encouragement

Influence – Five Minute Friday

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          – Influence – Five Minute Friday –

 

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Quick, think of that person who has influenced you. I sure can. I’ll never forget this one certain camp counselor at a Christian youth camp I went to some 37 or so years ago. He payed attention to what you had to say. He came up to you to share his thoughts, noticing at the right time, the right thing to share. I don’t remember what we talked about, what questions I had asked, or those perfect words he had said. I do remember though how much he stood out to me those few day. He knew just what this here 14 year old at the time needed.

I like to say he was the tool God used to open my eyes to how important it is to make others feel welcomed. He influenced me greatly, molding my thoughts to have the ears others might need, along with giving a few encouraging words.

How about you? Can you think of someone that stood out? Can you think of that one who influenced you, who made that mark in your heart? Think of a tool God used years ago that helped make you who you are today.

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Better yet, think of a way God might be using you to influence others.

 

 

 

 

Marianne Petersen’s book God and Your Pillow is now available. (Amazon) – You can follow Marianne on Twitter at @marimemoirs and read more on her blog, marimemoirs.com.

 

HAPPY NEW NOW !

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                    – HAPPY NEW NOW ! –

 

 

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Life is short, time is fast, no replay, no rewind, and no fast forward, so enjoy every moment as it comes.

A lot of sayings, quotes, and what-nots are showing up today about the year 2019 now upon us, or because the year 2018 is behind us. I could go on and on about all I’ve learned this last year. I could go on and on about my goals in this new year ahead. I just know if I did, my computer would begin screaming ‘Enough is enough, Marianne,’ being I do have much to share.

Instead, I’m wanting to get you to think about the today  we all have. So often we let the present time slip away much too fast, not realizing the simple things in front of us we should cherish. We allow too much time to rush past unobserved. We allow those precious few minutes each day to be unnoticed, pondering too much on the woes in the past or worries in the future.

When working, we dream about vacation, picturing that relaxed atmosphere we crave. But, when on vacation, we grudgingly think about that growing piles of bills at home or paper at work.  We don’t allow enough time to just look around, realizing the little blessing right in front of us.

Instead of thinking that way, find any opportunity you have, day after day, to just ponder on the now. There are hundreds of examples I could give you. For instance…

In the morning, as you give that first look out your window, stop and realize that where you live is much better than where many others live.

Give a bit more thought to just how special of a friend you have the next time you read a text they sent you.

No matter how busy you are, as soon as you feel that heater turn on, stop what you’re doing, take a deep breath while giving a quick thanks to God for keeping you warm.

Look in your children’s eyes a bit longer as they share their thoughts as you. Think how what they are saying means to them. Before you know it, you’ll realize a bit more just how much they mean to you.

So, let’s read it again.

Life is short, time is fast, no replay, no rewind, and no fast forward, so enjoy every moment as it comes.

Now sure, enjoying every moment isn’t as easy as we’d like it to be. But see if having a few more positive thoughts here-and-there, day-in and day-out, could become natural for you. I’m sure if God realizes you include Him in those thoughts more and more, you’ll be noticing more of those positive things TO think about, helping you cope with the ups and downs in life with a bit more peace.

So as you ponder a bit more about life this New Years day, think a bit more of it being a Happy New Now !

 

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Please feel free to share this weeks post. I bet there are others who can sure use this reminder.

Marianne Petersen’s book God and Your Pillow is now available. (Amazon) – You can follow Marianne on Twitter at @marimemoirs and read more on her blog, marimemoirs.com.

With – Five Minute Friday

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              – With – Five Minute Friday –

A perfect word to think about: With.

The first thing that popped to mind when I thought of that word this morning was how to start each new day with, hopefully, a bit more peace. How? Before getting up, have time with God.

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Why? Along with your pillow, He’s the very first one with you and your thoughts each and every morning. He already knows those first thoughts you are having about the day ahead. Many times we wake up with worries or joys, fears, stress, and concerns for others and/or yourself. Often we may wake up with a list of things to do that seem to have no end in sight. Let Him know your concerns, even if it’s just a few of these, before facing your day. Or maybe  just a simple time thanking Him for the new day ahead.

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Now sure, it’s not like every morning before your foot hits the floor you have all the time and energy in the world. Maybe you are one who’s mornings find it hard to even find your brain until that coffee cup is in your hand.

 

 

But think about it,  what better way to begin the day than to spend at least a little bit of your time with God before your feet touches that floor, and before you face the word.

I just know that sometimes thanking God for this cozy bed I’m on, the worm house I’m in, before asking Him, “Lord, please help me know what I’m doing today,” can sure make that very first step start as a bit more noticeable peace-filled day. And we all can use that more often than not.

So let’s all remember that, even before that sun comes up, that God’s right there, along with your pillow, and knows all your thoughts. Have time with Him.

Marianne Petersen’s book God and Your Pillow is now available. (Amazon) – You can follow Marianne on Twitter at @marimemoirs and read more on her blog, marimemoirs.com.

 

 

 

 

Two Special Sayings

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                   – Two Special Sayings – 

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Do you have a few words or a saying you like to use? Maybe they are ones that either you created yourself or got else where. I know I do. For many years, these two have been my favorites: God knows what He’s doing and God’s Timing is Perfect.

I use these off and on, to fit into this and that, here and there, day in and day out. I’m bringing this up now because this time each year a tear forms as I remember God’s timing was perfect when He showed me He knew what He was doing.

Most are reading this on December 19th, 2018. This certain event, however, occurred on December 20th, 1990, and that’s why it’s on my heart now. Here is a past blog that explains what took place back then. If you haven’t read it before, then please do, for it will explain to you how God plans when and where things take place. After all . . . God knows what He’s doing,

      Click here to read story that proves how God’s Timing is Perfect.             

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How about you? Does something specific come to mind where God showed to you His hands were right there? Was there a time it was obvious He knew the right time and right place for you to be? Think about it, and I bet something will come to mind. Ponder on it. Keep it in your heart. Believe me, it will give you a bit more peace when the next big thing unexpectedly pops up. After all . . . His plans are perfect.

Why don’t you now briefly share how God let you know His hands where carrying you. I love hearing other’s stories.

Marianne Petersen’s book God and Your Pillow is now available. (Amazon) – You can follow Marianne on Twitter at @marimemoirs and read more on her blog, marimemoirs.com.

 

 

My Mouth Dropped

/ Marianne Memoirs / 2 Comments

                      – My Mouth Dropped – 

wow.jpg We all know that saying ‘My mouth dropped!’  Has your mouth dropped after seeing something unexpectedly pop up? I bet you have.

I like to think that God had fun planning this one particular way of surprising me.

A few weeks ago, I got email from a book writers competition organization called American Book Fest stating my book was chosen to be one of the Award Finalists. Did I read right? My book was chosen? I felt like I had – time for that quote – died and gone to Heaven. But before I went there, I had to see how my book showed on the list. Those two words ‘Click here’ whispered to me to click.

“This should be interesting,” I thought.  – CLICK

The website showed up. As I scrolled down, the ‘Award Winners’ showed up first. Of course I would have loved to have seen my book next to that title, but I was still floating high having been chosen as an Award Finalist. One by one I scrolled down, with the pictures of each ‘Award Winner’ showing along with its information.

When will the Award Finalist list begin? How many are there? When will mine show?   

After checking that first Award Winner, I scrolled down.

Second one down… Award Winner – scroll to the next.

Third one down… Award Winner – keep going. 

Forth one down… Award Winner – oh, come on. Stop this list of winners.

Fifth one down… Award Finalist.

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The look on my face began to change.

 

 

 

Ten thousand questions began floating around in my head at eighty miles a second as I just stared at my screen. My eyes began crawling to the left of ‘Award Finalist’.

Where will mine show? How far down the list is my book? If it’s far down, then no one will really see it. Watch it be after oodles of others. Oh, please don’t be too far down.

All I was hoping to see in some near future was the picture of my book, along with its title, God and Your Pillow. 

If you want to know why I almost fainted in the middle of my next thought, check out this photo.

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I’m sure God couldn’t wait to see what my face would look like when I saw my book was at the very top of that Award Finalist list.  You read that right: TOP ! There’s one thing He still hears me say to this day: Thank you Lord.

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You have my full permission to share this posting with whom ever you please, and let others know God is full of surprises.

 

 

 

 – Click here to see the full website I ever-so happily found my book.  

 

Marianne Petersen’s book God and Your Pillow is now available. (Amazon) – You can follow Marianne on Twitter at @marimemoirs and read more on her blog, marimemoirs.com.

Deep – Five Minute Friday

/ Marianne Memoirs / 3 Comments

             – Deep – Five Minute Friday –

CH6b1uOUMAAFejk.jpgDeep. 

On interesting word indeed. It’s a, how shall I say it, ‘deep’ word.

Many times we wish we were more able to get deep into something more enjoyable in life. Many times, however, we find ourselves deep into worry, and deep in despair.

Chances are you’ve felt deep in despair and hopelessness at some time or another. In such situations, when it seems there are no justifiable answers to be given, our view of life becomes more dark and gloomy. There’s a feeling like there is no end in sight.

Paul himself suffered from some physical ailment, but look what he said in 2 Corinthians 2:8-9  Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

I know I sure need that reminder. God had reasons for what He had Paul endure. He has reasons for you and I as well. If He feels He can use me going through two trials He had me endure, then AMEN!  It’s not always easy, that’s for sure, but knowing God’s plans are perfect encourages me to keep going.

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Have you gone through some deep ordeal in your past that has affected your ‘now‘ ?

 

 

Be like Paul, and remember that God plans may be too deep for us to understand, but thankfully He knows what He’s doing.

 

Marianne Petersen’s book God and Your Pillow is now available. (Amazon) – You can follow Marianne on Twitter at @marimemoirs and read more on her blog, marimemoirs.com.

 

 

 

Burden – Five Minute Friday

/ Marianne Memoirs / 5 Comments

               – Burden – Five Minute Friday –

It’s  been a while since I’ve taken part of the Five Minute Friday. Incase you don’t know, it’s a fun challenge I take, being part of a group of writers where we are given one word each Friday morning. However, we have to try our darnedest not to spend more than five minutes, writing what ever we want to with that word somehow included.

So, on your mark . . . get set . . . GO !

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First question – Have you ever had  to give a helping hand that took tons of your time, effort, thoughts, and muscle? Admit it. It can be one bit of a burden. I bet tons of examples pop up of burdens that have come your way, right?

Next question – Have you ever had to deal with one extra large burden that also made you smile?

A few years back I did a few cleaning jobs at a retirement center. One was helping an older man’s apartment stay clean. I kept busy putting extra this-and-that’s in it’s right spot here-and-there, along with keeping those counters and carpet spotless. One dear, older man I was glad to help.

After a few years, he had to move to another retirement place close-by. One problem: I was the only one he had locally who could help him move. No way can I share all that needed to be done, especially on moving day. From 8am to 11:00pm, I gave it my all. It’s impossible to explain how tired I was when my head finally hit my pillow.

All day, as I was working – almost literally, my tail off  – I was wondering if I just might be in that man’s situation when I get older. That caused one of my favorite verses come to mind off and on all day.  — Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

I could have title it all a burden, especially that one sure tiring day. But that ‘burden’ caused me to smile more than frown, making it feel far less less of a burden than I could have.  Through it all, I knew I wasn’t alone. God rolled up His sleeves right along with me as I rolled up mine, being I felt He was working right next to me. He sure gave that boost I needed. The best timing of a few things occurred, the perfect person showed up at the perfect time, and that last item I had to load in my car barely fit, but it did ! More encouraging things that occurred would take forever to write.

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When my bed hit that pillow I sure was fried, but I knew all the work was worth it. Better yet, I knew God was right there with me thinking ‘Mission accomplished.’

 

 

 

 

Okay, so maybe the rough draft took a bit more than five minutes, but well worth all the remembering. (I wont’ say how long fixing that rough draft took.)

Marianne Petersen’s book God and Your Pillow is now available. (Amazon) – You can follow Marianne on Twitter at @marimemoirs and read more on her blog, marimemoirs.com.