I consider myself so blessed to have a primary doctor who is the most compassionate doctor I think I’ve ever had. When Dr. Carroll sees me sitting in his office, he immediately asks me how my migraines are – no matter what else may have sent me to visit him. He searches for free samples of my very expensive medication so he can send me home armed for the next headache battle! Sometimes his office has samples, sometimes they do not. But he cares and he does all he can to help those that come to him.

I guess I appreciate him so much because I know what it’s like to have a doctor who is quite the opposite. I recently “tried” a new doctor for another issue who was cold and calculated in her words and actions. She talked to me like I was an idiot – as if I should know what to do on my own! She had a knowledge of medicine, but no heart for her patients.

I love reading the Gospels and seeing the heart of Jesus. Recently I read in Luke 7 the story of the widow woman who was getting ready to bury her only son. Verse 13 says, And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.” He then approached the bier (the frame on which the corpse was lying) and spoke to the dead man, “Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.” The dead man sat up and began to speak. Jesus then delivered him to his mother. Jesus didn’t just have compassion – he did something about it.

Again in Mark 5 Jesus makes His way to Jarius‘ house, where his daughter, who had been very sick when Jesus was asked to come, had now died. When he got close to the house he saw the tumult – people crying and wailing over the death of this little girl. When he went inside the house with the girls’ parents, Peter, James, and John, “he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Tabitha, cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked…” (Verses41-42)

Over and over we see Jesus looking at the people and having compassion on them. He doesn’t just love them, He also loves you! He has compassion on you and the situation with which you’re dealing! Perhaps you have a loved one that is sick and you have found yourself sitting at their bedside. You’ve prayed, you’ve wept, you’ve done all you can to help them. Perhaps you’re at an impasse in a relationship. Financial needs may be burdening your heart. Be reminded today that Jesus sees and He has a heart towards that burdened individual and for those who love them. His heart is moved with compassion.

Whether He chooses to heal your loved one or change the situation you’re in, He went to the cross to make sense of suffering. If we trust Him as our Savior, we can have the blessed assurance that this is not all there is to life. What’s waiting for all of us who know Him is far better than we could even imagine.

Remember today that Christ looks at you and does more than just feel sorry for you. He cares so much for you that He will give you Scripture to comfort your heart. He may send along a Christian friend to console you. A loving doctor may be given the wisdom to know what will bring the cure. No matter what happens, God is in control and He cares!

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?

Refrain:
Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?

Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?
–Frank Graeff

With love,

I spent a couple of hours yesterday going through some boxes in our basement. I am trying to clean out and get rid of things that are not being used. It takes forever to do a job like this, because I have to go through old mementos, and boxes of the girls’ things from years ago, and I find myself lingering and reminiscing when I should press on and work.

Perhaps because this is our first year as empty nesters, I’ve found myself doing lots of reminiscing about the days of home school, piano and violin lessons, youth group activities, and camp – all the things that go with being a parent. Most days I smile and then pull the covers up tighter under my chin, but sometimes, like yesterday, I linger on the memories like a child at a candy counter.

This is the week of Valentine’s – I guess we’re all aware of that. If you have a Valentine, I trust he also realizes that! No slam is suggested in that statement, it’s just that not all men think about these things before the day arrives. So, I thought it might be appropriate to start out today by giving a word to the wise for Valentine’s. If you you or your Valentine could use some suggestions of things to do or gifts to give, read on!

Sweet treats are always a good thing for Valentine’s Day! Last weekend I made a recipe of brownies then after they were completely cooled, I cut them in large squares. Using a small heart shaped cookie cutter a cut a heart out of the middle of the brownie as you see in the picture here. I forgot to take a picture of the finished product, but then I made up a butter cream icing, tinted it pink and filled in the heart with the icing. You could use canned icing too in your favorite flavor. I then wrapped each brownie in waxed paper and put them in cute little boxes and shipped them off to my two girls who both love chocolate! The cut out hearts make nice little bite-sized treats too!

Some of the other little gifts I put in the pillow pocket have been:

Two gel pens with the note – You are my “write” man!
A recent picture of us made into a Valentine Card at http://www.picnik.com/app.

“How much do I love you?”
(attached to note)

An OLD picture of us when we first started dating!

Another thought would be to go to Pandora.com and make a play list of music your sweetheart likes and have it playing on the computer when you eat supper, or when they go to check their email.

I’ve asked my husband to share some good ideas for dates and/or gifts for Valentine’s Day. He’s very thoughtful and creative and gets an A+ in this department! Here are his suggestions for men:

Ways to say “I love you”
1. Use a dry erase marker and leave a love note scribbled on the bathroom mirror or leave love notes in her purse, dresser drawer, on the fridge door, in her car or by the coffeepot.
2. Write in your own words 10 reasons why you love her and leave it attached to a dozen roses, a box of candy or a piece of jewelry.
3. Wash and vacuum her car; leave a love note on the steering wheel.
4. After the children go to bed, order a personal pan pizza and have a pizza date in the bedroom with candlelight and romantic music.
5. Invite your Sweetheart to Starbucks for a peppermint mocha. While there, play a board game or two and pay no attention to anyone else but your spouse.
6. Make her some chocolate covered strawberries. Pick up some strawberries at the grocery store and in the baking department, find chocolate that is microwaveable. Dip the strawberries in the chocolate, chill and serve on nice plate.
7. Schedule a manicure or a pedicure at a local spa. She needs the time away and the pampering will do her good. Pay for the treatment over the phone so all she’s responsible for is to show up.
8. Instead of going out to eat, order carry-out. Serve it up on your best tableware, have candlelight, and soft music. Be creative and have fun. If you cook, fix her favorite and in either case, clean up too!
9. If you go out on date, you schedule the babysitter, choose the spot, and treat her like a lady by opening the door for her, escorting her into the restaurant, and talk only to each other. Tell the waiter you’ll call him/her when you need them. Every couple needs a quiet date in a corner booth w/out any distractions. Both of you sit on the same side of the booth with your back to the crowd.

See why he gets an A+? 🙂 Oh yes!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Invitations – don’t you love to get one? A beautifully embossed card comes in the mail reading, “You are cordially invited to…” A verbal invitation is also fun – “Hey, want to come over?” “We’re going out for ice cream. Would you like to join us?” Following the invitation is something special – and that’s what we anticipate! If you are the one doing the inviting, it’s just as wonderful to hear the ones you’ve invited respond positively. It’s a blessing!

Dictionary.com says that to invite is “to call forth.” I remembered while in prayer the other day an invitation I received many years ago. I was seven years old and it was my birthday, which had fallen on a Sunday. Our family went to church, as we did each week. On this day as I sat in my Sunday school class, my teacher, Mrs. Mitchell, extended an invitation after she taught our lesson. It went something like this:

“Is there someone this morning who would like to accept Jesus as their personal Savior? If you’ve never asked Him to come into your heart and forgive your sin, I’ll show you from the Bible how you can trust Him and then be sure of a home in heaven with Him forever.”

The Holy Spirit had been working in my heart before this day, and when I heard this invitation to come to Jesus, I raised my hand to say, “I accept! Count me in!” After the other children had been dismissed from Sunday school, I stayed afterward with Mrs. Mitchell. I listened to her read the Scriptures to me and show me the verses that said that Jesus loved me and died for my sins. I understood that I could receive what He did for me on the cross and be with Him in heaven for all eternity. I bowed my head and prayed, receiving the Lord as my own personal Savior. I can’t help but weep as I write this, because it is so precious to me. That invitation brought me to Christ, and He has been the dearest Friend I have ever known.

How I thank the Lord for the faithfulness of that dear lady who took the time to extend an invitation to the little girls she taught each week. I wonder, had she been praying for each of her students, calling them out by name before the Throne of grace? She must have gone home rejoicing over one who said yes to the invitation!

If you teach children, at home, in Sunday school or children’s church, just keep on praying and keep on giving an invitation because Hebrews 7:25 says, Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. One day, those children will say “Yes, I accept!”

Who invited you to accept Christ?

With love,

This week I tried to make meals using only what I already had in my freezer and pantry. Realizing that I have meats I’d purchased on sale, frozen vegetables, canned fresh veggies, baked goods I’d made made and put in the freezer, potatoes in the pantry, flour to make breads, pancakes and waffles, I was certain we wouldn’t starve! I did buy $18 worth of things like eggs, fresh produce, milk and coffee cream, but no other grocery items. The result was that I made four new recipes! I went through a Taste of Home cookbook and looked through the recipes to find ones that called for items I had on hand. What did we eat?

• Apple cherry pork chops, pasta with peas and Parmesan cheese – Delicious!
• Chili Chicken Enchiladas, served with shredded lettuce, Mexican corn, and tortilla chips – Very good!
• Ham and Potato Phyllo Bake, broccoli with lemon – So-so
• Hungarian Paprikish Chicken – A keeper!

The chicken dish is what we had yesterday after church. I served it with rice, with some of the sauce spooned on top of it, fresh green beans, crescent rolls, and strawberry jello with strawberries.

Don’t let the recipe name scare you – there’s nothing odd in the chicken. It’s a good Sunday dish because it’s easy to get ready to put into the oven. Instead of following the standard baking time, I lowered the temperature to 280 degrees to bake while at Sunday school and church. You could go even lower than that – maybe 250 – 270 degrees. The sauce needs some seasoning added to it – perhaps 1/2 tsp. salt and some pepper. I garnished the chicken with more paprika for color once I put it on the platter.

It’s fun to challenge myself to come up with meals using what I already have! I’m going to do the same thing this week and will let you know what I come up with! What’s been cookin’ in your kitchen?

With love,