"BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO"

By: Donna Selma Lind

"BIG BERTHA"

Meet Big Bertha.She has been the "Workhorse" of my kitchen since the early 1980's.

Big Bertha and I have made countless Birthday cakes, cookies, breads and pies together through the years. She is a little like the Bionic Woman, she doesn't have all her original parts. She's had her motor replaced, a new button here and there and a couple of other parts I had to scout for on eBay.

We have been through alot together. Lived in a dozen houses in several states.We have canned hundreds of jars of jams, pickles and salsa's together. She has perched upon Butcher block, Formica, and Granite. Withstood the fashion decor from 1980's calico wallpaper and 1990's stencils to more recent bead board and subway tiles. Nearly four decades later she still runs like a champ! 

"Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?" Proverbs 20:6

Nevertheless, when the sales clerk at the department store started spouting off reasons why I needed a new Kitchen-aid and rattling  her pitch on the once in a lifetime deal and how this new machine would drastically change my life, I fell. I fell hard. I bit the bait. Hook line and sinker. Head over heels. I was starry-eyed. "Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs." I was imagining myself making homemade pasta and cupcakes with mile high butter cream frosting, pies with meringue, tapioca, truffles and trifles. I dreamed of owning one of these power houses since I was a teenager in Miss Davis's Home-Ec class. 

Now the only obstacle in my way was deciding between the colors Classic white or Stainless steel?

Big Bertha who? We had our share of good times. But here was this fancy beautiful brand new sleek shiny machine sitting right in front of me. Any questions? Only one choice right?

 Breaking up is hard to do. 

The clerk promised delivery by Christmas. I was elated. Cloud nine over the moon excited.

I came home and knew what I had to do. There she was sitting on the kitchen counter. With her glass nesting bowls all sparkly from the sunlight. I got a box out from the closet and started to gather all the attachments. The dough hook, the food chopper the meat grinder, the blender. Oh my, I forgot all the special features Bertha had! Every attachment I put into the box sparked another memory.

We had such a history. She and I shared so much. I knew all her little quirky flaws and she knew mine. How could I let her go? Sure she was a little worn around the edges(like me) and wasn't as beautiful as her modern contenders, but she still worked great! She was a survivor! A faithful friend. They just don't make them like Big Bertha anymore.  

A few days later the UPS man delivered the boxes with the new "Kitchen-aid." They weighed a ton!

My very confused and patient  husband drove me back to the  department store where I promptly returned the boxes and it's  contents to customer service. 

"Big Bertha" and I worked the holidays together again. I used to look at her and think someday I am going to replace you with something bigger and better. Now I look at her and think, Wow you look good for what you have been through! You're a hard worker. I am so glad I decided to keep you! 

 Sometimes we have to let go of old things to make room for new things. Sometimes we have all that we need right in front of us and we just need to recognize it and count our blessings.

It's easy to get caught in the enemy's trap of material things. Coveting something new when there is nothing wrong with what we already have.

"Beware and be on your guard against every form of greed." Luke 12:15

 The newest and the biggest isn't always the best.

 Be thankful for what you have and you'll always be blessed!

We took the extra money that was refunded for the Kitchen-aid and purchased Bibles for persecuted Christians in foreign countries instead! Material things fade away but God's Word will last forever! 

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."Colossians 3:2

"But the word of the Lord lasts forever." 1 Peter1:25


HALLELUJAH! PRAISE THE LORD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Donna Selma Lind

"HOLIDAY HUMPS AND HURDLES"

By: Donna Selma Lind

"HOLIDAY HUMPS AND HURDLES"

It's that time of the year when we are dashing to and fro, running willy nilly from pillar to post trying to find the perfect gifts for friends and family. 

Ahh, the family. For those of you who have the perfect family like "THE WALTON'S", this post is not for you.You have my permission to stop reading and go back to your Candy Cane Cocoa and Christmas cookies.

 For the rest of us, we are preparing for "Humps and Hurdles."

You know what I'm talking about. 

The awkward family conversations where you can't really talk about anything  because someone gets upset and offended. The problems, pain and past hurts we carry around like humps on a camels back. The hurdles we have to jump over in order to avoid arguments and keep the peace so war doesn't break out at the dinner table.

Real families have real issues. You might not want to admit it ,but it's true. If there is a perfect family out there I haven't met them. Every family has something. That family problem you are trying to hide or avoid is nothing new and you are not the only one who is dealing with it.

Family problems may include: jealousy, strife, quarrels, sibling rivalry, addiction, divorce, blended families,financial burdens, adultery, lying , cheating , stealing, greed, pride, pornography, unforgiveness, abuse, anger, depression, eating disorders, unconfessed sin,chronic illness, rejection.

With all the different personality and temperament types plus all the different ideals and opinions it can get a little sticky and uncomfortable. People get anxious, hurt feelings, upset, emotional and can lose tempers. We say things we don't mean and we mean things we don't say.

 The Hot Cross Buns at the dinner table can quickly become The Hot Tossed Buns! 

How many have ever witnessed or been part of a food, word tossing or worse at a Holiday celebration?

Things can get ugly and ugly grows. Ugly drives a wedge between people and families. Ugly becomes Humps and Hurdles that separate families. One word, one action that separates us from the ones we love for weeks, months , years or a lifetime.

Time we can never get back. Time the devil steals from us. Loved ones the devil steals from us. Joy the devil steals from us.

I know there are families out there that will not see their loved ones this Christmas because they got upset about something and stopped talking. They got offended and refuse to forgive. They are stubborn or prideful and won't let go. 

I know because I've been there, on both the giving and receiving side.

What a waste of time and life.

Please stop, get over the Humps and Hurdles and JUST LOVE THEM!

 Love them for who they are. Forgive them for what they've done.  Ask them to forgive you.

Even if you don't think you are wrong. Even if they hurt you, JUST LOVE THEM!

This doesn't mean you are condoning or agreeing with them it means you are refusing to live in bondage and pain any longer.  It means you choose to walk in Love and Liberty. It means you are taking back what the enemy has stolen, your loved ones, your joy, your peace.

Pick up the phone and call them.

Send them a text or E-mail.

Write them a letter.

Take the high road. Before it's too late. This may be your last chance.

Grandparents, parents, sons, daughters, husbands, wives, grandkids, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, step-family, in-laws and out-laws, co-workers, friends or foe.

JUST LOVE THEM!

God will take care of the rest. 

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger,brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32

"Make allowances for each others faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." Colossians 3:13 

"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

1 Corinthians 13:7

PLEASE STOP! GET OVER HOLIDAY HUMPS AND HURDLES.

GIVE THE GIFT OF LOVE ! JUST LOVE THEM!

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord and Share the Good News!

Donna Selma Lind

 

''THE FIRST CHRISTMAS"

By: Donna Selma Lind

When you hear the words "THE FIRST CHRISTMAS" what do you think of?  Of course we think of  the day our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was born. The day when Mary and Joseph wished they had booked a room in advance with the TRAVELOCITY GNOME! 

After traveling for days through the desert on the back of a donkey, teenager Mary who was nine months pregnant and her carpenter husband Joseph got bumped into the only room available, a Stable full of  stinky animals. The FIRST CHRISTMAS took place in a Barn with a feeding trough manger substituting as a crib for Baby Jesus.

Mary wrapped her newborn baby in swaddling cloths and laid him in that manger. 

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14

And every year since that FIRST CHRISTMAS we celebrate in honor of Jesus Christ, born in a humble stable in Bethlehem. Light of the world who came to take away our sins. 

We celebrate the Savior who came to save us and give us his indescribable gift of eternal life. And because of, his love, mercy and grace, he took our place, shed his blood and Gave His life for us.  

THANK YOU JESUS ! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS! WE LOVE YOU!

Now I would like to talk to you about a different kind of FIRST CHRISTMAS. 

For many of us this will be The FIRST CHRISTMAS. 

The FIRST CHRISTMAS of one kind or another.

You may be facing a difficult and challenging or a wonderful FIRST CHRISTMAS!

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS:

Since your loved one Died.

Since you got Married.

Since you got Divorced.

Since you lost your Job.

Since you had a bad health  Diagnosis.

Since you had a good health Report.

Since you Moved to a new place.

Since you had a Baby.

Since you lost a Baby.

Since you Retired.

Since you or a loved one are home from the Military or War.

(THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!)

Since you were Hurt, Cheated on or Betrayed.

Since you or they are an Addict.

Since you've been Clean & Sober.

Since you are an Empty Nester.

Since you were Abused.

Since your Parents or Spouse had to go in a Nursing Home.

Since the Tragedy .

Since you Graduated.

 Since the Accident.

Since you lost your pet.

Since the Financial loss.

Since your loved one is in Prison.

Since you began following Christ.

Since _____________________________________________________

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS when your life seems to be missing something or someone. 

Whether you are starting over brand new or ending something old. 

You will get through this! You are going to make it! You are going to be okay! You are not alone! The Lord is right by your side. Emmanuel, God is with you! 

Whatever your FIRST CHRISTMAS is I pray you will be Blessed and that you will count your Blessings! 

I pray that you will experience the Love and Peace of God like never before! 

I pray that you will take time to Give of yourself the way that God has given to you. 

No matter what this FIRST CHRISTMAS looks like for you, you can follow the example of our Heavenly Father.

"For God so loved the world that he GAVE his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

GIVE. 

GIVE YOUR HEART TO JESUS!

AND THEN SHARE YOUR HEART AND THE GOOD NEWS WITH OTHERS!

HALLELUJAH!  PRAISE THE LORD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

Donna Selma Lind 

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Please share your thoughts with me in the "comments"section  by clicking below on the 

"HALLELUJAH HERALD"link, this will take you to the Full website page where you will have access to all my posts as well as the ability to comment on whatever "The FIRST CHRISTMAS" means for you.

Maybe you can help bless someone else by sharing your "FIRST CHRISTMAS." 👇