You'll Be Glad you Did

by Kay Heitsch.

Everyone has an opinion on just about everything. People have beliefs about God too. I suppose these beliefs come from what we were taught or what other people have told us.

There came a time in my life when I had to find out what I believed for myself. Oh, I had been fed a lot of doctrines and was told what others thought I should consider. However, I knew I needed to find out what I personally needed to understand for myself.

Now you talk about an eye-opening experience! I could hardly believe what I was learning. But, to my amazement, the things I was understanding were freeing! I found a text that said, If you abide in My word, you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32.

I had an opinion on who God was and what He was like. Not from knowing Him personally, but from the doctrine I was fed. Primarily these doctrines were about following rules and laws. Nothing about this teaching gave me any desire to know God personally.

Interestingly, I started this quest 7 years before Todd died. However, after Todd died, I intensified my search. I now had other questions I needed answers for. But by that time, I knew the LORD was loving and kind. So I wanted to get to know Him more.

The LORD knows everything about us. He knows what we have been taught and what we need to know. So don't be just spoon-fed. Find out for yourself! I can assure you, you'll be glad you did.

God's Lovingkindness Draws Us

by Kay Heitsch

Find joy in every day. Not because life is always good, but because God is. ~ Kindness Draws Us Closer To God Quotes ~

It was God's lovingkindness that drew me into a relationship with Him. At first, I didn't know what I was searching for, but eventually, I found it wasn't what but Who I was looking for. So now I can find joy every day. Not because life is always good, but because God is.

Our Bible verse says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore, I have drawn you with lovingkindness." Jeremiah 31:3

I felt something I couldn't quite put my finger on that was pulling me to search for what I was missing. Now I know it was God's everlasting love and kindness that was drawing me.

Find joy in every day. Not because life is always good, but because God is.

Distance

by Kay Heitsch

Distance never separates us from love. ~ Quotes ~

Love has a way of remaining, no matter how far away the person may be. Even after a person leaves this earth, our love for them and their love for us still lives on. Distance never separates us from love.

Our Bible verse says, "Three things will last forever, faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT

It's comforting to know that faith, hope, and love will last forever. But the greatest of these three is love.

Distance never separates us from love.

Love Never Dies

by Kay Heitsch

God is with us in every season of our lives. Nothing can separate us from God's love. Love never dies. ~ Quotes ~

Today is a memorial service for my friend, Vicki. We have been friends for 57 years. Vicki and I have had many fun times together, and we have also shared some sorrowful times. One being we both had our sons die unexpectedly. When Vicki's son died, I reminded her that love never dies. For me, this has always been a comfort.

Our Bible verses say, For everything, there is a season.

A time for every activity under heaven. A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to cry and a time to laugh. Ecclesiastes 3

There certainly is a season for everything. Vicki and I shared some fun times dancing and laughing. I will remember the laughs we shared and our texting almost every day. But, I'm also going to remind myself that love never dies.

Pain Into Gain

by Kay Heitsch

One of the best things we can do is give God our pain and let Him turn it into a gain. ~ Pain To Gain Quotes ~

I can speak from experience about this because I have seen this work in my life. When our son, Todd, died instantly in a car accident, I was devastated. I didn't know what to do. It took me a while, but after trying to handle Todd's death on my own, I turned my pain over to the LORD and let Him turn it into a gain.

Our Bible verse says, We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

I have learned that when I turn my pain over to God He can work something good out of it. What was meant for my harm, God can use it for good.

One of the best things we can do is give God our pain and let Him turn it into a gain.

Spreading Sunshine

by Kay Heitsch

Kindness is spreading sunshine into people's lives regardless of the weather. ~ Be Kind Quote ~

There is something about seeing kindness in action. It is like spreading sunshine regardless of the weather.

Our Bible verse says, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 ESV

When we think about all of the things that God in Christ has forgiven us for, we should be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving to other people.

Kindness is spreading sunshine into people's lives regardless of the weather.

Focus

by Kay Heitsch

What you focus on grows. Take control of your thoughts. ~ What You Focus On Grows Quotes ~

It's interesting how what we focus on will affect our moods. Of course, the more we focus on something that irritates us, the worse we will feel. But if we focus on things to be thankful for, our moods improve.

Our Bible verse says, Fix your minds on those things that are good and that deserve praise. Think about excellent things. Philippians 4:8

The Bible makes it plain what we need to fix our minds on. There is always something to be thankful for. Let's focus on things that are excellent and deserve our praise.

What you focus on grows. Take control of your thoughts.

Drawing Us Closer

by Kay Heitsch

God is always with us, bringing us through every difficulty and drawing us closer to Him. ~ Quotes ~

We can go under or over when we go through hard times. But when we have faith in God, He will draw us closer, and our relationship will grow as we go over and not under.

Our Bible verse says, "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble." Psalm 46:1 NLT

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help us in our times of trouble. He will help us through our problems and draw us closer to Him in the process.

God is always with us, bringing us through every difficulty and drawing us closer to Him.

There Is Power

by Kay Heitsch

Never underestimate the power of being thankful. ~ Quotes ~

Many Bible verses tell us to be thankful. When I notice this, I know there must be a good reason why. I believe there is power in being thankful. When we complain, it drains us of energy. As a result, we feel down and depressed. But being thankful lifts our spirits!

Our Bible verse says, Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 107:1

We have much to be thankful for. Let's start by being grateful that the LORD is good and His steadfast love endures forever.

Never underestimate the power of being thankful.

Someday We Will

by Kay Heitsch

Sometimes, we don't need to understand everything. We just need to trust the LORD that someday we will. ~ Quotes ~

There are many things we don't understand. No matter how often we think and rethink, we just don't understand.

Our Bible verse says, Jesus answered Peter, "You don't know now what I'm doing. You will understand later." John 13:7 GWT

Peter wasn't understanding, and Jesus let him know that He understood. But Jesus also reassured Peter that he would later on. I believe this speaks to us too. When we don't understand, we can trust Jesus that we will later on.

Sometimes, we don't need to understand everything. We just need to trust the LORD that someday we will.

One-On-One Time

by Kay Heitsch

One of the best gifts we can give ourselves is time alone with God. ~ Spend Time With The Lord Quotes ~

Years ago, I wrote a story about some construction workers wanting to know where I got all my energy. I was honest and told them I spent one-on-one time with God.

Our Bible verse says, But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

There you have it! When we spend one-on-one time with the LORD, our strength is renewed.

One of the best gifts we can give ourselves is time alone with God.

Knowing God Personally

by Kay Heitsch

There's a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. ~ Knowing God Personally Quotes

I knew about God for many years, but I didn't know Him personally. My life took a more positive direction when I moved into a personal relationship with the LORD. I found out there is a big difference between knowing God and knowing about God.

Our Bible verse says, Find out for yourself how good the LORD is. How blessed is the person who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8

We have to find out for ourselves how good the LORD is. We do this by having a personal relationship with Him. Then, when we trust Him, we are blessed in more ways than one.

There's a difference between knowing God and knowing about God.

One Friend

by Kay Heitsch

When you've experienced God for yourself, there's no question He's real. ~ Quotes ~

Like many people, I have moved several times in my 71 years. In the process, I have made friends along the way. However, what I have found is friends come and go. As I've moved from state to state, I've lost touch with several. I have stayed friends with many, but some of these close friends have also died over the years.

One friend has been with me all along the journey. I didn't always know He was there, but He was. Once I enter into a personal relationship with God, I've experienced life in a whole new way. I have no question God is real.

Our Bible verses say A friend is there to help; in any situation. There is a friend who sticks closer than your own family. Proverbs 17 & 18

These Bible verses can mean our earthly friends, but God is this friend in my life. He has been with me in every situation. He has stuck closer than any family member.

When you've experienced God for yourself, there's no question He's real.

Confidence

by Kay Heitsch

A person is blessed when they have complete confidence in the LORD and put all of their trust in Him. ~ Quotes ~

What a tremendous relief to have complete confidence in the LORD. When we know that the LORD is always with us to help us along the way, we are blessed.

Our Bible verses say, Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. Jeremiah 17:7 So we say with confidence: "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid." Hebrews 13:5 BSB

We can say with confidence that the LORD is our helper: we will not be afraid. We are indeed blessed when we put our trust and confidence in Him.

A person is blessed when they have complete confidence in the LORD and put all of their trust in Him.

Stay Brave

by Kay Heitsch

A strong person has faith that they are strong enough for the journey. But a person of strength has faith that it is in the journey that they will become strong. Be Brave Quotes

As we go on our journey in life, we find that we become stronger as we go through difficult situations with the LORD's help.

Our Bible verse says, Keep alert. Be firm in your faith. Stay brave and strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 CEV

As we keep our trust in the LORD, we need to stay alert, stand strong, be firm in our faith, and stay brave as we go along our journey.

A strong person has faith that they are strong enough for the journey. But a person of strength has faith that it is in the journey that they will become strong.

Smile Power

by Kay Heitsch

Making one person smile can change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but their world. Start small. Start now. ~ Smiling Faces Makes Us Happy Quotes ~

I posted a picture of a little girl smiling today on FB. When I saw her smiling face, I couldn't help but smile. There is power in a smile. When we smile at another person, they will usually smile back.

Our Bible verse says, "A happy heart makes a cheerful face." Proverbs 15:13

Come on now! We have so much to be happy about. So let's let it show in our faces. Keep calm and Smile, Smile, Smile!

Years ago, I knew a song with the words, Smile, Smile, Smile, and keep right on smiling. Smile, Smile, Smile, and clouds will pass away. Smile, Smile, smile it's better far than pining. You'll never mind the shadows on a sunny day. Smiling will make us feel better and it may help another person too.

Making one person smile can change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but their world. Start small. Start now.

BELIEVE

by Kay Heitsch

Always BELIEVE that something good is going to happen. Then watch for God to show out in your life.

We bought a plaque that says BELIEVE at Kroger before Christmas. I had no idea what this simple word BELIEVE would mean to me when I hung it up.

December was a difficult month. However, every time I walked up or down the stairs I looked out the window and saw this word BELIEVE it gave me hope, joy, and peace.

Our Bible verse says, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing. Romans 15:13

As I kept believing God filled me with hope, joy, and peace. I knew tough times never last but tough people do with God's help. I believed God would bring good out of every situation.

Always BELIEVE that something good is going to happen. Then watch for God to show out in your life.

Praise God In The Storm

by Kay Heitsch

When the going gets tough, praise God in the storm. ~ Quotes ~

This past December was one of the most challenging months in my life. I won't go into what happened, but the whole month was one difficult situation after another. The month ended with one of my best friends dying unexpectedly.

What is interesting is the way I watched the LORD guide me through every situation. He sent me friends who stood by me all along the way. I found quotes that spoke directly to me. I started to say, "Help me, Jesus." The next thing that came to my mind was singing old hymns. Now, this was a new one!

Our Bible verse says, "Why am I so sad? Why am I so troubled? I will put my hope in God, and once again, I will praise Him." Psalm 45:5

As I put my hope in God, I saw how He was helping me through this difficult time. Then, when I began to sing and praise Him for all, He was doing, I began to see how singing was helping me weather the storm when the going got tough.

When the going gets tough, praise God in the storm.

Choose Joy

by Kay Heitsch

Choosing joy is seeing God's goodness when life is complicated and messy. ~ Choose Joy Quotes ~

Life can be complicated and messy at times. When this happens, we have a choice to make. We can choose to see God's goodness or sink into depression.

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

If you've ever allowed yourself to feel sorry for yourself, you know how it drains your strength. But the Bible says a joyful heart is good medicine.

Choosing joy is seeing God's goodness when life is complicated and messy.

How Fast?

by Kay Heitsch

Let's say we are telling ourselves we are having a bad day. We're in a real funk. We've had more than one cup of coffee with Mr. Pity, then the phone rings.

We answer the phone in our most pitiful voice because we've told ourselves that we can't help how we feel. On the other end of the line is a person with a cheery voice telling us that we have won the Publisher's Cleaning House contest! The caller tells us that a TV crew will be at our house in one hour to present us with a check.

Hum? I wonder how fast our pitiful attitude would change? I can just about put money on the fact that most of us would get up, get dressed, and try to look our best.

Every day is a fantastic gift from God. It's much better than winning the Publisher's Clearing House contest. So let's choose to rejoice in each day the Lord brings.

What's It Going To Be?

by Kay Heitsch

You can be pitiful or powerful, but you can't be both. Choose wisely. ~ Pitiful or Powerful Quotes ~

We all have our own brand of problems. What gives us stress is what's going on inside, not what's going on around us. So we need to choose how we're going to live. We can be pitiful or powerful.

Our Bible verse says, "I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." John 14:27 NLT

Jesus left us peace as a gift. It's up to us to accept that gift and stop allowing ourselves to be troubled and afraid.

What's it going to be? You can be pitiful or powerful, but you can't be both. Choose wisely.

Cast Your Care

by Kay Heitsch

Drop it! Leave it! Let it go! ~ Quotes ~

There are times when we begin to stress about something we can't do anything about. When this happens, we can think, "Drop it! Leave it! Let it go!" There's no good reason to worry about something we can't do anything about.

Our Bible verse says, "Give all your worries and care to God, for He cares about you." 1 Peter 5:7

This Bible verse tells us what we can do. First, cast our worries and care on God. Why? Because He cares for us.

Drop it! Leave it! Let it go!