Digest This - Sleighing Santa

#121.  More Than One Viewpoint

I glanced around at the people on the bus.

Many in this town were quite elderly 

Because it is a popular retirement area.

So with me being a senior, new to the area

I soon became aware of people with walkers

And canes, someone to assist by their side.

Today was different though, it was impactful

So much so that I want to share with you

How a deep compassion, then thankfulness

Ensued my inner being as I simply sat there

And observed, seeing far more than with

The natural eye...it moved me to the core.

The bus stopped.  A lady leaned forward

As her dog stood also as they slowly

Headed for the front door.

Behind her was an elderly man, also with dog

Shaky to walk, stooped over, obviously unsure

As he too steeped forward, with white cane.

That is when I realized both adults were blind.

The dogs were seeing eye dogs to assist.

The bus waited and I watched as there was grass

In a small area just before the sidewalk.

The lady pointed her cane careful, cautiously

And moved carefully forward, simultaneously.

She spoke to the man behind her...often.

It was literally "The Blind Leading The Blind".

The impact on my heart was so profound

As I witnessed them literally inching their way forward.

Oh I wanted to jump off that bus and be their eyes,

Reassure them, help them be confident, encourage them.

Yet they were using the dog, cane, and each other

So as the bus departed...I was only too aware

Though I do not have a seeing eye dog

Or a cane, I now see "Better Than Before"

Thankfulness welled up from within for my vision,

New glasses recently and not having to have cataract surgery.

Those were my praise reports, but today...much more.

I sat on that bus and started to praise God for my health,

For my vision, for healing me physically, emotionally, etc.

And for keeping me cancer free...13 years! (1Peter 2:24)

I prayed for others on the bus that needed healing

And hated how much they've been robbed.

Sickness and disease is not from God,

He said, "My people perish for lack of knowledge."

Many have the mindset that getting older and sickness

Simply go hand in hand so they accept it

Run to the doctor, get their prescription

And try to cope as they accept deterioration and mediocrity.

Not me.  I fight for my health, maintaining it, resist sickness.

My heart went out to every person on that bus 

As I prayed for them with new compassion.

I was surprised when the Lord... 

The Holy Spirit revealed to me

What they see...when they look at me.

Eye glasses, and I get around easily without wavering

So they see me as someone with no problems.

The Holy Spirit sees within and He revealed to me

What He sees that they do NOT.

Due to lung surgery when I had cancer 13 years ago

2/3 of one lung...was removed surgically.

To have the Lord communicate to me in such an intimate way

Birthed more thankfulness and praise for my health

And for our personal relationship, He's with me always.

I am so blessed, how about you?

If you want to birth some thankfulness, compassion...

Take a bus ride!

Any town anywhere and it won't be long

Before you find someone who needs your prayers.

Your eyes will turn from self and your problems

As you become a vessel God can use effectively

Because a heart housing Jesus

Is a heart that loves people.  Do you?

Incidentally, two other ladies sat side by side

Opposite me, one with her cheek enlarged

Three times normal size, possible tumor.

She was smiling crookedly as she spoke

And I looked her in the eyes and smiled back.

One moment of connection, acceptance...

Not rejection, not head down, not avoidance.

I saw her fight to live, her healthy attitude,

Heard her compliment the lady next to her.

She to me is a hero...an overcomer, in her 80's.

So my little bus trip was a birthing trip

For thankfulness and compassion today.

I won't forget this day...I am so blessed.

So impacted that I wanted to share with you

And pray you are impacted accordingly.

People need the Lord and people need people.

Lets be effective as we reach out, solve problems.

What we do for others God will do for us...Covenant.

Written By:  Linda Lou Jones

                     Glory to God

                     09.18.15

Galatians 6:9 "Let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not."

#119.  Can You Relate?

After months of missing the mark
Shall we say...meaning not blogging
I got back on track
Today.
Three blogs later
Just getting into the groove
Interruption, distraction, company...
Attempts to refocus
Did not resurrect a new topic
Nor did the desire to write
Get resurrected either.
Creativity apparently withdrew
Only to park itself who knows where.
Suffice to say next time I blog
If the door bell or phone rings
I won't give a care.
Focus focus focus intently...
Is not an option, but a must
If creativity is to be birthed:
BLOG...or BUST!

Written By:  Linda Lou Jones
                     Glory To God.

#118.  THINKING...JUST THINKING

Did you ever look back at a cute dog
That was looking at you
And find yourself thinking:
"I wonder when he is thinking..."
Dogs have emotions, obviously
So the wagging of his taiil
Or lack thereof
Is one clue to his state
Yet with humans...
How does this relate?

Some humans never speak to you
Yet their eyes reveal so much
Mirror to the soul indeed
Easy to see wholeness
Or a heart that does bleed.
Twinkles reflect happiness, joy
Sorrow and grief also easy to see
If you were 'reading self' today, "me"
Specifically, what...
Would you see?

Written By:  Linda Lou Jones
                     Glory to God.
                     08.25.15

#117  A BROADER SCOPE

I MUST BE GETTING OLDER AND WISER.

I SEE THINGS FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

THAN I SAW YEARS AGO.

FOR EXAMPLE:

WHEN SOMEONE ADDRESSES A CROWD

AND ADDRESSES EVERYONE AS IF THEY ALL HAVE FAMILY

MORE THAN LIKELY, THAT IS NOT SO.

IN MOST CROWDS THERE IS USUALLY SOMEONE

WHO DOES NOT HAVE A FAMILY

TO SPEND CHRISTMAS WITH

OR THANKSGIVING, BIRTHDAYS, ETC.

HOW DO I KNOW?

BECAUSE I LOVED WITHOUT ANY FAMILY AT ALL NEARBY.

THE CLOSEST ONE WAS 1600 MILES AWAY.

YET I AM CERTIAN I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE ALONE.

THE ALONENESS DID NOT GET TO ME

BECAUSE I HAVE JESUS; WE DINE TOGETHER.

HE IS THE GREATEST CONVERSATIONALIST

HE IS THERE ALL THE TIME.

HE NEVER MISSES A MEAL

THOUGH HE DOESN'T EAT MUCH. HE MAKES ME LAUGH.

HE MAKES ME FEEL LOVED.

HE KNOWS WHEN TO SPEAK

AND WHEN TO BE STILL.

I FEEL HIS LOVE

THOUGH I CAN'T SEE HIS FACE.

I KNOW HE IS WITH ME ALWAYS

BECAUSE I DO NOT WALK AWAY FROM HIM.

I CHOOSE TO STAY CLOSE.

I ENJOY OUR COMMUNION

SO WHY AM I WRITING ABOUT BEING ALONE,

BEING WITHOUT FAMILY?

TO ENLIGHTENN SOME PEOPLE OF THIS FACT:

IN A CONGREGATION SOMEONE IS GRIEVING

OVER THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE...

SOMEONE ELSE IS LONELY.

SOMEONE ELSE IS HURTING, NEEDS A FRIEND,

SOMEONE ELSE IS FULL OF JOY

THAT NEEDS TO BE SPREAD AROUND.

SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS AN INVITATION OUT.

SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE HOSPITABLE.

SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS A HUG.

SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS FINANCIAL HELP.

SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS A VEHICLE.

SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS SOME FURNITURE.

SOMEONE HAS A NEED OF SOME KIND.

SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS SOME COMPASSION.

SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS MERCY AND GRACE.

SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS TO SLOW DOWN,

TAKE TIME TO BE STILL...LISTEN TO GOD...

SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS TO TESTIFY...

SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS TO SING A SONG.

SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS TO SHARE A WORD.

SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS TO OPEN THEIR HEART

INVITE JESUS IN...

SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

WITH THE EVIDENCE OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES.

SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS CLEAR DIRECTION

SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE.

SOMEONE SOMEWHERE, WHETHER BESIDE YOU

IN FRONT OF YOU OR BEHIND YOU...HAS A NEED

HAVE YOU ASKED GOD WHO YOU COULD BLESS?

HAVE YOU ASKED GOD HOW YOU CAN HELP SOMEONE?

DO YOU COME TO CHURCH THINKING OF OTHERS

OR HOW YOU CAN BE OF ASSISTANCE TO THEM

OR DO YOU COME TO RECEIVE ONLY?

WHERE IS YOUR FOCUS?

IS IT ON OTHERS, OR ON SELF?

IS THE HOLY SPIRIT ABLE TO GUIDE YOU,

SPEAK TO YOU, NUDGE YOU

OR ARE YOU SENSITIVE TO HIS WAYS...

HE IS YOUR TEACHER, COMFORTER, GUIDE.

HE WANTS YOU TO HAVE PEACE AND IN CHRIST, ABIDE.

YOU CAN NOT DO IT ALL ALONE. 

SO WHETHER YOU HAVE LOTS OF FAMILY OR NONE

BE AWARE SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE HAS A NEED...

YOU JUST MIGHT BE THE PERSON GOD WILL USE

TO HELP THEIR HEART NOT BLEED.

YOU MAY HAVE TO GO OUT OF YOUR WAY.

YOU MAY HAVE YOUR SCHEDULE INTERRUPTED.

YOU MAY HAVE TO CURB IMPULSIVE BUYING

SO YOU CAN OUTFIT ANOTHER...

WHO  HAS A NEED.

YOU MAY HAVE TO SHARE YOUR PHONE

BLESS SOMEONE WITH A LONG DISTANCE CALL

YOU MAY HAVE A CHANCE TO SHARE BOOKS

OR RECIPES, OR POEMS, WHATEVER.

IF YOU ARE BUSY WITH A LARGE FAMILY

INVITING ONE PEROSN WOULD NOT INCONVENIENCE YOU

AND WOULD BE SUCH A BLESSING TO THAT PEROSN

WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE BE ALONE.

IT JUST TAKES A MINUTE TO BE THOUGHTFUL.

I'VE BEEN ON THE RECEIVING END A LOT.

I HAVE BEEN ON THE GIVING END TOO.

THAT IS WHY I CAN WRITE WHAT I DO.

I HAVE LIVED IT.

WHAT I SAY IS TRUE.

IT IS SO EASY TO BE SELFISH.

ASK GOD TO REVEAL IF YOU NEED TO ADJUST.

THE MORE  YOU LET HIM CHANGE YOU

THE MORE EFFECTIVELY HE CAN USE YOU

AND THE BROADER THE MINISTRY.

TO HAVE TUNNEL VISION

BRINGS MUCH LIMITATION.

DOING THINGS GOD'S WAY

MEANS TAKING THE LIMIT OFF.

WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.

PRAISE THE LORD.

WHEN HE...GIVES YOU A VISION

HE WILL WORK IT ALL OUT!

Written by Linda Lou Jones.

            Glory to God.

#116  HARNESS THIS 

I hear fresh rain drops splashing on the sidewalk, washing green, green, grass this morning.

Heaven's provision for earth to receive nurturing …

Proof the soil received... is growth of each blade of grass

Followed by mowing it again and again and again

As the sun shines then more rain.

Cycles, repetition, life evolving before my eyes daily, hourly, minute by minute

Until suddenly everything stops, seems to stand still.

Because my spirit man knows deep within it will not be this way forever and ever and ever. No.

Time can be taken for granted

Pages of a calendar are turned too quickly

Life can pass by to those not conscious of time

And the importance of investing time wisely

Because time is currency.

Few think of it as such but it is true.

The employed... trade time for money.

They are paid for solving problems.

Think about the last 24 hours.

What did you produce?

How did you use those minutes, moments, hours?

Was your mind stimulated,?

Did you learn new things?

Solve problems for others?

Receive from the Lord?

Hopefully...yes. :))

Written By:  Linda Lou Jones.

    8.25.15