Weekend To-Do List

by Kay Heitsch

Weekend To-Do List: Count your blessing. Practice kindness. Let go of what you can't control.

At this time of the year, we all have a big To-Do list. I think we forget about the really important things like counting our blessing and practicing kindness. To keep our peace we need to let go of things we can't control.

Our Bible verse says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

To keep our peace we can let go of what we can't control. When we do that plus, adding counting our blessing and practicing kindness we are keeping our hearts from being troubled.

Weekend To-Do List: Count your blessing. Practice kindness. Let go of what you can't control.

Thank You

by Kay Heitsch

If the only prayer you ever said in your entire life was "Thank You" it would be enough. Thanksgiving Quotes

We have so much to be thankful for. If we thought about everything to thank God for it would be an endless prayer.

Our Bible verse says, "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever." Psalm 107:1 NLT

We can thank the LORD because He is good! His faithful love does endure forever.

If the only prayer you ever said in your entire life was "Thank You" it would be enough.

Think Thankful Thoughts

by Kay Heitsch

Thinking thankful thoughts will help you to have a great day every day. 

It wouldn't take us any time to think of at least 5 things we are thankful for. When we focus on what we are thankful for it will help us to have a great day.

Our Bible verse says, "Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts." Proverbs 4:23 GNT

If we are careful about how we think we will choose to think thankful thoughts.

Thinking thankful thoughts will help you to have a great day every day.

Focus On Gratitude

by Kay Heitsch

When we focus on gratitude the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in. ~ Focus On Being Grateful ~

It's interesting to see how we feel when we focus on different things. If we focus on being grateful for what we do have instead of complaining about what we don't have we will feel a lot better.

Our Bible verse says, "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.' Psalm 100:4 NIV

Even when we pray the first thing we are to focus on is to be thankful. When we do it opens us up for love to come rushing in.

When we focus on gratitude the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in.

Be Grateful For Little Things

by Kay Heitsch

Happy are those who take life day by day and are grateful for little things. ~ Be Thankful For Little Things 

Many years ago when I worked at a Memory Care Center a man came in with a feeding tube. Ken had lived with this feeding tube for some time but eventually, it was removed.

I will never forget the day Ken was able to sit at the dining room table and eat some pureed food. He had a big smile on his face and dug right in. After he had eaten it all he bowed his head and started to pray out loud. "Our Father who art in heaven thank you for this delicious food I have already eaten. Amen"

Tears filled my eyes when I heard Ken's prayer. I knew I may not have been too grateful for some pureed food, but Ken was making a big deal out of what we may consider a little thing.

Happy are those who take life day by day and are grateful for little things.

No Parking

by Kay Heitsch

It doesn't matter how slow you move forward as long as you don't park. ~ Keep Moving Forward Quotes 

Sometimes what keeps us from moving forward is that we park at the point of our pain. We mourn over something that didn't work out. We can upgrade our life with God's help. God can help us use our pain and bring something good out of it.

Our Bible verse says, ...But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. Philippians 3:13 NIV

We can't park at the point of our pain and move forward at the same time. We need to forget what is behind and move forward to what is ahead.

It doesn't matter how slow you move forward as long as you don't park.

Never Quit

by Kay Heitsch

The one who falls and gets back up is stronger than the one who never fell. ~ Strength Quotes 

It's encouraging to know that even if we fall we can be stronger when we get back up. What happened in the past is in the past. Today is a new day to get back on track.

Our Bible verses say, "Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the LORD supports him with His hand." Psalm 37:24 "Even if good people fall seven times, they will get back up." Proverbs 24:16

We all are going to fall at times. The important thing is to get back up! The Lord will support you and give you the strength to go forward.

The one who falls and gets back up is stronger than the one who never fell. Never quit!

Cast Your Care

by Kay Heitsch

"It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it." ~ Lou Holtz ~

A lot of people go through very similar things but they respond differently. One reason why is the way they carry it. The person who doesn't break down is able to cast their care but not their responsibility. They do what needs to be done, but they give their situations to the Lord.

Our Bible verse says, "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 NKJV

When we understand that God loves and cares for us we can cast all of our stressful situations on Him. When we do this our worries and cares won't break us down.

It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.

How Sweet It Is

by Kay Heitsch

Victory is sweetest when we have known defeat. Life Quotes

How sweet it is to go through something, learn from it, and come out better for it. What we learn from going through difficult times can either make us bitter or better. Coming out better is sweet!

Our Bible verse says, "No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us!" Romans 8:37

In all things including defeat, we have complete victory through the Lord who loves us. How sweet it is.

Victory is sweetest when we have known defeat.

Look For The Positive

by Kay Heitsch

Look for the positive in the negative. Even a negative situation can work out for our good. ~ Life Quotes ~

We all have gone through situations in life that were anything but positive. We may not like them but even these situations God can work out for our good.

Our Bible verse is one I think about when I don't like what is going on. "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28 NLT

When I remember that God can work something positive out of something negative it gives me hope.

Look for the positive in the negative. Even a negative situation can work out for our good.

Silent Tears

by Kay Heitsch

Sometimes the heart needs more time to accept what the mind already knows. Time Goes On Quotes

We may know something in our minds but deep down inside our hearts still can't quite accept it.

We don't need a calendar to remind us of certain days in our lives. Out of nowhere, silent tears come to our eyes and run down our cheeks.

Our Bible verse tells us, "A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest." Ecclesiastes 3:2

Yes, there is a time to be born and a time to die. We may know this in our mind but at times our hearts need more time to accept it.

Sometimes the heart needs more time to accept what the mind already knows.

Inch You Closer

by Kay Heitsch

Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow. ~ Positive Quotes ~

I like the saying, "Inch by inch anything is a cinch." We don't have to do a lot to make a difference in our life or in the life of someone else. We can all do a little.

Our Bible verse says, "The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage..." Proverbs 21:5 NASB

When we are diligent we'll make plans that will be to our advantage.

Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow.

Give God Your Mess

by Kay Heitsch

Quit worrying about how everything is going to turn out. Live one day at a time. Give God Your Mess Quotes

For some reason, I think a lot of us worry about how something is going to turn out. We know it really doesn't do any good to worry about it, but we do it anyway.

I know personally that when we turn our mess over to God He can make a miracle message out of it.

Our Bible verse is one of my go-to verses when I start to worry. "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28 NLT

God can take our mess and make a miracle out of it when we turn it over to Him. So let's relax, quit worrying and put our trust in Him.

Quit worrying about how everything is going to turn out. Live one day at a time.

Hardening Of The Attitudes

by Kay Heitsch

The world's most deadly disease is hardening of the attitudes. Zig Ziglar Quote

I like this play on words by Zig. He is so right. If our attitudes are hard or bad and we are not willing to change it can be deadly to our way of thinking and living.

Our Bible verse says, "You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had." Philippians 2:5 NET

If we gave it some thought about the attitude that Jesus had we know it wasn't a bad, hard attitude. His attitude was positive and loving.

The world's most deadly disease is hardening of the attitudes.

You Decide

by Kay Heitsch

One day or day one. You decide. ~ Inspirational Quotes ~

We all make decisions every day. How many times have we said, "One day I hope to enjoy my life." or maybe we need to say, "Today is day one that I start to enjoy my life."

Let's face it we all have problems. Some are worse than others. However, we can find something in each day to be thankful for.

Our Bible verse says, "This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 NLT

What are we waiting for? Today is the day to enjoy life. If we think we can only enjoy our lives if everything is perfect we never will. Decide that today is...day one!

One day or day one. You decide.

Enjoy Whatever You Do

by Kay Heitsch

If you do what you love you'll never work a day in your life. ~ Enjoy Whatever You Do Quotes ~

I have found this to be true. If you get a mindset that you are going to enjoy whatever you do somehow whatever you're doing doesn't even seem like work at all.

I enjoy being outside and I like to shovel. Is it hard work? Yes, it most certainly is! However, I enjoy doing it so it doesn't seem like work to me. I think about the benefits I receive from doing the work and that also helps me enjoy it more.

Our Bible verse says, "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." Colossians 3:23 NLT

I believe if we work willingly at whatever we do we will enjoy life more.

If you do what you love you'll never work a day in your life.

Complaining Is Draining

by Kay Heitsch

Complaining is draining. Happiness comes when you start being grateful for the problems you don't have. ~ Life Quotes ~

We all know that complaining is draining, but I dare say, we all do it. How much happier we would be if we started to focus more on being grateful.

Our Bible verses say, "Do everything without complaining and arguing," Philippians 2:14 "Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

What a different life we would have if we did everything without complaining and gave thanks in every circumstance.

Complaining is draining. Happiness comes when you start being grateful for the problems you don't have.

Opportunities In Disguise

by Kay Heitsch

If you believe things will work out for your good you'll see obstacles as opportunities in disguise.

A new way to look at tough times and some people in our lives is to see them as sandpaper. We can use these people and situations to rub the rough edges off of us. When we do we will be able to see that obstacles are just opportunities in disguise.

Our Bible verse says, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28

When we believe that God causes everything to work together for our good we will see obstacles as opportunities in disguise.

If you believe things will work out for your good you'll see obstacles as opportunities in disguise.

Flight Lessons

by Kay Heitsch

Eagles don't take flight lessons from chickens. Motivational Quotes

We need to be careful who we listen to. Not everyone wants us to fly high. There may be many reasons why other people don't want us to succeed. One reason could be that they don't want us to fly higher than them.

Our Bible verse says, "Listening to wise people increases your knowledge, but only nonsense comes from the mouths of fools." Proverbs 15:2 ERV

If we want to fly high like an eagle we will listen to the wise.

Eagles don't take flight lessons from chickens.

Unnecessary Stress

by Kay Heitsch

Our best decisions are often what we choose not to get involved in. ~ Avoid Unnecessary Stress Quotes 

If we want to avoid unnecessary stress we need to choose to mind our own business. We don't need to get involved in a lot of things that are really none of our concern.

Our Bible verse is good advice. "Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before." 1 Thessalonians 4:11 NLT

Now wouldn't it be cool to make it a goal to live a quiet life and mind our own business? This would certainly avoid a lot of unnecessary stress.

Our best decisions are often what we choose not to get involved in.

Flat Tire

by Kay Heitsch

A bad attitude is like a flat tire. You can't go anywhere until you change it. ~ Attitude Quotes ~

It's interesting to watch how people handle life's situations. Some people can keep a good attitude while others complain about every little thing. Those who complain wonder why life stinks for them and they aren't going anywhere. Their bad attitude is like a flat tire. It needs to be changed.

This Bible verse can help us to keep a good attitude. "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8 NLT

If we fix our thoughts on good things we will see life with a good attitude.

A bad attitude is like a flat tire. You can't go anywhere until you change it.

Strength To Endure

by Kay Heitsch

Don't pray for an easy life. Pray for the strength that God supplies to endure everything with patience while keeping a good attitude.

I do not know anyone who has had an easy life. However, I have known plenty of people who couldn't handle life while others endured life's difficulties with patience and kept a good attitude.

Most of us can think back at times in our lives where we don't know how we ever got through them. Personally, I felt a strength I didn't know I had. I have no doubt it was because of the people praying for me.

Today's Bible verse is, "We ask Him to strengthen you by His glorious might with all the power you need to patiently endure everything with joy." Colossians 1:11 GWT

There's nowhere that Paul prayed that we would have an easy life. However he did pray that we would be given the strength to endure everything with joy, I believe that means to keep a good attitude while going through a difficult time.

Don't pray for an easy life. Pray for the strength that God supplies to endure everything with patience while keeping a good attitude.

If You Know

by Kay Heitsch

You won't be afraid of storms if you know how to sail your ship. ~ Life Quotes ~

Years ago I read the following Bible verse and it's stuck with me. "They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them." Psalm 112:7

This is so true. When we have gone through the storms in life and we've seen how the LORD has cared for us we won't live in fear of receiving bad news. We know how to sail our ship! We confidently trust the LORD to take care of us. 

You won't be afraid of storms if you know how to sail your ship.

Before Life Teaches You

by Kay Heitsch

Love what you have before life teaches you to love what you lost. ~ Life Quotes ~

We take so many things for granted. Let's say our health for instance. Most days when we feel good we don't think anything about it. However, when we get sick that's another story. We'll do whatever it takes to get well.

Our Bible verse says, “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? Luke 15:8 NLT

I don't suppose this woman in the Bible verse thought too much about the coins until one was missing. Life is like that. It will teach us lessons we didn't know we needed.

Love what you have before life teaches you to love what you lost.

Give And Take

by Kay Heitsch

Life is full of give and take. Give thanks and take nothing for granted. ~ Life Quotes ~

How many things do we take for granted? If we gave thanks more I bet we wouldn't take so many things for granted.

Our Bible verse says, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28

When we understand that God causes everything to work together for good we will give thanks and take nothing for granted.

Life is full of give and take. Give thanks and take nothing for granted.

Day By Day

by Kay Heitsch

Happy are those who take life day by day and are thankful for the little things in life. Enjoying Life Quotes

If we want to enjoy life it seems best to take life day by day. When we focus on the little things that we are thankful for this adds to our happiness.

Our Bible verse says, "Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me." Psalm 103:2 NLT

If we will live our life day by day and remember all the good things the LORD has done for us we will be happy.

Happy are those who take life day by day and are thankful for the little things in life.

Love Yourself

by Kay Heitsch

You can't give away something you don't have. ~ Quotes ~

If we want to have good relationships with people we need to start by having a good relationship with ourselves. Too many people don't even like themselves and it shows in the way they treat others. We can't give love to others when they don't even like ourselves.

Our Bible verse says, "The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:31

To be able to give love and acceptance to someone else we first need to love and accept ourselves. No one is perfect, so don't be so hard on yourself. We may not like everything we do but we can still love the person God created us to be.

You can't give away something you don't have.