New Year's Eve

by Kay Heitsch

I can hardly believe it's New Year's Eve again. It seems the older one gets the years just fly by.

I used to go out and party on New Year's Eve. Years ago we ran a night club called, Britten Hill. There was lots of drinking, dancing, and loud music. I'd wake up New Year's Day with a horrible headache.

This year I plan to watch football! That's right, I'll stay home and watch the OSU Buckeyes. I hope they win, but if they don't I'll be happy for the boys who do win. That's life! Sometimes your team wins and sometimes they don't.

Today's quote is, "Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one!" I'll be thinking about 2017 as a book to be written when I go to bed tonight. I hope you will too. Let's write a good one!

Love Shines

by Kay Heitsch

Have you ever noticed how even a tiny nightlight shine brightly when it's dark in a room? I certainly have.

We have a lot of darkness in our world. When we hear of someone being loving and kind we see a light shine in that darkness. We feel hopeful and may even have a tear of joy come to our eyes.

Today's quote, "A heart that is kindled in LOVE is a light that shines in the darkness." This quote tells us that it is LOVE that shines in darkness. No matter how dark our world may seem LOVE will still shine.

We can be that light that shines in darkness when we are filled with God's eternal LOVE.

LOVE shines!

The Mother's Club

by Kay Heitsch

As most of you know by now Debbie Reynolds died one day after her daughter Carrie died. When I heard Debbie was taken to the hospital after Carrie's death my heart went out to her. I thought, "I'm sure Debbie has belonged to many clubs over the years, but now she's in a club no mother wants to be in."

The Mother's Club is a club mothers who's children have died know all too well about. It's a club of the broken hearted. No mother wants to be in this club, but there are many of us who are.

We all have different ways of dealing with the death of our child. It's very difficult to live with a broken heart. It doesn't matter how many years have gone by our hearts are still broken.

Is it possible to actually live with a broken heart? I'm here to tell you that it is! I do it every day!

Do tears come to my eyes for no apparent reason? Yes! Do I think of Todd? Yes! Is my heart still broken? Oh you bet it is! But I have chosen to LIVE in spite of my broken heart.

If you have a broken heart today please know that you too can LIVE even if you belong to, The Mother's Club.

Give the Lord your broken heart. He will pour his healing balm of LOVE on it. He will assure you that LOVE never dies! You can then LIVE with your broken heart and allow God's LOVE to shine through you and help you live fully every day.

Praying For Time

by Kay Heitsch

Praying for Time is a song by George Michael. When I heard this song years ago it brought tears to my eyes.

When our lasts days come will we be, Praying For Time? Time to get it right, time to live our lives better.

There is a "Time to be born and a time to die." Ecclesiastes 3:2 We are not going to be here forever.

We don't know if today is our time to die or if we are going to be given more time. What will we do with the time we have left?

Today's quote stood out. "Enjoy life today! Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not promised. Life is short! There's no replay, no rewind. Live your life and enjoy every moment as it comes."

We can be thankful for the time we have now. We can live the abundant life that Jesus died to give us. (see John 10:10). We can live in such a way that we won't need to be, 'praying for time' when our time comes to die. We can say like Paul, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7.

Pain

by Kay Heitsch

"Pain can change you, but that doesn't mean it has to be a bad change. Take that pain and turn it into wisdom." ~ "Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways." Proverbs 20:30 GNT

Pain...we all have experienced it in our lives. When I saw the Bible verse years ago, "Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways." Proverbs 20:30 GNT our son had recently died in a car accident. That very painful experienced helped me to see life in a whole new way. As difficult as it was, with God's help, I gained wisdom through that painful experience.

There certainly are different kinds of pain. But no matter what kind of pain it is we can gain wisdom by it.

Maybe our bad habits have cause our pain. Maybe our pain is caused by a painful experience. Maybe we don't know why we're having pain. It doesn't matter what caused the pain. We can gain wisdom by going through the experience, if we choose to.

"Pain can change you, but that pain doesn't mean it has to be a bad change. Take that pain and turn it into wisdom." Sorry to say but, Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways." Proverbs 20:30 GNT

New Day

by Kay Heitsch

I read several quotes in the morning. When something stands out to me that's what I post. Today the words, "When you start each day with a grateful heart, light illuminates from within. It's a new day so shine on."

I've noticed how people who are grateful are happy people. There is light that illuminates from within them. If you notice it's just the opposite when we're around a complaining person.

Today is a new day! We can let light illuminate from within us when we go about our day with a grateful heart. So be grateful and shine on!

Happy Life

by Kay Heitsch

If you ask most people what they want in life they will say, "I just want to be happy."

Some people think more stuff will make them happy. They think, "If I had your life I would be happy." "If I didn't have these problems, I'd be happy." The list goes on and on.

Today's quote "Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking." This quote goes perfectly with Proverbs 23:7 NASB "For as he thinks within himself, so he is."

If you're not happy, check your thoughts. What have you been thinking about?

A 'Happy Life' is within ourselves. It's in the way we think.

Maybe Christmas Means More

by Kay Heitsch

I don't know about you, but there are very few years that I remember anything I actually received for Christmas. I can tell you some wonderful Christmas memories though.

Today's quote by Dr Seuss says it well. "Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store, maybe Christmas ...perhaps... means a little bit more!" ~ Dr Seuss ~

Yes, Christmas is much more than opening gifts. Christmas is a time to make some wonderful memories and celebrate the birth of Christ.

This Christmas Eve I hope and pray you find that Christmas doesn't only come from a store. Yes, I believe Christmas means more than a little bit more.

Joy To The World

by Kay Heitsch

Tomorrow night is Christmas Eve. I know a lot of people will be attending church. Many will be looking forward to the Christmas Eve service and singing the old Christmas songs.

In my childhood I never attended a Christmas Eve service. However, as an adult I have. There's something special about this service that is different than others.

Singing, Joy To The Word, Oh Come All Ye Faithful, and of course, Silent Night as the candles are lit make the heart happy and may even bring a silent tear to your eyes.

LOVE, Peace and Joy came down on earth on Christmas. May His LOVE, Peace and Joy fill our hearts on Christmas and always.

Joy To The World The Lord Is Come!

Do You Believe?

by Kay Heitsch

This time of the year people ask children, "Do you believe in Santa?" Some children do and some children don't.

This is the same question we can all ask ourselves, "Do we believe?" Some people do and some people don't.

Years ago I came across a Bible verse that was a surprise to me. The people were asking Jesus what God wanted them to do. "Jesus answered, "What God wants you to do is to believe in the one He sent." John 6:29 TEV

Christmas is the season when Christians celebrate 'the one He sent.' When we wonder what our part is in the celebration I like to think, "Believe."

A Smile Is A Gift Worth Giving

by Kay Heitsch

I'd never really thought about giving a smile as a gift until this morning. Sometimes a smile is the best gift you can give someone.

Yesterday I was in the grocery store. I saw an older man standing with a sad look on his face. I walked by and gave him a big smile. Immediately, his eyes brightened and he smiled back. I don't know why he looked so sad, but for that moment in time he smiled.

Today's quote is good anytime of the year. "Give the gift of your smile! You never know how much of a difference you could be making in their life at that moment."

People are in a rush and many are stressed this time of the year. Why not give a gift of your smile to everyone you meet.

A Smile is a gift worth giving!

A Peaceful Heart

by Kay Heitsch

Is there anything better than a peaceful heart? I don't think so.

When we have a peaceful heart we can be attentive in the present moment. When we are filled with peace we can experience joy, love, and even laughter.

In this time of giving I chose this quote, "If I could give you any gift, I'd give you love and laughter, a peaceful heart, a special dream and joy forever after."

My prayer for each of you this Christmas season is, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Romans 15:13 ESV

I think it's awesome that in simple believing we can experience love, joy, hope, and a peaceful heart.

Believe!

by Kay Heitsch

Believing is a powerful thing! I've known people who live their lives believing the worst. Their lives are not any worse than anyone else's, but that's how they see it.

I've also known people who believe that something good is about to happen. Their lives may not be any better than the person who believes the worst, but they live in a happy expectation for the future.

I really liked today's quote. "Always believe that something good is going to happen. The future belongs to those who believe!"

Believing is very powerful. This Christmas season I pray we choose to believe that something good is going to happen. When we do we'll see that our future is bright and filled with delight!

Look For The Beauty

by Kay Heitsch

Today's quote,"Everything has it's beauty but not everyone sees it." caused me to ask, "What have I missed?"

I believe we all miss so much beauty in the world around us. It's easy to get distracted that we miss things that would bring joy to our hearts.

I've had times, usually after some tragedy in my life, where I seemed to notice things I didn't see before. However, other times I've needed to remind myself to 'look for the beauty' in the world around me.

When we know that according to Ecclesiastes 3:11 "He has made everything beautiful in its time." Knowing this we can be on the lookout to 'look for the beauty' in the world around us.

Today and everyday let's 'look for the beauty'. We can find it in nature and even in every person we meet.

Not What I Expected

by Kay Heitsch

I was wondering what I would see when I got up this morning. It was predicted by the weatherman that we might have 9 inches of snow. So when I looked out the window it wasn't what I expected. I saw maybe 3 inches of snow instead.

Today's quote made me smile, "Just because it isn't what you expected doesn't mean it isn't what you want." I was expecting 9 inches of snow, but 3 inches may be more what I wanted.

Life is very much like this. We expect so many things. I've found that even when something is worse than what I expected it can work out for my good in the long run.

The day is not over so maybe later the snow will begin to fall again. Right now 3 inches was not what I expected, but it doesn't mean it isn't what I wanted.

Loving Memories

by Kay Heitsch

At Christmas time many people reflect on days gone by. I've learned it's best to think on, 'Loving Memories.' that help me smile.

I found today's quote in my Christmas file, "Loving memories never die, as years roll on and days pass by. In our heart a memory is kept, of ones we loved and will never forget."

We all have many memories of Christmas time from years gone by. It's healthy to remember our loved ones and remember the good times of the past. We can let these memories help us to smile and bring joy to our hearts.

At Christmas time we can remember the past. But let's remember that we are now making 'loving memories' for the future. Not only for ourselves, but for others as well.

A Little Can Of Peanuts Saved The Day

by Kay Heitsch

When I got up this morning I noticed a can of peanuts on the counter. I thought, "You better take those down the basement before you're tempted to eat them."

When I got to the bottom of the steps in the basement I noticed A LOT of WATER on the floor. I wasn't sure where it was coming from. I ran over to the NEW hot water heater and NEW furnace. Water was coming from somewhere!  As I looked carefully I saw a steady stream of water coming from under the humidifier connected to the furnace. I ran and got my phone, a pail, and the shop vac.

I called the company who installed both the hot water heater and furnace. Within an hour they were out.

Today's quote hit home. "Happy are those who take life day by day and are thankful for little things."

I'm very thankful for the 'little can of peanuts' that needed to go to the basement. I can't imagine how bad it would have been had I not gone down the basement when I did.

A little can of peanuts saved the day! Plus, a little nudge from the Lord to take them down when I did.

Sparkle On

by Kay Heitsch

What I like most about snow is how it sparkles when the sun shines on it.

Today's quote calls snowflakes gems. "Silently like thoughts that come and go, the snowflakes fall each one a gem."

When the sun shines on the snow each flake starts to sparkle. The closer you look you can actually see a tiny rainbow of promise in each flake.

I was thinking how much each one of us is like a snowflake. We are all one of a kind. We were born to sparkle. We have a rainbow of promise in our hearts. We sparkle when the SON shines on us.

Today remember you were born to sparkle. Let the SON shine on and through you. Leave a little sparkle everywhere you go.

Sparkle on....

Sticking Together Like Snowflakes

by Kay Heitsch

Today's quote, "A snowflake is one of God's most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together." This quote is a great reminder of what we can do if we stick together to help each other.

There's a Bible verse in Ecclesiastes 4:9 "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed."

Just think what can be accomplished if a group of people stick together to get a job done.

Kindness and Snow

by Kay Heitsch

"Kindness is like snow...it beautifies everything it covers." This quote is an interesting way to see snow and kindness.

Snow does beautify everything it covers. Who can look at the world after a snowfall and not see the beauty. Kindness is the same way. When we see kindness in action it is a beautiful thing.

We can be like snow and cover our world with kindness today. When we do it will be a beautiful thing.

One Of A Kind

by Kay Heitsch

As I look out the window this morning I see a Winter Wonderland. It's amazing to think that no two snowflakes are the same, just like people.

Today's quote reminds us of that, "We're all like snowflakes unique, beautiful, and one of a kind."

I thought of Psalm 139:14 when I read this quote. "Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex. Your workmanship is marvelous--how well I know."

I hope and pray we realize that we are unique, beautiful and one of a kind. There is no one exactly like you! Isn't that amazing?

Snowflakes and LOVE

by Kay Heitsch

It's that time of the year in Michigan when snow is in the forecast. I thought these words fit the occasion, "A little smile, a word of cheer, a bit of LOVE from someone near. Wishing you SONshine, snowflakes, friendships, and Christmas blessings!"

The snowflakes will be falling here in Michigan. No matter what the forecast the SONshines! When the SON shines we can smile, be cheerful, and spread LOVE to someone near.

Christmas blessings are all around us. When we stop long enough we can feel the LOVE.

One Christmas

by Kay Heitsch

Today's quote, "The best gifts in the world are not in the material, objects one can buy at the store, but in the memories we make with the people we love." This quote brought back a memory from years ago.

My dad had a very rough childhood. He actually hated Christmas. It wasn't until I was grown that he seemed to feel the love that Christmas can bring.

One year Dad came to our house for Christmas. My Aunt Carmel, Uncle Fred, Pat and family came too. Patty sat down at our piano and started to play some Christmas Carols. Shannon was around 3 years old and she climbed up on my dad's lap. Dad handed her the song book and they both were doing their best to sing out loud and proud!

This was one Christmas I will never forget. It made my heart happy to bring some joy to my Dad. It was a long time coming, but I believe he felt the love that Christmas can bring when we open up our hearts to it.

Smart Cookie

by Kay Heitsch

I was thinking about making some Christmas cookies when I went over to find a quote this morning. Little did I know I'd find one mentioning attitude. Here's the quote, "You can't be a smart cookie if you have a crumbly attitude."

This quote makes a lot of sense. If we have a 'crumbly attitude' we won't be a 'smart cookie.' I know being a 'smart cookie' is an old fashion term. I haven't heard it in years, but my mother said it often.

This quote is a good reminder to keep a good attitude so we will be a "Smart Cookie!"

Gifts of LOVE and a SMILE

by Kay Heitsch

I had never really thought about Christmas as allowing God to LOVE and SMILE at others through us until I read today's quote. "It is Christmas every time you let God LOVE others through you. Yes, it is Christmas every time you SMILE at others and offer them your heart."

Wow, what a great way to think about giving. Many times we think of giving as a gift that cost money. But there are many ways to give that do not cost money. Today's quote tells us we can give LOVE and a SMILE to everyone we meet this Christmas season.

Today and everyday we can allow God to LOVE and SMILE through us. What wonderful gifts to give!

Make Good Memories (true story)

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 eye sight was almost gone.

Over the years Grandma Z. and I had exchanged many cards and letters. I knew how she enjoyed staying in touch with people. Since I'd come back 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 would have me write letters to go in the cards she would send. She would dictate; then I would do my best to write down what she said. Grandma would always have me read what I had written back to her. Grandma didn't have a problem hearing then because she was always telling 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 out some Christmas cards. Grandma readily agreed. I rounded up several different kinds of cards. I knew she had friends and family who all had different interests. I would take each card and describe in detail the front of the card, then I would 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 I noticed that we had several nursing home residents standing in the doorway. I started to notice as I read each card, the look on their faces and Grandma Z's face, too. Each one had a faint smile and a far away look in their eyes, as they were seeing the scenes in their minds' eye.

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

Grandma Z liked to say, "Make good memories!" Thanks to Grandma Z. I made a "good memory" that I'm now passing on to you.

 p.s. This story is also posted in my blog, Let the SON Shine!  on December 3rd, 2008 

Christmas Memory

by Kay Heitsch

"Today is next years Christmas Memory. Make it one you will always cherish, and be sure to enjoy every single moment."

This quote is a great reminder to be aware this Christmas season that we can make memories that we will cherish for a lifetime.

I don't know about you, but I'm guilty of hurrying just to get things done. This time of the year I don't often take the time to cherish and enjoy every moment.

Today's Bible verse is a good reminder to enjoy each day, "This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 NASB

We've all made some Christmas memories in the past. Today is a good day to start to make next years Christmas Memory.

Christmas Prayer (true story)

by Kay Heitsch

As we slowly drove down the street on that cold December evening we spotted the porch light. "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 up our song books, 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.

There in a rocking chair sat an elderly woman with a big smile on her face. "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 good-bye she said to me with 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 awesome experience to have the opportunity to be the answer to someone's Christmas prayer.

Bible Text: When you pray, go to your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you. Matthew 6:6

Special Memories

by Kay Heitsch

I have a lot of special memories. I've written about a few of them over the years.

One of the best memories I have is the time I gave a special snowsuit away. Yesterday, a friend told me it was one of her favorite stories. ( "The Snowsuit"  is posted in my blog "Let the SON Shine!"  Jan 11, 2009)

Today's quote is so true! "Sometimes you never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory."

How many times have we gone through something and it didn't seem all that special at the time. It was only later on when we saw the value of the moment.

This Christmas season be on the lookout for those moments that later on just might become, 'Special Memories.'

Let the SON Shine!

by Kay Heitsch

It's very difficult to move forward when you have a child die. It's easy to let the shadows of yesterday spoil the sunshine of today.

When I read this quote, "Don't let the shadows of yesterday spoil the sunshine of today! I thought of Todd.

Our son Todd died on a Saturday. I didn't want to live in the shadows of yesterday. I wanted the Son to shine through the shadows of that day.

Many years ago I started to send out emails on Saturday in loving memory of Todd. I called it, "Let the SON Shine!" It was a play on words, but I wanted the SON's (Jesus') LOVE to shine through the shadows of Todd's death. I also started a blog to record special stories by the same name.

Today is yet another Saturday. It's cloudy here today, but I know no matter the weather the SON still shines.

Spirit of LOVE

by Kay Heitsch

When Christmas rolls around each year not everyone is happy. It can be a time of high anxiety, sadness, and depression. I know because this is what this season of the year was like for me for many years.

It would be easy to allow myself to slip back into that state of mind. However, over the years I've chosen to ask the Lord to fill me with His Spirit of LOVE. I also ask for His strength to do whatever I need to do with a good attitude.  Not everything we do is really necessary. For me, I know I need to keep positive memories in my mind.

Psalm 90:14 TEV is a favorite of mine. "Fill us each morning with your constant LOVE, so that we may sing and be glad all of our lives."

Today's quote, "Let the Spirit of LOVE fill our hearts and homes in this Christmas season. As LOVE fills our hearts help us to show LOVE to those around us."

When we get ourselves off of our minds we can show His LOVE to others and we are happy.

My hope and prayer is that we will ask the Lord to fill us with His Spirit of LOVE. As His LOVE flows in us we can choose to reach out to others and show LOVE to those around us.

Quietness Of Mind

by Kay Heitsch

I don't know about you, but this time of the year I need quietness of mind. That is why I chose today's quote, "Bless us Lord this Christmas with quietness of mind; teach us to be patient and always to be kind." Helen Steiner Rice

All kinds of thoughts run through our minds this time of the year. Thoughts about the past, the present, and the future. Some thoughts are pleasant memories, but some are not.

My prayer this Christmas is that the Lord will bless us with quietness of mind; He'll teach us to be patient and always to be kind.