Thinking and Thanking

Isn’t thinking an amazing human process? A nice walk and a good think are two of my favorite things.

It’s true I seldom reflected when I was younger. Mostly life whirred by. Now that I have the eyes of age, I think much more.

I used to suggest to my counseling clients they set aside time for reflection daily and most gave me the “no time excuse.” I’d answer, you’re thinking all the time. Ten minutes of quiet can be packed with hundreds of thoughts, although often you pay no attention to them.  It’s energizing to use your mind consciously, to think intentionally.

How?

You might start thinking time by recalling simple blessings: hot and cold running water, cream in coffee, a good friend to meet for lunch. That’s my style, then I move on to think about problems and unresolved questions in my life.

As I think, I pause often to savor this wonderful experience of life. For sure, I treasure mine. My mom already had one abortion before she conceived my brother and two years later me. We’re the ones who got to live. I’m humbled.

Recently I’ve been pondering an important decision. Who do I vote for to lead the United States of America? Not voting isn’t an option - not when I think of the women who fought for my right to be included in making these choices.

I’ve considered all the factors, intensely scrutinized party platforms, moved beyond candidate personalities. In the end it came down to my one overriding principle. I realize this may not be yours, but it must be mine. I will vote against anyone who doesn’t respect the value of life. If this foundational premise isn’t right, how can I trust this person’s wisdom? I mourn with God the sixty million dead babies He created for this world who never saw daylight.

I think of women who give a coat they no longer want to Good Will. They don’t cut the coat to shreds and throw it in the garbage. Yet they won’t give away a baby from their womb, even at nine months…why not give the baby to a couple aching for a baby– a generous, gracious, uplifting deed of love - rather than abort it?  I’ve heard the argument of those who say abortion is acceptable if the baby isn’t “viable “ outside the mother’s body. I laugh at this having raised four children. A two-year-old is not viable outside my womb without me to feed and shelter it. Perhaps someday the government will allow moms to kill these pesky, needy toddlers also?  May it never be so!

In the meantime, I will continue to think, vote and pray for wise choices to be made by every one of us with power over the lives of others.  I will thankfully enjoy and reflect upon every blessed day of life with its simplicity and complexity.

Book News:

Triumphing Over Cancer, David’s Miracle Story Plus Forty Survival Strategies You Can Use. It’s our amazing, true miracle story of David’s healing and will encourage you whatever crisis you face. It’s available on amazon and at all bookstores Nov. 14^th. See it now.

Tommy Smurlee & Dunster’s Camp of Mystery & Inventions has a newly designed cover by Zoran, a talented graphic artist from Croatia. It will be out Dec. 1 in time for Christmas gifting to delight children ages ten and up. Online or thru any bookstore.

Coming up in November

I’ll be speaking at the following events in November on Stages From the Heart To the Page. Call the organizers for more info. Would love to see you if you live nearby.

Milwaukee West Suburban CWC, Davian’s Banquet Center, Mon. Nov. 14th 8:30 a.m. -11:00 Menominee Falls, WI, for reservations call Lois at: 262-251-3841

Sheboygan After 5 Women’s Connection, Rupp’s Lodge, Mon. Nov. 14^th at 6:30 p.m.

925 N. 8^th St. Sheboygan, Wi More info call Terri Schmitt 920-946-9141.

Sheboygan Christian Women’s Connection, Pine Hills Country Club, Tues. Nov. 15^th 9:30- !1:00 a.m. Sheboygan, WI For reservation Call Ann Keckonen at 262-457-4318 by Nov. 9^th

Author Events:

Delavan Library Christmas With the Authors Event, Nov. 19^th 9-12.

Author Christmas Book-signing Angelus Shop, Walworth, Wi Nov. 26^th 1-2:30.

 Thanks for reading. You are precious!

Great Scripture Quotes for the Upcoming Election:Deuteronomy 16:19

Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent.

Deuteronomy 16:20

Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.

Gratitude and Loss

Thoughts of God, thoughts of gratitude go together. Every day a roof to shelter me, central heat, physical warmth - a reminder to seek the Center for soul warmth as well, for teeth to chew the delightful texture of food, for shoes, always something to find, pause and consider with awe and simple thanks.

Coldness and ingratitude, each a terrible thing. A cold soul seems as if it must shrivel the organs, distort one’s being. I’ve seen serenity on the face of homeless people and seen frigidity and yes even fear on the faces of the rich.

Faces say a lot, happy clown, sad clown. I know from counseling people with depression that gratitude brings a sweetness that shows and stirs deep.

My first thought this day wasn’t of gratitude but of loss, fear I left my treasured little red Bible at the last resort I stayed at. Before I started writing I searched everywhere in my new lodgings. Losses disturb me, pieces of something that touched me, my life, left behind never to be enjoyed again.

I finally stopped searching, soul-seared, after all it’s only a thing I object to mislaying and forgetting, I have Scripture of value in my heart and another book can be purchased, thank God for the means – and now someone else may be blessed I pray with this pretty little Bible.

I consider the greater loss, will there be a soul shown into hell today and how sad the loss to God and to the community of faith.

What might be said to a frigid face I meet this day to point them to gratitude, to God, to their place in heaven?

 

Micah 6:8

“…what is good and what the Lord requires of you:

Only to act justly,

To love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.”

Breathless Devotionals published by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas - more thoughts about God. Be blessed.