all our Transgression…and a blessing on the Husbandry, Manufactures, and other lawful Employments of this People; and especially that the union of the American Colonies in Defense of their Rights (for hitherto we desire to thank Almighty GOD) may be preserved and confirmed….And that AMERICA may soon behold a gracious Interposition of Heaven.”
By Order of the [Massachusetts] Provincial
Congress, John Hancock, President.

Working is good, but in perspective and within a health balance of life — God, Family, Work.

KK

Everybody’s Busy

Posted on by
Reply

Everybody’s busy – this seems to be the thing to say when an invitation is declined instead of saying “I’m sorry you can’t attend”. While it is easy to get caught up in all the opportunities life offers today; it’s also easy to waste a lot of time with cable tv, mobile device games, and other internet surfing.

busy peoplePeople are as busy as they want to be.  There are times when work and personal activities collide and a little hustle is required. The hours of the day are full.  This hustle doesn’t last forever.

Adults can take control of their time to fulfill their responsibilities such as work and family.  If life becomes too hassled and full, it may be time to re-evaluate the “time-suckers”.  Do they fall within personal priorities?

If someone declines your invitation, it may not mean they are too busy, it simply means that event is at the same time as something else that day.

Just a thought,

KK

A Child Being Mistreated

Posted on by
3

sad childOk, what would you do? I was sitting in a fast food drive-thru, had paid for my food and was waiting. Just as they passed in front of me the “mother” grabbed the little girl by the back of her head and yanked her hair clearly mad at her for something. The little girl screamed and began to cry. I almost came out of my car to grab the mother’s hair to see how she liked it. The scene hurt me to the core. The mother let go and went into the restaurant with the “grandmother” and the son. I still wanted to go after the mother, but decided all that would do would cause a fight with the woman not resolving her heart issue.

I said a prayer of protection over the children and for God to deal with the mother. I watched as the father comforted the child and she settled down. As they walked in I noticed on the girl’s t-shirt the saying, “God is on our side.” May she always know that saying as true.

What would you have done?

KK

Who’s the victim now?

Posted on by
Reply

freedom  At some point in everyone’s life something bad happens.  The country music industry is proof of that.  How many songs are all about heart-ache and double crossing meanness?  Maybe you were shorted an opportunity as a child, as a young adult someone lies or breaks your heart, or as a professional someone discredits you to the point of losing your job.  Take a look at these three scenarios — what’s the commonality?  What could you control?  Finding yourself as a victim offers the opportunity for choices.

You have the choice to stay down in the situation and wallow, or you can take charge of your responsibility in the situation, how did it get as bad as it did?  What could you have done differently?  Answers to these questions allow the freedom to grow as a person, move forward and not remain stuck.

Even if it takes years to grow up and out of the situation, at some point in order to be free of the chains of victimization, you have to own the situation, learn from it and grow into a wiser person.

Hanging on to unfair situations in the past only burdens the future.  This process of overcoming injustices can be freedom3amazing and freeing.  Sometimes the hardest thing to do is work on bettering yourself and breaking free when others around you don’t live by the same life-long values.

Consider yourself challenged to do some soul-searching and decide today what stronghold or area of your life needs addressing.  Can you see yourself as successfully walking away from being a victim and being free from whatever restricts you from being the best you were created to be?  Is it an area that at the end of your days you will be thankful you addressed?

All the best,

KK

Lessons from Eli

Posted on by
Reply

He came home on May 7th only four pounds and completely cute.  Immediately he stole our hearts.  Little did I know that over the next few months, Eli, the little brown dog, had a few lessons for our family.

Being content – Eli likes to chew on things and his owners’ toes and fingers.  While the cuteness factor helped him not get sent back, the chewing was hurtful and annoying.  So, we acquired several of what were touted to be “puppy’s favorite” toys.  There were balls, and squeaky toys, a few old socks.  With all of these choices surrounding him, Eli still chose to steal our shoes, or just walk up and chomp on our toes.  With all those puppy toys, chosen for him and completely right for him, he was not content.  He wanted something else.  He wanted things not right for him and even would get him in trouble.

How many times do you find yourself in Eli’s position?  Look around, do you have your “favorites”?  Do you have what you need to satisfy your desire to chew?   Do you find yourself ignoring that which has been provided to fulfill your needs, for that which only leads to trouble?

We are all guilty of being discontent.  We don’t just relax in warmth of having what we need and if I had to guess, most of what we want.

Guilty and running – not long after we brought Eli home he began to learn right and wrong.  Remember the chewing need?  Eli would be doing great, lying on the floor chewing on his bone, and then without rhyme or reason he would get up grab a shoe and RUN!  Why run if he didn’t know he was guilty?  His demeanor changed as he crawled under the bed.  Clutching the shoe with all he had, Eli would not release or come out.

How many times when you have done something wrong have you run from those who care enough to not want you to hurt yourself or do something wrong?  Maybe you find yourself hiding and hoping those who want to help you do something more positive pass by.

We didn’t just pass by, we knew it was important for Eli to learn not to chew on shoes, so we crawled under the bed with him and grabbed the shoe he shouldn’t have.  After crawling back out and calling Eli, he gladly followed.  Most of the time this exchange resulted in our finding a treat and a toy to redirect his behavior.

Eli continues to teach us lessons.  In each of these scenarios, Eli was given the opportunity to learn something new, turn a negative into a positive, and be with those who love him most.

Are Eli’s lessons your lesson?

All the best,

KK