Do you have a friend where neither time nor distance could ever diminish the closeness or Christ-like love you have for one another? And when you do come together after a long period of separation, it’s as though no time had lapsed at all. There’s always lots of laughter, memories relived, and a bond that few could understand. And when it comes time to part, you share a hug with the promise of seeing each other again. I know of such friends. But the last time they bestowed the “see you again” promise, it was different. You see, in less than 24 hours, one of them would be on a plane flying cross-country, moving to be closer to her two grown sons and their young families. She was leaving a town she’d known for over eighteen years and friends that she saw as family.

They decided to meet in a restaurant they had frequented from time to time for coffee to say their good-byes. Ellen sat at a table facing the door anxiously awaiting her friend’s arrival. Moments later, she walked through the door looking radiant; so different from the last time Ellen saw her when she looked so tired and uncertain of the future. The worry lines that defined her face had been erased and were replaced by a beaming smile. Staring back at Ellen was the face of someone who had struggled with indecision and was now savoring a certain kind of victory.

During my quiet time that evening, I thought about some of the changes in my own life and in the lives of my loved ones. Some of those changes were life-affirming and exciting, while others challenged the very core of our beliefs and understanding. Some of those changes we initiated, while others were thrust upon us. But, the ultimate impact of change on our lives was how we responded to those changes.

Often the changes we choose to make are birthed from life experiences that include some level of unrest or dissatisfaction. Look at the number of self-help books in the library or at the bookstore that were written to help you weigh your choices as you contemplate change in your life and help you develop a strategy for making it happen. Bottom line, no book or person can truly help you with the biggest challenge of letting go of the old so you can grab hold of the new. There is only One who can.

Don’t be paralyzed by the act of indecision. Take the leap of faith and let God be God in your life. Seek Him through His Word, in prayer, and allow Him to direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6 Remember, changes are a part of every day life but with the help of the Holy Spirit, you can face them courageously, with conviction, and with the confidence that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

By the way, I asked Ellen if she ever learned what the defining moment was that moved her friend from defeat and uncertainty to hope and confidence in her decision. She said it was when she surrendered all of her tomorrows into the Lord’s hands. There were times when she took a step backwards into the old habits of worry and trying to handle things on her own, but she always held onto the belief that she could do all things through Christ who strengthened her. Philippians 4:13 And this led to an indescribable peace “that surpassed all understanding”. Philippians 4:7 -cml

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place, but have not love, I am a housekeeper, not a homemaker.

If I have time for waxing, polishing and decorative achievements but have not love, my children learn of cleanliness not godliness.

Love leaves the dust in search of a child’s laugh.

Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.

Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.

Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.

Love is present through the trials.

Love reprimands, reproves and is responsive.

Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, runs with the child, then, stands aside (yet ever so near) to let the youth walk into adulthood.

Love is the key that opens Salvation’s message to a child’s heart.

Before I became a mother, I took glory in my house of perfection. Now I glory in God’s perfection when I hold my children.

As a mother there is much I must teach them, but the greatest of all is love!

(Rewritten for Christian moms / author unknown)

1 cup milk
1 tsp. honey
1/8 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. cinnamon

In a saucepan, heat milk until very hot but not boiling. Pour milk into a mug. Add honey, vanilla and cinnamon. Mix well and serve immediately. Serves 1.

“Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God’s gift of Himself. Ask and seek, and your heart will grow big enough to receive Him and to keep Him as your own.”  (unknown)

Wherever God has put you, that is your vocation.
It is not what we do but how much love we put into it.

New recipes in “Our Kitchen” (left column) every few days. Right now, we have some delicious Busy Night Dinners. You’ll definitely want to add these to your recipe file.

Pray these for -
Yourself, Your Spouse,
Your Children, or Your Friends

1. Pray for a spirit of Humility. “The willingness to submit” (James 4:10).
2. Pray for a spirit of Reverence. “The fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 9:10).
3. Pray for a spirit of Purity. “A desire to be clean” (Matthew 5:8).
4. Pray for a spirit of Purpose. “A wisdom to set goals” (Proverbs 4:25).
5. Pray for a spirit of Simplicity. “A lifestyle uncluttered” (Romans 12:8).
6. Pray for a spirit of Commitment. “A dedication to the ‘cause’ ” (Joshua 24:15).
7. Pray for a spirit of Diligence. “A willingness to work hard” (II Peter 1:5).
8. Pray for a spirit of Servanthood. “The ministry of helps” (Galatians 6:9,10).
9. Pray for a spirit of Consistency. “The quality of faithfulness” (James 1:8).
10. Pray for a spirit of Assurance. “A depth of faith” (Hebrews 10:22).
11. Pray for a spirit of Availability. “A willingness to go.” (Isaiah 6:8).
12. Pray for a spirit of Loyalty. “A zeal for fidelity” (Ruth 1:16).
13. Pray for a spirit of Sensitivity. “Openness of heart” (Luke 10:30-37).
14. Pray for a spirit of Compassion. “Love in action” (Mark 8:1,2).
15. Pray for a spirit of Tenderness. “A willingness to weep” (II Kings 22:19).
16. Pray for a spirit of Maturity. “The capacity to grow” (Hebrews 5:12-14).
17. Pray for a spirit of Holiness. “Christ-like behavior” (I Peter 1:16).
18. Pray for a spirit of Reliability. “A depth of dependability.” (I Corinthians 4:2).
19. Pray for a spirit of Revelation. “Learning to listen” (Ephesians 1:15,18).
20. Pray for a spirit of Denial. “A sacrifice to surrender” (Luke 9:23).
21. Pray for a spirit of Confidence. “The strength of the Lord” (Philippians 4:13).
22. Pray for a spirit of Integrity. “The quality of truthfulness” (Romans 12:17).
23. Pray for a spirit of Repentance. “A willingness to change” (Luke 3:8).
24. Pray for a spirit of Trust. “A fearless reliance” (Psalm 125:1).
25. Pray for a spirit of Submission. “Choosing to yield” (Ephesians 5:21).
26. Pray for a spirit of Teachability. “A quality of meekness” (Titus 3:2).
27. Pray for a spirit of Prayer. “A longing to wait” (Isaiah 40:31).
28. Pray for a spirit of Unity. “A respect for others” (I Corinthians 1:10).
29. Pray for a spirit of Restoration. “A ministry of healing” (Isaiah 61:1,2).
30. Pray for a spirit of Authority. “A capacity to command” (Matthew 16:19).
31. Pray for a spirit of Generosity. “The desire to give” (Matthew 10:8).

Source not known.

I pray today, Jesus, for Your bride, the Church. It must hurt You to see all our sin and rebellion, all our fighting and backbiting. It’s presumptuous, I know, to think I can ever enter the ache of Your heart for Your children. Even so, as best as I can, I repent of my sins and the sins of my people. We have scorned You in so many ways:
• by prostituting our integrity for the sake of personal advantage, forgive us O Lord;
• by loving our structures more than Your Church, forgive us O Lord;
• by disregarding those who are precious to You, forgive us O Lord;
• by working as if we are the ones in charge, forgive us O Lord.
Forgive. Heal. Restore. Amen.

My little child, I am pleased that you would come to me in this way.
Gladly I forgive! Gladly, I heal! Gladly, I restore! Welcome Home!
from Richard Foster’s Prayer Treasury

My sister and I weren’t always best friends, but the older we got and had families of our own, we have become very close. We are best friends. Just recently, we decided to do some things that would further that bond and have fun while we do them.

Each week, one of us picks a recipe (from a really popular cookbook we both purchased recently) and fix it over the weekend. Then, we share whether it’s “a keeper” and if we tweaked the recipe in any way. (Of course, we each write personal comments by the recipe in our cookbooks to remind us how it turned out for the next time we make it.) Then, the next weekend, the other one chooses a recipe.

Also, both of us wanted to start making creative homemade cards. So, we started with Father’s Day and had so much fun coming up with very imaginative, thoughtful cards. We’ll both be making a card for our mom’s birthday and hope to make many more for holidays, birthdays, and for just every day occasions.

This may sound easy enough, but we live over 900 miles away from each other. She lives in Arizona, and I live in Colorado. How do we do it? For just around $35 each, we both bought identical video/audio cams for our computers. Then, when we finish a card, we can visually share the final result. And, every time one of us has a grandbaby over, we “dial” each other up and share that special time together, too.

Whether you live near or far from your sister or your closest friends, it’s important to share life in creative ways. Do you both enjoy baking? Share recipes when you bake up a new creation. How about scrapbooking? It’s always fun to reminisce. Crafts, sewing, poetry, decorating, flower arranging, reading the same book, favorite magazine… the possibilities are endless. Discover each other’s interests and focus on those you have in common, or try something brand new for both of you. Try several things. But, whatever you do, HAVE FUN!

P.S. My husband’s smiling ’cause I’m trying new recipes and I’m happier because I’m doing something I enjoy - with someone I love. By the way, the picture above is not of my sister and me. I have pictures of the two of us together but one or the other had a bad hair day. So, for the sake of relationship…

Your smile can change the world…

one person at a time. Use yours today!

3 cups cold fat free milk
1 package (4-serving size) Vanilla Sugar Free Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
1 container (8 oz.) plain lowfat yogurt
1 cup crushed ice
1 medium banana, cut in chunks

POUR milk into blender. Add remaining ingredients; cover. Blend on high speed for 1 minute or until smooth. SERVE at once or refrigerate and stir before serving. (Mixture thickens as it stands. Thin with additional milk, if desired.) Optional: top with whipped cream, if desired. Also, have fun experimenting with other pudding flavors! Serves 6.