Hope

Hope is a powerful thing, giving us strength at times when nothing else can. I am convinced that hope, more than any other, can change lives and provide a sense of meaning in this world. The prophet Isaiah wrote (Isaiah 40:31) “Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” . Almost three thousand years later, it's still true. Hope is happiness, harmony, joy, and peace of mind. It is a belief that things will get better, that good will prevail.

I Shall Be Glad

by Grace Noll Crowell

If I can put new hope within the heart

Of one who has lost hope,

If I can help a brother up

Some difficult long slope

That seems too steep for tired feet to go,

If I can help him climb

In to the light upon the hill's far crest,

I shall begrudge no time

Or strength that I spend, for well I know

How great may be his need.

If I can help through any darkened hour,

I shall be glad indeed.
For I recall how often I have been

Distressed, distraught, dismayed,

And hands have reached to help, and voices called

That kept me unafraid.

If I can share this help that I have had,

God knows I shall be glad.

Ms Cromwell's poem reminds us that we all need a helping hand at times in our life. The feeling of hopefulness sometimes comes from someone helping us.

Monday Blessings

I wish for all of you a week ahead that is blessed in every way. May each step down the path of life bring all of you beautiful friends, peace and much love.

Pink Saturday!

I haven't participated in Pink Saturday in a while but this photo caught my eye for its pretty pink color. Then the recipe sounded just as good as it looked. What a great punch to serve during summer! The recipe includes instructions for both non-alcoholic and alcoholic versions so you can please everyone. This would also be great for wedding and baby showers (especially if mom is having a girl!)

Sparkling Punch
Yield
Makes about 9 cups
Ingredients
1 (12-oz.) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
4 cups white cranberry juice cocktail
1 qt. club soda, chilled
Garnish: fresh mint sprigs
Preparation
1. Stir together lemonade concentrate and cranberry juice cocktail in a large pitcher. Cover and chill at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Stir in club soda just before serving. Garnish, if desired.
Champagne Punch: Substitute 1 (750-milliliter) bottle extra-dry Champagne or sparkling wine and 1/4 cup orange liqueur for club soda; proceed with recipe as directed
(photo from southernliving.com)

I hope everybody have a Wonderful and Happy Pink Saturday !Now go visit Beverly http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/.

and enjoy all the fun and beautiful Pink from all the participants.

Loving The Unlovable.

'To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless."



It is easy to love those who love us., anybody can do that. What is hard is to love the unlovable .Despite the fact that they are rude, insensitive, self-centered, annoying and downright exasperating, God’s word challenges us to love those we view as unlovable.Love has the power to transform, not just the person being loved, but the person doing the loving as well. When we love the unlovable, when we begin to love our enemies ( start by praying for them), we find that our own lives are changed for the better. It is we who are enriched, we who are improved, we who begin to feel more at peace with ourselves and with others.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” - Matthew 5:43-48

'You come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly.'

Blessed Be All The Mother's of The World !

Appreciation. The word seems too benign and insignificant to describe how I feel towards all the love and devotion my mother has shown me throughout the years of my life. My mother is the drive within me that pushes me to be the best I can possibly be. She cares for me even when I am at fault. It is the loving bond we share that keeps me striving to make her proud. I am forever grateful and loving to she who raised me.

God must have known
there would be times
We’d need a gentle touch,
A tender, understanding heart
To love us very much.
He must have known
We’d need someone
To listen to our cares,
To comfort and remember us,
In loving thoughts and prayers.
So in his boundless wisdom,
He sent us from above
The dearest blessing in the world
A mother’s precious love.

To all the moms, moms to be and grandmothers, my Very Best Wishes for a very Beautiful Mother's Day and May God Bless You All!!!

Virginia xoxoxoxx

Embracing God’s Blessings

Sunday is a day to reflect on all our blessings, take 5 minutes and sit quietly and reflect on all the blessings in your life. You be surprised of how many we have, we are surrounded by plenty of unseen blessings that we are not even aware of .

GOD'S BLESSINGS
The man whispered "God, speak to me" And a meadowlark sang. But the man did not hear.So the man yelled "God speak to me!" And the thunder rolled across the sky. But the man did not listen.The man looked around and said "God let me see you" And a star shone brightly. But the man did not notice.And the man shouted "God show me a miracle" And a life was born. But the man did not know.So, the man cried out in despair. "Touch me God and let me know that you are here!" Whereupon God reached down and touched the man. But the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.

Author Unknown

Moral: Don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way you expect.

Letting Go And Letting God

Have you ever been in the mood to let go of worry, fear and doubt? Ever wonder what that would be like?
This issue has been on my mind a long time ,I struggle with it , in fact I don’t think it's possible to be in this world and not have to deal with it. But there is an answer and its a simple one, stop trying with your own strength to get rid of those emotions and instead ignore them and seek God instead. Don't just seek God but rather seek Gods presence, take each day, and each moment one at a time.
Jesus tells us “can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?” Of course not.
God intended us to trust Him. Worry is the opposite of faith & trust. When we learn to give our problems, needs, so forth to God, we're allowing Him to be in control, allowing ourselves the liberty, the freedom to enjoy what He has given us. Some of us by nature worry more than others. We should pray, giving whatever is bothering us to God, then going forth doing our best to enjoy life as it happens. And when the uncertainty of life takes hold of us, remember, God is still on the throne, He is still there, able to hear our heart's cries, always waiting to comfort & restore. It takes practice to let go of worry, fear and doubt, this doesn't mean we're to not be responsible but rather learn to enjoy the love & beauty in our lives. Whatever we feed within ourselves is what grows. Feed doubt, fear, & worry....they increase. Feed trust, faith, joy, & peace; they grow. So take each day, and each moment one at a time and let go.

“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.? - Leo Buscaglia

Some people think it’s holding on that makes one strong- sometimes it’s letting go.- Author

Unknown

"Don't be afraid of the day you have never seen." English Proverb