23 ~ Find Out What Prejudice Was Like

 By Kay Heitsch

When it was time to move again, it was sad. Todd had made friends with a little girl named Deshawn. It was hard seeing them hug each other goodbye.

I think that was the day, Todd and I decided not to get close to people because it was too hard to move. We had each other, and that's all we needed.

Deshawn's mom and I had become good friends. She was from the south. Because of my close friendship with this family, I was sure I was going to love it in the south. Boy, was I in for a rude awakening.

Being my friendly self, I introduced myself to the neighbors. My first reply was, "Where in the north are you from anyway, girl? It seems like all you Yankees are moving down here and taking our jobs." Yikes! Yankees? I hardly knew what she was talking about!

I quickly found out what prejudice was like.

Back in the day, when you went to the grocery store, a bag boy would carry out your groceries and put them in your car. Well, no one would carry out my groceries. That was fine, I certainly could do it myself.

One day, a car drove down our street with a black family inside. I was outside. The neighbors started to yell, "Get back on your own side of town!" I couldn't believe it, but I was being treated very much alike.

Our next-door neighbor was a real Southern belle. The woman would not even use the vacuum. The vacuum was too heavy for her to use. Her husband had to vacuum. I thought it was funny!

We did not have a lawn mower, and her husband did. I told them that if I could use their mower, I would mow our yard and theirs, too. Of course, her husband readily agreed.

Being my free self, I would put on my bathing suit to mow. I thought it was an excellent opportunity to get a nice tan. This may not have been the most brilliant idea, but I did have a nice tan.

I slowly grew to be friends with several women in the neighborhood. It was interesting how friendly they were one-on-one. However, when another southern person they knew came around, they were not at all friendly.

I look back and see how God was teaching me a great deal about people and life, even though God never entered my mind at the time.

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

What Are You Saying?

By Kay Heitsch

You say, "I can't do it." Things are so difficult right now. God says, "You can do all things through Christ, who gives you the strength." ~ God Gives Me Strength Quotes

It's so important what we say to ourselves. We can either depress ourselves with our thoughts or build ourselves up. When we put Bible verses into practice, life becomes much better, no matter what you're going through.

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

We need to stop saying "I can't!" We need to say what the Bible says. "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

You say, "I can't do it." Things are so difficult right now. God says, "You can do all things through Christ, who gives you the strength."

Trust God

By Kay Heitsch

Those who leave everything in God's hands eventually will see God's hands in everything. ~ Trust God Quotes ~

As I look back on my life, I do see God's hand in everything. When I became a believer, I put my life in God's hands. Once I did, I started to see His hands in everything, all through my life.

God used the good, the bad, the storms, the troubles, all to guide me along the Master Plan He had for my life.

I have today's Bible verse on a plaque hanging behind me. It reads. Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

When we trust in the LORD with all of our hearts and leave everything in His hands, we do not depend on our own understanding.

Those who leave everything in God's hands eventually will see God's hands in everything.

Confront Fear Head-On

By Kay Heitsch

Don't let fear get in the way of the life you are meant to live. ~ Motivational Quotes ~

I know from personal experience that fear will try to keep you from taking the first step. Don't give in to fear!

Many years ago, on Super Bowl Sunday, I had to confront fear head-on. I was asked to share my testimony at a church on Super Bowl Sunday night. This would be the first time I ever shared my testimony and talked about Todd's death.

Let me tell you, I was filled with fear! I was so stressed that my nose began to bleed. I was in the bathroom trying to get ready when blood started to pour out of my nose.

Out of the blue, these words, God did not give you the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind entered my thoughts.

These words startled me! Then I thought, if God isn't giving me this feeling of fear, who is? It must be the enemy trying to stop me from going.

I stood up and kept the thought that God is giving me power, love, and a sound mind! I went and shared my testimony that night.

I later learned that the thought was actually a Bible verse. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

What would have happened if I had given in to fear? I don't know, but I shared my testimony many places after that first night.

Don't let fear get in the way of the life you are meant to live.

One Blessing After Another

By Kay Heitsch

Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings and see what God has done. ~ Count Your Blessings Quotes ~

I want to thank everyone who remembered Todd yesterday on the day he died. I was truly blessed! It was a very tragic day, but we know God has brought many blessings out of Todd's death.

Our Bible verse says. From His abundance, we have all received one gracious blessing after another. John 1:16 NLT

We have received one gracious blessing after another because of God's abundance. We have so much to be thankful for.

Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings and see what God has done.

Another February 6th

By Kay Heitsch

Well, here we are, Todd, another February 6th.

I never dreamed I would ever have to live without you. But here we are.

From the day I found out I was pregnant with you, my life began to change.

We have shared so many good times together. Since your dad worked long hours and was transferred many times, it was always the two of us for several years.

You were a wonderful big brother to Shannon and Brandon. I was so proud of you and of how much you cared for both of them.

You and I had a very special relationship, and I will always cherish the time we spent together.

When you left, I didn't think I could go on without you. But with the help of God, I have.

God has used your death to bring His love to many people all around the world. I'm forever grateful for this.

I love you, Todd, and can't wait until I can wrap my arms around you.

22 ~ It's Not All Fun And Dancing

 By Kay Heitsch

After we had been going to this club for a while, we were told it was closing. Now they were looking for someone willing to take it over.

One of the women we went out with was a singer in a band that played there regularly. Her husband worked with Bill. They asked Bill if he would go in with them to take over this club.

We were only in our early 20's. This sounded like a fun idea.

Yes, it was fun, in a way. But it was a lot of work and a huge learning experience. I did painting and cleaning, washed all the tablecloths, and talked to customers.

Occasionally, I would bring Todd with me before the club was open. I would put money in the jukebox, and we would dance on the dance floor. Todd was only two years old. He loved to dance!

I believe one reason Todd was so comfortable at school dances was that he had been dancing ever since he was little.

When the club was open, I sat at the bar, drank, and talked to a lot of people. People who drink like to talk. I wasn't sure whether they were being truthful. I heard many interesting stories.

You don't think about it when you go to a club for fun once in a while, but when you are in charge of a club, you have to know who your customers are.

Pimps would come in trying to pick up girls. Not everyone who comes in is looking for fun. There were fights in the parking lot, and the guys had to call the police.

It's not all fun and dancing! But we did have dancing contests. Some guy asked me to be his partner. We won second prize.

K-mart got wind of Bill's new adventure. They were not pleased! It wasn't long, and we were transferred again. This time out of the state.

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