Getting the job done

Good Morning Friends!  Wondrously wrapped in HIS loving arms Wednesday!  Last Sunday in church I noticed one of our older (yes even older than me) ladies was sitting alone.  Her good friend that she always sat with recently passed away and her daughter-in-law had to work  so, sweet Rosemary was all alone….I too was all alone, so I decided I would march on up and join her!  We shared a hug and snuggled in ready to worship.  During announcements she whispered to me that someone had trimmed the flowers in front of the church.  She was really happy about it, explaining that she had noticed they were so badly in need of trimming, and really wanted to do it, but just hadn't gotten to it.  She went on to tell me, a beautiful smile on her face, that when she does yard work she has to choose if she wants to be on her knees or bend over.  You see, Rosemary suffers terribly from arthritis….mind you she is smiling as she relates this to me.  She chuckled and went on a bit more about her yard work…..but my mind focused on her smile, her attitude.  This woman, has reason to give up the yard work…..terrible pain in her knees and back, but she doesn't…..she picks, according to the degree of pain in each area, the position she will be in to get the job done……she doesn't give up or feel sorry for herself…..she does the very best that she can…she keeps on keeping on despite the discomfort!  Oh wow…..the more I think about her the more I must turn to our Father and ask for forgiveness….how often do we whine, complain, feel sorry for ourselves, even give up at times when life seems to be hitting us hard?  Difficult relationships, more bills than income, grief, critical illnesses….Oh yes Father…..these are the times when we must turn to You for strength you are there, with open arms, wisdom and guidance just waiting for us….help us to be strong and follow Your words from James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy…whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”  Father, we know that life is hard at times, but with YOU on our side we know we can do it and give YOU glory!

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  Romans 5:3-4. For Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:10.  Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.  Psalm 55:22.  Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  Romans 8:18. 

Love you all!

Shunning compliments or God's Kindness?

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His, Friday!  About 4 months ago I was blessed with the opportunity to reconnect with a niece from my ex-husband’s side of the family.  Our families were very close when the kids were young, she is just a little younger than my Stacy (Stacy would have been 42 in December) and they were best friends.  After the divorce our families drifted apart,  never meant for that to happen, but somehow it does.  The events that brought her back into my life were sad ones, but the blessing in all of the sadness is that I am renewing my relationship with my beautiful niece, Natalie.  She has really reached out to my son in a serious time of need and I am ever grateful.  Most of our communication is through email (she lives in CA), so right before Christmas I emailed and asked her for her address so I could send her a Christmas card; she in turn asked for mine.   I was excited as I addressed the envelope with our Christmas picture and letter, excited to have her back in my life and looking forward to a card (hopefully a picture too) from her.  Well, I never did get a card,(she did tell me yesterday that she and her fiancé had been very sick over Christmas and cards would be late) but yesterday, at long last…..lol!  I had a precious email from her.  In my response I asked her if she got her card and how she liked our silly picture (my thought was poor girl probably wouldn’t even recognize the old woman in the picture)!  Her response surprised me!  She said I looked just like she remembered and that she sure wanted the name of my night cream and I was as beautiful as ever!  Can you imagine!  Now, I have never once considered myself beautiful, so you can imagine how flattered I was by her comments!  The sad part is, guess what I did with them……I emailed back saying the camera was kind and that I really had so many wrinkles and was not aging as gracefully as one might like…You know…I did not even acknowledge her kindness…..too busy griping about my flaws!  Wasn’t until this morning that I realized I had not even thanked her for the compliments….shameful…..contradicting kindness….Her kindness came from love and love comes from God…..in a sense…seems to me I was contradicting God’s love….Oh my goodness, even in my deepest darkest moment I would never want to shun God’s kindness….Acknowledging the kindnesses given to us, is acknowledging that we are God’s precious children, loved….cherished…..blessed with family and friends that shower us with all types of kindness….blessings from our Father….Father forgive us when we are selfish in recognizing the kindnesses shown to us….help us to acknowledge they are from YOU!  And help us to reciprocate YOUR love!

 

Every good and perfect gift (act of kindness) is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1:17.  Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.  Proverbs 27:9.  So we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  1 John 4:16. To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural decent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.  John 1:12-13.  How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!  1 John 3:1.   Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  Galatians 6:2.  Whoever touches you touches the apple of God’s eye.  Zechariah 2:8.  Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise.  Hebrews 13:15. 

Love you all!

July 26, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His Friday!  Golly molly!  How about this weather!  Loving the rain, but driving in it is such a challenge for me, especially since my accident.  So, this morning coming to work, I had my job cut out for me….First thing I did as I started out, was say a prayer…..The roads were definitely water logged and first thing, 3 huge diesel trucks flew by totally obscuring my vision with muddy water.  That’s ok….I held onto the steering wheel, not with a death grip, I wanted to stay calm and focused, avoid being all stressed out….I held the wheel firmly, with confidence.  The traffic was pretty heavy as I turned onto 3W, but I wasn’t going to let them force me into going faster than I felt was safe…..the rain was steady, highway very wet, visibility not too good…..why in the world are people driving so crazy….one car after another passed me, flying by as if the world was about to end….lots of cars didn’t even have their lights on….and the roads were water logged….I stayed focused, held firm, checked my mirrors……determined to get to work, safe and sound…..focused, holding firm…..I made it just fine.  As I pulled into my parking space and grabbed my plastic rain cap, I felt warm and thankful….God was present on my drive…..God is present in my life…..sometimes the ride is tricky, hazardous….devastating illness, broken relationships, abuse, financial burdens, stress at work……God is present!  Hold firm to HIM….let the LIGHT of His word be your guide…..when the muddy waters obscure your vision turn to the wipers of His LOVE….He will clear your path…..be confident in His LOVE, trust in His CARE….Stay focused and steady through word and prayer…. Be firm in your faith…..don’t let the crazy drivers stress you out and lead you away from HIM... His GUIDANCE will take you all the way……Forever HIS!  OH Father, thank you for the LIGHT of Your Love……keep us holding on to YOU forever!

From everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children.  Psalm 103:17.  So we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in Him.  1 John 4:16.  The Lord will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over you coming and going both now and forevermore.  Psalm 121:7-8.  The Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.  Proverbs 3:26.  Do not rear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God>  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10.

Love you all!

Kathie A. Johnson

Receptionist

Administrative Services

Division of Housing

the Chickasaw Nation

580-421-8800

Kathie.johnson@chickasaw.net

July 18, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Thursday!  Gosh the weather was crazy here yesterday!  Sitting at my desk I have a great view outside through the front doors.  It was bright and sunny as I started my day and then about mid- morning I noticed it was getting really cloudy…I could see the clouds getting heavy and then just before 12 it just started pouring…..now I mean pouring!  The parking lot was flooded in just a matter of minutes and then, as quickly as it came…..it was gone!  Within a few minutes, the sun was shining again.  The clouds were gone, parking lot drained off….clear skies…..for a little while!  Just when you think it’s clear sailing…Bam…..the clouds moved in dark, heavy and burst into heavy downpours……this was the scenario all through the afternoon.  Clear skies turning to heavy clouds and pounding downpours!  A friend and I were discussing the crazy weather and I said….kind of like our lives isn’t it?  One minute we are cruising along happy as can be….not a care in the world, thinking Woo Hoo, life is grand….And then the next minute dark clouds move in…..hanging heaving over us…..clouds of indecision, financial burdens, family problems, health issues, broken relationships, stress at work…..the clouds get heavier until they are finally pouring on us…..We think we can’t go on……and then, the rain stops, clouds clear, and the sun shines on us again….The sun shines because we are never alone in the downpours!  This morning as I reading God’s word, I came across a verse in James 1 that really hit me as I thought about life…..the sunny times and the downpours…..”Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”  The next time I feel the clouds moving in…..and the downpours hit, I am going to remember these words….this promise…..If I love Him, I will receive His crown of life……definitely better than any umbrella….the SON is shining on and for us!  Thank you Father for the promise of a crown of everlasting life with You…keep us ever faithful.  Draw us to You in cloudy times and hear our Praise….sunny or cloudy!  And Father we do thank you for the precious rains You have sent to water our land…All praise to You!

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:2-4.  Just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.  2 Corinthians 1:5.  Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.  Psalm 55:22.  Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.  He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.  Psalm 126:5-6.  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13.  Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Philippians 4:4. 

Love you all!

Kathie A. Johnson