Looking Back

What would it be like to live without memories? Would we feel as if part of our lives had been erased somehow?

 

As a  young mom, I snapped camera pictures to hold  memories to savor later. As a middle-aged, involved, working grandmother, I often saved images for later.

 

Later has come!  Truly, one of the most delightful aspects of aging is having time to ponder pop-up memories from the past stimulated by words, sights, sounds, smells. They often intrude at  extraordinarily unpredictable times. 

 

Some psychologists say looking back is bad, but I know it’s fine. All depends on where you're looking. If you're finding the good moments, you get  to relive joy, but if you're looking back at places where you felt trauma, perhaps reliving it a little helps minimize the depth of the pain. 

 

Today with cooler days approaching I’m remembering the many drives my husband Wayne and I took to Florida in fall and winter. I recall the interesting people we met at breakfast in our different hotels and all along the way. And the thousand times getting in and out of the car into my privileged passenger seat, and gazing at the handsome profile (yes, I’m biased) of my husband, as he sat beside me. Thinking of calm, easy days and jam-packed days (probably of my doing )and best of all, the man I loved to be with who always looked into my eyes and made me want to slow down.

 

I remember writing some children’s stories enroute South. Wayne dictated the Sandbox story and I edited it in the car on my laptop. (It’s one of 12 in my amazon book Unforgettable Stories for Kids) The moral is that bigger isn’t always better. I wrote much of my parenting book on the two-day ride home one year. Sometimes we listened to books on tape. Great fun!

 

Always we prayed for angels to guard us and our car and praise Jesus they did - I recall some very close calls with trucks and treacherous ice storms.

 

Memories are a private treasure that no one can take away. A widow does a lot of looking back hanging on a scaffold of faith. As we age our brain may hold some memories locked for a time, but we’ll unlock them again in heaven. One of the wonders of heaven may be embracing all our good memories at once and reliving them with those we love who are present.

 

So overall, yes, I recommend looking back but only if you're really looking forward also. We must continue to be plan-makers. Because that's how we keep walking among the living. Only the strong pull of God on my life keeps me from overdoing looking back.

 

Thank you Jesus for designing us with brains that have the ability to remember! Your creative plan is perfect! 

 

 

WRITING UPDATE:

I have a new writing project, soon to be announced. Love Always, Mom has a beautiful new cover designed by Eddie Jones (he wrote an exciting pirate series for children). He offered his amazing graphic services  I think you agree, he’s incredibly talented. We both enjoy giving books to inmates in prison.

 

Excited to have an upcoming Book-Signing October 3, 11-1 P.M in the new coffee shop in Walworth Josie Rose Coffee. At noon  I’ll give a presentation with Q&A. Signed copies of my mystery fantasy Adventures of Tommy Smurlee books will be available. And Unforgettable Stories for Kids.

 

MEMORY SCRIPTURES:

 

Psalm 77:11 “ I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.”

 

Philippians 1:3 “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.”

 

Happy Fourth of July!

 Peace. Really?

                            

Peace is a lovely word – it ripples off the tongue pleasantly. But it’s not easy to create or hold onto.

 

Heroic men, sons, brothers, husbands died so we could live in peace in America. May we celebrate each one in our hearts with every firecracker that pierces the sky. Their lives mattered. Our gratitude is forever.

 

Peace in the world starts with me.  Shockingly I have to check my heart often. Is peace there? If not, what am I allowing to disturb me and ruffle my emotions? 

 

Jesus said it’s beautiful to live with peace. I clearly know when it’s absent but I don’t always know immediately why. Until I stop and meditate. Even a few moments of meditation can be effective in helping me identify my peace robber. 

 

How?

 

Our thoughts determine our level of peace. Our mind is busy always with our thought voices. We can be thinking thoughts of envy comparison, resentment or thoughts of abundance, contentment, and joy. Unless we control our thoughts, the world around us controls them for us. That is why so many live in fear and anxiety. 

 

Perhaps we have concern for the culture? I’m not unmindful of what goes on in the world, but I refuse to be distressed by it. 

 

To evaluate personal peace, I also look at family relationships, and pray for unity within the family always. 

 

I love my family and friends. I avoid getting into discussions about personality and behavior of current political leaders. Strange as some leaders may be, they’re in these positions because God has allowed them. I don’t agree with every decision they make, but it’s not worth getting into controversy with loved ones.

 

We all have one great power available that I truly believe has effect - the power of prayer. I have known prayer’s effectiveness in every area of my life. 

 

 

CS Lewis said when we begin reading and speaking God’s word, something begins to shift within us. The mind is never quiet and we need to constantly format it in truth and love. 

 

Scripture recitation helps create soul-deep personal renewal. Repetition of God’s word isn’t mindless - it is holy, and it becomes transformative. 

 

I want the kind of peace that passes understanding because it is molded within me and available to each of us.

 

Here’s to a summer of inner peace!

 

Blessed, grateful 4^th of July!

 

Proverbs 23:7 “As he thinks in his heart so is he…”

 

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will be in your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

 

 

Writing Update:  

Mystery reading is great summer fun by the beach or pool.

The first of my five novels is still my favorite: Directive 99. The latest, Shot in the Night, is a close second. They're availabe thru amazon or at Angelus Gifts, Walworth or Lakeside Books, Lake Geneva. Both can be read on Kindle too. Let me know what you think or better yet leave a review!

 

 

Why The Waiting?

Waiting takes many forms, and it's always a part of life, but why? I’ve asked God, what's the value in waiting?

Aren’t many of us resistant to waiting? I certainly am a “let it happen now” kind of person.

 

I wait for warm weather all winter. Now that it’s here, I’m glad, but a little sad too, because I know how quickly it will be gone.

 

When I must wait in a line because I have no choice, I have a plan. I use the time for balance exercises or pray for people in line around me for whatever needs they might have, but I still don’t like it.

I so admire Jesus. He waited thirty years to begin His journey, then patiently crisscrossed the land of Israel for three years toward His death and our salvation.

I’ve certainly had to wait often. Like nine months at a time, awaiting a baby four times.  Maybe that wait was preparation for the patience I’d need as a mother nurturing children. 

Looking back, I felt so peaceful during those waits. Waiting doesn’t have to be stressful, a good reminder.

Perhaps the value of waiting is understood best in retrospect, rather than in the moment.

 

A benefit that comes with waiting is time for growing faith to realize God has plans for ultimate good, whatever the situation. Because we know this and trust Him can we be content during the wait.

 

Only God knows what happens to a soul in waiting. It must be good because He allows so much of it.

 

What do you need to wait for right now in your life? For cancer treatment to work? For a child to experience the faith you so want to pass on? Are you still waiting for the love of your life? For the completion of a project you’ve held dear for years? May God give you patience and His peace.

In a sense, all of life is a waiting period - waiting for heaven’s gate to open. I am in my 80’s - I need to wait less than most. Just like summer flits by, so do the days of life, which is why we strive to live them well.

Blessings on your summer, my friends. Savor every day!

Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 130:5 “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His Word I put my hope.”

WRITING UPDATE:

Thanks to you readers A Widow’s Love Story and my two recent mystery novels Shot in the Night and Mystery At Wycham Manor are selling well at Daniel's Sentry and Angelus Gift & Home in Walworth.

Reached a milestone this week for my YouTube channel - Fantastic Family Life (JudithRolfs) with 1400 subscribers and now 50,000 views for one video 10 Ways For Respecting Your Spouse. I pray each viewer’s marriage is enriched by these tips. This growth is largely because of your word-of-mouth sharing - I’m hugely grateful. 

My writing continues on Book 4 in the Tommy Smurlee mystery fantasy series. I'm praying for an agent connection to make them into wholesome family movies. 

Happy Mother's Day!

  

Mother’s Day makes me think of Love - Moms’ love and God’s Love. 

One of my favorite Scripture verses, Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV), mentions God’s love: “The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior Who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He … will rejoice over you with singing.” 

I treasure knowing that God delights in me and rejoices over me! This was the kind of love I felt for 60 years from my husband who is now in heaven. What do people passionately desire if not to be loved unconditionally and wildly?

Can you imagine the difference it makes walking through life knowing that the eternal God, Creator of heaven and earth, thinks you’re cool. Many, but not all of us, had moms and dads making us feel like this. Unfortunately,  not all could. My heart goes out to children and adults who walk through difficult challenges of life without knowing how deeply treasured they are now by God.

I used to remind my counseling clients that if a parent disappoints you, God never will. If a friend or spouse abandons you, you need not jump into the pit of despair, nor give up your joy. You have a layer of love over you so deep that no human hurt has the power to stifle your love core unless you allow it. What’s not to like about knowing you’re loved like this? 

Your Father God delights in you and, gulp, me. He’s an incredible lover. God’s kind of love is what I want to pass on to my children, grandchildren and greats. 

May we all be great lovers!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

WRITING UPDATE

Thanks for warmly receiving my recent mystery novels Shot in the Night and Mystery at Wycham Manor. I enjoyed several May book events meeting readers, old and new. 

I’m currently writing Tommy Smurlee, Book 4 in my mystery fantasy series for kids 8 and up. It takes places at a castle camp in England's Lakes area. Any suggestions for the title appreciated! Previous titles of the first 3 books are: Tommy Smurlee and Dunster’s Camp of Mystery and Inventions, Book 1, Tommy Smurlee and the Missing Statue, Book 2, Mystery of the Silver Shells, subtitled a Tommy Smurlee and Grella Weller Adventure Book 3. 

***

The picture above is one of my garden statue: A mother and her son holding a book as she reads to him. For our 40^th anniversary, my husband Wayne insisted this statue belonged here to celebrate my four children, seven grandchildren and my books about Tommy Smurlee and Grella Weller. Still missing my man by the way – sadly doubt that will ever stop. Thank God for His love!

 

Gloorious Spring - Happy Easter

At long last spring has arrived! A reason to celebrate for sure. I love to sit still outdoors, and absorb the music of nature. I like to imagine the incredible energy being released in the woods and waters of Lake Geneva. Blooms about to burst, trees soaking up moisture, eager to display a beautiful new season of greenery. 

 

Hear the whisper of God all around you.

 

As we prepare to honor Jesus this Easter, war goes on. We are not unmindful of the sacrifices made for us to live free. With deepest concern we pray for all wars to stop.

 

Yet Jesus forever broke the bondage of death with His astounding Resurrection! We keep the vision of resurrection deeply embedded in our minds, so we don’t have to fear. Easter reminds us, the sad parts of life will end. Jesus wins and so do we.

 

And Jesus wants us to rejoice even as we pray and lament. We can do both at the same time with the incredible brains He has gifted to us.

 

We are on earth to glorify God with our every breath and moment of life. Period.

 

We are models for our children and grandchildren when we stay calm and cheerful (I call this my CC Plan )with our beliefs, our confidence in God and trust in the unfolding of His good plans for us. The atmosphere within our families can stay peaceful when life is lived day by day with Jesus.

 

WRITING UPDATE:

 

How about a fun, exciting mystery with lots of twists and turns? Hot off the press! Shot in the Night - a revised version of an earlier book with new characters and content.I want my readers to be entertained and equipped for life’s challenges as they witness my psychotherapist heroine solve problems with love and skill.

 Now available at Angelus Gifts in Walworth and on amazon or contact me for an autographed copy. 

 

Nothing like daily devos to enrich your personal relationship with Jesus. I suggest Jesus Time or God’s Near also available locally and on amazon.

 

How about enjoying a fun book with your entire family? I suggest reading a Tommy Smurlee mystery fantasy book to your children or grandchildren at dinner, one chapter a night. Book Four in the Series is coming soon.

 

Here’s to a glorious spring! 

Celebrating the wonder and wisdom of Easter with you.

 

Vs. 11,12 Message Bible “Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God’s people, joy-seeds are planted in good heart soil. So God’s people, shout praises to God, give things to our Holy God!