187 ~ Christmas Card Memory

By Kay Heitsch

My husband, Bill's Grandma, Z., was in a nursing home when we moved back to Michigan. Grandma had been unable to walk for quite some time; now, her eyesight was almost gone.

Over the years, Grandma Z. and I exchanged many cards and letters. I knew how she enjoyed staying in touch with people.

Since I'd returned to Michigan, Grandma Z. thought I should be her "personal secretary." Trying to jog her memory, I said, "I guess you've forgotten how bad my handwriting is." Grandma Z. acted like she didn't hear me.

Grandma always wanted to write a letter along with her cards. She would dictate; then, I would do my best to write down what she said.

Grandma would always have me read back to her what I had written. Grandma had no problem hearing now because she always told me, "That is not exactly how I said that!" I would then rewrite whatever I wrote in her exact words.

Since I had some extra time before Christmas, I asked Grandma if she would like to send Christmas cards. Grandma readily agreed. I rounded up several different kinds of cards.

I knew she had friends and family who all had other interests. I would take each card, describe the front in detail, and then read the verse inside. After thinking it over, Grandma would tell me who she thought would like each card.

After a while, I looked up and noticed several nursing home residents standing in the doorway. As I read each card, I started to see the looks on their faces and Grandma Z's, too. Each one had a faint smile and a faraway look as they saw the scenes in their mind's eyes.

When I went over to do the Christmas cards, I thought I was doing Grandma Z. a favor, but it turned out she did me a big favor. I'll always cherish this precious memory of bringing Christmas joy and pleasant memories to Grandma and her fellow residents.

Thanks to Grandma Z., I made a "good memory" to pass on to you.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

Notice

By Kay Heitsch

Notice people who are happy for your happiness, and sad for your sadness. They're the ones who deserve special places in your heart. ~ Notice Quotes ~

This week, we have had both sadness and happiness. Bill's stepmother went to the hospital, and our grandson Eli's football team won the state championship.

Our Bible verse says. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15

This is how life goes. We all have both happiness and sadness. It's wonderful if we can be the ones who can share both with another person. It's also wonderful when we feel free to share our happiness and sadness.

Notice people who are happy for your happiness, and sad for your sadness. They're the ones who deserve special places in your heart.

186 ~ Christmas Prayer

By Kay Heitsch

We spotted the porch light as we slowly drove down the street on that cold December evening. "This must be the house." I told our "Positive Teens In Action" group.

We pulled up in front of an older home with the porch light glowing. We gathered our songbooks, walked up the steps, and knocked on the door. We heard a faint voice from inside say, "Come on in. The door is open." We opened the door.

An elderly woman with a big smile sat in a rocking chair. "I've been expecting you," she said weakly. Ruth was one of our Meals on Wheels stops I had arranged, along with the usual church members who enjoyed carolers.

We handed Ruth the basket of goodies the teens had assembled earlier that evening. Then I asked Ruth what carols she would like to hear. Ruth's face was beaming as she joined in, singing each song.

As we hugged Ruth goodbye, she said to me, tears glistening in her eyes, "The day you called, I was still in bed. I had just finished praying. I asked God if it would be possible to have some Christmas Carolers come to my home and sing this year. Thank you for being the answer to my Christmas prayer."

Wow, what an incredible experience to be the answer to someone's Christmas prayer.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

God's Not Done

By Kay Heitsch

If You're Reading This, God Still Has A Plan. God's Not Done With You. ~ Be Confident Quotes ~

Do you ever wonder why you're still here on earth? I do. Eugena, a friend of mine, gave me a Bible verse when I first became a Christian. It's today's verse.

Today's verse says. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6 NLT

Eugena was certain that God, who began a good work in me, would finish it! When I wonder why I'm here, I have to believe it's because God isn't finished with the plan He has for my life.

If You're Reading This, God Still Has A Plan. God's Not Done With You.

185 ~ Christmas Angels

By Kay Heitsch

Sharing another Christmas memory.

Christmas Angels

One of my favorite Christmas memories was living in Dover, Ohio. My friend Ruth Ann, who has gone Home now, and I were in charge of getting "Angels" for the Christmas Eve service.

Several weeks earlier, we were busy calling teenage girls to ask if they would like to be an "Angel" for the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Each girl we called was excited to be a part of the service.

The church was beautifully decorated by the altar committee. Jo Schilling, who has also gone Home now, was in charge. Everything looked wonderful.

On the night of the service, the girls gathered in a room, putting on white gowns with halos of gold tinsel on their heads. Each girl was given a long, white, unlit candle to carry.

After they were all dressed and ready, they gathered in the narthex, waiting to walk in.

The night of the service was so touching. Music played softly, and the lights were turned down as each "Angel" walked down the long aisle with their unlit candle.

As they came to the front of the church, our pastor, Rev Jim, stood with the "Christ's Candle," and the girls lit their candles from it.

After lighting their candle, they went to the end of each row and lit the candle of the first person in the row. Then, as that person lit their candle, they would light the candle of the person next to them. After a few minutes, every candle in the church was glowing.

Then, our organist, Linda, began playing "Silent Night," and everyone sang as we raised our candles in the air.

Tears filled my eyes, and I'm sure others experienced the same loving feeling. I had never been to a candlelight service, so this experience was new to me.

I loved the symbolism this ceremony told.

As we go to Christ, we receive His light/love. After we do, we light/touch the people around us, and His light/love continues.

I'll never forget this special Christmas memory. It has stayed with me all these years. I pray we will let His light shine for all the world.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

Only Way

By Kay Heitsch

Jesus Is The Only Way To Heaven. ~ Jesus Is The Only Way Quotes

Some people like to say that Jesus is "one way" to get to heaven, but that is not what the Bible says.

Religion will try to make this free gift Jesus has given us into a works program. Sorry, but that won't work either. We can't work our way to Heaven.

Isaiah 64:6 says Our righteous acts are like filthy rags. For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Our Bible verse says. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 NIV

There you have it! Jesus is the way. Not one way! No one can come to the Father in Heaven except through Him.

Jesus Is The Only Way To Heaven.

184 ~ Christmas Tradition

By Kay Heitsch

I want to share a Christmas tradition I had as a child.

Back in the 1950s, my Mom's church had a tradition of meeting in December to go out and gather money for the poor.

It's cold and snowy in Michigan, so we would all get bundled up and meet at the church. Whoever was driving would have a tape player in the front seat, with a loudspeaker mounted on top of the car playing Christmas carols.

As we walked from door to door, Christmas music was playing loud and clear. Most people were eager to give us some spare change or maybe a dollar.

As I think back, I'm sure many people knew my Mom and the good work she did for people experiencing poverty in our area.

Mom was the President of the Dorcas Society for the state of Michigan. She rented a few rooms in a building in town where people could bring clothing, etc. She gave out food baskets and helped in other ways, too. Mom was also the Chairman of the Red Cross for the area.

That being said, Mom and I had no problem meeting our goals. The church had a chart with a thermometer showing how much money we had raised. My goal was $25.00.

After going out gathering the money, we would go back to the church and have hot chocolate and cookies. I'm sure you will not be surprised that warming up with hot chocolate and a cookie was something I looked forward to as a child.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2