The Voice

by Kay Heitsch

Today my sister-in-law, Julie, sent me a Bible verse I have read many times before. "My sheep hear My voice." John 10:27 As I was sending her a response, I thought about something that happened many years ago.

I was home alone and in the bathroom doing my hair when I heard someone call my name 3 times. I wasn't startled but walked out of the bathroom, looking to see who was calling each time. I saw no one. Then the phone rang. When I answered the phone, I found it was Dr. Norman V. Peale's office calling. They were asking me if they had my permission to publish the letter I had written Dr. Peale. As most of you know, Dr. Peale's office gave this letter a title, "In Loving Memory of Todd." Anyone who knows me very well knows all the beautiful things from that letter being published.

I thought after reading Julie's text maybe this was the Lord's voice I heard. Just perhaps He was letting me know that He was ready to start something extraordinary, and it took me all these years to figure it out.

Always In A Hurry

by Kay Heitsch

I was in a hurry when I pulled in front of a store where I took some newspapers. On a previous day, I overheard one of the employees telling a customer they constantly needed newspapers to wrap things in.

I was getting out of the car with the newspapers when I noticed an elderly man using a walker. As I got to the door, I heard him say, "Always in a hurry, They're always in a hurry! No one has time to help." I stopped! I gave him a smile and said, "I have time to help." Then I held the door open for him.

Somehow those words, "Always in a hurry. They're always in a hurry. No one has time to help." really got my attention. I can live my life always in a hurry. I'm happy the Lord helped me hear and see this man's need, and I stopped for a second to help him.

Unexpected SONshine!

by Kay Heitsch

Today I heard a message on Unexpected Sunshine. As with most days, I never know what I will post until I sit down at the computer. Today I was looking for something to go along with expecting good things to happen. I typed in expecting something good or something like that in Google. I saw that a site I had submitted a story to was using the account to advertise their site, to my unexpected surprise. Oh, WOW, that was Unexpected Sunshine (SONshine) in my day, and it will be going into my "Special Blessings" journal.

Special Blessings Journal

 Kay Heitsch

While watching Enjoying Everyday Life with Joyce Meyer, she suggested doing something I thought was a great idea. Joyce said she kept a journal of things she saw during the day that she felt were special blessings from God. I know people talk about "good breaks," "luck," etc., but for a Christian, I see these things as Joyce does as God showing me His love. I decided to start a journal too and call mine a "Special Blessings."

I had this idea, but now I needed something to write in. I know how I am, so I was hesitant to begin looking for something. I can get distracted looking in boxes, so I ask the Lord to help me find something quickly. I opened the first box in a closet,,, nothing. The second box, however, had a beautiful journal I had never even written in. Janet Lindon had given me this journal when I left Dover, Ohio, in the 1990s. I saw this unique find my "first" special blessing of the day God gave me.

I share this with you because I think it's a beautiful idea to write down things that happen to us that we sometimes take for granted.

I hope to look back in this journal and remember all the special blessings God has done for me.

A Simple Act of Kindness

by Kay Heitsch

When I walked into Planet Fitness, I was excited to see what the experience would bring. I've joined several fitness places over the years. I'm still friends with several people from Valley Tan and Fitness in Ohio, so I had a good idea I would make new friends at PF as well.

I've met some fascinating people at Planet Fitness. Everyone has a story, and it's been heartwarming and sometimes sad to hear them. I've felt blessed to be able to share my story, a hug, or maybe just a smile with several people there.

A couple of months ago, I had a phone call from a new friend, Kathy, I had met at Planet Fitness. From talking with Kathy a lot walking on the treadmill or the Arc, I felt she may be encouraged by some CDs and books from Joyce Meyer. I even shared some of Dr. Peale's booklets. I started to bring a few CDs or books in at a time and give them to her. I told Kathy to pass them along when she was finished when she asked if I wanted them back.

In this phone call, Kathy told me she had been listening to these CD's and had passed them along to her ex-sister-in-law. Much to my delight, Kathy shared her ex-sister-in-law also read these books and listened to the CDs. An added blessing she had given her life to the Lord and had been baptized! WOW!

I've never met Kathy's ex-sister-in-law, but I know I will if not here on earth, we will meet in Heaven.