We Have A Choice!

by Kay Heitsch

We have a choice every day on how we will think and live!

For many years I lived by how I felt. I lived a life of worry, high tension, and anger. I worried a lot! What if this or what if that? Because of worrying all the time, I was under a lot of tension. When I sat down, my legs actually shook from being so tense. Plus, I had an undercurrent of anger. Did I have a right to be angry? You bet I did! I won't go into all the reasons I had to be angry, but I was!

I was also very negative. It was actually amusing when I think back. I had a neighbor who would call me every morning. Her first words were, "Well, what can we (blank) about today?" We lived in a beautiful neighborhood, had terrific families, but our focus was on complaining and finding things we didn't like. Somehow, I knew this was not the way to live. But I didn't like the way I saw religious people live either. I knew there must be a better way.

I wasn't much of a reader, but I decided to go to the library. I wasn't even sure what I was looking for. However, after going up and down the aisles, I found several books that seemed interesting. I took them home and started to read them.

Some of these books were really inspiring to me. They actually showed a different and better way to live. I wasn't too happy when I saw that this way of life was coming from the Bible. The people I knew who were religious didn't live this way! If there was one thing, I knew I did not want to be like them at all.

To make this point very clear, I'll tell a little story about myself. One day, many years before my trip to the library, a minister dropped by our home. He was sent by someone who thought I needed to go to church. I was smoking a cigarette when he came in. He was much opposed to smoking, as he was to all of my lifestyles. Anyway, he asked if I wanted to go to Heaven. My response was sharp and to the point. I answered, "No, if people like you are going to be there. I don't want to spend one hour a week with you, let alone eternity!" Let's just say this didn't go over well, and he left.

As I said, I knew my way of thinking and acting was not helping me. As I continued reading these books, which showed people living a better way, I could see that this overcoming, joyous life was made possible by putting Bible principles into practice. This was blowing my mind. I could hardly believe it! Why on this earth were people, I knew, who called themselves Christians, not living this way? I wanted to live this new life that these people in the books were living!

I started to type some of the tips from these books and put them into practice to see if they actually worked. Much to my surprise, they did! I was feeling more relaxed, happier, and less angry.

As I read these books, I could see that the people who lived by these principles were Christians. They not only trusted the Lord for their eternal life, but they trusted Him to lead and guide them in their daily lives. It seemed far-fetched to me at the time, but I could see it was working for them. As I began to put these principles into practice in my own life, I could see they were working for me as well.

One thing I noticed while reading was something I did not like. I did not like the idea that to really live this overcoming life, right here on earth, I would need help. I wanted to do this on my own. I didn't want nor feel that I needed help!

When our 16-year-old son, Todd, died suddenly in a car accident, my whole life changed. I lived in a fog for a while. It seemed I was watching a horror movie from afar. I was going through the motions of living, but nothing seemed natural. I was offered prescription medication, but I declined as I didn't need to feel more numb than I did. I was trying hard to come to grips with this horrible reality, as my mind was screaming it was not valid.

Over time I started to remember some of the things I had read in these books about living an overcoming life right here on earth no matter what happens. Could it be possible? Could I really live an overcoming life after the death of my son? I wasn't even sure I wanted to live, period! There were days I wished I had died right along with Todd. This pain was unbearable. Physical pain is one thing, but the pain a mother feels when her child has passed doesn't even come close to physical pain. What was I going to do?

I started to think, "I have a right to feel this way! I have a right to feel angry! I have a right to be sad! I have a right to hate several people! I have a right... The thoughts came like a flood to my mind. As I sat stewing over my right, I had a soft and quiet thought sneak in. "Kay, you have a right to be happy! You have a right to live a positive life! You have a right to let go of things and people who have hurt you! I'm here to help you if you let Me!" "Help?" Where did I hear that before? Oh yeah, in the books I'd been reading. If I really wanted this overcoming life, I would need help. I did desire this life and desperately needed it to go on.

I'm so thankful today I have allowed the Lord to help me. He has shown me Bible verses that have entirely changed my way of thinking. He has brought teachers into my life who teach people how to have eternal life and how to live an extraordinary life right here on earth.

In this upcoming New Year, I hope and pray that I will continue to grow in my personal relationship with the Lord. I will ask Him to help me live a joyous life right here on earth. And hopefully, help others along the way.

Here are some texts that have helped me.

1.This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 NLT

2. The thief comes only that he might steal and might kill and might destroy. I came that they may have life and may have it abundantly. John 10:10 BLB

3. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 NLT

4. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart because I have overcome the world." John 16:33 NLT

5.Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 ESV

6. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another." John 13:35 NIV

7.. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on accurate, honorable, and right, pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 NLT

8.Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5 & 6 NLT

9. Let us keep our eye fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. Hebrews 12:2 TEV

10. But none of these things move me, neither count my life dear unto myself so that I might finish my course with joy and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24 KJV

The Coloring Book

by Kay Heitsch

Have you ever thought about something you would like to have but never mentioned it to anyone?

Ever since I was a little girl, I liked to color. I didn't always use a coloring book, but I would make designs on paper and color the different sections.

I'd heard of adult coloring books, but I never saw one. I'd noticed on FB someone sharing about places you could go to download coloring sheets for adults. This sounded interesting. However, I dismissed the idea.

This Christmas, I was shocked, and tears filled my eyes when Shannon, our daughter, gave me an adult coloring book. Everyone was cracking up when through my tears, I said, "Oh, this is what I've always wanted!"

Pretty obvious no one knew I wanted an adult coloring book, but God did. This may sound odd to some of you, but the Bible text, "Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 NIV came to my mind. This Bible text was accurate for me this Christmas.

Give 'em Something To Talk About

by Kay Heitsch

One of my Dad's favorite things to say was, "Give "em something to talk about."

Today I heard a message, and this line was used. However, the way it was used was different than the way my Dad used it. Today's message is meant to watch and see what the Lord is doing in our lives, and then we'll have something great to talk about.

I like that a lot! When the Lord does something extraordinary in our lives, we should talk about it. When we do, others talk about it too.

This year I expect to, "Give 'em something to talk about!" I hope you will too.

Christmas Blessing

by Kay Heitsch

When I accepted a friend request this week, I had no idea what a Christmas blessing would be. When the request came, I didn't recognize the name, but since I knew a couple of people she knew, I accepted.

Later in the day, I received a private message. I was amazed to find out that I had given her a "Have A Great Day- Every Day! Book 25 years ago at a bank where she worked.

I felt overwhelmed, and tears filled my eyes when she told me I had really made a difference in her life and in her words, "You were actually like an angel to me." What a Christmas blessing! To think I had made a difference in her life. And she saw me like an angel to her.

I could see God's timing was perfect too. I say this because the day before, an old high school friend had made a comment on one of my posts saying, "When were you ever an angel?" I'd replied, "Never was, as you remember, I'm sure." Well, Paul, I guess God showed me that I was an angel to this girl. :D

I never expected to hear from someone after so many years, but I am very thankful for this Christmas Blessing!

Giving Back

by Kay Heitsch

My Mom came from a family of 14 children. Christmastime wasn't always the best. However, there was a man who went out of his way to make the day special.

Over the years, my Mom talked about how this guy would come out on Christmas and bring candy to her brothers and sisters. Mom never forgot his kindness. I believe because of the kindness shown to her at Christmastime, Mom made it a point to do unique things for the less fortunate.

Mom was a great baker, and she did bake cookies, but she wanted a variety to give away. There was a lady in town who made cookies. Mom would place an order, and when the cookies were ready, we would go over and pick them up. I well remember the wonderful smell of cookies when she opened the door. After we had the cookies, I'd help Mom divide them up on plates, and we would deliver them.

One summer, we went back to Mom's hometown. As I remember, she bought some flowers and candy at a local store. We then drove to the person's home who had given Mom's family the candy on Christmas so many years before. Mom knocked on a large wooden door. An elderly, frail man answered. Mom introduced herself and thanked him for the kindness he had shown her family so many years before. Then she handed him the flowers and candy as gave him a hug.

I'm thankful I had a Mom who taught me to give. I may have been an only child, but I always gave toys, etc., away to children who had less than I did. She taught me, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35.

Who Knows?

by Kay Heitsch

Christmastime at our house when I was a child had its ups and downs. It certainly wasn't like the sweet Christmas shows you see on TV. My Dad had a severe drinking problem. He hated Christmas, for the most part, and everyone knew it.

It was tough to deal with him at Christmas. My mom would remind me that my dad had a tough childhood. He didn't have a mom because she'd died when he was five years old. His dad never got over her death and lived in a state of depression. Quite frankly, I don't think they celebrated Christmas, and now as an adult, my dad had his issues with it.

I'm no psychologist, but I somehow feel he was still angry that when he wanted something for Christmas, as a child, Dad didn't get anything, so now he just didn't want anything. If he wanted something, he'd buy it for himself.

When the bars closed early on Christmas Eve, my dad would come home drunk. He had been drinking all day. We were used to him coming home this way because he would come home drunk several times a week, usually at 3:00 am, though.

On Christmas Eve, for some reason, he wanted to take me to his church for the Christmas Eve service. My Mom would not hear of it! After all, he was drunk! Her response would start a big argument. My Mom would try to appease him by handing him a gift. He would throw it across the room, yelling, "I don't want this blank gift!" This scenario was played out year after year.

Years later, after my mom died and I was grown, my dad had a heart and attitude change. He loved to get gifts at Christmas or any time of the year.

One year he came to our house for Christmas. My Aunt Carmel, Uncle Fred, Patty, John, and their two little girls also came. Patty played the piano, and we all sat around singing Christmas Carols. Guess who knew the songs? My Dad!

I've often wondered why my Dad wanted to go to church on Christmas Eve when he never wanted to step foot in one any other time. Since he knew the songs we sang that Christmas Eve, I wonder if he learned the songs, as a little boy, by going to church with his Mom on Christmas Eve before she died.

This year if you're at church and someone comes in smelling like they are drunk, reach out to them in love. I wish my Mom would not have been so religious and looked past my dad's drunken condition and had allowed me to go to church with him. Who knows what might have happened.

You Don't Believe That, Do You?

by Kay Heitsch

Many years ago, I babysat a little Indian girl named Neha. Her parents were Hindu.

I asked if they cared if I took Naha over to church for a Christmas program at Christmas time. Her parents were okay with the idea. Neha was bright-eyed, seeing all the decorations and the program.

When Christmas rolled around, I gave Neha a little music globe with the nativity scene in it. I didn't think that much of it.

One day I was outside, and her dad walked over and asked me what the meaning of Christmas was. I said, "Christmas to me means that God came to earth as a baby to save us from our sins."

I'll never forget the "look" on Andy's face when he blurted out, "Kay, you don't believe that, do you?" I smiled and said I did. Andy walked away, shaking his head.

Many years later, I was outside shoveling with my little RED shovel when Andy walked over with a bag. He told me that he had been working in the Holy Land. Andy went on to say, much to his co-worker's surprise, he actually took the tours that Christians take in the Holy Land. Andy said he told his co-workers when they laughed that he was taking these tours and standing in long lines for his friend, Kay.

Then Andy handed me the bag. I went inside and opened it. Inside was a nativity made of beautiful wood he had bought in the Holy Land.

When someone asks you about your faith, and you answer honestly, you never know what kind of an impact it may have. Neha is a teenager now, and she's going to a Christian High School.

A Storm Up Ahead

by Kay Heitsch

My husband Bill was driving out west. He kept hearing on the radio that there were several tornadoes spotted. As he drove, he could see what looked like a tornado behind him. He put the pedal to the metal and tried to outrun it.

Wouldn't you know he looked at the fuel gauge? He had no choice but to stop for fuel. Of all times, when he didn't want to stop, he had to.

As he started out once again and got a few miles down the highway, he had an eye-opening experience. Trees were cut off. Debris was all over the road. It looked like a tornado had hit this area hard because it had.

Bill knew if he hadn't stopped for fuel, he would have been right in the middle of this tornado.

Sometimes you are delayed where you are because God knows there's a storm where you're headed. Be grateful!

This was so true for Bill this day.