Don't Let

By Kay Heitsch

Don't let your heart be troubled. ~ Peace Quotes ~

This is easier said than done. I found that out yesterday. However, today is a new day! I press on.

When we allow ourselves to be upset and troubled, we lose our peace and power.

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 NIV

We have peace. It's a gift that Jesus gave us. Now it's up to us to not allow ourselves to be troubled or afraid.

Don't let your heart be troubled.

154 ~ Bullying

By Kay Heitsch

One day, our son, Todd, came home from high school and shared with me about a boy being bullied at school. This kid was not a friend, but that didn't seem to matter to Todd. He didn't like it that this kid was being bullied.

As we stood in the kitchen, Todd told me that he had confronted the guys who were bullying this boy. Then he went on to say he was planning to meet them after school, off school grounds. Wow! I wasn't expecting to hear that!

To make a long story short, Todd went to the designated location to meet these bullies. He asked a few friends to come along. I'm not sure if these boys would confront the guys or if they were showing moral support. Anyway, it didn't matter! Wouldn't you know the bullies never showed up!

Todd died in a car accident not too long after the incident. He made a statement by his actions that day. It didn't matter if the person being bullied was a friend or not. Todd confronted the situation!

When we had Todd's calling hours, hundreds showed up. I'm not sure, but I bet the bullies were there too. I can tell you that when Todd passed away, he was not only loved but also respected.

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

Seasons Change

By Kay Heitsch

Don't Give Up In A Hard Season. ~ Seasons Change Quotes ~

Just as our seasons change, so do the seasons of our lives. We experience good times, and then there are times when everything seems stagnant. But we shouldn't give up, because seasons change.

Our Bible verse says. For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

There is a season for everything. A time for every activity under heaven. Never give up because seasons and time change.

Don't Give Up In A Hard Time!

153 ~ The Gun Shot

By Kay Heitsch

Grandma and Grandpa Z lived in a small home in a quiet neighborhood. When Grandpa Z was alive, he had a big garden behind their home and also one across the street.

Grandpa loved flowers, so there were flower beds around the house. They also had pear trees in the backyard. I can tell you these were the best pears I have ever eaten.

As Grandma Z aged and Grandpa had died, only the pear trees were left. But Grandma continued living in this home.

One day, while Grandma Z was in bed, she heard a loud noise above her head. She had no idea what it was.

Since she was on her walker and now partially blind, she called her neighbor, a retired sheriff, to come over and see what was going on.

Lo and behold, there was a bullet hole in her bedroom wall above the bed, and it went straight through to her bathroom wall above the toilet. If Grandma had been sitting up in bed or sitting on the toilet, she would have been shot!

This was pretty scary! To my knowledge, I don't know if they ever found out who shot the gun. They figured someone must have been target practicing. Pretty obvious, they weren't a good shot!

However, even after this scary experience, Grandma Z continued living in that house for several years until she went to the nursing home.

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

Faith Makes Things Possible

By Kay Heitsch

Where there is hope, there is faith. Where there is faith, miracles happen. ~ Keep The Faith Quotes ~

We all have been given the gift of faith. But we need to put it into practice. We need to keep the faith. The most amazing things in life seem to happen right at the moment you're about to give up.

For nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37

Keeping the faith when things get hard isn't easy. But when we know nothing is impossible with God, we know miracles can happen.

Where there is hope, there is faith. Where there is faith, miracles happen.

152 ~ That Word

By Kay Heitsch

Right after I gave birth to Shannon, I joined a fitness club. After we moved, I never joined another fitness club until after Todd died.

We were up checking on Todd's grave and stopped over to visit Grandma Z. in the nursing home. As always, Grandma always said something you couldn't ignore.

This visit, Grandma Z. asked me to come close to her so she could feel my legs. It seemed weird, but I scooted over close. After giving my legs a couple of squeezes, she sat back in her wheelchair and, in her matter-of-fact way, said, "Kay, you're getting flabby!"

If that wasn't bad enough, now she wanted to know how much I weighed. I started joking with her, and then she said, "I weigh 111 —where do you come in around that number?" I weighed 103 at the time, but I wouldn't tell her.

When we got home, I needed to go to the dentist and had a crown. On my way home, I saw a sign in a town close to ours. It said, Valley Tan and Fitness. Even though I was still numb from the dental work, I stopped in and joined. I loved going there and met some fantastic people who are still friends today.

The following summer, we were back at the nursing home visiting Grandma Z. After giving her a hug, I announced, "Hey Grandma, I joined a fitness club! Don't you want to feel my legs?"

With a tone only Grandma would use, she gasped, "Heaven's no, why would I?" I laughed and continued, "Well, last time we were here, you wanted to feel my legs, and you actually said, 'Kay, you're getting flabby!" after feeling them.

I'll never forget Grandma's response. In a tone of disbelief, she scoffed, "Flabby, flabby?? That word is not even in my vocabulary!"

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

Faith Is The Currency

By Kay Heitsch

When God makes a promise, faith is the currency that buys it. ~ God's Promises Quotes

Faith in God is not a feeling. It's a conscious decision and choice to trust God. Even when the road ahead seems uncertain.

God is able to do whatever He promises. Romans 4:21 And without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6

God is able, and we can have what He promises by trusting Him and exercising our faith.

When God makes a promise, faith is the currency that buys it.

151 ~ Give Your Feelings A Kick In The Can

By Kay Heitsch

A few years ago, I had to give my feelings a kick in the can! I'll explain.

I had received an upsetting phone call. I'll admit I was really ticked off to hear what someone said to someone I love. Bill was driving at the time and had sent me a text while I was on the phone. So before I thought, I told him what had been said, and now Bill was angry too.

Before I knew it, I thought of calling a few other people to let them know what was going on.

Thank God it was late, because I had enough sense not to call and upset several different people.

I had heard a good message called "Give your feelings a kick in the can!" about not letting your feelings control you. I knew I needed to put this into practice now. I asked the Lord to please help me!

As I got into bed, I thought of the text, "Don't let the sun go down on your anger." Ephesians 4:26 I knew I had to put this situation in the Lord's hands by faith and let it go.

Giving my feelings a 'kick in the can' wasn't easy, but I slept very well that night, and I planned to enjoy the next day without anger.

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

Nothing Is Lost

By Kay Heitsch

Oh God, pick up the pieces of my broken life. Please put me back together again. ~ Gather Up The Fragments Quotes ~

God will gather up the broken pieces of our lives and put us back together again. Nothing we go through in this life is ever wasted as far as God is concerned. He will use everything to our advantage if we let Him, bringing healing.

Our Bible verses say. Gather up the fragments that remain, so nothing is lost. John 6:12 Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. Jeremiah 17:14

God will use the broken pieces in our lives and bring healing. Let's not forget to give His praise for all He has done.

150 ~ God's Surprise

By Kay Heitsch

As November gets closer, I can't help but think about Todd's birthday.

Today, I was thinking about all the times God has provided what I needed. Some things have been financial, some others helpful, and some things have happened to show His love.

Todd's birthday is not just any other day. So when I walked down to the mailbox years ago, I was in for a God surprise. In the box was a personal letter from Dr. Peale's office. I couldn't wait to open it!

As I began reading, I was overwhelmed! Dr. Peale wanted to put the letter I had written him as the introduction to his new hardback book, Have A Great Day-Every Day! This was the same paperback book Todd read, and I gave away to friends and family in his memory.

After all these years, I still hold this precious memory close to my heart. What are the odds of this request letter arriving on Todd's birthday?

Who can ever doubt God's personal love for each one of us?

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

God Will Provide

By Kay Heitsch

Just have faith. God will provide you with just what you need at precisely the right time. ~ God Will Provide Quotes ~

I can certainly attest that this is absolutely true. God has provided what I've needed at the exact right time many times in my life.

Here's a quick example. Back in the day, when you wanted to make a long-distance phone call, it cost extra money. We were going through a difficult time when I needed to make several long-distance phone calls because of a death in the family.

Right before I made the first phone call, my friend, Cindy, stopped by. She had no idea what was going on. I was stunned when Cindy handed me several free prepaid phone cards. Cindy explained that she had been given these and thought I might be able to use them.

Our Bible verse says. The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. Psalm 23:1 NLT

I believe that the LORD will provide all that we need. I have watched Him do it over and over in my life. It sure takes a lot of stress off when we can trust the LORD to provide what we need.

Just have faith. God will provide you with just what you need at precisely the right time.

149 ~ The Empty Chair

By Kay Heitsch

After Grandpa Z. died, Grandma Z. lived alone. She did well until she broke her hip. After the surgery, she used a walker, and finally, she was in a wheelchair. Grandma Z. was also almost blind.

One day, while we were visiting Michigan, we stopped over to GZ's house. We knew she lived alone, but we could hear her giving someone the dickens. We wondered who she was yelling at.

After we got inside, we could see that no one was there except Grandma Z. So I said, "Grandma, who were you yelling at?"

Grandma answered, "See that chair over there," as she pointed her crooked finger and continued. "When I'm irritated with someone, I sit them in that chair and tell them exactly what I think. After I do, I feel better and can let it go."

I'm sure I asked her if I had been in this chair, but she ignored my question and changed the subject as she always did. However, I'm thinking Bill was in that chair a few times. I bet I was, too.

Anyway, this may be a good way to handle it when someone gets on our nerves. Sit them in an empty chair and tell them what we think, then let it go. It may save many relationships.

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

Stay Strong

By Kay Heitsch

Do not fear. Have faith. Stay strong. Trust God. ~ Keep Your Hope In The Lord Quotes

If we want to stay strong in life, we need to keep our hope in the Lord. When we do, we will have faith and not fear.

Our Bible verse says. So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD! Psalm 31:24 NLT

When we keep our hope in the LORD, we will stay strong and courageous. We will not fear, because we know we can trust God.

Do not fear. Have faith. Stay strong. Trust God.

148 ~ Game Ball

By Kay Heitsch

I suppose every high school has a big rivalry game that's played each year. I didn't attend a school that played competitive sports, so it was unfamiliar to me.

However, the year Todd would have been a senior, the high school where Todd attended dedicated their rivalry game to Todd. I was so touched that they would do this in memory of Todd.

This was an exciting game. I wasn't sure which team would win, but at the very end of the game, Todd's high school won.

A few days after the game, a group of the football guys brought over the game ball and gave it to me. I sure wasn't expecting this!

I have kept this game ball on display in our office all these years. I think of the kindness and love that these young guys showed to our family when I look at this ball.

Once again, God showed His love by bringing another triumph out of the tragedy of Todd's untimely death.

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