21 ~ Free To Be Me

By Kay Heitsch

After Mom's funeral, I had a sense of freedom. I didn't know my Dad very well because of his lifestyle. Now that Mom was gone, my Dad and I were going to get to know each other better.

Before we left for home, Dad suggested that we all go out to one of the bars in town. Mom would not have approved!

When I was little, Mom had a friend who owned a Coffee Shop in town. It was connected to the Hotel. When her friend was short on help, she would call my mom to see if she would come in.

Mom enjoyed helping out, waiting on tables. However, she would not serve alcohol. If someone orders a drink, another waitress must serve it.

I look back and see how devoted Mom was to her now-religious beliefs. I may not have agreed, but I do admire someone who stands up for what they believe.

Mom didn't always live like this. She would drink, smoke, and dance right along with my Dad. Once in a while, Mom would say how much she loved to dance. I don't think she missed smoking or drinking, though.

I don't know when she got involved with this religion and changed. I know it was after I was born.

When Mom would work at the Coffee Shop, my Dad would babysit me. Dad would take me to the Moose or another bar in town. I liked going with him. Everyone was friendly and seemed to really like me. I enjoyed being around these people.

My Dad did not drink at home. I never saw beer or alcohol in the house. However, Dad drank a lot in several places all around the area. His drinking and behavior when drunk were a big problem.

When we got home from the funeral, Bill and I started going out on weekends to a club with a group of people. This club always had a live band and a nice dance floor. It was fun because most people loved to dance. We had a lot of fun!

Sherry and Jim always wanted to babysit Todd, so we were free to stay late, and Sherry would bring Todd over later in the morning.

I was now going to be experiencing life in a different direction. God had taught me from Sue that drugs were not going to fill the emptiness in my heart. I now think, "Thereby the grace of God go I."

"Write down for the coming generation what the Lord has done, so that people not yet born will praise Him." Psalm 102:18

Looking Back

By Kay Heitsch

One day, you'll look back and realize God was with you every step of the way - through every trial, every tear, and every triumph. He never left your side. ~ Inspirational Quotes

I can see this so clearly in my own life. Even when I didn't give God a thought, He was always thinking about me. Every trial, God was teaching me something. Every tear, He used to clear my vision. Every triumph, I somehow knew it was God's grace.

Our Bible verse says. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8 NIV

I take these verses personally. I know God has instructed, taught, and counseled me throughout my journey. Even when I didn't realize it, His loving eye was on me. It's the same for you! Never forget it.

One day, you'll look back and realize God was with you every step of the way - through every trial, every tear, and every triumph. He never left your side.

20 ~ Poor Timing

By Kay Heitsch

Every person's death is different. I was 23 when Mom died. I loved my Mom, but when she died, I had a feeling of freedom. I always felt this pressure to accept her religious beliefs, but now I was free to be me.

The minister who had conducted my Mom's funeral didn't waste time coming to my Dad's house and informing me that I was now removed from their church membership.

My Mom must have been paying whatever was required to keep me on their church books.

When I think back, this was poor timing and very unkind, but at the time, I was happy to be rid of the whole religious group.

Now, I even shudder to think I might never have studied the Bible on my own, and would have just gone along to get along. I praise the Lord that He slammed this door shut!

My Dad had no connection to this religious group. I don't know what he thought about the whole thing. We never talked about it.

"Write down for the coming generation what the Lord has done, so that people not yet born will praise Him." Psalm 102:18

Let God's Light Shine Through You

By Kay Heitsch

Let the light of God's love shine through you and watch and see what the glory can do. ~ God's Light Quotes ~

Just like the moon has no light of its own. It only glows because of the reflection off the sun. That's the same with us. We only shine because of God's love shining through us. He is our light!

Our Bible verse says. The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

The LORD is our light! We have nothing to fear. We are blessed to be able to allow His light of love to shine through us.

Let the light of God's love shine through you and watch and see what the glory can do.

19 ~ Not What I Expected

By Kay Heitsch

Right after Mother's Day in 1973, my mom called to let me know she was planning to have gallbladder surgery.

Mom said she had just had a complete check-up. Now, she was happy to report that her results showed she was in the shape of an 18-year-old person. Not too bad for being 61.

Since we lived in a different state, Mom said she didn't want us to come until after she was home from the hospital, so she could see Todd, who was now 18 months old.

The day of the surgery arrived, and I was wondering what was going on when the phone rang. I was expecting to hear that everything had gone well.

However, the doctor called and, in a hushed voice, told me everything did not go well. He said Mom had died in the recovery room. The anesthesiologist had put Mom too far under, and she never woke up.

All I can remember is that I screamed! This was not what I was expecting to hear.

We drove to Michigan, and as I walked into the funeral home, Mom's suitcase was sitting by the door. I'll never forget that. It seemed so bizarre.

I thought Bill's Dad and wife would send a card or something, seeing that my Mom was Todd's grandma. However, they didn't. Grandpa and Grandma Z. sent a card. I appreciated that.

"Write down for the coming generation what the Lord has done, so that people not yet born will praise Him." Psalm 102:18

One Thing!

By Kay Heitsch

The most important decision we will ever make is to believe and accept that what Jesus did for us was good enough.

We make life too complicated. We try to add our good works to what Jesus did for us. We get the attitude that we now need to prove we have accepted Jesus by following a bunch of rules.

What's interesting is that when we honestly do believe and accept, our lives will reflect God's love. We take no credit for it.

Our Bible verse says. Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the One He has sent.” John 6:29

There is only one work! And that work is to believe in Jesus and what He has done for us! We don't need to start following a bunch of man-made rules to prove anything.

The most important decision we will ever make is to believe and accept that what Jesus did for us was good enough.

When Our Faith Is Weak

By Kay Heitsch

No matter how weak our faith is, God remains faithful. God will bless you in your mess. He is merciful. Great is God's faithfulness!

Our Bible verse says. If we are faithless, He remains faithful— for He cannot deny Himself. 2 Timothy 2:13 ESV.

This says "If," but most of us have been faithless at times. But we can rest assured that even if we are faithless, God will always remain faithful! Great is God's faithfulness.

No matter how weak our faith is, God remains faithful. God will bless you in your mess. He is merciful. Great is God's faithfulness!