My life

As I sit here thinking of the life that I have led, I think of all the things I’ve done and all the things I’ve said. I think about the paths I chose that brought me to this spot. I think of all the things I am and all the things I’m not. But when it all is said and done and I journey on my way, I know it’s not about what I was, but what I am today. It’ not about the things I’ve said, or how I used to be. It’s all about the life I lived, once Jesus set me free. I’ve come to understand myself a lot better than before. I’m filled with peace and joy and hope for all the things in store. For when I reach my heavenly home and walk on streets of gold, It will be about my brand new life and not my days of old. Copyright Brenda Keefer

A Walmart Wanderer

I have taken to wandering the aisles of Wal-Mart. At the same time I am wondering "What were they thinking?" Their corporate office says: "The new layout is easier to navigate, which will save our customers time as they shop for necessities." I say: "Not so much". Now you all know I am a die-hard Wal-mart fan. However, I am having a hard time adjusting to the change. I think they need to invent a WPS (a GPS for Wal-mart's new layout). You cannot find anything. When I ask an employee where something moved to, they generally can only point me to one of the huge round signs. I was looking for a simple picture frame recently. I was told go to the big blue sign that says "Home Decor" or something like that. Well, guess what. That is EVERYTHING for the home .... plastic containers, ironing needs, vacuums, towels, dishes, pots & pans, etc. And I finally found the frames on the back side of the last aisle - directly across from the personal care section. It would be easier if she had said "across from the shampoo." So now instead of "Go to aisle 11" you get to go to a "section" that has about 15 or 20 aisles so you can find it yourself. And it seems like everything I want has been discontinued as an item they no longer carry. They dropped over 1000 items from their inventory I was told. Their craft section is pathetic compared to the past. They have a limited selection of materials and now pre-package a lot of it in kits or 2 - 3 yard packages. I recently purchased hair gel at Target and paid about 40 cents more (gasp) for it because I simply did not feel like fighting the aggravation of looking for it at Wal-mart. For someone who is a major bargain shopper and discount queen, that is making a HUGE statement. It is a sad, sad world when I prefer Target over Wal-mart....and don't even feel unfaithful about it.

My calm in the storm

With all the dark clouds and fierce storms we've had lately, I'm reminded of the word in that song "Sometimes He calms the storm, sometimes He calms me." As I was playing it in my car yesterday, I got to thinking about it and it made me wonder about the storms in our lives. How many of the storms we face are caused by the world around us and how many are of our own making? Many times, we have people who will say or do something that makes our life miserable. We give too much control over our feelings and actions. These are the times that I believe Satan is working his hardest to get at us and to chip away at our faith and beliefs. These are the times we should be dropping to our knees constantly asking for God to bring us through the storm, protected and safe. But how many times do we create our own storms? We doubt ourselves and second-guess everything we do. We worry over things we have no control over until it becomes an obsession that keeps us from moving forward the way God wants us to. We take casual remarks to heart and think that it was meant specifically for us, when it has nothing to do with us. These are the storms that we create that keep us from leading full, happy lives. Storms of our own making are self-doubt and fear. The very things we fear, in most cases, never come to be. Yet, we will let these fears rule our lives. Self-doubt is a destructive weapon that can bring grown men to their knees. As you battle the storms in your life, not only ask God to bring you through them, but ask Him to help you stop creating them. He is always there. Our fail-safe. Our protection. Our guide. We just don't always call on Him until the storms get so bad we can't handle them on our own.

Happy Father's Day

As we celebrate Father’s Day this year, I want to remember the four men in my life who have meant the most to me. First, Happy Father’s Day to My Daddy: Growing up in a loving family, Daddy played an important, but quite, role in our lives. He was always there. Providing for us, playing with us, loving us. He loved each of us and showed his love every day. He loved Mom deeply and between the two of them, home was a place of warmth and happiness. He was a hard worker and set good examples for us all. Next, Happy Father’s Day to My Husband: I met Allen when I was 25 years old. On our first date, I knew it was destiny for me to spend my life with this man. He has been my rock. No matter what happens, I can always turn to him for comfort and support. He has been a wonderful provider and a great father to our children. Not many men will take on a new wife with 3 year old twins when they have a 4 year old, 3 year old and one year old of their own? But Allen did. Thanks to him, my children were able to have a full, happy childhood. We went places and did things that I never could have done without him. He is the love of my life and I wish him a Happy Father’s Day. Also, Happy Father’s Day to My Father-in-law: When I think of my father-in-law, I think of joy, friendliness, and laughter. Joe has never met a stranger. He is one of those people who you just can’t help but love the minute you meet him. He has been there for us over the years whenever we needed him. I am so thankful to still have him in my life today. He is 81 and while he has health challenges, you would never know it to look at him. He goes and goes. He still looks the same today as he did 20 years ago. He is a rare individual and I love him dearly. I’ve saved the best for last, Happy Father’s Day to my heavenly Father. I always give thanks on Father’s day to the one who has made my life possible. He is the one who stands beside me come what may. He is the one who breathed life into me and watches over every step I take. He is the one who picks me up when I falter. He is the one who calms the storms in my life. He is the one who calms me when the storms are of my own making. He is my rock, my salvation, and my strength - my everything. He tells us over and over I AM. I love him with every ounce of my being because I know that HE IS!

Memories of Daddy

In honor of Father's Day tomorrow, I want to dedicate my blog today to my Daddy. He has been gone for 11 years and I can still hear his voice, hear his laughter, feel his love. He worked for the C & O railroad (before it was CSX). When he came home in the evenings, he always had time for us kids. He taught us how to play marbles and ball and badminton. We loved being out in the yard with him. As time passes by, my memories of Daddy never fade. Little moments stand out never to be forgotten. Memories of him taking us to Brady's hardware with him and letting us browse the paint charts and look at the tools. Memories of him taking me and Rachel to Updyke's 5 & 10 and buying us our first little new testament bibles. Memories of rubbing his feet or his back to make a quarter. Memories of him getting out his secret stash of the giant Hershey bar and breaking us each off a piece. Memories of laying out in the sun on Sunday afternoons while Daddy sat on the patio listening to the Reds on the radio. Memories of him eating off a TV tray in the living room when Marshall played basketball. Memories of buttermilk and cornbread for a late night snack or bread broken up in a cup of coffee with butter and cream. Memories of helping him mix concrete for a new sidewalk and patio. Memories of getting to flip the chalk line on lumber when he made anything. Memories of long walks in the woods on Sundays, or up to the golf course to find golf balls or simply walking up the road to see the cows (not sure why we loved to do that, but we did). Memories of him in his building where he would work for hours making us book cases, doll benches and what-not shelves. Memories of eating ice cream together and riding to town on the bus. Memories of him taking us to Merle Norman's and letting us buy Mommy a pretty pin for Mother's day. I now have those pins because Mom gave them to me a few years ago. I could fill the whole internet with all the wonderful memories of Daddy. But to sum it all up, my greatest memory of Daddy was LOVE. Always and forever. I miss you Daddy.

Forever 25

As we grow older, our bodies change. We put on weight. We have aches and pains in places where we didn't even know we had places. We start to wonder "What would it be like to get out of bed and be able to move without stiffness?" To literally "run" out to the mailbox and be able to breathe when we get there. Someone asked this question yesterday: Satchel Paige asked, “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?” So, how old would you be? I would be forever 25. Forget the aches and pains for a moment. Don't sweat how much you weigh. In your mind, how old do you act? Are you in your 50's but act like you are approaching 90? Do your actions and words label you as "old before your time". Or do you continue to enjoy life to the fullest? Do you go after the brass ring and rejoice when you grab it? Life is not about age. It is about what you do with the moments you have. I will be forever 25. Old enough to be an adult when I need to be, but young enough to play when I want. I actually bought a jump rope a few years back and would jump with the grandsons. Now the granddaughters are older, I'm going to buy another one this summer along with a set of jacks so I can teach them how to play. If I stay 25, I can still get down in the floor and get back up again, despite the aches and pains. I can still throw my head back in laughter at something I find humor in without worrying about what people will say. I can still go, go, go, go. I don't' have to stay home and become a couch potato. If I stay 25, I can find the joy in simple things. Like swinging a hula hoop around my waste or twirling a baton in the air. I can still get in the floor to play cars and truck or wonder around the room playing zoo with the grandsons. I can still have tea parties and watch cartoons with the granddaughters. If I stay 25, I'm still thin and attractive to my husband. And yes, ladies, if I stay 25, I'm still sexy. If I stay 25, I can know that I need to watch what I eat, but I can splurge occasionally. If I stay 25, I can color my hair simply because I want a new shade or some highlights. I will age gracefully. I will agree that time is drawing a road map on my face with wrinkles and crinkles. But in my mind, I will always be 25. The wrinkles are just the joy marks of the wonderful life I have lead by always being 25.

The Mighty Weeping Willow

Isaiah 44:3-5 (King James Version) For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.

One of my favorite items in nature is the weeping willow. I grew up playing under one in my grandmother's yard. They are a thing of beauty and of wonder.

I want to be like the weeping willow. They sway and bend as the mighty storms of life blow around them. Their roots will travel to the nearest water. Their branches may get old and gnarled. They will twist and turn. They bend with the wind, but their strength never falters.

My prayer for each of you today is that you will be like the mighty willow. May you bend with whatever life tosses your way, but may it never break you. May you stand strong through the test of time. And may you have deep roots that are forever nourished by the living water.

Have a blessed and happy day!