Tuesday, May 12, 2015

God, Peanut Butter and a Good Marriage!

Good Morning Out There! I hope your Tuesday morning is starting off well!
It is cloudy and cool outside this morning. It rained sometime during the night,
and we have a pretty good chance for more rain this morning. I'm always thankful
for the rain!
Jim has already headed off to work. We are both thankful that he is still working,
and we are praying for those who have been let go. Life is full of ups and downs,
the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. The other day I was listening to the
local Catholic radio station as I was running errands and I heard the neatest thing.
I caught the end of the program, but is was about how to have a happy and long
marriage, you know, the death til you part kind of marriage. A married couple are
the hosts for this particular program and their guest was a priest. He gave one of
the best analogies I've ever heard about how a couple must have God in their lives.
He said that a husband and wife are like two pieces of bread, and if you just place
them together they will fall apart. But, if you put peanut butter on the bread and
then place them together, the two pieces of bread will stick together. God is the
peanut butter that holds the couple together! Don't you just love that? I laughed
and laughed, I couldn't wait to tell Jim. Well, he also thought it was a great way to
describe how we need God in our lives.
This morning I fixed Jim some peanut butter and jelly crackers. While I was in the
kitchen, Jim was in our room getting ready for work. As I put the peanut butter
on the crackers, I thought about what that priest said. I poured a cup of coffee for
Jim and carried it to our room. He was kneeling on our hard floor saying his morning
prayers. I sat the coffee down on the dresser, placed my hand on his shoulder and kissed
the top of his head. An overwhelming feeling came over me. I just felt so blessed that
in our marriage, we have God to help hold us together.
May your day be full of blessings.
                                                   Bye for now, Sharla

Friday, May 1, 2015

Prayer is the Answer

Good Morning Out There! Just a quick post to say hello and I hope your day goes
well. I woke up this morning with my grandchildren on my mind. I read the news-
paper last night, and that was probably not a good idea.  I know that I can't
hide my head in the sand, but there are just so many horrible things in this old
world, it just breaks my heart. So last night and this morning I did the best thing
I could do, I prayed. I talked to God and told him my fears and my worries. I lifted
up my family in prayer, I lifted up friends and the special intentions that I've been asked
to pray about. Last night when Jim and I prayed before eating dinner, we gave thanks
for our meal and then prayed for the sick. After I named off everyone I knew
who needed and had asked for our prayers Jim started naming those I had forgotten
to mention. I love that we pray together, I'm so thankful that we remind each other
about all those who need our prayers. When someone asks us to pray for them, we
really take it to heart. This morning when Jim was leaving for work he reminded me
about someone else we needed to pray for. I thank God for blessing me with such
a wonderful husband. He is an awesome example for our children and grandchildren.


I pray that your day is full of blessings. If you are sick, I pray that you will get well.
If you have lost a loved one, I pray that you will be comforted. If you are anxious,
I pray that a feeling of peace will wash over you. If you are lonely, I pray that someone
will reach out to you, I pray that you will know that even though I may not know you,
I really do care. If you are struggling financially, I pray that God will send you what
you need. If you are struggling with addiction, I pray that God will give you strength
and courage to give up whatever is holding you hostage. If you are in a crisis pregnancy,
I pray that you will be directed to the path of life, and guided to all the help that is
available for you and your baby. If you are a caregiver, I pray that you will get the
rest you need, and know that it is ok to take time for yourself.
Dear God, I lift all the intentions I've listed above to you. I pray for anyone and
everyone who might be suffering or going through any of the things I've written
about. Please God, show us how to take care of each other, to love one another and
help us to be discerning in all that we do. Thank you for today, please guide us and
help us to live the way you want us to. Please keep us safe and help us to look to
You, and not the world for direction and answers. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.


                                                                Bye for now, Sharla