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Update on my Bible study...okay, where's the polish?

9/30/2014

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     In a hurry to get ready for work, I picked up my shoes, but as soon as I was ready to slip them on, realized they looked more like cloud gray than bright, shiny white. 
     "Time to get out the polish." It took a bit of scrubbing, but with the right shoe product I was able to shine and buff the finish. Yes--now they looked presentable! 
     So what does a tale of work shoes have to do with my forthcoming book? Quite a bit.
     I am happy to say my goal of writing thirty stories based on "good things" found in Scripture is now complete! However, just like shoes that need polish, the same goes for a newly completed manuscript. 
     As any writer knows, sometimes it takes a few years to complete a book, which has been the case for the Bible study. Now that the last of the thirty stories has been written, it's time to dust everything off, and apply the "writer's polish"--re-reading, reviewing, and editing--to let the words shine brightly!
     Polishing takes time, but it is an essential step to ensure the book will be the best it can be when it reaches the hands of the reader.
     Stay tuned for further updates, and know that good things will be coming your way! 
Blessings,
Nancy     
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A Grocery Bag and the Power of Words

9/16/2014

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Most grocery stores no longer offer paper bags, but I'd like to tell you a story about a day when asking for a paper bag made a difference in my life. 

Next in line at the grocery check-out, I began to unload my cart-full of items onto the conveyor counter. Having shopped this store for years, I noticed the young, dark-haired man was new. 

The young man greeted me with a shy smile, and inquired, as was customary at the time, "Would you like paper or plastic?"

I didn't have to think twice. Because of the number of heavy items, I would choose paper. I liked paper bags, but also knew the store was trying to encourage customers to choose plastic. I didn't  mind if the lighter-weight items were bagged in plastic.  

"Could you please give me paper bags for the heavy items and plastic bags for the lighter ones?" I asked.

"Sure," the clerk responded, turning to his attendant. "Please give her paper bags for the heavy items and plastic bags for the lighter ones." 

It was such a simple request, and yet one that stuck in my mind. I was surprised the clerk had repeated the exact same words I had spoken when addressing the attendant. 

Such is the power of words! Asking for a paper bag--such a simple request! I was glad I had asked politely. Later I thought about the effect my words might have had if I'd been in a bad mood: "Paper bags ONLY for the heavy items," or "I don't care which ones you use!" The clerk may have repeated those same words to the boy bagging the groceries.  Word, not so aptly spoken, would have had a different effect.  

The rest of the day, I could not quit thinking about the impact of words. I thought of the way others had impacted my life with the words they used, such as people who had made a difference in my life. They had used positive, encouraging words. 

I know I am guilty of not using words fittingly as I should. So many times negatives slip from my mouth, and some of the things I have said have caused those closest to me to feel sad, hurt, discouraged, or even angry. I always feel bad afterward. I do ask God for forgiveness, though, and pray I will do better. 

A Bible verse from Proverbs 25:11 gives us an important reminder about the way we communicate:  "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver."


I thought of how great is the power of words, and the people who have made a difference in my life, all because of the words they chose: "You can do it!"; "I have faith in you!", "Where there's a will, there's a way!" Strangers make a difference, too, spreading well-wishes with "Have a great day!"  

Everything we speak (or write) could make a difference in someone's life. It is my hope to choose the right words (even if paper bags are not available!) 

May your week be a positive one, and may your words shine brightly!
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Sprouting the good Word...

9/9/2014

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     It's time to make a change. I said to myself, "Nanc', quit eating junk food!" It was not serving my body well. Intrigued by a lush display of green sprouts at the farmer's market, I decided I would start eating healthy by growing my own sprouts.  
     I went shopping for a seed-sprouting kit, and happily found just one, on clearance. The tag read, "$2.48  As is."   
   Hmmm. "As is." Maybe something was missing? I opened the box. Everything was there: lid, two sprouting trays, water reservoir. Nothing broken. Seeds packets were included, too. The only thing that was missing were the instructions. However, a few small photos on the side of the box showed how the seeds were placed in the trays. 
     When I got home, I looked at the photos. I spread the tiny broccoli seeds across each growing tray, sprinkled water through the lid, and watched it drip into each chamber. There. In a few days I would have my own sprouts! 
     With anticipation, I watched...and waited.
Day 1: I kept the seeds moist, rinsing them two different times.
Day 2: Two tiny seeds began to sprout! I added water to the trays, the same way I'd done previously. 
Day 3: Disappointment! When I got up this morning, only a few more seeds had sprouted. What was taking so long? I researched the internet, but was reassured I was doing all I needed to do. 
Day 4: More disappointment! My seeds should have all sprouted by now, but instead, only a few had barely sprouted. I had failed. 
     It wasn't until I re-opened the box that I found the problem. The date stamped on the side of the seed packet read "11/10." No wonder the seeds didn't grow: they were bad; they had expired!   
     This experience trying to grow sprouts reminded me of the parable Jesus told about good and bad seed in Matthew 13:27: "The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where did the weeds come from?'" Jesus told them an enemy did this. The servants asked Jesus if they should go pull up the weeds, but Jesus told them not to, for in doing so, they might root up with wheat with them. He said the two would grow together until the time of harvest, when the weeds would be gathered and burned, and the wheat would be gathered and brought into the barn. 
     I got what I asked for when I bought the sprouting kit for $2.48, "As is." It wasn't just the instructions that were missing--the "good seeds" were missing! Perhaps the seeds were good in 2010, but for whatever reason, this sprouting kit did not sell, and the seeds lay dormant for too long. 
   Evil and deceit are like the weeds in the field that try to choke out the good seed, the Word of God. In an effort to be healthy and cut out junk food, I looked forward to good results with the sprouting kit. Unfortunately I was deceived. I hadn't looked closely enough at the label, purchasing "goods" that were not good! 
     From now on, I will be more careful. I will be on the lookout for "good seed," a reminder of my spiritual life. It is hard work to keep out the "bad stuff," but this can be managed by focusing on the good--God's Word. I'd like to avoid going "spiritually dormant."  
     May His Word continue to sprout! 
     May this week be a fruitful one for you, and may the words you use be like good seed, that serves you well. 

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"Do I have to?"

9/2/2014

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     Our grandsons came to visit for the holiday. Oh, my, did we stay busy! We walked through a forested neighborhood, engaged in putting every piece of playground equipment into use at the recreation center, then participated in an egg toss game (with raw eggs) and bingo. Then the boys (ages 8 and 3) wore off just a bit more energy in the giant, inflatable "bouncy" house.  
     We went home for lunch. The boys' energy lingered as they squirmed in their seats at the lunch table. My daughter and I could have used some of that energy. She had been up since daybreak with the kids, and I felt as if I'd just run a marathon at the playground. 
     It was nap time for the three-year old.  
     "We're having quiet time for an hour," I explained to my eight-year old grandson. 
     Frowning and pinching his lips into a twist, he said, "Do I have to, Nona?"  
     I nodded. My grandson begrudgingly flopped onto the couch with his pillow. I turned down the volume on the TV. He knew he didn't have to go to sleep, but needed quiet time (not easy for a a very active young man).
     I laid back in the recliner and closed my eyes. It occurred to me my grandson was not the only one to complain. Just days earlier, I'd been guilty of the same "Do I have to?" response. On a day off, well laid-out plans would be interrupted. Phone call. Urgent meeting. "You must go." I said "Okay," but inwardly, all I could think of was, "Do I have to?"
     How many "Do I have to?" moments can take place in life. When I was young, I grumbled about those moments, and now that I am older, I continue to grumble! The difference between then and now, however, is prayer. When the bumps in the road become too difficult to travel, I ask God for help. Sometimes my prayers are answered the way I would like them to be. Other times the instruction is different, and inwardly I want to complain to God, and say, "Do I have to?" 
     Just as a parent or grandparent must admonish a child or grandchild, in turn, I know that my Heavenly Father must do the same. Sometimes God's answer is not what I want...but it's always what I need.
     My grandson fidgeted on the couch for awhile, but then settled down and watched TV quietly. He didn't get what he wanted, but he did get some much needed rest time. And "Mommy" got to rest, too, and so did this "Nona." 
     When "Do I have to?" times arise, a verse from 
2 Chronicles 15:7 provides positive insight:
     "Be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."
      My wish for you this week is a positive one. If any "Do I have to?" moments arise, may they be ones that God gives you the strength to do!  
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