storage units

Someone I know found God in his storage unit.

 He is a quiet man and when I first met him he said he went through life with blinders on. Concerned with himself and his possessions. He tells me that he tried his best to live a "hermit" lifestyle , as much as one can in the modern day. But since we met and talked often, he is becoming more aware of the world around him.

He went to his storage unit to check on flood damage. The facility lies close to a river and was under a foot of water and some of his prized possessions had been damaged. As he cleaned out and tossed what could not be salvaged, he saw an elderly woman placing boxes in another unit not far away. He went over and offered to help her. She was very grateful for the help.

 God showed himself that day. The woman's prayers were answered when she received the help loading heavy boxes to her unit., and The man was given the gift of giving, filling his soul with delight at helping another person.

To "give" does not always require reaching in your pockets. To give does require you to reach into your soul.
God gives us the gift to give. To receive is a good thing ,but to give is a God thing. I encourage everyone to give aid to anyone in need. See the need, fill the need. Whether it is opening a door for someone with their hands full, letting someone go ahead of you in line at the store, allowing a car to pass you on the highway, whatever the opportunity is, give.

Be blessed with the gift of giving.

two for one

   A wonderful woman that I know and love shared this most recent story of faith in the everyday life that she wanted me to pass along.
   A long time ago, maybe decades ,a woman owned a cross on a chain. It was beautiful and elaborate with a black stone in the center. Intricate designs on the cross made it something she was proud to wear. She always thought that "bearing her cross" showed her faith to the world with simplicity yet strength.
   Over the years and many moves later the cross that she, at one time held dear, had become lost. She searched but could not find it. ( I think her oldest daughter has it, just a hunch)
   One day while thinking about this cross she prayed. She prayed to God that she was sorry she could no longer "bear her cross" and could no longer show the world her faith in this understated way. She prayed that she could find another one that would catch her eye and touch her soul the way the old one did.
   She searched in shops, on the internet,in magazines anywhere that she thought would have something that would capture her soul like the original.
   After a week of searching and continued prayer she received in the mail a Golden Cross. She was so excited that God had answered her prayers when she opened the mail. As she continued opening her mail she discovered a Silver Cross had also arrived that day in the mail.
  She had asked God for one to replace the one she lost and had received two!

God saw her love was genuine and blessed her twofold. May God bless you who read this twofold.
Be double Blessed
Cathy

The Lunch Lady

The "lunch lady" at the school my children go to happens to be a close friend and neighbor. This weekend she told me that she believes God has put her in her job for the sake of the children.That whenever she sees one of the kids from our neighborhood and connects with them she sees them smile and believes this is her purpose in life. To add a light in a child's otherwise dark day.

I think this is true of all of us. We are placed in our jobs by God to shine Christs love to all those with whom we come in contact. Even if our job seems menial and tedious we are there for a reason. We have a higher purpose and are called to our current occupations for the passing of Christs peace. Even if we are in a organization that frowns on religious speech we can still pass the love of God on by our actions.

I've heard it said that people don't always remember what you say but they remember how you made them feel. Today try to make everyone you come in contact with ; coworkers, clients, customers,employers, employees, or whoever it may be, make them feel God's love by how you treat them.
Be Blessed
Cathy A Hayes

Old Friends

What constitutes an "Old Friend"? Do you need to be old to have an "Old Friend"?

 My daughter was writing a hand written letter the other day and I asked her who she was writing. She said she was writing to an "Old Friend". I laughed at first because she is not yet 14 and to me she is not old enough to have an "Old Friend". She explained that she had know this person for about 10 yrs and therefore they were "Old Friends" They shared a history of secrets and stories so they were good friends but I had never thought of them as "Old Friends" before.

I have many friends that I have known for the better part of 40 yrs and I consider us "Old Friends". I don't like to think of myself as "Old" ( I don't think anyone really does want to be known as old) but we also share a history and that makes us good friends that have know each other a long time.

I have newer friends that I have known for less than 5 yrs but they have quickly become close friends. They are the same age as me but I don't think we are yet at "Old Friends" status. Maybe we are. We share memories, history ( albeit brief) and trust.

 Trust is the most important thing. If you trust someone with your deepest secrets and the painful memories not just the joys and happy memories then they are truly "Old Friends".

I believe that "Old Friends" are not classified by how long you've know the person, how old you are, how old they are, or even how often you see them. I believe "Old Friends" are classified by how much you trust them with your "Old" wounds and new ones.

Groceries

My trip to the Grocery Store

I drove myself to the grocery store the other day .After walking around and picking up some food for my kids ,I was stuck behind a woman that wanted to pay ½ with food stamps, ½ with cash, needed a new carton of eggs, and price check on the bacon. My thought as I was standing behind her “LOVE IT”

why?, you may ask.

Here is the story, I will list the blessing as I counted them and explain in detail later.

I got out of my house (1)and got in my car (2) and drove(3) to the grocery store (4). I walked (5)around the store picking up food for my kids (6). Each of my children has different likes and dislikes so I got them each their personal favorites. I was standing (7) in line ready to pay (8) for the food (9) I just picked up.

1. okay, it's not my house. I pay rent. I do ,however, have a roof over my head and a comfortable place to lay my head at night. I figure this alone makes me a very blessed person.
2. I haven't had this car very long and it is mine. It's the first time my name was alone on the title of a vehicle. I don't owe any one any money for it. I lived many years without a vehicle and feel this one was a gift from God. (another story for another time)
3. I drove. For 15 yrs I could not drive because of anxiety attacks behind the wheel. ( another story for another time) Let's just say I pray a prayer of thanksgiving each time I make my destination safely,
4. I have a local grocer I enjoy. Everyone there is kind and I often meet people I know. Two of my children worked for the store and the employees treat me as if I'm a “rock star”.
5. A lot of my nearest and dearest friends do not have the mobility to walk. Have you ever seen anyone in the store on those shopping scooters? Do you think “ what a lazy bum” or do you think “There, but for the Grace of God ,go I”? for me it's the latter.
6. I have been blessed ½ dozen times. The most beautiful, intelligent, witty, kind, caring people on the planet at one time fell asleep in my arms and allowed me to feel their heat beat and watch them breath.
7. I can stand for 10 minutes at a time. That is usually my limit. Some days not even that long and have to rethink shower vs. bath. This particular day I was strong and could stand the entire time it took. Longer if necessary. For that I am grateful.
8. I can pay for my groceries. Not always but sometimes and when I do I feel blessed. My children will not go hungry that day. Praise God. Not all mothers , even in the US, can say that with certainty.
9. Food. What more can one say. We are blessed to have such an abundance of food on this planet. So much so that it often goes stale before it can be eaten. I know organizations try to donate to the poor but lets face it folks. If you could take all the stuff out of the landfill and recycle it into edible food there would be a lot fewer hungry children out there. I am blessed by God to have enough food to eat.

Next time someone in front of you makes you wait a few minutes, think. Think about all that you have to be grateful for, count your blessings. Maybe you will even want to thank them for giving you the chance to slow down and Thank God.

Be Blessed.

Chief Red Eagle

‎"Angry people want you to see how powerful they are...loving people want you to see how powerful You are." - Chief Red Eagle


I saw this on face book and wanted to share it.


I always said there was a difference between being tough and being strong. I always thought that the "tough" "angry" "violent" people had a weakness they were trying to hide, while the strong people knew their weakness and have come to terms with that weakness. Sometimes our weakness is what makes us strong. 
When a person is so aggressive in proving their power they are hiding a deeper feeling of inadequacy.When a person is showing someone else how powerful and strong the other person is that feeling of inadequacy becomes a feeling of joy for the other person and their accomplishments. 
I guess it is a question of where your ego lies. If you are comfortable with who you are you can praise another person for who they are without trying to fight for power.

Be Grateful

My brother lives with me, his parenting weekends and mine coincide so his youngest son plays with my two youngest.

The two boys are drawing at the table while my brother watched. I was reading and my daughter was at the computer working on her novel. My nephew nudges my son and says "Chance, I want to go to BurgerKing, NOW!" Chance looks at him, Raven says "how rude".  My nephew says "I'm hungry".My brother asked, " Is that how it's done where you live? Just demand something and you get it?" I said "let me try that," I held my hands out like I was going to catch something out of mid air and said " I'm hungry", hmmm, didn't work" Chance puts down his pencil and sighs heavy and says " Mom, would you please make us some sandwiches?" I said " sure" and listed all the different sandwich makings available and took orders from everyone. Raven helped make sandwiches. When they were done she brought hers out of the kitchen and said "Thanks Mom" ( even though she helped) she handed Chance his and he said "Thanks Mom, Thanks Rave". I handed my brother his and he said "Thanks ladies". I handed my nephew his and he tried to snatch the plate out of my hands. I held tight and asked him" What do you say?" he just looked at me. "Say thank you",I said. "thanks" he said in a grouchy voice.

After reading the weeks scripture I wondered :

Did Chance and Moses had the same thoughts. " why ask me, I can't fix your problem."  "Ask with love to the one who can fix it."

Is this what God was trying to teach the Isrealies? Ask with a loving spirit for your needs to be met, don't demand with a selfish ego for your wants. Be grateful for what you are given and for whom it is that gave. ( even if you help fill the need, be grateful)