Carolyn R Scheidies 6/18/24 Carolyn R Scheidies 6/18/24

The Truth About HOPE

Hope is what keeps us going
when all seems lost.
Hope is what keeps us from giving up
…despite the cost.
Hope is not a feeling
…to be mustered at will within.
Hope is God’s voice
drawing us to Him.

I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices: my flesh also shall rest in hope. Psalm 16:8-9

Hope Has a Name

Carolyn R Scheidies 6/14/24 Carolyn R Scheidies 6/14/24

Darkest Hour

Sometimes in that darkest hour
When our hearts are bowed with pain
We’re open then to listen
Call on Jesus name.

For when the heart is broken
We’re ready to receive
The healing touch of Jesus
and His peace which heals
and sets us free.

Carolyn R Scheidies 6/12/24 Carolyn R Scheidies 6/12/24

WINGS

A crutch I find,
Is crucial for the less-than-able,
(Like me)
But I Am Thankful
Christ
Did more at Calvary
Than provide a prop;
Jesus gave me wings,
And taught me how to fly.

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Carolyn R Scheidies 6/10/24 Carolyn R Scheidies 6/10/24

God’s Toddler

Step by step
Falling, getting up
Trying again
Moment by moment
Day by day
Learning to trust
Hesitantly, slowly
Letting go fear, failure, self
Giving Jesus full control
To peace and hope and life.

Carolyn R Scheidies 6/5/24 Carolyn R Scheidies 6/5/24

Renewed

Desert dry within
Dying
Thirsting for Water
Turning to Him
Turning to His Word
Revitalizes
Refreshes
Renews into
A River of life
Within

John 4:1-13

Carolyn R Scheidies 6/4/24 Carolyn R Scheidies 6/4/24

Low Road

Foundering on the low road
in Satan’s quagmire of
Darkness and destruction, I despair
But—by His power, Jesus lifts me up
Holds me tight and sets me free
to travel the King’s highway
To light and love and life.

Carolyn R Scheidies 6/3/24 Carolyn R Scheidies 6/3/24

Do We Trust Him in the Dark times?

When the day is darkest
When the rain begins to flail
Don’t give up whatever the circumstances
Just call on Jesus’ name

Even in the darkest hours
When vision is obscured
Jesus asks us to simply trust
Rely upon His Word

For Jesus is trustworthy
We need not fear the night
For as the Promise Keeper
Christ turns darkness into light

Carolyn R Scheidies 5/30/24 Carolyn R Scheidies 5/30/24

Mother’s Day, Father’s Day—Both important

We celebrate Mother's Day with lots of promotions to honor our moms with all sorts of gifts and recognition. The advertisements can be rather overboard because Mother's Day brings in big bucks for businesses.

Of course, we should honor our moms. I have no problem with that. I support honoring mothers. Most work hard, love their kids, and greatly sacrifice for their well-being.

Besides, I am a mom. Of course, I want to hear from my kids on Mother's Day. 2024, my daughter called in the morning before church. Their family celebrated on Saturday because their 7-year-old daughter, our granddaughter, was having medical procedures on Monday and wouldn't be eating from noon Mother's Day until her procedures were finished at noon Monday. Her mom, in solidarity, chose not to eat either. How can one not see the love and admire that sacrifice?

We'd gone to church. Keith brought in lunch, so I didn't have to cook or fight crowds — just relax. He knows I like hats. He bought me two.

My son called later that day. Our kids don't live in Kearney and have their own families. The calls were like bookends encapsulating a special day. In between, I received other greetings from those close to us.

Yes, Mother's Day was special. As it should be. But, shouldn't Father's Day be special as well? It takes both mothers and fathers to raise healthy, well-adjusted children. Yet fathers don't get the hoopla mothers receive.

They should. Without my father, I would be a very different person. I needed my father's strength and wisdom as well as my mother's. Advertisers don't seem to put too many of their advertising dollars or attention into Father's Day. We should. Fathers are critical. God created moms and dads as protection and provision for vulnerable children. Parents are far from perfect, but most do their best.

We celebrate Mother's Day. Let's also be sure to celebrate the Father in our lives who made a difference. So for Father's Day, visit, call, send a card, text.

Let him know you care. Let your parents know you are thankful and grateful for the life they gave you. Celebrations help us remember. Honor mothers and fathers not only on their special days, but also on every day of the year. Now is the time. Love them well, while they are still here.

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https://kearneyhub.com/moms-dads-days-important/article_c405a05c-8812-510b-a98d-96c4c2206f66.html

Carolyn R Scheidies 5/29/24 Carolyn R Scheidies 5/29/24

The Mask

We hide behind masks
Grotesque plastic falsehoods
In our deep hurt wonder why
No one reaches out
As we retreat
Yet Jesus reaches out
A still small voice
Offering hope, healing and life
In responding
Gain confidence
To drop the mask
Learning to live
In the light of His love
Finally, abundantly
And truly free.

Carolyn R Scheidies 5/24/24 Carolyn R Scheidies 5/24/24

The Work of the Spirit

As a desert storm
Uncovers buried skeletons
So God’s convicting Spirit
Uncovers sin buried deep within
And sets me free.

As God’s Spirit
Wafts through my heart
Like a refreshing breeze
Debris from my past is swept away
Refreshing my inner being.

As a Winter storm
Creates beautiful snow sculptures
So God’s Spirit
Reforms my life
Into a masterpiece for Him.

Carolyn R Scheidies 5/22/24 Carolyn R Scheidies 5/22/24

Control

Giving Jesus Christ
Full control within,
I find,
Peace and joy and life.
In Him.

Carolyn R Scheidies 5/17/24 Carolyn R Scheidies 5/17/24

Life, love, perseverance, dinner

Ever since we were married a whole lot of years ago, we’ve tried to celebrate our monthly anniversary each second, usually, by going out to eat. We persevered through surgeries, births, growing children, work, and crazy schedules. Our children are grown and have their own children. They don’t live in Kearney. They as well as our close friends know the second of each month is special.

May 2nd we were looking forward to going out to eat in the evening. We anticipated a normal day. Keith is retired. I still write, but I am not working as I once did with scheduling, marking, promotions, etc.

Our wonderful young lady who works so hard to clean our house was already scheduled for the morning. Slowly we’re going through all the closets and what a task that is. I have to be present when we do that task to say “save, move, or throw.” I anticipated that. What I didn’t anticipate was the action on my call. A week or so earlier, a friend and handyman was doing some work in our house, when he looked and suggested we might have a ceiling leak and to call a roofer to check.

The week before had been busy so I didn’t call until the second—that day. Someone from the roofing company came not long after I called that morning. The quick response surprised me. Soon found out, that not only did we have a leak, but our roof also showed hail damage. I saw the pictures. That repair would get done, but first, the leak had to be stopped. The roofer got right on it.

Our day turned out much busier than planned. Yet we still enjoyed going out that evening even though eating at a restaurant can be a challenge, especially for me. It helps to park close to the door. And, with my numerous allergies, it also helps to have food to eat that I don’t react negatively to.

That evening the weather was clear with just a hint of chill. We were able to park right by the door. We didn’t have to wait, and we were shown to a booth only a few steps from the door. I was able to order milk with a scoop of ice cream and loaded mashed potatoes with bacon, cheese, and sour cream. No pepper (in lots of restaurants pepper is already added to the potatoes), no tomatoes, no gluten. I was good to go.

We relaxed and enjoyed our meal and our quiet time together. With my health issues throughout our marriage and Keith’s in the last years, along with other life issues, we have been through a lot. But through it all, we stuck together, fought, and talked things through, were and are blessed with a solid support system, and we’re each other’s best friend.

Most of all we prayed together knowing all things are possible when we listen to and follow the one who loves us best—Jesus. After all, Jesus is the source of love. We seek to live that out with each other—including forgiving and asking for forgiveness when we fail. We remember the good times and make new memories each month as we still celebrate that special day so many years ago when we said, “I do.” before friends, family, and God--and celebrate the second of every month.

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Carolyn R Scheidies 5/10/24 Carolyn R Scheidies 5/10/24

Have we forgotten the lessons & victims of WW2?

My father was a World War 2 veteran, and I listened to stories of all these men and women went through to protect America from evil, destructive philosophies and beliefs that are now, unfortunately, entrenched on our shores. They succeeded in liberating a whole race of victimized and brutalized persons.

Many Americans fought and many died to free and protect Jewish people from being eradicated as a race. Many Jews were tortured, starved, experimented on and murdered in horrific ways. America helped free Jewish persons and assisted as they returned to a land they’d lived in since Biblical times—Israel.

The Jews have been slaves in Egypt and later in Babylon, etc. They’ve lived under Roman rule and had to submit to other dictatorial regimes. But Jewish land has been their land time out of mind. It does not belong to anyone else, not Arabs or terrorists. Israel IS Palestine—whatever some try to claim.

Look at the map. Israel is a dot on a map surrounded by powerful countries whose citizens hate the Jewish people. Israel is a tiny parcel of land in the midst of huge, basically enemy, countries on all sides. Even worse, these countries, along with the UN, which mostly sides with the Arab countries, keep whittling away at the small parcel of ground Israel does have.

In WW 2 we protected and freed Jewish people from horrific conditions. Never again we said. Yet we have allowed our colleges and even our government to become bastions of hate-the-Jews rhetoric. We have taught our young people to hate anyone different, especially Christians and Jews.

Worse yet, this Administration has sent billions, yes billions, of dollars of our hard-earned money to terrorist groups as “humanitarian aid.” The terrorists use it to wage war on America and Israel. Where do you think the funds came from to attack Israel, an attack reminiscent of Nazis who attempted to wipe out this ancient race? Repeated rape. Forcing mothers to watch as Hamas sliced the heads off their babies, even shoving babies into ovens and turning them on. The acts of violence are too gruesome and graphic to even write about. And it hasn’t ended. Iran is directly waging war on Israel, pounding the country with explosives.

Further, the terrorists entrench themselves into schools and hospitals with no concern for their own people. They do so that when Israel defends itself by taking out these places from which Hamas reigns terror into Jewish houses and businesses, they can claim Jews deliberately kill the innocent.

Because Hamas and other terrorists hide behind civilians, Jewish soldiers have little choice if they are going to reach Hamas soldiers out to destroy their nation. (Not many living on the Gaza land are innocent. These people voted in the Hamas government, well-knowing who these terrorists were.)

Hamas and other terrorist groups pay families a pension when one of their members, even a child, murders a Jew by becoming a suicide bomber or in some other way. In school, too many Muslim children are taught to hate Jews. This is encouraged, not discouraged by the UN.

Violent terrorists are the very people many in the US and around the world are now supporting. Students and agitators are becoming more and more violent in their desire to destroy Jewish persons. Jews are no longer safe on many campuses or even on the streets of many cities.

We have not taught the last generation the truth about WW 2 or about concentration camps or that there really is evil. What is happening to the Jews today not only in Israel, but around the world and on college campuses, is anything but tolerance. It is unadulterated evil, and it touches our young people who’ve been taught lies and now support the very evil our fathers and mothers and grandparents conquered once upon a time.

It doesn’t help that our government seems more ready to support the evil perpetuated by Hamas than to protect the Jews on whom rockets are continually reigning down upon. Doesn’t help that most of the media reports are twisted to make out the Israelis fighting for their lives as the aggressors.

It is time we say no to even one more penny for the terrorists. It is time to stop forcing Israel, instead of the terrorists, to compromise just to get some lukewarm support from the current administration.

Time to support one of the few free countries in the world besides—if one can even say that anymore, America. Don’t be ignorant. Search for truth. Pray for the safety and protection of Jewish persons and support Israel. Pray we will return to a culture that protects the victims of terror, the preborn children, and the elderly, all of whom are under attack in our nation. Let us support life.

Google: This country received the name of Palestine, from the Philistines, who dwelt on the sea coast: it was called Judea, from Judah: and is termed “the Holy Land”, being the country where Jesus Christ was born, preached his holy doctrines, confirmed them by miracles, and laid down his life for mankind.

https://time.com/5780130/saudi-arabia-hate-speech-schools/

https://unwatch.org/un-teachers-call-to-murder-jews-reveals-new-report/

Carolyn R Scheidies 4/22/24 Carolyn R Scheidies 4/22/24

Skates, bicycles, hoverboards—what’s next?

When we lived in Siren Wisconsin where I started school, summers were short and winters long, cold, and packed with snow, often starting in September.

From a very young age, kids learned to ice skate. My older sister Karin was several years ahead of me in elementary school and still had no ice skates. All she wanted for her September birthday was a pair of ice skates.

Yet our pastor father’s salary didn’t stretch much beyond necessities. But my father was resourceful. For her birthday Karin received her wish—a pair of white skates just her size. They were not new, but my mother had made them look new with polish, etc. Karin could now join her friends in what most all kids did in the winter—ice skating, along with sledding, of course. Perfect pastimes for long Wisconsin winters.

Back then summers brought the need for a type of transportation Karin also didn’t have, a bike. It wasn’t easy to hang out with friends or head to one of the lakes to swim without a bike. It was our main transportation as kids and teens.

She and I stared at shiny new bicycles through the store window. Karin so desired a bike. But again, our folks couldn’t afford a new bike. Instead, Dad went to the junkyard and scrounged for bicycle parts. From who-knows-how many old bikes, he took parts home, straightened, cleaned, and created a whole new bike which he and Mom painted and polished. Mom tied on a bow and Karin received her bike.

She could be like most young people of that era who used bicycles for transportation. I learned to ride on that large bike, after a lot of crashes because it was too big for me. I didn’t get a smaller version of Dad’s created bikes until after we moved to Wyoming.

A generation later our kids got bikes, but the new rage was inline skates. We were able to purchase off-brand ones for our kids, Chris and Cassie. Chris put them on and took off. Cassie not so much, though Chris tried to show her how to balance. Chris used those skates to go all over Kearney.

The Back to the Future movies were released as our kids were growing up. We all loved the series. Who didn’t want a hoverboard to get around? While they don’t zoom in the air, hoverboards now exist for a new generation of kids. They stay on the ground but can be used for fun or even transportation. It does take balance. Lots of balance.

A friend of our then 6-year-old granddaughter Ellery had a hoverboard. After getting the hang of it, of course, she wanted one for Christmas. (The kids already had bikes.) We talked about it. Mom Cassie said, “If she has one, her younger brother will also want one.” (He’s two years younger.) With a sigh, Cassie gave us permission to get the kids hoverboards for Christmas. This is this generation’s new fun play toy and more. We bought colorful hoverboards with fun lights that flashed as they moved.

To my amazement, it didn’t take long for Ellery and Zeke to get the hang of getting around, spinning, crashing, and almost dancing with the hoverboards. I’m glad we bought them, especially knowing the kids are closely supervised.

Ice skates, bikes, inline skates, hoverboards. Something new and different for each generation. Meanwhile, I’ll enjoy watching the smiles of our grandkids’ faces as they zoom around on their hoverboards.

Now I understand why my folks went to so much time and trouble to make sure my sister got skates and a bike. Not only to be able to fit in with her friends but because the gratitude on the kid’s faces makes all the effort worthwhile. Nothing can beat the resulting smiles and thank-you hugs. (Months after receiving them, our grandkids still love their hoverboards.)

I wonder what our great-grandchildren will be asking for?

Carolyn R Scheidies 4/12/24 Carolyn R Scheidies 4/12/24

Blizzards, storms, must be spring

A long, long time ago at least in the minds of our kids and grandkids, I attended what was then Kearney State College (KSC), now UNK. That was in the early 1970s. I received a comprehensive major in journalism. But getting that degree was not simple. I attended college before the American Disabilities Act (ADA) that set parameters for making places handicap accessible.

The college was certainly not accessible. The administration building had no elevator and other students carried my wheelchair up and down the long staircases when I had classes upstairs in that building. Once I was even left upstairs in the administration building at the end of a day after tests when everyone else had gone. (A friend came up the stairs to find someone, found me instead and got assistance to get me carried back downstairs.) This was the college that promised to make sure I got to my classes. (I have other stories and was very thankful for friends, even strangers who assisted me in getting to and from classes.)

Winter was the worst. Maintenance only scooped a path down the sidewalk for one to walk. Certainly not wide enough for even my small wheelchair. As for weather, back then, because most students lived on campus, KSC never closed down for rain, storms nor blizzards.

I was already at the college for classes when a blizzard hit. Visibility went to almost zero. Snow fell like a curtain and quickly covered lawns, walks, and roadways. My wheelchair was going no place. I was stuck at the Student Union. The storm was so bad, that students not living on campus were allowed to head home. Good luck! A friend offered to take me home. She probably had help getting me to her car. Driving meant inching along, trying to see even the roadway much less any other cars on the road. I prayed.

We never made it to my home. Hers was closer. Too dangerous to go further. Even her little dog refused to go out to take care of business. My friend was kind, even though she had to help me with some personal needs. I spent most of the day at her house until a break in the storm and the resumption of phone service brought my brother to pick me up and get me home.

Back then a blizzard meant lots of snow, high winds and next to no visibility. It meant not daring to go outside for fear of getting lost or freezing. This year meteorologists have called two blizzards recently. I don’t think either one was more than a bad storm, but certainly not a blizzard.

It is probably a good thing offices, schools and many businesses are closed down in bad weather. I just wonder if we’d become too willing to close things down when the weather isn’t to our liking. No one likes winter storms when most have been counting on spring and warm weather. But winter doesn’t like to let up and has manifested itself with real, serious blizzards clear into May.

Winter storms are a fact of life in Nebraska. Maybe we should be more willing to deal with such weather and not shut everything down until we are truly dealing with serious storms and an actual blizzard. I am not talking about exposing life and limb to dangerous weather conditions, but just maybe we should also not consider every snowfall dangerous or every storm a blizzard.

Whatever the terms used for Nebraska storms, they provide much needed moisture and for that we can give thanks.

Feel free to share

https://kearneyhub.com/blizzards-storms-must-be-spring/article_661ce700-c2c9-5cc1-84c2-42d3c178eb64.html

Carolyn R Scheidies 4/10/24 Carolyn R Scheidies 4/10/24

WHAT A PEN CAN DO?

While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have my being. Psalm 146:2

A pen
A simple instrument
An extension of the mind
May mine
Write words of
Comfort Faith,
and Hope.

Help me to recognize I’m not the only person who hurts and reach out to others in their time of need.

Carolyn R Scheidies 4/1/24 Carolyn R Scheidies 4/1/24

Family, friends and Covid

Getting sick isn’t fun. In February Keith ended up in ER with a nasty case of influenza A and was sent home with instructions and medications. His coughing was horrific. A few days later I ended up in the hospital with Covid. I needed pain meds and oxygen and was miserable.

Friends helped us, but we needed more assistance. Our son Chris and daughter Cassie left their families and jobs and came home to care for us. During that week, I learned how incredible the two we raised really were.

At home, even with my many limitations, my house is built to accommodate my situation. I also use appliances to assist in maintaining independence. But the very things that assist my independence are not allowed in the hospital. I felt very helpless.

That fed into a circumstance where I needed a way to be comfortable while dealing with the results of a medication. I discovered my son is a problem-solver. He worked through the problem so I could be comfortable dealing with the medication. (Though he visited, Chris spent his time caring for his dad Keith.)

My daughter stayed with me at the hospital. She’s a mental healthcare professional, but I really had no idea of her expertise until I had hallucinations. It was incredibly frightening. I went deep into a dark pit that sucked at my soul.

When they hit, I didn’t even recognize Cassie at first. I was stuck in this cycle and had no clue what to do. Cassie recognized the situation and went into counselor mode. I knew she worked with PSDT victims and soldiers. I had no idea how good she was at her job.

She dragged me out of that mental pit, got me stabilized, and worked further to keep me out. She impressed both the nurse in the room at the time and me. I hope I never end up in that place again. Covid and influenza took their toll on us. I was glad when allowed to return home where Keith and I continued to recover together—slowly.

I am thankful for friends who first got us to the doctor and ER and watched out for us. I am thankful for those who brought food, that isn’t simple with my many allergies, to tempt our tastebuds. I am thankful for the many who prayed for us.

Most of all, we were blessed to have our kids come to care for us, realizing just how safe we were in their hands. Chris is back to creating and maintaining computer systems and Cassie is back to counseling and their families, but I will always treasure the feeling I could let go and be safe.

God is indeed good.

https://harpers.org/archive/1958/09/the-coming-ice-age/
© 2024 Carolyn R Scheidies
Published as Kearney Hub Column 3/20/2024

Carolyn R Scheidies 3/20/24 Carolyn R Scheidies 3/20/24

Easter & The beauty and importance of life

Now that we’ve had a taste of snow and ice, many of my Facebook friends are counting down the days until spring. We need snow to melt in order to provide moisture for the ground, and we’re seriously lacking enough. Still, other than enjoying snow and ice for making snow people and snow angels, sledding and skating, most of us prefer sunny skies and warm breezes.

All that comes with Spring, at least, once Winter lets go of its grip that has been known to hold on even into April. Winter seems gloomy, and dark and reminds us of death. Spring is the exact opposite.

Spring is all about new life. Trees bud into bushy leaves. Flowers burst forth into a concert of aromas and colors that can’t help but bring a smile and a deep breath of appreciation. Green grass pokes out of the uninspiring brown ground of the dormant lawn. Yellow Dandelions also make an appearance adding color.

Of course, most of us don’t appreciate these bright flowers, because we’ve lost the knowledge that almost every part of this plant is good to eat, for tea and for healthy living. We just don’t want them in our yards.

Spring is about life. Plants springing forth from seeds or pods, etc. that looked dead and like nothing. Yet abundant life bursts from these dormant beginnings. Life is so beautiful and so precious.

Is it any wonder we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the Spring? He was born with only his earthly parents and stable animals as witnesses. He grew into a man who cared about his creation, men and women who were hurting and lost.

Because he was God come to earth to live like you and me, he could hold, touch, hug. He could identify with those who suffered, who had needs. He reached out to share God’s truth and backed up his caring with a healing touch. The religious leaders of the day saw it as undermining their power and prestige as Jesus wasn’t afraid to call them out for caring more for their status than the very real needs of the people.

For being and doing good, they with the assistance of the Roman overlords crucified Him on a cross—an agonizing way to die. Jesus submitted to that torture and death. What his enemies didn’t realize is that Jesus actually came to die. We humans make a mess of our lives. There are consequences for our failures and bad choices. Someone has to pay for our messes. Jesus did that when he submitted to death on the cross.

Though he was fully man, he was also fully God. He took our punishment and then did what only he could do. He conquered death. He didn’t stay in that grave. He lived then and He lives today. He is near and desires to save, set us free and give us peace and hope and life here and forever.

Like Spring plants as we come to follow Him, he helps us bloom and become all we are meant to be. He offers a gift. All we have to do is accept it. Will you accept His gift of freedom, hope and love today, tomorrow or as we celebrate His resurrection this Easter?

Carolyn R Scheidies 2/29/24 Carolyn R Scheidies 2/29/24

Prayer more than casual comment

In conversation or online, we may hear of a difficult situation that pulls on our heartstrings. Maybe someone was injured, someone died, found themselves in tragic circumstances, or are dealing with a serious illness or surgery. Maybe someone lost a beloved pet. Whatever the situation, our response might be, “I’ll pray for you.” or “I’ll pray about this.”

Such comments may comfort the other person in that moment, especially those who believe in prayer, who know it lifts a burden and know that God answers prayer. In the moment, for some of us, it is easy to say the “right” thing and offer to pray.

The problem isn’t a promise to pray. That is all well and good. Often the best, sometimes the only, thing we can do in a bad situation is pray. Especially if the other person lives far away. Those nearby we can offer a hand, a hug, bring a meal or shop for groceries or whatever is needed at that time. For those further away, we can always send an appropriate card or gift such as flowers to brighten up a home or hospital room. But that isn't the same as committing to pray.

The problem comes in when we use “I’ll pray” as a throwaway comment we don’t mean or we mean, but quickly forget we said anything at all. We may even forget the need altogether. We promise to pray, but that promise is lost in our own busy lives. Even those who pride themselves on keeping promises may not connect this phrase as something of value or of importance

But prayer really does matter. Prayer can change attitudes, situations, and circumstances. Prayer should never be a throwaway phrase or used simply to ease a moment when a person is uncomfortable. If you do not intend to pray, don’t make such a promise. Instead, say something like, “I wish the best.” or something else that does not include a promise.

We may take such promises lightly, but God does not. He takes even promises from kids seriously. Everyone deals with difficult circumstances at one time or another. We all need persons who lift us up in prayer. We don’t need platitudes that mean nothing.

When others suffer, be careful what you say. If you do not intend to pray, please don’t promise to do so. If you make the promise, follow through. Pray and pray some more. Care enough to keep your promise to pray. God works through our caring hearts and prayer. Prayer makes a difference in our attitudes and in the situation. Pray and see what God will do. Become a person who cares enough to pray.

While the answer may not always be what we want, peace is in knowing God loves and listens and brings comfort and care even in the most dire of circumstances. Real prayer is releasing the burden, focusing on what we can help and letting God do the rest. Keep promises. Pray when promised and let God be God in the situation.

Carolyn R Scheidies 2/12/24 Carolyn R Scheidies 2/12/24

Old Age Not For Cowards

My handwriting is getting bad, more shaky, and less legible. When I write in my journal in the mornings, as I do each morning and have for most of my life, I often skip lines instead of writing on each line. Makes it easier to write and to see. My eyesight isn’t what it used to be. In fact, print seems to get smaller, and I rely on my iPad more for reading books than I used to. With Kindle, I can make text the size I need it for that moment.

Last year, I needed new glasses. Not a surprise. When I returned to pick up my glasses, I knew I’d have some waiting time. Not a problem, I thought. I’ll bring my iPad and spend my time reading. I walked into the establishment and handed over my glasses. (They were using the same frames.) I pulled out my iPad and turned it on only to realize something important. I didn’t have my glasses. Everything was a bit blurry. I had to shake my head at myself. Nevertheless, I turned on my iPad and by making the print huge, I could read. Can’t do that with a print book. I was very thankful to receive my new glasses. All part of growing older. I need to laugh at myself at times.

As a child, I noticed how shaky an elderly acquaintance’s handwriting had become. I struggled to read the handwriting. Now it’s my turn. As I tell younger persons now, “Getting old is not for cowards.” Why?

Every year, every month, and every day we face less agility. Energy flags and naps lengthen. Even when we want to continue some work or activities, we may not be able to. My health last year dictated that I let go of some things I enjoyed doing and that I am good at. Two of those things were putting together the weekly prayer bulletin for our church and creating the newsletter each month for Kearney Christian Women’s Connection (KCWC). Each took creativity and energy and time which led to exhaustion.

I don’t have the energy I used to have, and I find it takes me longer and longer to do less and less. As for doctor visits, they dot the monthly calendar for both my husband and myself. As though we didn’t see enough doctors, last year we added a heart doctor for us both as well as a back doctor for Keith.

Still, I view this as a blessing as well as a frustration. It means our health needs are being handled. Each day I wake up, I give thanks for another day. Whatever comes, I face the day with gratitude. After all, I’m still here. I still get to hug my grandkids and spend time with friends and family.

Besides, whatever comes I know God cares, He is only a prayer away and He’s got my life in His loving hands. I awake and often Psalm 118:24 comes to mind. “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

I look up and smile. I wonder what today will bring.

I plan my life out a day at a time, so my posting schedule can be erratic.

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