The second Sunday in June is "Children's Day." The following Sunday, we celebrate Father's Day. A great deal of concern has been focused on our children as the dawn of a new century is fast approaching. Children who have graduated this last year in the 20th century are told that they will be shaping the next century. What a challenge for our children and grandchildren!
Episode 86: Time is a Treasure →
March. Is it really here already? Where does the time go? March is a month during which the season of spring is welcomed after the long winter. Recently I read some thoughts on time and what a precious gift, time is. Time is a treasure. Each day is precious with 24 hours to use as I choose, and to spend at my own discretion. Time is life's greatest asset, a generous gift from the Creator, yet not one hour may be stored for the future. And our affluent society, no one can beg, borrow or buy an additional day. Even the most fabulous fortune cannot purchase the fleeting moments, or call them back once they are gone. Time waits for no one. It travels swiftly and in silence linked with the rising and setting sun. Like a vapor, it is here one moment, and gone the next. Days disappearing so quickly that we sometimes stand in utter amazement and ask, "Where has the time gone?" If challenges have been met with courage, tasks accomplished to the best of our ability, and warm meaningful relationships made along the way, then we may say with certainty that this day has been lived to the fullest.
Episode 84: Love is a Quilt →
During heart month, we have had some very cold days and nights. It feels so good to be warmed with the quilt that loving hands have made. There are many dedicated women throughout our country who spend many hours making quilts in their homes in churches. These quilts are made for world relief, the homeless, and the needy. Quilts made with love really make wonderful gifts for that newborn baby, that child who loves to nestle in bed at night with the quilt all around. And that young student, first going off to college. That quilt for a young married couple can also be a very special gift of love. The past week I read about a pastor's mother who lived alone, and had a fall at the foot of her bed. She fractured her hip, and was unable to move and could not reach her phone. Two days later, she was found, but it was too late. She had gone to God's warm, loving care. Her elbows were scraped, and somehow she managed to cocoon herself with a warm quilt that had brought memories of her childhood. Loving hands had made that quilt. Love is a quilt, a quilt is love.
Episode 65: Intentional Counting →
Some time ago, a dear friend and great grandma who has faced many emotional challenges in her life, shared some thoughts about counting. This dear friend regularly reads this Warm Thoughts column and wanted to share the thoughts of an unknown author, with all you, dear readers out there, somewhere. We live in an age where we have many choices and changes.
Some time ago, I heard someone state that, "Pain is inevitable, but misery and being miserable is a choice." In the school of learning and hard knocks, the following thoughts may warm our hearts, and perhaps motivate us in our own countdown.
Episode 46: Love is a Gift →
Valentine greetings! When you read this column it will be the week of Valentine's Day. From Ohio this past week, came a letter with several poems and one was on love, which really touched my heart. Ruth George is something and still very young at heart. It will bring her much joy to be able to share these warm thoughts on love with you, dear readers of this column.
Episode 39: Twelve Gifts of Christmas →
At this time during the Christmas season, we feel pressured and overwhelmed when we look at the calendars, which remind us that soon it will be Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Perhaps we have procrastinated in getting shopping done and getting something for the special people in our lives. Many people again will receive costly gifts in beautiful wrappings, toys that will fall apart, flowers that will fade, and many other gifts. As I thought about this, I came up with twelve gifts for the twelve Days of Christmas, that will not wear out and can be given all year long.
Episode 38: Old Fashioned Christmas →
Last week in the warm thoughts column I shared thoughts about the Old Fashioned Thanksgiving. As Christmas rapidly approaches, I will share some warm thoughts about an Old Fashioned Christmas, written by a dear old friend from Lincoln Nebraska. It was written by Darlene M. Miltner and published in Life Lines.