Confidence has its Rewards

According to my journal, today is the 37th day of quarantine. How time flies when we’re having so much fun! Even though there are many still in “crisis” mode because of the effects of the virus on their bodies, so many in financial straits, and others exhausted as front-liners, the end is actually in sight!

I felt it yesterday when I walked by my community’s golf course that has been closed because of the pandemic. The golfers were out in abundance. We can get our hope up – our expectors expecting! Soon we’ll be back in the routines of daily go – go! Workers will go to work. Graduates will get to have their graduation. Huggers will get to hug again. Campaigners will campaign again. Restaurants will be open for business. Parks will be full. Sports arenas and fields and entertainment parks will resume. “Open for Business” will be the norm again. But, we will never forget the pandemic of 2020.

These weeks of mandatory separation from others has given me plenty of time for spring cleaning and organizing. But, it has also been a time of reflection for me and my thoughts. Like many others, I never thought I would see anything like this in my country. I believe this will go down in history as a time the Church stood strong and saw the salvation of the Lord! We didn’t waver in our faith and belief that God is alive and well and He is still in control. We continued to pray. We continued to watch on-line church and I think the Sabbath day became what God really modeled for us in creation. That it is the Sabbath day to be kept holy as a day of rest. We have stood strong and together in unity!

I became extremely nostalgic when I was looking through my large bin of photos. The bin tipped over from the vulnerable place where I sat it. Those photos scattered all over my garage floor. I am convinced it was God’s way of having me look back at all the blessings and joys of family and friends over the years. It was my incentive to organize all those photos (hundreds, maybe thousands) and put them in organized boxes for my children and me.

This scripture came to me "Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which will be greatly rewarded...” (Hebrews 10:35) Those photos reminded me of some of the “wins” we had after struggles. And, that’s what God shows us in His Word. That "confidence" scripture comes just before a long list of heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11. I am always encouraged when I read about those great women and men of faith. They endured, and were rewarded. And that’s how God wants us to live – not in the past of regret and remorse, but scriptures, photos and memories that illustrate confidence, endurance AND wins!

These last few weeks have definitely been a tester of our faith. God loves us so much and He has our best interests at heart. If His power was enough to defeat sin and raise His Son from the dead, surely, He is delivering us. We have learned so many lessons about trust during these times. We placed our lives in hands. We’ve trusted Him and we will continue to trust Him in whatever and wherever our faith journey takes us. Just think about the faith muscles we’ve acquired during this time. We’ve not only endured the season – we are making it through it. Our endurance has paid off because of our genuine faith and trust in our unfailing God.

We’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel but we might be struggling with the uncertainty of what lies ahead. Oh, but, no fear, we know what lies ahead for us because our future is guaranteed by the Author and Finisher of our faith!

It's Just a Matter of Time

I preplanned taking my watch in for repair while I was in Tulsa last week. My jeweler recognized me, and my watch, though it’s been years since going in to see him. As a matter of time AND fact, 13 years. He keeps good records. This 18 kt gold watch is a treasured possession that my sweetheart gave me on my 50th birthday. He planned that occasion in meticulous ways. First, his quest was to find a watch that would be lasting and meaningful. He found this one in a small jewelry store and had it engraved "Donna, with all my love, Ron '98". It was a "matter of time" and effort to find this special gift for me.

Because this birthday wasn’t just a milestone – but a many-mile-stone, he went to the nth degree of sacrifice and love to make this birthday memory lasting. He made a big deal of that 50th birthday. First, he took me out to dinner and when we made it home, there were many friends and family to surprise me with their love. All these memories flooded my heart when I went into that clock/watch repair store. I've always been a sap for sweet mementos. In fact, I still have the first charm bracelet and charm he gave me on my 13th birthday, the small diamond pendant from my 16th birthday and our love letters to each other.

One of our favorite songs was "Unchained Melody" sung by the Righteous Brothers and the words went like this: "Time goes by so slowly, and time can do so much, are you still mine? I need your love. I need your love. God speed your love to me!" Those words amuse me now, because no longer does time go by slowly. But back when we were engaged – time was as slow as molasses and then after we married, waiting for our baby boy to be born – seemed like forever. But now, goodness gracious, the old saying, “Time flies”, is truer than ever for me.

That’s why I purposely make the most of my time. Writing this daily blog, sending text messages to those I love and those who could use an encouraging word. That’s why I went to Tulsa last week to make my time count with family and friends. And, that’s why I’ll be going to Austin next week to spend precious TIME with my family there!

While that precious, treasured watch is dear to me, I know "It's just a matter of time" that I'll get to go to heaven. I know it will not go with me. No earthly treasures will. But, I am absolutely certain that the TIME I spend on this earth, if I make my TIME count for God, there will be unimaginable treasures that await me. The precious treasures that matter are His kids and if I am spending TIME pursuing them and loving them and showing them the way to heaven, my treasure chest in heaven will be full. It really is "just a matter of time" before we'll be there in all of heaven's splendor and glory -- where REAL TIME only begins.....AND never ends. Let's make this time here count for eternity!

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Want Something to Celebrate? Celebrate YOU!

I love the saying “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” When we were kids, we couldn’t count the months and days fast enough until another birthday rolled around. But, the older we get we’d just as soon let the next birthday roll around unnoticed – that is unless you’re my dear friend, Peggy Boerner. This birthday was a milestone one and she owned it because she’s the pilot of her “plane”. She’s a “can-do” gal who takes matters into her own hands and makes what matters – matter.

These photos show a group of Hyde Park friends (where I lived in Tulsa) who were invited by Peggy to celebrate and enjoy an evening out together. Riding in a limo bus to a wonderful restaurant and then to the historic Mayo Hotel for great views of Tulsa and more fun times together. I was honored to be among the invitees!

Proverbs 18:24 says “To have friends, show yourself friendly.” The Proverbs contain much wisdom about being a friend and how to find a friend. Peggy has been a dear friend to me in so many ways, the most of which is her "welcome mat". She always has “my room” ready for me in her beautiful, peaceful home and makes me feel so loved and welcomed.

I’ve heard adults and children say that they didn’t have any friends or that they had trouble finding friends. And there's probably a reason for it. There is a key to having loyal friends or making friends in the first place. We have to show ourselves friendly. And Peggy is outstanding at that – so friendly that she has her birthday celebration with her pals.

May I suggest that we all become better friends – having celebrations of life and living. We can’t do anything about the past, but we can sure do things differently now and in the future. We can enjoy the ride much more. We're the pilot on this flight and in many ways, it is like a RESET button. Each experience – good and bad, has equipped us to be better, do better and appreciate time more. It is the dawn of a new day, today. I know one thing for sure -- we can’t live in the past, and the future isn’t ours to predict. But, we can make moments, minutes, hours and days really count for what matters most.

I speak a lot about it, but I repeat: Treasure THIS day – make memories for yourself and someone else. Live as if there were no tomorrow. Spread sunshine. Give love and laughter and life to those who need an injection of fun, faith, and friendship.

The BAD news -- time flies, but the GOOD news, we're the pilot in the hands of the MASTER PILOT Who holds our future in the palm of His hands! And, I assure you, if indeed “time flies when you’re having fun”, then Peggy and I are having a blast!

Time Flies When We’re Having Fun

It’s official. Today, July 2nd is the 183rd day of the year -- the official middle of the year. Six months have already passed in 2019. It makes me think – how fast time does fly for me these days – compared to my youth when the time went by so slowly for school to end for the summer, or the long-awaited vacation trip we were going to take, or until Christmas would finally get here, or for reaching the double-digit age of 10, or 13 – a teenager, 16 – to be able to drive. It was taking so long before our planned wedding date in September to get here when I would be at least 18 and my sweetheart would be 19, but we couldn’t wait that long – so we moved it up to July 8th – and my mom had to sign for me to get married at 17. And, then, what seemed the longest wait EVER -- nine long months to pass before the birth of our babies!

You know the saying, “Time flies when you’re having fun!” I had a lot of fun as a kid, but time sure didn’t fly for me. We don’t get to hit a “reset button”, but we DO get to start each new day with the wisdom and knowledge we gained from the past. We're the pilot on this flight and in many ways, it is like a RESET button. Each experience – good and bad, has equipped us to be better, do better and appreciate time more.

I know for young whippersnappers, you think it will be a very long time before you get to my ripe, mature age. I was you. I thought my Aunt Lillie Mae, when she turned age 50, was the oldest old gal ever. And, actually, 50, back then, just did look and act older than we do today. I assure you when I turned 50, I was way too young to act old and you know what, that’s the way I feel at this 70-year mark. I can hardly believe that I could be that number. But, I don’t dwell on age, though I do notice that others seem to respect that age for me as my boys are quick to help me out of the car or carry packages for me. I like that it is respected and I own it! I dwell on living large with every fiber of my being. I’ve said it before…I’ll say it again: “I’m not giving up until I’m taken up!” And whether that is today, tomorrow, or years from now, I will live on purpose to be a devoted follower of Christ from sun-up until sun-down each day and squeeze everything I can out of this life God gave me.

This is the dawn of a new day, today. I know one thing for sure -- we can’t live in the past, and the future isn’t ours to predict. But, we can make minutes, hours and days really count for what matters most. I speak a lot about it, but I repeat, treasure THIS day – make memories for yourself and someone else. Take lots of pictures. I do. I treasure them. Live as if there were no tomorrow. Spread sunshine. Give love and laughter and life to those who need an injection of fun, faith, and friendship. The BAD news -- time flies, but the GOOD news, we're the pilot in the hands of the MASTER PILOT!

And, I assure you, if indeed “Time flies when you’re having fun”, then I must be having a blast!”

Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it."

Time is Flying at Breakneck Speed

A full six months have raced by already this year -- only 5-1/2 months until Christmas. Whew! Just think about how slowly time went for us in our childhood when we said: "I can't wait until school is out for the summer". "How many more days until Christmas?" Or, when we were so in love and counted down the days until our wedding day and what about that nine long months for our baby to get here?

You know the saying, “Time flies when you’re having fun!” Well, I had a lot of fun as a kid and time sure didn’t fly for me. You remember the movie “Back to the Future” where a teenager (Michael J Fox) is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time machine invented by his friend? The reality is – we don’t get to hit a “reset button” or go back in a time machine, but here’s the really great thing…..we DO get to start each new day with the wisdom and knowledge we gained from the past.

Instead of watching fireworks on the 4th, we decided to stay in, have popcorn, chocolate shakes and enjoy a movie in my children's theater room. We selected the sci-fi movie, “Arrival” in which linguistics specialist Dr. Louise Banks is brought in to decipher and communicate with aliens that have landed on earth. The most impactful line in the film to me was in a closing scene when Dr. Banks utters “If you could see your whole life laid out in front of you, would you change things?”

That question made me think about how I might have done things differently if I had known how things would turn out in my life beforehand. I might have withheld things I just felt like I HAD to say or did. I might have been kinder, less judgmental, made different decisions or reacted entirely differently to such incidental and did-it-really-matter situations.

We can’t do anything about the past, but we can sure do things differently now and in the future. We can take life less seriously and enjoy the ride much more. We're the pilot on this flight and in many ways, IT IS like a RESET button. Each experience – good and bad, has equipped us to be better, do better and appreciate time more. It is the dawn of a new day, today. I know one thing for sure -- we can’t live in the past, and the future isn’t ours to predict. But, we can make moments, minutes, hours and days really count for what matters most.

I speak a lot about it, but I repeat: Treasure THIS day – make memories for yourself and someone else. Live as if there were no tomorrow. Spread sunshine. Give love and laughter and life to those who need an injection of fun, faith, and friendship.

The BAD news -- time flies, but the GOOD news, we're the pilot in the hands of the MASTER PILOT Who holds our future in the palm of His hands! And, I assure you, if indeed “time flies when you’re having fun”, then I must be having a blast!

Carpe Momentum -- Seize the Moment

Often I blog about making moments count. There's a Latin phrase for it: Carpe Momentum which means "Seize the Moment". I’m thrilled to be alive HERE on planet earth today in this generation. Even though I live in a 55+ community, I sure don’t want to hang with anyone who thinks “old”. I love hanging with those who live in the moment and in that moment they find so much to be grateful and joyful about.

This is MY own definition of a MOMENT: "an instant, that almost imperceptible amount of time that barely registers measurement, but when being present and given full thought and attention to it, miracles can happen, inventions and innovations can be created, lives are transformed and heaven touches earth -- because the MOMENT was noticed.” – Donna Wuerch

The older I get the more I understand the importance and value of seizing the moment. Life’s “stuff” happens to all of us. "Stuff" happened to my husband and I. I remember a season of major challenges in our lives. Important life-altering decisions needed to be made. But, rather than sitting around worrying, we spontaneously decided to take a trip to Branson, Missouri on November 1st – the first day of Christmas at Silver Dollar City. It turned out to be one of the best decisions we could have made. It was not only therapeutic to get-away-from-it-all, but it refreshed us and took our perspective and attitudes to a whole new place.

When I placed this figurine on my kitchen counter this Christmas, I couldn’t help but remember that weekend, because underneath the items we purchased (as a keepsake of times of sweetness), I would always write the occasion and the date on the bottom. We SEIZED the MOMENT on that weekend.

Seizing the moment is engaging in intentional thinking. At church, when the priest, rabbi or pastor is speaking, do you find your mind wandering or even falling asleep? And all the while, that speaker may have given wisdom for the answer you needed to help you get out of your difficult situation. I’m one of those “note takers” in church or meetings because I want my valuable time to be worthwhile and I want to give honor to the speaker’s valuable time that he/she spent preparing.

I’m the camera/photo opt “junkie” in our family. I'm always seizing the moment to take a photo of precious times. I'm taking a lot of photos while I'm with my two younger grandsons in Austin. Every moment of nurturing them, seizing the moment to cuddle them, and when typical sibling rivalry or some act of disobedience happens, I get the opportunity to talk about God's way being the best way. I want them to remember Nana as one who was always pointing to Jesus. I know these two young boys will soon no longer be needing for Nana to see after them -- like their two older brothers who are now on their own. So every moment seized is every moment remembered.

Seize the moment. It works like this. In the midst of the craziness of life, seize a few quiet minutes to rest, reflect, recharge. Maybe take a mini mental vacation to enjoy life’s blessings. Instead of working through your lunch hour (or just 20 minutes), turn off your phone and computer to truly enjoy the daily bread you have been given. Go out for dinner…at some place that serves your meal on a plate, not in a bag. Stop by to see your parents, older kids and/or especially your grandkids. If you can’t get there physically, then call them, skype them, or just sit quietly and send up a prayer for them. Reflect on life and give thanks that you can see, move or even just breathe.

Time is Flying at Breakneck Speed....So What?

A full six months has raced by already this year. Whew! That makes me think about how fast time flies by for me during this season of my life -- compared to my youth when the time went by so slowly for school to end for the summer, or until Christmas would finally get here, or so long for our wedding to get here, and so long for nine months to pass before our babies would be born.

You know the saying, “Time flies when you’re having fun!” I had a lot of fun as a kid, but time sure didn’t fly for me. You remember the movie “Back to the Future” where a teenager (Michael J Fox) is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time machine invented by his friend? The reality is – we don’t get to hit a “reset button” or go back in a time machine, but here’s the really great thing…..we DO get to start each new day with the wisdom and knowledge we gained from the past.

We're the pilot on this flight and in many ways, it is like a RESET button. Each experience – good and bad, has equipped us to be better, do better and appreciate time more. It is the dawn of a new day, today. I know one thing for sure -- we can’t live in the past, and the future isn’t ours to predict. But, we can make moments, minutes, hours and days really count for what matters most.

I speak a lot about it, but I repeat, treasure THIS day – make memories for yourself and someone else. Live as if there were no tomorrow. Spread sunshine. Give love and laughter and life to those who need an injection of fun, faith, and friendship.

The BAD news -- time flies, but the GOOD news, we're the pilot in the hands of the MASTER PILOT! And, I assure you, if indeed “time flies when you’re having fun”, then I must be having a blast!”

Time Flies

Day 43 of Photo Inspiration -- Time Flies
Yesterday, I took  my watch in for repair to a really great jeweler that I have here in Tulsa.  He recognized me and my watch, though it had been seven years since I'd seen him last (he had the time associated with my watch).  It's a beautiful gold watch that my sweetheart gave me for my 50th birthday.  He had it engraved with   "Donna, with all my love, Ron '98".  This is one of my precious treasures that I love so much because it took him a lot of time and effort to find this special gift for me.   He wanted it to be special because it represented, not just a milestone -- but  MANY MILES - STONE. I've always been a sap for sweet momentos.  In fact, I still have the first charm bracklet and charm he gave me on my 13th birthday....and the letters we sent to each other..

He gave me a surprise 50th birthday party.  He had taken me out to dinner and when we got home, there were many friends and family waiting for us there.  All these memories flooded my heart today.  I even remembered and pulled out the banner that he had up for me. Goodness, I've had that banner for 16 years now.

What made me reminisce like this yesterday?  Maybe it was because I knew I was headed to the part of town where my jeweler is located, so I knew it was a perfect opportunity to take the watch in.   But just taking it in, brought back a flood of memories.  And, on top of that, I saw a sweet cousin's post about it being her 50th birthday yesterday, and how she was surprised and blessed by her husband and friends.

One of our favorite songs was "Unchained Melody" sung by the Righteous Brothers and the words went like this:
"Time goes by so slowly, and time can do so much, are you still mine?   I need your love.  I need your love.  God speed your love to me!"

Those words amuse me now -- back when we were engaged -- it did feel like time went by so slowly, and then after we married, waiting for our baby boy to be born -- time went by so slowly.  But now, it's no longer slow.  Time has gone by so quickly.  Now the old saying "Time flies!"  is way more true.  And if that be so, then it's important to make the most of each minute -- each hour -- and each day while we have the TIME to make it the most precious TIME that God has given us!  Let's make TIME count!

"But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand..." Psalm 31:14

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

I sent an email out on the 30th to announce a business meeting we were having yesterday, Tuesday, July 1st, however I typed June 1st instead of July 1st in the email and on the graphic I made for the event. Maybe I was in denial that a full six months has gone by already this year. It made me think – how fast time does fly for me these days – compared to my youth when the time went by so slowly for school to end for the summer, or until Christmas would finally get here, or so long for our wedding to get here, and so long for nine months to pass before our babies would be born.

You know the saying, “Time flies when you’re having fun!” I had a lot of fun as a kid, but time sure didn’t fly for me. You remember the movie “Back to the Future” where a teenager (Michael J Fox) is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time machine invented by his friend? The reality is – we don’t get to hit a “reset button” or go back in a time machine, but here’s the really great thing…..we DO get to start each new day with the wisdom and knowledge we gained from the past. We're the pilot on this flight and in many ways, it is like a RESET button. Each experience – good and bad, has equipped us to be better, do better and appreciate time more. It is the dawn of a new day, today. I know one thing for sure -- we can’t live in the past, and the future isn’t ours to predict. But, we can make minutes, hours and days really count for what matters most. I speak a lot about it, but I repeat, treasure THIS day – make memories for yourself and someone else. Live as if there were no tomorrow. Spread sunshine. Give love and laughter and life to those who need an injection of fun, faith, and friendship. The BAD news -- time flies, but the GOOD news, we're the pilot in the hands of the MASTER PILOT!

And, I assure you, if indeed “time flies when you’re having fun”, then I must be having a blast!”