Loyal-Five Minute Friday

I hope this encourages someone. I find great comfort in the action of being.....

Loyal

Loving

Others outwardly

Year after year with

Allegiance gives

Life

I've been with the same dentist for over thirty years now. Hey, if it works and nothing's broken then don't fix it. Roland Naglieri has always cared for me well and I am so thankful for his faithfulness to do so. I'm also thankful I've been able to stick with him for as long as I have. It works both ways.

Loyalty brings comfort, knowing what to expect when and from whom. It also proves steadfastness and integrity. Year after year, Roland as never steered me wrong. In fact, he's given me much to smile about and with. I'm thankful for men such as him. I'm thankful God puts that quality in people, especially men.

STOP

Proverbs 28:20 "A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished." (NASB)

To see how others have experienced this great character trait, check out www.fiveminutefriday.com

Loved- a late posting for the seventeenth's Five Minute Friday

I was away on vacation and just got around to writing something for last week's prompt. How does one sum up in five minutes what it means to be loved or have deeply loved someone else?

 I thought of Victor and Gloria who welcomed my friend, Lori and I into their beautiful home with arms wide open and smiles beaming ear to ear for our respite near the beach.

Then, I thought of Lori who has been with her husband for almost 31 years and has learned to put others before herself. She is content to ask and let someone else pick an activity or get something to eat before she does. She never complains and always looks for opportunities to give.

However, the most extravagant case of love is what I listened to this morning on Chuck Swindoll's Insight for Living while driving to work. May I and others never forget how much we have been........

LOVED..

He loved enough to endure the insults, mockery, and crown of thorns. 

Crucifixion, a barbaric practice in old time Rome.

Christ suffered and did not turn away.

My dad, Guy learned to endure as well.

My half an hour showers, dirty looks and colorful words.

Moodiness at its peak around not so sweet sixteen.

A decision made.

Loved equals believed.

Whole heartedly knowing there is gold on the other side of the rainbow.

To be loved and to give to others means endure for a better future and the best for 

someone else.

STOP

John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." (NASB)

To see how others have loved, check out www.fiveminutefriday.com

Woman for Five Minute Friday

Many have written and sung songs about the marvelous gift of a woman. Women are unique and individual. We are not the same as men and I have to say, I'm glad to be a woman.

Woman

When I think of the gift of being a woman and the women I have observed and learned much from through the years, there are some key qualities that set us apart.

ATTITUDE- We can set the tone. Everyone knows, if mama ain't happy, nobody is. We add color to everything.

HOSPITALITY-The gift of serving others and making them feel comfortable in one's home, is the meat that feeds many.

INDUSTRIOUSNESS- We sacrifice for the sake of others. Sometimes at the expense of our well being, but we love to give. We have determination that accomplishes much, even if or especially when done on our knees.

STOP 

"It is better to live in a corner of a roof than in a house with a contentious woman." 

(Proverbs 21:9 NASB)

"An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain....Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her saying:'Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.'" 

(Proverbs 31:10,11, 28,29 NASB)

Some of the great women authors and speakers I have learned from include Elizabeth Elliot, Ann Kimel Anderson, Ruth Bell Graham, Amy Carmichael, and Joni Eareckson Tada. Check them out! You can learn much!

http://www.elisabethelliot.org; 

http://annkiemel.com;https://billygraham.org/about/biographies/ruth-bell-graham/;

 https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/church-history-for-kids/amy-carmichael-helped-the-helpless-11634859.html;

https://www.joniandfriends.org/jonis-corner/jonis-bio/

I am thankful for these women as well as many who have crossed my paths and come into my life. 

The women I have observed first hand through the years who have taught me life skills and helped to shape who I am today include my grandmother, mother, a second mom(Linda), Grandma Betty, and Aunt B, along with many wonderful women I've met through work or church and have the privilege of being their friend.

Both young and old, frail and strong.

Tall, or short, thin or plump.

Graying or not.

Single, widowed, divorced, or married.

Living life debt free or indebted.

Keeping house, raising kids, working, or finding a new way.

Talking or doing and doing while talking.

Watching and listening, while sometimes deciding.

Wanting and needing, never is enough.

Worrying while comparing.

Bearing good news or bad.

Healing or hurting.

We are women and we are complex!

To see what others are doing with this week's prompt check out www.fiveminutefriday.com

Anniversary-Five Minute Friday

I dedicate this to the man I have come to love and appreciate as my pastor, Jay Cookingham.

 Thank you for your courage and example! Happy, happy anniversary!

Anniversary....

Hopeful. Fun. Clarifying and a confidence builder. 

He (Jay) left his job of thirty years at a small company doing graphic design to jump into a full time pastorship with a congregation of no more than forty people. Putting his hope and future needs in God's great providence, he took a chance one year ago this month. Not knowing how the finances would work out nor the health insurance nor everything else that hangs like a dark cloud over many, he grabbed hold of the opportunity and hasn't looked back.

STOP

I really hate the timer! There was more I wanted to share. When I spoke with Christine, my pastor's wife, this morning she recounted, what an amazingly thrilling year it has been for their family. We celebrate this anniversary of their first year serving us and our community.

 The biggest lesson Chris said their family learned was to always "worship God as a first response no matter what the circumstances are." I have witnessed first hand while Christine has faced a recurrence of stage four melanoma, both she and Jay have not ceased to declare God's goodness and greatness.

God has faithfully provided for their needs this year as they have reaped even more opportunities to see God work and serve.

 If you would like to read more about them check out www.soulfari.blogspot.com or Jay's ministry www.strategicfathering.com

To see what others are celebrating check out www.fiveminutefriday.com