Brighten Someone's Day - Jeannie Waters, Writer & Speaker

Seeking Direction for Today

June 4, 2019Jeannie Waters6 Comments

Why did I check the weather for Black Mountain, North Carolina, a city I visited several weeks ago? Rather than searching for local weather predictions, curiosity led me to a town five hours away.

My mind drifts to that place where I fellowshipped with friends at a conference and learned more about writing to honor God. I remember precious people, times, and places. But I can’t “stay” there.

Have you savored recollections of a retreat or a special era in your life, basking in the glow of meaningful moments? Reflecting on treasured memories brings joy and perspective. However, if we look backward too much, we can’t live effectively in the present.

How can we find guidance today, where we are, as we walk in a way that honors Christ? How can we move forward into new adventures with God as we use blessings and knowledge gained in the past? One of my favorite verses contains God’s answer:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Psalm 32:8

On this day, wherever we are, we can study God’s Word, seek His answers in prayer, and plan to obey His direction. We may not hear a specific response today, but He promises to teach us and guide our paths.

Do we sense God steering us in a new direction? Do we need to hold something more loosely or let go of it completely? Maybe reluctance to obey God hinders us.

Is the current situation so pleasant that we cement our feet in place even when God leads us to change? Refusal to accept a new job, friendship, ministry, or adventure with God may cause us to miss blessings.

With treasured memories and new understandings tucked into my heart, here is my plan to move forward today with the promise of Psalm 32:8. I hope my ideas encourage you in your journey with God.

I plan:

to savor joyful memories and use what I’ve learned as I continue to pursue excellence in responding to God’s call.
to communicate with and support new friends, as I allow God to nurture established relationships and create additional ones.
to ponder what I read in the Bible daily, pray, and listen to what God is saying.
to offer the gift of each new day back to Him as I look for the provisions and surprises God places on my table each morning.
to take the next step as He leads me on daily adventures with Jesus.

I rejoice in the blessings of the past, however, I can neither continually look backward on my life nor spend time in regret. On this day and each day, I want to seek God’s guidance and anticipate blessings of obedience in the future, don’t you?

As a reminder of God’s promise, I posted Psalm 32:8 on my desk. Perhaps doing the same and journaling about your walk with God will help keep your focus on Him as you begin each new day.

Recording prayer requests and new truths we learn is a beneficial practice as well.

It’s time to check the weather app for this place where I live and focus on what God wants to show me. What about you? What helps you look forward and seek God’s best for you? How do past experiences inform your present activity?

I hope you’ll share a word of encouragement with all of us.

NOTES TO READERS

At the writers’ conference, I received the blessing of an “Honorable Mention” award for this blog. Thank you, reader friends, for your encouraging comments this past year. I appreciate your support, and I stand amazed that God allows us to be a small part of His work.
I apologize for the delay in sending new posts. Technology glitches hindered my progress for a while, but with problems solved, I can reconnect with you, which is my joy.

When Thanksgiving’s Not the Same: Three Ways to Recover Gratitude

November 20, 2018Jeannie Waters24 Comments

Ungrateful. Unsettled. Unexcited. I’m sorry to admit that was the state of my heart when I first contemplated Thanksgiving this year. My gratitude journal reflected numerous blessings, but the thought of another holiday without my mother saddened me.

Mama was the heart of festivities for every holiday gathering. She created traditions that made Thanksgiving my favorite day of the year–decorations and flower arrangements, prayer in a circle with family holding hands, croquet games after lunch, Monopoly after supper. What I miss most is being loved by her and hugging her.

Oh, the Thanksgiving meal– the world’s best dressing, steamed cauliflower with cheese sauce, turkey, rice with giblet gravy, cranberry sauce, tiny green peas, green bean casserole, apple salad, and rolls.

Supper was my favorite though–turkey sandwiches with lettuce, light mayo, salt and pepper, and a bit of sweet pickles. Sides included chips, congealed salad, and ambrosia, followed by numerous desserts served with coffee and laughter.

As I reflected on the Thanksgiving celebration I couldn’t enjoy this year, I chose to do what my parents did. I turned to the Lord and counted my blessings.

Are holidays difficult for you? Do you lament the unwelcome changes like I sometimes do? There are many reasons special occasions are painful. Tonight, I prayed for a friend who lost her husband this week and the family of a wayward teen who recently left home. Holiday celebrations seem to sharpen the pain of hurting hearts, don’t they?

When I turned to God last week, He renewed my heart, helped me recover my gratitude, and created an excitement for this special day set aside for giving thanks. Although I’m not suffering as many are this week, I have three suggestions to help us enjoy a Thanksgiving that is “not the same.”

No, it’s not as simple as 1, 2, 3, and I’m not pretending my words could heal your heart or renew your holiday joy. However, God can transform our Ungrateful, Unsettled, and Unexcited into Grateful, Peaceful, and Joyous.

Three Ways to Recover Gratitude

1. Reflect on past joys.

Ponder sweet memories of past Thanksgivings. Write them in a journal to treasure.

If tears come, cry.

My mom spent her last Thanksgiving in bed. As my brother’s poodle trotted from her bedside to the table wondering why Mema had not joined us, my heart broke.

If funny happenings come to mind, laugh.

One year my mother used a disposable pan for the dressing. When she removed it from the oven, some of the “took-a-whole-day-to-make” delicacy flipped out onto the floor. My normally meticulous mother quickly scooped it up with a spoon, returned it to the pan, and said, “It’s okay; I just mopped this floor. But don’t tell anyone!” I never told—until now. Shhhhh!

2. Remember to “brighten someone’s day.”

That’s the tagline for my website because encouraging people toward the truths of God’s Word offers hope and comfort. Who in your circle of influence needs those blessings?

Is this the first Thanksgiving without a loved one for someone you know? How could you add sunshine to their day?
Can you call someone to say thank you for their influence in your life?
Is there a busy cook who would appreciate a helping hand and acknowledgment of hard work?
Would a restless child in a room full of relatives enjoy taking a walk or playing a game?
Does someone you know need to hear that Jesus offers forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life?

Brightening someone’s day will pierce your cloud with sunshine.

3. Rejoice in thanksgiving to God, the Giver of all gifts (James 1:17).

Listing our blessings changes our focus from need to gratitude. A two-year-old I know recently called, “Tank you,” to each nurse, doctor, and tech who administered care to her in the ER. Simple gratitude.

I’m praying for each reader that whether you’re experiencing grief, pain, or frustration, God will fill your hearts with joy and help you recover gratitude as you look to Him.

Now it’s your turn

Please share a Thanksgiving memory or a suggestion that helped you when holidays changed.

If you choose to leave a comment about your need, it will be my privilege to pray for you.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High.

–Psalm 92:1 ESV

Encouraging Speech is Not “for the Birds”

October 11, 2018Jeannie Waters12 Comments

Sometimes I say too much. My intentions are good, and I realize the listener doesn’t need to know all that I know—or think I know—about how to solve her problem. But, sometimes I say too much.

Maybe God was teaching me a lesson when I saw a mockingbird who didn’t sing.

The bird flew across my neighbor’s yard and perched on a bush. Blue jays, cardinals, and sparrows were filling the morning air with musical notes but not this mockingbird. She simply turned her head from side to side as if listening intently and then flew away.

A few moments later she returned, gripped a limb, and sang her heart out as if she had a very important message to convey.

How like this wise bird I want to be—not chirping and singing out constantly as soon as I arrive on the scene but thoughtfully listening and waiting patiently for the right moment to share. Do you agree that our words would sound more melodious in the ears of the listener if we adopted this practice?

How often do we offer advice or interject our experience before a friend or co-worker finishes sharing her plight? I need to listen attentively and to pray silently for wisdom before responding. What about you?

The psalmist penned a prayer to help us.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

–Psalm 19:14 ESV*

One way to develop winsome speech is to study Scripture. Some helpful verses:

1. Avoid the “clanging cymbal” speech and speak with love.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

–1 Corinthians 13:1

2. Listen and wait before you speak.

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

–James 1:19

3. Watch the timing.

. . . a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.

–Ecclesiastes 3:7b

4. Speak words that edify others.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

–Ephesians 4:29

5. Select words carefully.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

–Proverbs 25:11

I’m thankful the mockingbird observation reminded me of the biblical truths about talking. I want my words to be like “apples of gold in a setting of silver.”

Please help me and other readers by sharing your thoughts below.

*All verses are quoted from the English Standard Version.