Why Don't You Drop It?

by Kay Heitsch

I have a few things I need to drop in my life, like dead leaves in the fall. Maybe if I share one in particular, I will drop it!

Every time I hear a particular college football team's name mentioned, I have a horrible feeling that comes rising up. Oh, there's a reason behind this feeling, that is for sure.

Years ago, our son Todd played football. He played football from the time he was in the second grade until high school.

I'll admit we didn't live in the same state as relatives, but nonetheless, no one could be bothered to come and see him play, even one time. I knew it would have meant the world to him!

When I would send out his football schedule, it was always, "Oh, we can't make it. We have tickets to the so and so game. We're going to see them."

At the time, I didn't really think I cared so much, but then Todd died. Now I started to feel angry whenever I heard the mention of this team's name. I knew how much it would have meant if anyone would have come to watch him play.

When our daughter got married, a friend had tickets to see this same team to add insult to injury. Of course, more apologies were given.

This year the football season started. As soon as this team's name was mentioned, I made some negative comments. My husband said, "Why don't you drop it?"

Well, I am going to believe I will stop clinging to this issue like the old dead leaves on the tree, with God's help. Maybe sharing this story will help me move forward in the process.

Stage Fright

by Kay Heitsch

When our grandson Eli was 3 years old, he joined the Rainbow Choir. He was one of the youngest children in it.

One day our son-in-law stopped in to pick him up from practice. Much to his surprise, all the children were singing one song, but Eli was singing his own song, "Ba Ba Black Sheep Have You Any Wool." at the top of his lungs. :D

The Sunday came when all the children were to sing for church. Eli marched up with the rest of the children, but he ran off the platform crying when the music started.

Eli continued in the choir, but instead of singing, he just stood with his hands folded, staring straight ahead. We thought he must have stage fright.

One thing I like to do when I visit is to read Eli and Noah Bible stories. Eli loves the story about David and Goliath. I can really get into reading that story! Eli has no doubt that David is the hero with God's help.

Now Eli is 6 years old. He has joined the older children's choir. Once a year, this older children's choir put on a play. This year it's going to be about David and Goliath.

Much to our surprise, Eli announced that he was going to ask the choir director if he could be David. Our daughter explained to him that he would need to sing a solo. Eli didn't seem to care. He believes he is ready to take the lead role :D

I'm thrilled that Eli relates to the story of David and Goliath. This story has given him the courage to believe that he'll be able to conquer his stage fright to sing a solo.

Time will tell if he is given the part. Whether he does or not, I'm very proud that Eli is willing to try and not allow stage fright to hold him back.

In Loving Memory Of Todd

The following is a personal letter I wrote to Dr. Norman V. Peale after our 16 year old son Todd died. Dr. Peale published the letter in Plus The Magazine of Positive Thinking in 1990. He also used it as the introduction to his book, Have A Great Day-Every Day! 

Dear Dr. Peale, 

I became acquainted with your writing strictly by accident. If I had known you were a minister, I would not have touched your books with a ten-foot pole. I was searching for something; I wasn't sure what. 

During my search, I had gone to the psychology section of our public library and selected your book You Can If You Think You Can. I was inspired by what you had written. Although I had picked up books by other authors, they left me cold. I returned to the library to find more of your books. In the card file, your books were also listed under "religion." This was not to my liking. But I was so inspired by the first book I had read that I checked out more. 

You see, I was brought up with a religion that had left me bitter; I wanted nothing more to do with it. 

As I began reading your other books, I would skip over all of the Bible texts, feeling the power of my own mind was enough. I typed pages of your tips from several books. After a while, I started to put, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13) at the bottom of my typed pages. This amazed me! 

I showed many of these pages to my teen-aged son, Todd. He was also inspired, and encouraged me to continue my reading and sharing. 

Then, on a cold February day in 1988, one of my son's friends called. There had been a terrible accident. My son, Todd, had been killed. 

I could not believe this had happened. Todd was so positive! He had goals. He loved life. 

But it was true, My son was gone. 

Because my husband, Bill, always worked long hours and we were transferred frequently, Todd and I had developed a close relationship. Todd had found that making close friends in a new town inevitably led to painful good-bys. So he made it a practice to be casual friends with everyone. We had been in Ohio less than three years when he was killed. I remember wondering if anyone would come to pay respect. 

To my surprise, the funeral home was packed. People were lined up outside in the bitter cold. These teen-agers and teachers had loved Todd. They said that he was always happy and a friend to everyone. One teacher said he had never known Todd to have a bad day. This was because of you, Doctor Peale. Each morning, we read your book, "Have A Great Day." 

At the funeral home, I felt as though I were the comforter. I told all of the kids, after giving them a big hug, that they could come over and talk anytime. Several of them told me that Todd had always said I was easy to talk to and that they should visit me anytime. I was surprised. 

Kids started coming over to my home. They asked why Todd was always so happy, and I told them about positive thinking. I was even talking to them about the Lord, I started buying copies of "Have a Great Day" for everyone. On the inside, I would write, "In loving memory of Todd." 

I began seeing the Lord in a different way. This didn't happen overnight, however. It had been eight years since I first read "You Can If You Think You Can." I knew that my strength was coming from the Lord, but I was still holding on to my own strong will. 

Then one day, that all changed. It was just another day, but I couldn't muster up enough "positive thinking" on my own to face the day. I felt shaky and was afraid that I was going to fall apart. I knelt down and prayed. I finally admitted to the Lord-- and to myself--that He was the power, and I needed it right then. I felt such peace and love. This is what I had always been looking for! I felt as if He were saying, "What took you so long? I've been by your side all along." 

Sometime later, the phone rang. When I answered the phone, I recognized the voice of a good friend of Todd's. She was having trouble accepting Todd's death, and needed some answers. I told her I did not know how or why this terrible accident had happened, but that I would ask the Lord and get back to her. 

That night, I held the Bible and prayed that I could help this girl find her answer. I asked the Lord to speak to me throught His word. I told the Lord that I had totally accepted this tragedy. Now, with His help and guidance, I wanted to make something positive out of it. I then asked the Lord to please help me with this girl's problem. 

I hadn't read the Bible much in 20 years, so I did not know where to turn for the answers I needed. Randomly, I opened the Bible to John 15:13. It read: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." 

Was this the answer Todd's friend was looking for? I called her and read John 15:13

There was a pause. Then she said, "That was just like Todd. This is something he would have done." 

Shortly thereafter, the meaning of that Scripture bacame clear. Nick, the friend who had been the passenger in the car Todd was driving, told me details of the accident I had not previously known. Nick said he remembered the day as very cold. Sections of the road were quite slippery. 

All of a sudden, the car began to slide. Nick could see a tree coming closer and closer toward him. He remembered yelling. At that, Todd turned and looked over at him. Immediately, Todd turned the wheel with such force that it turned the car around. This caused the tree to come through the window on the driver's side rather than on the passenger's side The tree forced Todd to the back seat, killing him instantly. 

Gradually, John 15:13 took on greater meaning. You see, I, too was Todd's friend, and he laid down his life for me that day also. If this accident had not happened, I would no doubt be going down the same road, relying on my own power. 

I knew then why I had been typing the works, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." months before Todd's death. The day I had knelt down and surrendered my life to Christ, I also had died. Now I have His power and not my own. 

Nothing has been the same since I surrendered my life to God. 

Shortly after Todd's death, an advertisement asking for positive people to serve as Boosters for troubled kids appeared in our local paper. My husband and friends urged me to respond. I'm so glad I called that number. I could write a book on the wonderful blessings that have come from my experience as a Booster. 

I recently spoke before our church and community leaders, explaining how positive thinking had changed my life and the lives of the children with whom I was working. It has been a miracle. Several people, including me, were crying when I finished.

My son had been a cross-country runner, and in November 1988, the boy and girls decided to dedicate their season to Todd, They began training without a coach, so I gave each of them the condensed edition of "The Power of Positive Thinking." Both the boys' team and the girls' team made it to the state finals! It was the first time in our school's history that either team had gone so far. I even entered a local running contest, and won the "gold." 

I began starting the each day by talking to the Lord, thanking Him for another day, and asking Him what we should do with it. This prayer has led me to some unusual places. 

Doctor Peale, at all times, I carry several different booklets you have written. If I believe that someone would benefit from reading one, I give it to him. I have heard some wonderful stories because of this! 

I have distributed your booklets at our jail, at the laundromat, in doctors' offices and hospital wards, and at group homes for troubles teens. I also visit a nursing home every Thursday night. 

Around six months after Todd's death, my younger son Brandon (then three) began stuttering. You see, Brandon and I went for a walk each night, and about this time we saw a dead, decaying bird lying on the side of the road. Brandon referred to the bird as being "dead, just like Todd." He spoke of Todd often, and many people suggested that he needed professional help to deal with Todd's death. I took the problem right to the Lord. 

As I prayed about Brandon's problem, it seemed that the Lord was telling me to bury the bird. But I argued against this. After all, I did not wish to have to bury every dead animal we might see; I did not even want to touch this one! 

Finally, I gave in. We scooped up the bird in a bucket and brought it home. We dug a hole in the yard, and we talked. I told Brandon to shake the bird and call it; I did the same. I then told him that only Jesus could wake the little bird. I quoted the Bible and told him that one day Jesus would come back and call with a loud voice, and all who loved Him would come alive again. I said we would see Todd the minute Jesus woke him. 

The next morning when Brandon woke up, he did not stutter, and he has not stuttered since that date--the six month anniversary of Todd's death. A miracle? Yes, I believe it was, and I knew then that the Lord really did understand the problem.

Last November, our high school played the biggest football game of the year. It was dedicated to Todd, and, of course, our team won. The night before the game, I gave each player and coach one of your booklets in which I had written, "Believe , In loving memory of Todd Heitsch." 

Because of Todd's death, hundreds of people have been touched by the positive power of the Lord. I thank the Lord each day that he has seen fit to use me to reach others. Todd would have been a senior this year. In his memory, I am giving each of his classmates a copy of The Power of Positive Thinking. 

Dr. Peale, I started this letter by saying that I had become acquainted with your writings by accident. We both know, now, that it was no accident.

Make Someone Happy

by Kay Heitsch

"When we have the opportunity to make someone happy, we should do it. The world needs more of this." ~ Quotes ~

On Wednesday, I was at Planet Fitness when a girl came in wearing a great-looking patriotic jacket. I admire it right away but didn't say anything. Time passed, and I noticed she was about to leave. I was talking to someone and said, "Hey, there's that girl in that great jacket. I'm going over and tell her how much I like it."

I wasn't sure how some stranger would react to my enthusiasm about her jacket, but it didn't stop me. I quickly walked over and introduced myself and told her how much I loved her coat. She smiled and said her name was Amanda and she worked for this company that made the jacket. She went on to tell me how everything was American-made. She then handed me a business card with her name on it.

Yesterday, I got online looking for ADDIX Gear, the name of the company. I could see they actually made sports clothing for teams. I sent a message and was told they didn't sell retail, but they were thinking of starting.

I wasn't sure I would ever see Amanda again, but lo and behold, there she was in the locker room when I got to Planet Fitness yesterday. I told her how I had gotten online etc.

Amanda reminded me that she had her email address on the card. She told me to email her, and she would have a jacket like hers made just for me. I asked how much it would cost, and she said it is absolutely free to you! WOW!

Our Bible verse today says, Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially those in the family of faith. Galatians 6:10

Amanda had the opportunity and the ability to make someone's day happy. I'm so thankful it was mine!

Truck Stop Restroom

by Kay Heitsch

Several years ago, I took a trip with my husband in a big 18 wheeler. This was a trip I will never forget!

One extraordinary memory took place in a truck stop restroom of all places. We were parked, and I was relaxing, knitting some cell phone bags on a break.

I looked up from my knitting and noticed a woman carrying some shirts on hangers going into the truck stop. I knew she must be traveling with her husband.

I told Bill I was going in and giving her one of these cell phone bags I had made with a Bible verse inside.

As I walked into the restroom, I handed her one of my knitted bags, and we began talking. She asked me, "Do you know why I travel with my husband?" Of course, I didn't, so I answered, "No, why?" With tears in her eyes, she replied, "Because I can't stand to be alone in our home since my son died." I gave her a big, understanding hug and told her that my son had died too.

With a look of astonishment after hearing my son had also died, she asked, "Can I tell you about my son? I have never been able to talk to anyone about him because I knew they would never understand. But I know you will." I assured her I was there to listen to whatever she wanted to share.

As we left the restroom, her husband had come in and was waiting outside the door. With tears in her eyes, she hugged him and said, "God sent this woman here for me today. I was finally able to tell someone about our son who would understand."

I was blessed to be able to listen to this woman's story. You just never know the difference you can make in someone's life, even in a truck stop restroom.

Old Country Church

by Kay Heitsch

Many years ago, I received a phone call asking me to come and share my testimony. This was before GPS, and I had no idea where this church was located, but I didn't want to turn down the invitation. I had written down some directions but found myself lost a few times. However, whenever I stopped, someone was always there to show me the way.

I was starting to feel uneasy as I turned down one dirt road after another. I was out in the middle of nowhere. Finally, I could see a little white-framed church sitting on a hill. I felt relieved as I pulled into the gravel parking lot. I whispered a little prayer of thanks and walked to a door that I noticed was open.

The ladies were preparing a potluck in the basement before the service. I could smell the delicious homemade food as I walked in. I noticed the men were taking off their farm boots and leaving them at the door as they came in to eat. I had to smile as this was something I had not seen before.

Everyone was friendly. Two little girls in cotton dresses came up to me and asked, "Are you the speaker?" I smiled and told them I was. It was cute to see how excited they were.

This was an experience I will never forget. The love I felt from these people was amazing.

I've worshiped in all sizes of church buildings with different kinds of music. One thing I know it's not the size of the building or the music. It's the love of the people who worship there that brings a smile to God's face.

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

Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover

by Kay Heitsch

How often do we judge people by the way they look?

This week I was talking to some guys at Planet Fitness. They told me about their boss who went to buy a new car. Little did the salespeople know, but this man was worth a lot of money.

The day he decided to buy his new car, he walked in looking like a bum off the street. The first dealership he stopped in totally ignored him and treated him like he wasn't worth their time. He left with a smile on his face.

Later that day, he walked into another dealership, looking the same way. The sale's people greeted him with kindness and respect.

It wasn't long before this man wrote out a check for almost $200,000.00 on a brand new car!

There's a Bible text that tells us how to treat strangers."Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!" Hebrews 13:2

Don't judge a book by its cover! This man was not an angel, but you never know who just might be.

Brock

Kay Heitsch

Today is a sad day. We learned our foster son Brock died yesterday.

Brock came to live with us when he was 6 years old. He was one year older than our son Brandon. Brock was quite a handful, but thinking about some of the things he said and did still bring a smile to my face.

Brock always referred to his underwear as "Floot of the Balloons." Just thinking about him saying this makes me smile. Brock never ate only one kind of cereal. He always mixed two or three types together. If you've never tried it, it's not half bad.

Brock wrote us a letter a few years ago. He thanked us for sharing our life with him. His kind words and thoughtfulness to write this letter will always be remembered.

Life was short for Brock. We never know what tomorrow may bring. Make the most of every day.

Make Someone's Day Special

Last week, Bill and I went out to eat with his Aunt Chris and his cousins. During the dinner, Bill told Aunt Chris this little story.

Bill told how when he was little, he really looked up to his Uncle Joe. When Uncle Joe married Aunt Chris, he knew she must be extraordinary.

Aunt Chris was a nurse. Back in those days, the nurses wore all white. Bill was sure she was an angel! Not only because she wore white, but because she was also so pretty. Bill smiled and told Aunt Chris he had a big crush on her.

You should have seen Aunt Chris's face. She had the biggest smile, and tears filled her eyes.

I'm sure Bill being kind and sharing this little story made her day special.

One Divine Connection After Another

Kay Heitsch

When a new week starts we never know what God has in store for us. This week a year ago brought one divine connection after another.

My week started when I got on Facebook and noticed I had a "friend request" from a man I didn't recognize. I've had this happen before, so I went over on messenger to send him a note asking how he knew me. To my surprise, Guy was asking if I was the Kay Heitsch in the book, Have a Great Day- Everyday! Who had written the letter in the front as the introduction? Guy had picked up this book in a used book store, and he was reading it on a flight. Wow, that book had been published in 1991. I accepted Guy's friend request, and he wrote an excellent comment under the story In Loving Memory of Todd in my notes on Facebook. A divine connection for sure!

Later this week, 3 other men come to the house to estimate the painting we are needing to have done. The first two were Christians. I was still really excited about my "friend request" on FB, so I shared the story with them. They were amazed to see how God was still using the letter after all these years. I gave each one a copy of the report.

On Thursday, the last man called to say he was on his way. I was having an issue with a UTI, and I planned to call the doctor at 9:00 when the office opened. Wouldn't you know when I answered the phone Don said he'd be at the house at 9:00. I don't know why I said, "Well yay! I'll see you soon!" but I did in a cheery voice. Believe me, I was not feeling like "Yay!"

When Don arrived, he read all the positive things I have hanging on the porch before he rang the bell. When I opened the door, he said, "When I heard your cheery voice this morning, I said to myself, "This is going to be a great day!" Don was smiling as he told me how he enjoyed reading what I had on the porch. Then he asked if I would walk around with him to show him what needed to be done. I had to tell him I wasn't feeling well and briefly told him what was needed as I headed for the bathroom.

When I came back out, Don mentioned that he was surprised I was so happy even though I had some issues. I told him it was a choice I made every day. No matter the circumstances, I knew I had a choice of what kind of attitude I would have. I shared about Todd and said I'd typed a Bible verse and had put it on the refrigerator years ago that read, "This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!" Psalm 118:24 I then added at the bottom, "I CHOOSE to be HAPPY today!"

Don expressed that he was intrigued with this way of thinking. I shared with him, in between bathroom breaks, how my life had changed after Todd's death. I invited him to come to my office, where I spend my time with the Lord every morning. I showed him my old Bible and how it's falling apart from years of study. I told him I didn't come by this attitude by spending time sitting in a pew. (not that I think it's a bad idea) However, this kind of life is a total surrender to God's way of living. I showed him the Dr. Peale books the story "In Loving Memory of Todd" was written. Don was overwhelmed to see all the beautiful things that had come from the terrible tragedy of Todd's death.

When Don left that morning, he told me he didn't believe in coincidences. He thought that he was meant to meet me this day as it was his birthday. I believe he was absolutely right!

Later that day, I thought about the Bible text, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28 Having the UTI was not good, but God used it to show Don that you can choose to be happy with a relationship with the Lord no matter the circumstances. by Kay Heitsch