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.

A Thought Catcher

From the vantage of my lifetime of counseling, I’m occasionally asked what message I’d give women today. Here’s my humbly offered answer:

Be a thought checker, desire not just any thoughts but ones that stir your soul because souls are quite important and they get too little attention today.

If you doubt this, consider when were you last asked, “How’s your soul doing?” When women get together do they chat about dates, or husbands if they’re married, kids, jobs, or what’s spiritually inspired them recently? Do young women know more about latest fashion trends and body supplements than about soul nourishment?

So my advice is to think deep, go deep with God. Make sure you’re thinking your own thoughts. This means taking time to examine ideas you absorb from our culture, being sure you agree and approve. Make sure faith is yours, one that you’ve studied through yourself.

What are your soul goals? We’re only a month into the New Year. How about forming some soul goals?

What might these look like? Maybe memorize one Scripture verse that really speaks to you of God’s love for you. Carry it in your head forever.

Find a favorite passage all your own that comforts you and turn to it often.

Read about a person deeply spiritual who lived before, how did they live out real faith and how might you take a lesson for your own life?

Open your mouth. Ask questions. Speak about the huge romance, the exciting mystery of God with someone with whom you’ve never had the conversation before. 

Leash any passion that’s ungodly – overeating, overspending, overdoing - and release every passion that’s godly. Pretty simple, pretty strong – that’s God’s plan for woman.

Also be your own stylemaker. Set the trend that fulfills your deepest longing and moral yearning for truth and beauty and goodness.

If you have children make sure you teach them to think for themselves, to study ideas, give them quiet times to reflect. My character Quid in the Tommy Smurlee series often speaks a famous quote or makes up a life thought that fits the occasion he’s in. He’s always thinking.

Married gals remember marriage is about stirring more than scrambled eggs or cake batter. Stir the souls of your spouse, become real soul-mates. Talk about cultural questions, unresolved fears. Getting back to Scripture: read a chapter together with your husband and children after dinner, or ONE verse at every meal. Probe the Bible until an applicable idea  pierces you.

Want an exciting, non-boring life packed with joy days? Go deeper with the giver of every good and perfect gift, the God who is the huge I AM and the amazing Always Was.

Speak, ask, listen. S-A-L every day.

The women who charge the home, the work place, the world get charged first with spiritual energy and keep their souls strong.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

A few thoughts, a reminder to me as well.