I expect it

Shakespeare once wrote, "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” Well, it appears how we look at things and how we think about things sure makes a difference as we go forward in living our lives.  Saturday question—Who and what makes us think something is good or bad? AverageJoe says—And folks think differently alright! Our neighbors live about 10 feet from us here in AZ. Neighbors on one side think everything is going to … and is selling everything and are just hunkering down coasting on out and the other neighbor on the other side wants to buy a better tin hut as she thinks everything will be better! Go figure! It’s what you ever want to believe!!!!

Here's a post-Christmas jolly that our pastor used last Sunday: There was a traveling salesman from MN who was in the deep deep south selling his product. He went through a town and saw a naivety scene that had Mary, Joseph, Jesus, Shepherds, livestock but no three wise men but instead three firefighters in their garb. He thought that was strange. He stopped on his way out of town at a convenient store to get a Coke and asked the clerk why no wise men but three fire fighters instead. She said, haven't you read the scriptures, it is very plain that there were three wise men who came from a fire!

Looking forward I expect many good things to happen. In fact, I can hardly wait to see what they are. Every night Jeanne and I discuss all the good that has happened to us in that day; it’s just amazing. Sooooo why won’t that continue. We think it will. Of course, we do need to recognize the opportunities when they show up and have the courage to act on them. We have had the opportunity to be around some great folks with great attitudes. And also we are around some folks who don’t have such great attitudes. Coach Wooden said his players have to play the whole game well, not just part of it. Such is life.

At our meeting before volunteering for the homeless and low income, a pastor read this verse:  Matthew 5:16: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” And then he said--Many good things will happen in our day today and in our future; isn’t that exciting.” Wow! He told us that he befriended the young man who sold him his ham at the deli at the WinCo and know he has made a big change in his life that looks very positive. Crazy huh! Sooooo what opportunities are you and I going to act on in our future? On the wall of the room that we meet to have our meeting before working there is this sign. What do you think that means to you and me? Will Rogers said--"Don't let yesterday take up too much of today!

Expect it!  Zig Ziglar says—"One of the hardest lessons for most of us to learn is that our points of weakness can become our greatest opportunities to experience God’s strength. Too often, we deny we’re weak and we miss wonderful steps of growth. God seldom demonstrates His amazing power, however, until and unless we admit we are powerless. And even then, He provides exactly what we need—not more and not less.”  A friend years ago said to me—erv, why do we have to get soooo low and feel sooo weak before we get it! Really the reason is really easy, when we have everything and think we know everything we are in charge a.k.a. the king or queen on the hill; we don’t think we need God! When we get kicked in the belly our world changes (i.e. but for most folks who have a huge massive ego they won’t get it probably, maybe, I don't know).

Here is another jolly that our pastor said last Sunday about our ego and God's favor: God’s favor is much like the vain lady who went into the studio of a professional photographer to have her photo taken. The photographer was going to take her picture and she said to him, I hope that you can do justice of me with your picture. He said to her, lady, you don’t need justice you need mercy.

David is one of my heroes.  2 Samuel 23, describes how three of David's mighty warriors risked their lives to fetch water for him. However, David offered the water to God instead of drinking it himself. The lesson taught me that a leader must not only possess wisdom but also embody a servant's heart – serving employees, friends, family, and acquaintances. It appears conducting business and serving others with integrity is a right thing to do. When we see an elderly couple walking down the street holding hands here in our park, we don't know if they love each other or are holding each other up!

When in CO we had lunch at a restaurant in a strip mall. It was a ma and pa place. It was packed for Friday lunch. It was full of cheerful noise and the boss, Bruno, was very engaging with his cliental. When we left, Jeanne told Bruno that we really enjoyed his place; it was a happy place! We think Bruno had something to do with the happy atmosphere. Soooo Saturday we went to Jimmer’s bb game at the high school gym.  Again, we had a pleasant experience as the school had such a positive attuite and a happy atmosphere (i.e. very cheerful).  That was such a good feeling to be in this atmosphere. Da!  They had many positive sayings and descriptions in the building. Babe Ruth’s was just one of many! Soooo how important is a good atmosphere? Da!

A cousin said in his Christmas letter—"I began this year with a bang: I had a ladder accident in my house; falling and breaking five ribs. (I know, I know; so soon old and so late smart)!” A friend told me that she introduced an acquaintance using the wrong last name; she used one of his old girlfriend’s last name but she said he probably didn’t notice as he is a terrible listener: he just talks but doesn’t listen. Those two stories are about the same!!!   hahaha

Have you ever changed your mind?  I have many times. There are some folks that won’t ever change their minds. They are always right and are a pain in the butt to be around, my opinion. Some of the greatest folks I know have and can change their minds. Maybe 2025 might be a good year to change our minds, I don’t know! ItchieBitchie says—Some folks are pretty darn stubborn and extremely obnoxious! But surely none of you; just probably your sister-in-law!

AverageJoe told this story about his sister-in-law, Helen—My sister-in-law loves to bake and share her baked goods with us. Helen made a Christmas cake and we all had a piece. The half-eaten cake was on the counter and Helen could not resist the temptation and she had one little piece when we left  which resulted in her eating the rest of the cake. AverageJoe asked Helen what her husband said about that—he never knew, I made another cake and ate half of it!

In 55+ communities there is an atmosphere where everyone has the opportunity to get to know a lot of folks as that is how it works (i.e. that is if folks want tooooo or they can elect to be an elitist in an elite holy huddle). I read while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it this:  “As people age, their perspective on the future changes; their priorities shift, and they tend to focus on socioemotional goals. Those shifting priorities lead many older adults to tighten their social circles until only the closest ties remain.” They say that’s not good! Saturday question—Do we become socioemotional selective as we age?

CrazyMarvin says—It’s all how we respond and react!  2025 will be pretty much what we make of it, maybe!

ItchieBitchie says—Sooooo don’t try to be a faker ‘cause folks will see right through ya; it’s only a matter of time. Abraham Lincoln said—"You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”

We wish you the best in 2025.

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--Pick your friends but not to pieces.