I Wondered Why

by Kay Heitsch

After doing some shoveling today, I decided to take a little walk around our neighborhood. As I was walking past a neighbor's home, I noticed the ramp outside their front door. I wondered why.

I kept walking when I saw a woman and a little girl walking towards me. As we walked closer, we recognized each other. It was my neighbor, Jen, who had the ramp in front of her home.

I was so happy to see her. We hadn't seen each other in a long time. Many years before, we had actually worked together in the same facility. I asked Jen why they had the ramp going into her home.

Much to my surprise, Jen told me her husband had had a stroke. I was shocked as they both were young enough to be my children.

We started to chat. I mentioned how Todd would be around her husband's age. She didn't know anything about Todd. This gave me a perfect opportunity to share how God had brought many positive things out of Todd's death.

We gave each other an air hug, and we were on our way. I was almost home when Jen drove by. She stopped and thanked me for the chat. I told her I would bring her over the book, Have A Great Day-Every Day! by Norman V. Peale with my story in it.

I wondered why the ramp. Now I know why I decided to take a little walk. God gave me another opportunity to share His love.

God's Strength in Our Weakness

by Kay Heitsch

When we spend time with God, He renews our strength and enables us to handle life. ~ Find Peace in God's Love Quotes ~

We may feel weak, but every weakness we have is an opportunity for God to show His strength in our lives.

Our Bible verse says, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT

So what if we feel weak! God's power works best in our weakness. It doesn't matter if we feel weak. When we do, this is an opportunity for God to show His strength in our lives.

When we spend time with God, He renews our strength and enables us to handle life.

It Does

by Kay Heitsch

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does! ~ Show Love and Kindness Quotes ~

We may think some little thing we do doesn't make a difference. Let me tell you, it does!

Shortly after Todd died, a woman who I didn't know brought over a dish of food. I looked at the bottom of the dish to see if she had put her name on it; she hadn't! I had to wait until she came back to retrieve her dish to find out who she was. I found out, her son and Todd ran on the cross-country team.

Sandy's small act of kindness had a big impact on my life. I'm sure she didn't think bringing over some food was a big deal, but it was for me. Her act of kindness was a way of showing God's love to me when I needed it most.

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does!

When You Know

by Kay Heitsch

The great thing to remember is that though our feelings come and go, God's love for us does not. ~ C.S. Lewis ~

There is no better feeling than knowing God loves you, that He is always there for you, and that He will always take care of you.

We carry around a lot of worries and cares that we don't need to do. Our Bible verse says, "Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you." 1 Peter 5:7 NLT

When you know how much God loves you, and He wants you to give all of your worries and cares to Him, there is no better feeling.

The great thing to remember is that though our feelings come and go, God's love for us does not.

Help Us to Remember and Forget

by Kay Heitsch

May you never forget what is worth remembering, nor ever remember what is best forgotten. ~ Help Me to Remember Quotes

Many things are worth remembering. If we took the time to think back on all of our blessings, I believe we would be forever thankful. In our lives, some things are best forgotten also.

Today's Bible verse says, "Remember that the LORD your God led you on the entire journey..." Deuteronomy 8:2

I pray we will always remember how the LORD has led us on our journey. Let's remember what is worth remembering and stop remembering what is best forgotten.

May you never forget what is worth remembering, nor ever remember what is best forgotten.

And Be Sure of This

by Kay Heitsch

We are never alone. God will always be with us. ~ God is Always with Us Quotes ~

Isn't it wonderful to know that we are never alone? People may come and go in our lives, but God is always with us.

Our Bible verse says, "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

If there is ever anything, we can be sure of it is this......God is with us always!

And be sure of this...You are never alone. God will always be with you!

Who Knows You Best

by Kay Heitsch

You are loved by the One who knows you best! ~ God's Love Quotes

We all want someone in our life who understands us. How many times do you hear people say, "If you only knew what I've been through." Well, God knows! He not only knows; He knows you best!

Our Bible verses say, "O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me." Psalm 139:1 "... I have loved you with an everlasting love;..." Jeremiah 31:3

How wonderful to know that we have someone who understands, knows, and loves us best.

You are loved by the One who knows you best!

Build People Up

by Kay Heitsch

Be an encourager. The world has enough critics already. ~ Build People Up Quotes ~

I don't think anyone will disagree with this quote. If there was ever a time in this country where we need to be an encourager, it's now.

Our Bible verse says. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Some people are natural encouragers. I don't see myself that way, but I know I can ask the Lord to help me in this area. I believe this world would be a much better place if we put this verse into practice.

Be an encourager. The world has enough critics already.

When God's Plan Doesn't Make Sense

by Kay Heitsch

God's heavenly plan doesn't always make earthly sense. ~ God's Plan Quotes ~

Anyone who has ever read any of my stories knows that I have done some things that didn't make any earthly sense. However, when I took the step of faith and did what didn't make sense, my prayers were answered.

My story Does God Still Speak To People? about going to the corn stand and the story Miracles Happen Everyday! about burying the dead bird are two examples of doing something that didn't make earthly sense. But the end result with both was amazing!

Our Bible verse says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

God has a wonderful plan for each of us. Sometimes the things He shows us don't make earthly sense. Always remember, that His plans are for our good and they give us a future and hope.

God's heavenly plan doesn't always make earthly sense.

kheitsch.blogspot.com Does God Still Speak To People? - Let the SON Shine!

Miracles Happen Everyday! - https://www.sunnyskyz.com/

The Choices You Make

by Kay Heitsch

You are free to make whatever choice you want, but you are not free from the consequences of the choice. ~ The Choices We Make Quotes

We make choices all the time. Some of our choices are good, and some are not so good. No matter what we choose, we pay the consequences of our choices.

Our Bible verse says, “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life so that you and your descendants might live!" Deuteronomy 30:19 NLT

Every day, we make choices that affect our lives. Some of these choices will even make a difference in our children and grandchildren's lives.

You are free to make whatever choice you want, but you are not free from the consequences of the choice.

Love in Action

Kay Heitsch

Today I posted a picture on FB of love in action. Now I'll admit, this photo of Todd and Dave in the hospital after surgery is something most people will never do. But it's an example of love in action.

One year ago, Todd, the husband of my beautiful friend Evy gave 2/3 of his liver to Dave. To me, giving part of your liver or giving any part of your body to another person is an extreme example of love in action.

We don't need to go to this extreme to show love in action. Every day, we have many opportunities to show love by the way we treat people. Showing kindness in any way is love in action.

Our Bible verse says, "By this everyone will know that you are My disciples if you love one another.” John 13:35

We show who and whose we are by showing love to one another.

Thoughts and Words

by Kay Heitsch

What happens is not as important as how you react to what happens. ~ Thoughts and Words Quotes ~

We all go through things every day. Somethings we like while other things we don't. How we react will affect the quality of our lives.

Our Bible verse says, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14 NLT

No matter what life brings, if our words and thoughts are pleasing to the Lord, I believe we will have a wonderful life.

What happens is not as important as how you react to what happens.

A Tranquil and Quiet Life

by Kay Heitsch

Set peace of mind as a goal and organize your life around it. Tranquil and Quiet Life Quotes

What would you need to do to organize your life to have peace of mind? I'm sure there are many things we can think of that would help us to live a more peaceful life.

Our Bible verse says, "First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity." 1 Timothy 2:1&2 CSV

What if we organized our life around spending time every day praying for everyone? This would include our president and all of those in authority. Interestingly, this verse says we pray like this so we may live a quiet life with all godliness and dignity.

Set peace of mind as a goal and organize your life around it.

Inner Strength

by Kay Heitsch

Faith gives you an inner strength and a sense of balance and perspective in life. ~ Stay Strong in Faith Quotes ~

If there is anything we need, it's inner strength. If we are strong on the inside, we can stand up to anything. When we experience problems, our strong faith in the Lord will balance these situations out.

Our Bible verse says, "A joyful heart is a good medicine, but depression drains one's strength." Proverbs 17:22 GWT

To stay strong on the inside, keeping a joyful heart will go a long way. A joyful heart is good for our health. If we give into depression, it will drain our strength.

Faith gives you an inner strength and a sense of balance and perspective in life.

Confidence

by Kay Heitsch

We will be blessed when we put our trust in the Lord. He will give us His confidence. ~ Quotes ~

I have found this to be true. I have been in situations where I didn't feel all that confident on my own. However, when I took my eyes off of myself and put my trust in the Lord, everything changed.

Our Bible verse says, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Philippines 4:13

This verse will give us the strength and confidence to step out and do things we didn't think we could do.

We will be blessed when we put our hope in the Lord. He will give us His confidence.

Only Love Can

by Kay Heitsch

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. ~

When we live as children of God, we are blessed when we strive to be peacemakers. We understand these words by Dr. King. We also know the power of love.

Our Bible verses say, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" Matthew 5:9 ~ "So let's strive for things that bring peace and the things that build each other up." Romans 14:19

When we know we are children of God, we will be blessed when we strive for things that bring peace. Let's look for ways to also build each other up.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can.

Let the SON Shine!

by Kay Heitsch

Every day is a new opportunity to let God's love shine. Let the SON Shine!

Our son Todd died in a car accident on a Saturday. To replace a negative with a positive, I began sending out encouraging emails on Saturday called Let the SON Shine!

With Bill's encouragement, we became Boosters for children who needed a positive influence in their lives. I would pick up our first booster child on Saturday at the time I believed Todd had died.

When I started on FB, I began playing a game called Farm Town. I named my farm, Let the SON Shine! I met some wonderful people playing this game.

Our son Brandon helped me to start a blog where I could write, store, and share the amazing experiences God has given me. I called this blog, Let the SON Shine!

Our Bible verse says, "But those who proclaim God's message speak to people and give them help, encouragement, and comfort." 1 Corinthians 14:3

I want to give help, encouragement, and comfort to people every day. I believe when I do, I am allowing God's love to shine through me. I can see God is replacing a negative with a positive.

Each day is a new opportunity to let God's love shine.

Simple Faith

by Kay Heitsch

God has a reason for allowing things to happen. We may never understand His wisdom, but we simply have to trust His will. ~ Keep Faith in God's Plan Quotes ~

We won't live a simple faith life if we think we have to figure everything out. We may never understand why things happen. We pray for a specific thing. Now it doesn't turn out the way we thought it would. That's okay. We can either get upset, or we can live by simple faith. We can believe God has a better plan.

Our Bible verse says, "For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9 NLT

The Lord's ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We may never understand His wisdom. But we can know He has a better plan than ours. We need to trust His will.

God has a reason for allowing things to happen. We may never understand His wisdom, but we simply have to trust His will.

What's Dimming Your Light?

by Kay Heitsch

If we are supposed to be a light in a dark world, we need to find out what things may be dimming our light.

I don't know about you, but I cannot have a steady diet of negative news. I'm not saying not to be informed about what's happening in the world. I'm saying, if reading and listening to this news is dimming your light and stealing your peace, maybe it's time to eat something else.

I want to be the person God created me to be. I also want to do the work God created me to do. I'm hoping this is what all of us want.

To be the person God wants us to be, and to do the work He has for us to do, we need to shine. How can we shine if we're allowing things in our lives that dim this light?

I don't know about you, but I'm going to give this some serious thought. I want to shine!

Shine on

by Kay Heitsch

Let nothing dim the light that shines from within. ~ Shine on Quotes

If there was ever a time that the Lord's people need to shine, it's now. We are living in some dark times. But stars shine brightest when it's dark.

Our Bible verse says, "You yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you have become the Lord's people, you are in the light. So, you must live like people who belong to the light." Ephesians 5:8

Whatever is causing the light to dim, let it go! Let's live as the Lord's people who belong to the light. Let God's love shine through you.

Let nothing dim the light that shines from within.

The Best Plan for You

by Kay Heitsch

How many times do we look at someone else's life and think we need to do what they are doing? Somehow, we figure if we did what they were doing, we would have the same result.

Years ago, I visited a nursing home once a week. I would pass out candy and hugs. My friend, Betty, knew I was going to this nursing home, and she said, "I think maybe I should do what you are doing. But I don't like going to nursing homes. I feel uncomfortable."

For some reason, Betty thought since I enjoyed going to this nursing home, she should do it too.

We don't all enjoy doing the same things. What one person does and seems to have a gift for is not something we may enjoy. That's fine. We are not called to do what someone else is doing.

I love this Bible verse, The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." Psalms 32:8.

The Lord will guide us along the best pathway for our life. He will advise us and watch over us. God has a personal plan for our lives. We don't all have to do what someone else is doing to have a great life. God will guide, advise, and watch over each of us.

God's Guidance

by Kay Heitsch

We need God's guidance in everything we do. One of the hardest things in life is knowing which bridge to cross and which to burn. ~ Guidance Quotes ~

We all have had to make difficult decisions in our lives. Making these decisions is easier when we ask God to guide us.

Our Bible verse says, The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalms 32:8.

I find this verse interesting as it says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life." It doesn't say to look what so and so is doing and do that. The Lord will guide each of us along a pathway that will be best for us personally. I love that!

We need God's guidance in everything we do. One of the hardest things in life is knowing which bridge to cross and which to burn.

Words

by Kay Heitsch

Good words are worth much and cost little. ~ Uplifting Quotes ~

I don't think we realize how important our words are. We can lift others or ourselves up with words, or we can tear others and ourselves down.

Our Bible verse says, "Kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24 NLT

I don't know if people realize how vital kind words are. They cheer us up, and they bring health to our bodies.

Good words are worth much and cost little.

When Fear Knocks

by Kay Heitsch

When fear knocks on your door, send faith to answer. ~ Put Your Hope in the Lord Quotes ~

When fear comes knocking, let's answer it with faith. We do not need to live behind closed doors because fear is knocking. We can answer it with faith.

Our Bible verse says, "Even when I walk through a valley of deep darkness, I will not be afraid because You are with me." Psalm 23:4

Even when we walk through dark times and fear knocks on the door, we don't need to be afraid. We can answer with faith.

When fear knocks on your door, send faith to answer.

Change Your World

by Kay Heitsch

Change your thoughts, and you'll change your world. ~ Be Careful How You Think Quotes ~

Let's face it, we can't change the world, and many times we can't change our circumstances. However, we can change our world by changing our thoughts.

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

Whether you believe it or not, you can control how you think. When some upsetting thought comes to your mind, you can immediately think of something else.

God has a great plan for each of our lives. In order to work His plan, we need to keep our minds renewed with thoughts that will move us forward.

Remember, the happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts. Change your thoughts and you'll change your world.

Grab Your Popcorn

by Kay Heitsch

It's time to sit back and watch the show! I couldn't get this thought out of my head today!

We are living in some interesting times. Every day when we wake up, we are not sure what the day will hold. I believe many of us are not one bit surprised at anything anymore.

We have a choice of how we're going to live. We can choose to live upset and stressed by all the chaos. Or we can choose to live each day by keeping our focus on the Lord and looking for the good.

Let's keep praying. Let's put everything, including ourselves, in the Lord's hands. Then let's grab some popcorn, sit back, and watch the show.

Why This Verse?

by Kay Heitsch

Today, I chose a verse from the Bible that may seem odd to some people because of the difficult time we are living in. I chose this verse because it helped me to understand I could choose to be happy, even in the most difficult times in our lives.

You see, at the time, our 16-year-old son had recently been killed in a car accident. I knew I wanted to move forward, but I wasn't going to if I didn't change my thinking.

Here is the Bible verse I typed out and put on the refrigerator.

"This is the day which the LORD has made; let's rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 NASB

Did I feel like rejoicing? No, I did not! But to be strong and keep healthy mentally, physically, and spiritually I needed to choose to rejoice in each day.

Yes, we are going through some difficult times. Let's stay strong by choosing to rejoice and be glad in each day the Lord has made