Time

"We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  2 Corinthians 4:18

The present is a gift...now is all we have.  We are not guaranteed tomorrow, and this year, more than any other, has brought that fact to life in a harsh way!  Another friend passed away tragically this weekend...a wife, children, siblings, parents, family and friends left behind.  My prayers go out to them, their loved ones, and all who have lost someone dear to them.  Comfort, healing, and peace to all.

Time is so precious, as events such as these force us to realize, if we didn't already.  The best way we can honor those we have lost, and those we love, is to live life to the fullest.  Cherish every moment, speak with kindness and lift up those you love...spread joy wherever you go.  Lend a hand to someone in need, it could be something as simple as a smile, hug, opening a door, a word of encouragement, a listening ear...these are gifts that last forever.  For some, this means receiving graciously too..don't deprive others the gift of giving to you!

As we enter into the Christmas Holiday I am reminded how God gave us the ultimate gift, and the true reason for this season...Christ our Savior was born!  Christmas is full of traditions and time spent giving and being with loved ones.  How great it would be to stop and remember the people who have meant the most to us, some a part of our lives for just a moment, others a lifetime....people you see daily, and those you may not get to see for years...find a way to let them know you care.  With computers it is easier than ever to keep close when miles away.
 
Jesus says, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart!  I have overcome the world."  John 16:33   God uses those troubles to draw us closer to Him.  "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those who are crushed in spirit."  Psalm 34:18  Jerry Lewis said, "I shall pass through this world but once, any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being let me do it now, let me not defer nor neglect it for I shall not pass through this way again."  His life portrayed his quote well.  Life is not a dress rehearsal...this is it!  What will you choose to do with your time?!

My prayer for us all is to live to our fullest potential, surrounded by those we love, healthy, prosperous, and blessed all our days..and that they may be great in number!

Abundant blessings to you now and always!

 Janine Rillo  

Posted via email from ja9online

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones! 

I am grateful for today, my children, family and friends, for every moment we have, the good times and the bad, for the laughter and sadness, the joy and madness, the choices we make...only steps to climb...not mistakes, through the joy and the pain, in sunshine and in the rain, for all the blessings we receive, and the legacy we can leave. To make the most of each day, to love, give, laugh, and pray... the wonderful freedom we have to praise God for His infinite love, for the best gifts are from Heaven above! 

Sweet and simple...some of the greatest joys in my life.  The following is a Thanksgiving greeting I received from a friend..the author unknown.  I enjoyed it and thought I would share it with you. 

Abundant blessings to you now and always,
Janine

 

The ABC's Of Thanksgiving... A lthough things are not perfect   B ecause of trial or pain   C ontinue in thanksgiving   D o not begin to blame   E ven when the times are hard   F ierce winds are bound to blow   G od is forever able   H old on to what you know   I magine life without His love   J oy would cease to be   K eep thanking Him for all the things   L ove imparts to thee   M ove out of "Camp Complaining"   N o weapon that is known   O n earth can yield the power   P raise can do alone   Q uit looking at the future   R edeem the time at hand   S tart every day with worship   T o "thank" is a command   U ntil we see Him coming   V ictorious in the sky   W e'll run the race with gratitude   X- alting God most high   Y es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...   Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

Gratitude

"I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the Lord Most High. Psalm 7:17

Many years ago I learned the power of gratitude.  We all have days, struggles, losses, trials, etc., where it takes all you can just to muster a breath, or the energy to get out of bed. During a period in my life, I was blessed...yes blessed, to go through such a time...a lengthy one at that..coupled with a newborn baby and a six year old by myself. It was a very challenging time, but one of the best things that ever happened to me. The blessings through the many lessons/experiences were invaluable!

The best analogy I can give is to say I dug myself into a hole...buried alive, to the point where I could barely breath.  Not a pretty picture to paint, but the beauty and blessings that came from it can not be matched by anything on earth!  It was as if God sat down...definitely shaking His head, maybe an eye roll or so...thinking when are you going to get it child!?! :)  ..yet, lovingly stuck a straw down through the dirt and started to breath for me...and ever so gently started to dig me out the more I surrendered all my "junk" to Him!  Infinite love!

It was like being a baby myself, learning to live all over again, but with a new freedom..Power..not of my own. Developing a faith and trust in God I had never known and the joy of being grateful for all times. Learning that everything is a blessings, either a step to climb, or sweet reward, there is always something good that comes from even the darkest of days....hopefully we don't have to wait decades to see it! :)  There were days..situations where it was hard to have the strength to pray or express gratitude at all. On those days I pushed myself harder to find something, other than obvious ones, like family, friends, etc....and the better my days became.
 
There will always be situations that arise that are hurtful, difficult, & taxing, but my heart remains grateful for every moment. This past year I have lost, or know people who have lost, more loved ones than in my entire life combined, close friends battling cancers..young and old..accidents, illnesses, financial struggles, jobs lost. It causes you to stop, seize every moment, and reflect on those who mean the most to us, and what is truly important!  My children are my greatest earthly treasures, and they have been marvelous teachers...though can be tough ones at times! :)

Through it all, thanks to God, I have seen the fruits of my trials.. the ability to see the best in all things, in all people, during the best and worst of times. For my joy lies in Christ alone which leaves me beholden to Him. I am full of thanks for my family and friends, for every moment we have, and for all the blessings showered upon us!  My prayer for you is to know the fullness of God's love, how incredibly & wonderfully made you are, and that He gives you endless opportunities to be grateful each day of your life!!!

 

Abundant blessings to you now and always!

 Janine   

Added Joy

Spending time with my friend, and neighbor, Maureen Friday morning, was such a joyous time.  Precious moments as these are rare gifts that are treasures far beyond our greatest desires. She was just diagnosed with breast cancer and is in nursing school getting her RN.  She was going in for surgery that afternoon to get a port put in for her chemotherapy.  Her spirits were high and her peace maintained.  I was going out of town and wouldn't be there for the weekend, so I wanted to spend a little time with her and lift her up...

We prayed, and laughed, great healing tools, and then she shared with me an experience she had at school the previous day.  They had a huge test and she had been studying hard for it.  Mo, as we call her, is a mother of two boys, Philip will be 17 this month, and Zack 14 in March...and is in school with young adults, mostly in their 20's. Thus, is known as mama..or "hotmama" by her classmates/peers.  Before class on test days she and some classmates stand around in a circle and pray.  On this day, however, it was different.

Classmates excitedly had two cards with prayers and encouragements waiting for her.   It touched her deeply and made her day!  When the time came, they stood up to pray, more students than usual joined hands. The professor even came out, and asked if she could join in. All together, they made their requests, some in silence, but united with purpose.  Mo prayed for all their studies to pay off and their answers recalled for the extremely DIFFICULT test they were about to encounter...no holds bar...never mind the instructor in the mix. LOL   Following with gratitude to God for His blessings and healing, the strength He was giving her, and all the support/prayers from everyone. 

She felt great about the test afterward, and her confidence in passing was an encouragement to her!  I desired to cheer her on, yet, she wound up lifting my spirits, her joy was contagious. Her day warmed my heart!  Beautiful how even through trials, joy can always be found.  God's love, comfort, peace, and strength was evident in her and through her.  Our time together was a cherished blessing! We both were filled with joy and hope!  She inspired me!

I am grateful for our friendship and all the many experiences we have shared over the years, God's glory revealed so often through them.  Most of all, I am thankful for the treasured moments such as these!!! May all your days be filled with such wealth!

Abundant blessings to you now and always!

 Janine   

Finding Joy

The fall air is creeping in and motivating me to create, grow, learn and achieve, share, encourage, and inspire...to reach further than ever to be the best I can be and enjoy every moment! The coolness in the air is revitalizing, renewing, and very welcomed here in the deep south! :)  I grabbed a book, "EnJOY Freedom From Financial Stress" by Kathy Kline Danner, for moms. In my quest to learn, I began reading it today in the carpool line, utilizing my almost hour wait. The car line was a joy on this day..and has continued through my evening, an answered prayer to maintaining the joy, which Christ has filled my heart with.  Making it through homework time with my 13 year old was a delight..along with the list of can I have this..or do that, I was hit with, all stayed well tonight!  Joy...lasting joy! Thank you God!!!

I am grateful to Kathy for the gentle, fun-loving reminders of keeping your joy....like laughing out loud (LOL), and letting your peace be in Christ; "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." - Colossians 3:15. Paul says in Philippians 4: 6-8 " Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." The past year this verse has repeatedly guided my thoughts, reminding me of all the blessings I have to be thankful for.

Gratitude...focusing on what you have and remembering , as Kathy shares, "spreading joy creates joy!"  "Abundance is in large part an attitude," Sue Patton Thoele is quoted in the book. We have all heard, "what you think is what you get," in some shape or form.  Abundant blessings are poured out into our lives each day, and if the focus is on the problems/current situations/trials/loss, not the solutions/gifts/dreams/ blessings/haves in our lives, we miss them..our vision is clouded.  Stopping to breath and opening our hearts and eyes can provide a wealth far greater than material possessions...peace and joy! A joy, I have learned the hard way, can only come from God and allowing Him to take the wheel and steer us in the right direction. A peace that surpasses all understanding and fills us to the very core of our being...one that allows us to let go of the past, forgive our trespassers..and ourselves, then lets God's infinite love heal us and set us free to see the abundant blessings He gives us. What is left?..Gratitude...in great times and the darkest moments....through eyes wide opened and healed hearts you can find joy in all times and be thankful for them.

"Spreading joy creates joy!" My heart's desire has been to share joy and inspire others, and it blesses me so deeply, but Kathy's quote keeps it sweet and simple..and it simply made my day! My prayer is for it to touch you even deeper. As a single mom, I know how long the day can seem, and the challenges that can arise..love and support can lift you up to heights greater than the highest mountains..Not everyone has a person, or people they can get that from, but God is always there and is faithful.. His mercies are new everyday and His grace is sufficient. He is my strength and my fortress..and as Psalm 73:26 says, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. As much as I love my children, my greatest earthly treasures, nothing can compare to the Love our Heavenly Father has for us..there is no greater joy than this! May you bask in the fullness of His love!

Joy and abundant blessings to you now and always!
Janine