Spring is here and many of you are preparing your fields for planting and putting in your gardens. It always reminds me of the verse, "A man shall reap what he sows," Galatians 6:7. Recently, my daughter from Wisconsin came to visit me and wrote me this poem about planting seeds of love. Dear mother, you always taught me that you will reap what you sow. So we should always do unto others what you want them to bestow. But there are days when it is hard to live those words, it's true. Yet, I remember the lessons you taught me in the example I learned from you. All those days you spent cooking and cleaning, the nights you worked without sleeping, the seeds of love you kept on planting is the love you now are reaping. Even now, as you lay on your hospital bed, and others must give to you. All those years you gave of yourself, those words are coming true. Yes, true living is in true giving, and His love is what we owe. Though it may be years before we realize that someday we will reap what we sow. Ruth Stuhr.
Episode 131: Come with Me, and Abide →
At this time of year, we all look forward to the glorious Easter season and experience the joy of Easter morning. The week before Easter is especially meaningful for me as I recall my pre-Easter pilgrimage to the Holy Land and walking that road to Calvary. When I returned from my pilgrimage, I wrote these thoughts which I've used many times in a slide lecture on "My Journey with Jesus." And now I will share with you, my readers of this warm thoughts column.
Episode 130: Reconciliation Day →
As I flipped the calendar, I was shocked that it was April already and April Fool's Day! Some of the readers of this warm thoughts column will recall the fun we had as children and trying to fool someone on that day, even if we had to lie a little bit. It did seem permissible for just one day. You tried to fool at least one person and it was just a fun game.
Episode 129: Adversities & Achievements →
Recently Fran Hendricks of Huron, South Dakota was chosen as South Dakota's Mother of the Year for 1995. Mothers in America are honored on the second Sunday in May. In England and some other countries, Mother's Day is the last Sunday in March. Many moons ago I wrote a letter to my son who, at the time, was having many challenges in his life. The Mother's Day letter was a gift with the hope he would find new joy in life and like the following, were a few thoughts I shared. These warm thoughts may inspire one or more of my readers of this warm thoughts column.
Episode 128: Little, Little Home on the Prairie →
It looked more like Christmas in December when family arrived at the "little home on the prairie" for a spring retreat. The huge snowdrifts had not completely melted, but spring was in the air and in the footsteps of my grandchildren as they helped those snowdrifts to melt, hear the birds sing, and put up the birdhouses. They also had the joy of helping grandma's spring house clean that "little home on the prairie." It was Christmas in the spring of the year as the large Christmas tree was lit at the top of the stairs. Christmas is every day and a very special day when family and visitors come. Grandchildren know there will be a small gift under the tree, and how special to enjoy that cup of Christmas tea.
Episode 127: A Gaelic Blessing →
Every year as St. Patrick's Day approaches, I have very special warm feelings about the Irish blessings I've experienced throughout my long life by having those very special Irish friends. On March 17th, we remember St. Patrick. Who was St. Patrick? He was a boy who had been kidnapped and taken to Ireland as a slave. He managed to escape. However, he returned to spend the rest of his life telling people about the God he loved.
Episode 121: Strengthening Families →
If you were asked to prioritize the 10 subject topics among 37 subjects for news coverage, what would you consider the most preferred topics? A recent poll of 115,000 people was made, and they were asked to rank the top 10 topics in order according to their preference. They were given 37 subjects for possible radio and magazine coverage. They were asked which one is the most important and should be given priority. The first most important topic was strengthening families. Among the other top 10 chosen were listed the topics on grandparenting, values and school, parenting toddlers, school aged children - adolescents, male Christian leadership, abortion, public policy, and family devotions. It was interesting to know what 115,000 people wanted to learn more about in the 90s.
Episode 120: Tomorrow's Flowers are in the Seeds of Today →
Warmest Epiphany greetings to your home from that little home on the prairie to all dear family and friends around the world. What a joy to return home after three weeks on a mission of love in Ohio to the many letters and cards from family and friends all over the world. It has become a tradition in my life to write an epiphany letter each year on the morning of epiphany. Christmas is for always, and all year when you come to that little home on the prairie, you will see the lighted Christmas tree and a star. Grandchildren know there will be a small gift under the tree at the top of the stairs upon each visit. And we can't forget that cup of Christmas tea. And now let us go into our thoughts and spirits to Bethlehem. And like the angels, the shepherds, and the magi or wisemen, may we still seek him at that lowly manger. God sent his son in the form of a baby and humbled himself to show us something new - unconditional love and wholehearted forgiveness. It is quite significant that in this month of January that we have International Forgiveness week.
Episode 119: Treasures of a Far More Lasting Kind →
It was a winter wonderland as my friend and I traveled the other morning. The sun shone brightly on every tree decked out in full glory. The blizzards of yesterday and yesteryear are forgotten when one sees those snowflakes glisten and sparkle. The world around us was a heavenly mantle of white. One can truly appreciate each season of the year.
Episode 113: Giving Thanks for Family →
A warm spirit of the approaching holiday season makes us especially thankful for family. Life is full of many reasons to celebrate, reflect and share our feelings during the coming holiday season. The United Nations designated 1994 as International Year of the Family with the theme of the year as "family resources and responsibilities in a changing world." The emblem of the International Year of the Family is a heart sheltered by a roof linked by another heart. It symbolizes life and love in a home where one finds warmth, caring, security, togetherness, tolerance, and acceptance. The open design is meant to indicate continuity with a hint of uncertainty the brushstroke with its open mind roof completes an abstract symbol representing the complexities of the family.
Episode 112: A Tribute to My Son - A Vietnam Veteran →
A TRIBUTE TO MY SON:
A Vietnam Veteran
by Dr. Luetta G. Werner
Just why did you do it... go to war?
So many people wondered why
You volunteered to serve your country;
You left as a teen and said, "Good-bye."
To serve your country…that was your goal.
You believed the cause was to fight to win.
God was your quide and stayed by your side,
And you felt His great love again and again.
The scars of this war will always be there.
You went a teen and came back a man.
Faith in your god and prayer saw you through,
Love for your country and this prairie land.
May God bless all those who serve their country!
Episode 110: Season of Beauty →
It is always a joy to have that extra hour in your life, in the fall of the year when the time changes. Change. Yes. Change is a way of life. The month of October makes us really aware of the joys we experience when seasons change in some parts of the world. In the month of October, there is also a Sunday called "mother in law's day". I call it, "mother-in-love," and then a column last May, I shared the poem by an unknown author entitled "Mother-in-Love." I would be glad to send you this beautiful poem, if you write me and ask for copy.
Episode 106: The Mother of Grandparent's Day →
September. Thirty days have September. Do you remember this rhyme? Some ancient smart person must have invented mnemonics a fancy word meaning tricks, or devices for remembering things hard to remember. In September, we have our first autumn day, and the first Sunday after Labor Day is national Grandparents Day. Although it is called Grandparents Day, the purpose is to honor all older citizens.
Episode 101: Time Together →
Where has the month of July gone?
When many of you read these warm thoughts, there will only be three precious days left in the month. Does time really fly faster when one gets a year older? I am reminded of the words I overheard while sitting in church one Sunday morning, and listening to voices around me, before the service. "Every day is the day to celebrate," I heard it said. I realized how true those words of wisdom really mean to me as I celebrate life each day. Jonathan Swift has said as well, "May you live all the days of your life." This plaque is high on the kitchen range this summer, and is a reminder to live and enjoy each day of your life. July is a month when many families celebrate, beginning with Independence Day and family reunions. Have you ever thought of celebrating Christmas in July? Our family has found it a most convenient time to celebrate Christmas with all the family Christmas traditions. Perhaps this is nontraditional, but we managed to celebrate everything that has happened during the past year. This includes those who have birthdays, anniversaries, and additions to the family. We recognize achievements and graduations and each member of the family is so special. Traditional holiday and birthday gifts and treats are given to the loved ones, good food, good memories, all go together. It is probably the mother of all celebrations.
Episode 100: Mailed Letters - A Gift of the Past →
It is such a joy to receive letters from the readers of this column. I appreciate it so much when they include some gems of thought that I can share with you all through this column. In this day of high technology, the fax machine is used to communicate, email, and the computer for our relationships. That personal handwritten letter may soon become a gift of the past. Here is the thought a faithful reader from Florida sent me.
Episode 97: Guardian Angels →
To the readers of this column: A favorite column of the readers is being repeated by request. It seems there is a special interest in angels, and this topic has especially interested my grandchildren. My five-year-old granddaughter has a great need to hold her birthday angel like a security blanket, as she travels on vacations. As we were traveling along together I heard her say, "Grandma, do you believe in angels?" Deep in thought, and before I had a chance to give her a long recital about the many times I felt protection in my travels alone by air, sea and land...and the many dark times...and the storms of life. I could hear her soft voice saying, "Grandma. Are you listening? Grandma, do angels have wings?" "What do you think?" I asked. "Grandma, that was my question." She reminded me. For some reason my thoughts were carried immediately to my childhood, and I shared with her that I remembered the picture on the wall at the foot of my bed, and that angel in the picture had wings. Even though we could not have the kerosene lamp lit all night long. I always felt a protecting angel throughout the dark night.
Episode 96: The Mother of Father's Day →
Have you ever wondered who was the mother of Father's Day? It was Sonora Louise Dodd and the thought for Father's Day came to her in church, as she listened to her pastor extol the virtues of motherhood in his Mother's Day message. Sonora felt he failed to mention the value and importance of fathers. She felt fathers deserved equal credit and praise.
Episode 95: Remembering Peace →
May is family month. When you read this week's column many of you will be looking forward to a day off from work, a three day weekend, the opening of the swimming pool, and the official start of the summer season. You may be celebrating life with family and friends. Memorial Day is a day and a time to remember the dead, especially those who perished in America's wars. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. Memorial Day is said to have started in Waterloo, New York, when on May 5th, 1866, residents held a commemorative program and decorated the graves of those who died in the Civil War. Over the years, and as the United States fought more wars, Memorial Day, or Decoration Day, as it is called in some areas, added the remembrance of those soldiers who died in World War I, World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam War, and Operation Desert Storm.
Episode 94: When I Am Old →
Since it is Older Americans Month, I had planned to repeat a favorite column including thoughts by a grandchild, until the following poem crossed my desk. The author is unknown. Whoever wrote it must have had a sense of humor and hoped their adult children would appreciate their literary skills.
Episode 93: Aging - A Lifetime Opportunity →
May is Older Americans Month, and the theme for May 1996 is "Aging: A Lifetime Opportunity." This theme was selected because it recognizes the millions of seniors who truly have made the most of growing older by continuing to make invaluable contributions to their families, their places of worship, their communities, and society as a whole. Older Americans Month began with proclamation 3527, which President Kennedy issued on April 18th, 1963, declaring the month of May to be Senior Citizens Month. That original celebration established a tradition of celebrating older Americans contributions to society as well as raising awareness of their special needs. In 1980, President Carter changed the name of the month-long celebrations to Older Americans Month. Today it provides all of us with the opportunity not only to focus on the contributions and needs of current older Americans, but to think about how we as a nation need to prepare to meet the needs of future older Gen. But to think about how we as a nation need to prepare to meet the needs of future older Americans. This year's theme is very meaningful because it represents the Administration of Aging's idea to rally the nation in preparing for the aging of baby boomers. The Administration on Aging will be working throughout 1996 to focus national attention on the need to take critical steps now so that we will be ready to meet the challenge posed by an aging society.