164 ~ Yes, There Was A Sign

By Kay Heitsch

The year between my Dad's and Todd's deaths was not normal. I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

However, I did come up with two explanations. First, I thought my uneasiness stemmed from being raised as an only child. Now with my Mom and Dad both gone, I felt abandoned, strangely.

My second explanation for my odd feeling seemed stronger. I felt that death was in the air. I certainly didn't think one of my children would die, so I figured it must be me.

That being said, I had a strong desire to start typing tips from the books I was reading. We had a Smith Corona typewriter, so I retrieved it and started typing.

I shared these with Todd. I never told him why I was typing these out, but in the back of my mind, I figured he would share them with Shannon and Brandon when I was gone.

What has amazed me after looking at these pages of practical tips from the Bible is that I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 at the bottom of the pages.

I do not remember typing that Bible text out.

After Todd died, I realized God was preparing me to deal with Todd's death. These tips and the Bible verse were for me!

Sharing these with Todd was helpful to him before he passed away. Todd was a happy person who saw life positively.

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

We Are Free

By Kay Heitsch

Jesus is our freedom. ~ Jesus Paid The Price Quotes ~

Today, we honor our Veterans. We are thankful for the sacrifices they made to keep our country free. However, Jesus is our true freedom for our life here and our eternal life.

We can live in freedom because Jesus paid the price. Our sins are forgiven. We can now live the abundant life that Jesus died to give us by simply accepting what Jesus did for us.

Our Bible verse says. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 NIV

Will you live in the freedom Jesus died to give you? It's a free gift!

Jesus is our freedom for those who will live in the freedom He paid for.

163 ~ If I Had Known

By Kay Heitsch

It's interesting the thoughts that come to mind when a person dies, even many years later.

Tonight I remembered Brandon's reaction when my Dad and Todd died. They both died on February 6th, two years apart.

Brandon was around 10 months old when my Dad died. I learned that Dad had driven himself to the hospital, which he had done a few times before. We lived in another state, so usually I would go visit when he came home to help him.

However, this time, while he was walking through the hospital's hall, something happened. He was now in a coma and not expected to live. I was told that I would receive a call when he had passed.

I was upstairs waiting by the phone to learn when Dad died. Right before the phone rang, Brandon let out a loud cry. I told Bill. I know Dad just died, and he had.

The day Todd walked out the back door, Brandon wasn't quite three years old. As Todd was about to go out the back door. Brandon was hugging his legs, crying.

I have to wonder if he somehow knew something that I didn't. If I had known, I'm sure I would have been hugging Todd and crying, too.

We don't know when someone's last day on earth will be. Be kind and show love while they are still here.

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

In and Through

By Kay Heitsch

God is not looking for people to work for Him. But people who will let Him work mightily in and through them. ~ Let God Work Quotes

When people believe they are working for God, they think they are earning something. They may become prideful, claim credit for it, and never even acknowledge God.

Anyone can do good work if they are determined to do it. But allowing God to work in and through us is totally different. When we allow God to work in and through us, we recognize it as Him at work. When we do, we will give Him the glory. We don't feel a need to take the credit for ourselves.

Our Bible verse says, Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31.

When we do things for God's glory, we take no credit for ourselves. We know that apart from God we can do nothing. John 15:5.

God is not looking for people to work for Him. But people who will let Him work mightily in and through them.

162 ~ Why Did It Take Todd's Death?

By Kay Heitsch

This is one question I have asked myself many times. Why did it take Todd's death for me to turn to the Lord for help?

I knew I needed help. But I didn't want to admit I needed the Lord. I guess this was one reason.

In my quest to fill the void, I began searching before Todd died. I'm thankful I shared many things I found with him.

I learned that I could put Bible verses into practice and live a happier life, as long as everything was going okay. I loved the challenge of doing it. But it took Todd's death for me to ask the Lord into my life and help me after he died.

Was I really doing anything without God's help? I know I could not take another breath without God. I believe God was helping me all along, but I didn't realize it at the time.

Something amazing did happen when I asked the Lord into my life. I felt a peace and love I had never known before. The emptiness was filled. I began daily conversations with God on what I should do with His help.

I'm sorry I was so stubborn and didn't want to admit I needed the Lord in my life until after Todd died. I don't know why it took Todd's death for me to realize this.

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

There Is Power

By Kay Heitsch

There is power in the name of Jesus! ~ There Is Power Quotes ~

I wonder how many people realize the power available in the name of Jesus?

We can utilize the power Jesus died to give us through prayer, by knowing what the Bible says, and by saying the name of Jesus. Our problems aren't people. Our problems come from an invisible force.

Our Bible verse says. If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:14

Yes, Jesus is right here to help us. We can ask Him for anything in His name and He will help us.

There is power in the name of Jesus!

161 ~ You Think You Know...

By Kay Heitsch

Have you ever noticed how some trees take forever to drop their dead leaves?

I was thinking about how these trees were a lot like me. Why on earth did I hang on to things that were dead for so long?

We all know that worry, anger, bitterness, jealousy, and so on do not add one thing to our lives. They are draining.

When some unhappy thought (dead leaf) would come to my mind, tears would fill my eyes, or I would feel angry. However, I would still hold on to them instead of letting them go.

I used to think I had a RIGHT to feel this way. Yes, I did; that was a fact! However, I began to realize that this was the wrong way to think. It seemed right at the time, but it wasn't at all. I had a RIGHT to be happy and at peace, too, but I didn't realize that.

My dad had a saying, "You think you know, but you don't know." That was so true! I thought I had a right to feel the way I did. But I didn't know I had a right to let these things go and be happy too. I thought I knew, but I didn't!

It was enlightening for me to read the Bible and learn that I could replace these draining, dead thoughts with a new way of thinking. I could drop the dead leaves in my life and let some fresh green leaves begin to grow.

When negative thoughts would try to fill my mind, I found Philippians 4:8 to be very helpful. "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

I'll admit some draining thoughts do come to my mind at times. But now I DO KNOW that these can be replaced by healthy ideas that are life-giving and make life a lot more enjoyable.

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