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!

18 ~ Todd's Impact On Next Door Neighbors

By Kay Heitsch

When I think back, I had no idea how Todd's life would impact so many people.

On this next move, we lived in a duplex. Our next-door neighbors had no children. They were older than us and had decided they didn't want to have children, until Todd entered their lives!

Jim and Sherry loved Todd! Jim set up a train set in the basement, just for Todd. Sherry made Todd a quilt. I think I still have it! They asked if Todd could go to church with them. We didn't care, but we certainly were not going.

Todd and I liked to dance in our living room. One week, after Todd had gone to church with Jim and Sherry, Todd came in and announced, "I couldn't dance! They didn't have a violin." I think he meant guitar, but it was funny!

Jim and Sherry said it was because of Todd that they changed their minds and decided to have children. They eventually had a daughter and two sons. Now they are grandparents and even great-grandparents.

I have stayed in touch with Jim and Sherry for all of these years. I know God arranged for us to live next door to each other for this time in our lives.

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

Faith & Fear

By Kay Heitsch

Fear says, What if? Faith says, Even if! ~ Don't Worry Quotes ~

This is how we should live our lives. Worry and fear thoughts will come to our mind, saying "What if? When they do, we can answer, "Even if," and keep moving forward.

If God has taken care of our eternal life, He can certainly take care of our everyday life. Trusting God will cast out anxiety and fear.

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

Some translations say Cast all your anxiety on God. I like how the NLT says give all of our worries and cares to God. Why? Because He cares about you!

Fear says, What if? Faith says, Even if!

Personal Relationship

By Kay Heitsch

Nothing is greater than having a relationship with Jesus. ~ Inspirational Quotes ~

It's not about how Christian you look on the outside. Or even what day you choose to go to church, or what you eat or don't eat. It's all about your personal relationship with Jesus Christ and accepting what He has done for you.

Our Bible verse says. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9 NIV

When we enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, He is not only our Savior but also the Lord of our lives. We live in fellowship with Him 24/7.

Nothing is greater than having a relationship with Jesus.

17 ~ Todd Was Born

By Kay Heitsch

We didn't stay very long in this first move. However, I became pregnant with Todd.

Dee gave me a baby shower.

Bill's dad (OBGYN) was not exactly overjoyed about having his first grandchild. When Bill called him with the news, his response was, "That's what happens when you don't take the pill."

Bill received a promotion, and we were on to the next store. This store's location was still in Ohio.

Many things happened as we moved from an apartment to living in a duplex. The biggest thing was that Todd was born. Little did I know how much this child would change my life!

When Todd was born, I was supposed to be in a semi-private room. However, they were all full, so I was put in a ward.

I met a girl there who was putting her baby up for adoption. She told me she didn't even know she was pregnant when she came to the hospital. I had never heard of that before, but I have since.

I came home from the hospital, and my mom came down for a visit. Later, both my mom and dad came down to see baby Todd.

A few weeks went by, and both Bill's dad and his wife came to visit, too. I'm thinking Bill's dad was curious about his first grandson.

Todd was such a good baby. We had a nice baby buggy, so I walked with him downtown and shopped since we only had one car. It was winter, but I bundled him up and put the covering over the buggy. The fresh air was good for both of us.

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

Tell Them I Love Them

By Kay Heitsch

God loves you! He wants you to succeed. He wants the best for you. ~ Norman V. Peale Quote ~

When I first had the thought of writing, I asked God, "What should I write about and tell people?" Immediately, the idea came. "Tell them that I love them."

No matter where you are in life or what you're doing, I'm here to tell you, God Loves You!

Our Bible verse says. “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness." Jeremiah 31:3

God has loved each of us with His everlasting love. He draws us close to Him because of His unfailing kindness.

God loves you! He wants you to succeed. He wants the best for you

16 ~ Time To Move

By Kay Heitsch

Working for the K-mart Corporation gave us the opportunity to move many times. Not everyone would see moving over and over as an opportunity, but keeping that attitude helped.

Our first move was out of Michigan to Ohio. Sorry to say, while we were looking for a place to rent in Ohio, we were robbed again.

Our landlord was an elderly woman, and she let someone in whom she didn't recognize. They took several things, including some of my favorite clothes.

The day we moved out, helicopters were flying all around our apartment. It was time to move away from this area for sure!

We moved to a small town in Ohio. While we were there, we bought a little black toy poodle we named Sean. (Shawn)

Bill was now an assistant manager. He was 20, but soon to be 21. There was a woman named Dee who worked at the store. We liked to go out partying with her and her son. Dee was a lot of fun!

I'm mentioning Dee now because she was going to play a big part in my faith journey way down the road! Little did either of us know at the time how our lives would change and intertwine.

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

15 ~ Finding Jobs

By Kay Heitsch

Since Bill was now injured and not working, and my Avon had been stolen, we were in financial trouble. My parents were going to lend us some money, but it hadn't arrived yet.

I remember looking around, and all we had to eat were a few potatoes.

We had neighbors who lived across the street. Honestly, I don't remember knowing them very well. Out of the blue, I now see it as God; they invited us over for a spaghetti dinner. No one can tell me that God was not looking out for us!

Right after, my folks' money arrived, and we were able to buy food and pay our bills.

Since we both needed a job, we decided to go to an employment agency. I don't remember all we were asked, but Bill was sent to several retail stores. Bill must have said he was interested in business.

Bill wasn't even 21, but K-Mart gave him a test, and since he scored very high, they put him in their management training program.

I don't know why I didn't find a data processing job. I had worked doing that in a hospital and at the university, but it never occurred to me. I didn't mention that to the agency. I was only sent to one interview.

The employment agency sent me to an orthodontist's office. The woman at the agency told me to wear a short dress. All I needed to do was be friendly and cute. She said if the doctor liked me, he would train me to be his dental assistant. I got the job!

We now both had jobs, and we could pay back the money my parents had loaned us.

Bill's cousins just happened to go to the orthodontist I was working for. It was fun to see them when they came in.

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

My Provider

By Kay Heitsch

God is my provider. Today, tomorrow, and always. ~ Philippians 4:19 Quotes ~

When we know and trust God to be our provider, it takes a tremendous load off our shoulders. We have to do our part, but God will show us and guide us all along the way.

Our Bible verse says. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NIV

This verse makes it clear. God will meet all of our needs. He knows the way and exactly how to accomplish it. He will do it today, tomorrow, and always. Trust Him!

God is my provider. Today, tomorrow, and always.

God Will Do It Again!

By Kay Heitsch

God will make a way for you. He did it before, and He will do it again. ~ God Will Make A Way Quotes

When we look back on our lives, we can see how God opened and closed doors in our favor. We can see how He has helped us at the exact time we needed it. Never fear, He did it before, He will do it again!

Our Bible verse says, He made a way last time. He will do it again. Isaiah 43:19.

We can always trust God to take care of us. He's done it before, and He'll do it again!

God will make a way for you. He did it before, and He will do it again.

14 ~ Bill's Number Came Up

By Kay Heitsch

When we got married, the Vietnam War was on. Every night, they posted the numbers of the guys who needed to show up for a physical to be drafted into the army.

Bill had been working in the shop when he was seriously injured on the job. His back was thrown out of whack, and he could hardly walk. Bill had to quit this job.

We were not on good terms with Bill's family. His Dad was furious that Bill was not going to be a doctor. I was to blame, even though Bill had decided before I even knew about it.

Bill's Dad did not attend our wedding, and he advised other members not to attend either. Grandpa and Grandma Z heeded his demand. However, his father, brother, and family came, along with Bill's older sister.

That said, Bill decided to go up and see his Dad, since he was a doctor and could help with his back. His dad had X-rays taken, and they found out Bill had a birth defect.

Right after this, Bill's number came up! Now, Bill was armed with X-rays and medical records when he went down to take his physical. The army personnel took one look at the X-rays and medical reports and gave Bill a medical deferral.

Had Bill not been hurt on the job, which was not good, he would not have had these records and X-rays.

Take it for what you will, but I see God's hand in this situation, and this is another reason why I praise Him!

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

13 ~ Parked Car To My Rescue

By Kay Heitsch

Having the words of the song "Jesus Loves Me" come to mind in the mess I was in stayed with me. For years, I wondered why this song? Now I know!

I didn't acknowledge God at all, but as I look back, I can see He was guiding me and sending help when I needed it.

We didn't live too far from downtown. One day, I decided to walk to town. As I was on my way home, a car full of men started to yell out the windows and were following me.

At first, it didn't bother me, but when they kept doing it, I started to think this might not be a good situation. I was still downtown, and a car with an older couple was parallel-parked in front of a meter.

I know I must have scared them, but I opened their back door and got inside the car. I told them what was going on, and they witnessed it. As soon as I got in their car, these men took off.

I have no idea who this couple was, but they were kind enough to give me a ride home.

Now I look back, and I can see that God had this couple to be parked exactly where I could get into their car for my safety.

Did I thank God at the time? I did not! But now I know why I praise Him!

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

We Are Helped

By Kay Heitsch

When we remember what God has already done, it helps us to trust Him with what He is doing. ~ Inspirational Quotes ~

How true this is. When we remember how God has helped us, we are helped. We can relax knowing He can be trusted.

Our Bible verse says. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7 NIV

When God is our strength and shield, we can trust Him. When we do, we are helped! We should be delighted and praise Him.

When we remember what God has already done, it helps us to trust Him with what He is doing.

Serve A Purpose

By Kay Heitsch

Grace means that all your mistakes now serve a purpose rather than shame. ~ Mercy Of God Quotes ~

God will use our mistakes for a purpose. How wonderful is this! No matter what we go through, God can and will make something good out of it. We are forgiven, so we do not need to carry shame.

Our Bible verse says. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. 1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV

Each of us is unique. We are who we are by God's grace! However, we should never take God's grace for granted. We should do our best because of our love for Him.

Grace means that all your mistakes now serve a purpose rather than shame.

Unaware

By Kay Heitsch

Thank you, God, for carrying me through all the hard times and never leaving me. ~ God Is With Us Quotes ~

For a lot of my life, I didn't even realize that God was with me. As I have been writing about my faith journey in Why I Praise Him!, it is very clear that God was protecting me, even though I was unaware of it.

Our Bible verse says. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. Isaiah 43:2 NLT

I can certainly relate to this verse. God has been with me, even when I did not know it, through deep waters, difficulties, and oppressions. No matter what I went through, I look back and see God taking care of me. That is why I praise Him.

Thank you, God, for carrying me through all the hard times and never leaving me.