Am I the only one to be surprised that the date on the calendar reads Nov. 11? A Veteran’s Day parade was on TV this morning, and I see lots of salutes (pun intended) on FB dedicated to those who served. It follows that in another week or so, people will be traveling and families will be gathering for too much food and lots of football. Visions of turkey with all the trimmimgs pop into my head.

Thinking back to my childhood days, there were relatives and food, but there was also prayer and thankfulness. Were you asked, “What are you thankful for this year?” as the question was answered one-by-one around the table.

I hope that question is asked again this year. Even with all the challenges we are facing in 2023, so many of us have much for which to be thankful. My wish is that you have too many to number, and you’re able to share some of them with others.

God bless – Sue

It’s been over one week since things changed.

News came of unbelievable carnage in Israel as Hamas terrorists shot an estimated 5,000+ rockets into targeted towns, and crossed the border by foot, gliders, bulldozers, and motorcycles on a simple but horrific mission to kill Jews. It didn’t matter if the targets were elderly or infants, their end was the same – a gruesome death. If the invaders didn’t kill, they kidnapped Israelis and others to use as hostages. As of Oct. 13, Israel’s military said Hamas’ attack and the continuous rocket fire from Gaza had killed more than 1,300 people and left at least 3,200 wounded. At least 30 Americans are known to be among the dead. Hostages taken by Hamas number between 120 -130. The world watches as Israel begins its response to the worst mass murder of their countrymen since the Holocaust.

How do you process such news? What if it had been your loved ones or neighbors? How do we respond, individually and as a nation?

My prayers are for justice. I know God says, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord.” (Deut. 32:35) I am reminded that the Bible tells me that, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Heb. 10:31)

I will trust Him and pray for those who have lost so much simply because they are Jews.

Wednesday around 2:20 pm, people’s cell phones everywhere were loudly alerting with a scheduled alarm from the government. When you looked at your phone, you saw a message that read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”

It was certainly disrupting to be entering a store at the mall, and have noise coming from everywhere, but it was deemed necessary so we could be prepared for any future emergency. It reminded me of fire drills during my school years. Nothing was burning; we were practicing in case it ever did.

The Bible tells us that the world we live in during our lifetime is not only temporary due to the aging of our physical body, but also because this world will one day be destroyed by fire, ushering in the “New Heaven and New Earth” that Jesus promised. Before that happens, believers – those who have trusted in Jesus as Savior, asked forgiveness for their sins, and confess Him as Lord – will be taken away “in the blink of an eye.” They will have the assurance of a much better eternal life than the one they’re experiencing now. It won’t be a test – it will be reality. Are you ready?

Precisely because we cannot predict the moment, we must be ready at all moments.
C. S. Lewis

Good morning, I think.

My days and nights have kind of merged lately as we have added a 10 wk-old puppy to our family. She is a darling pup, but potty training is real work – how did I forget that?

The first 2-3 days there were several accidents on the rug, so my husband and I decided that we would take her “out” every hour or two, in between her naps and playtime. Reinforcing the word “potty,” she picked up on the idea of doing #2 rather quickly as she is a smart girl! However, the wet accidents continued because she simply wouldn’t do that outside.

By the third night, my prayers included these words, “Lord, please help this little one understand what we want of her. Thank you.” Waking up early several hours later to her whimpers, I got up, put on her leash, and quietly took her outside. As we began wandering around the yard, she almost immediately squatted and peed. I couldn’t believe my sleepy eyes! My prayer had been answered only hours after I had asked. I almost felt guilty – with all the major problems in the world, I had bothered God with something so trivial. Then I remembered a Bible verse that promises our Heavenly Father hears our prayers and is a “good Father.”

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

We’re still walking the potty training journey, but I may remain amazed at the answered prayer for our little girl and her tired/frustrated mama for quite some time. I hope my story encourages someone else to pray for the seemingly insignificant “little things” in their life. God loves you and He cares.

(Little Birdie blessings)

God bless – Sue

It’s the closing weekend of summer. I could ask the usual question: “Where did the time go?” In looking back, I know – it was filled with all kinds of activities that fulfilled and exhausted my husband and I. Between monthly food pantry food collection and give-aways to Vacation Bible School, our church kept us busy. Two trips back “home” in May and July for family events put mileage on our car, and a well-planned, wonderful 8-day vacation with great friends rounded out the summer in August.

Of course, as with everyone, the heat has been an issue for us this summer. So Labor Day 2023 is most welcome as it ushers in the season of cooler temperatures, Fall colors, football games, and pumpkin everything.

I wish you a great Labor day weekend, and encourage you to look back and remember the highlights of your summer. I hope there were many.

God bless – Sue