Need to Know Basis

I have lived in Palatka for ten years and I still don't know everyone. Other people have lived here in Palatka all  their lives and know a lot of people, but do they know everyone? I would dare to answer that question with "no." Palatka has grown up so much in the ten years I have lived here I can only imagine how much it has grown up for the "home boys and girls."
I have a friend who contacted me recently and was quick to defend herself in a situation she was currently involved in.  I didn't know anything about this. I could tell by her tone that she just knew I was informed of the situation.  I could feel the wrinkles on my forehead  squinting, the question mark light bulb burn bright above my head, and the words come out of my mouth "what are you talking about?" I quickly relieved her fear that I didn't know anything about her discussion topic.
After a while I started having a heavy heart for this young lady because I remember living in fear that everyone around me was aware of my actions and involvements. I knew as the conversation continued that this is young lady was not the lady I knew from years past that attended church, prayed and walked through some things with her. This lead me to ponder on some special words from a special friend that said "sometimes it makes you wonder if they really had a relationship with the Lord in the first place." Hearing these words has made me speculate whether my friend had a real relationship with Christ. It's sad really. There are so many churches today filled with bottoms on the pew with no blood flowing in them with movement. That is they are sitting on the sidelines listening but not doing anything about what they hear.
My heart sunk for my friend but more importantly for everyone else that believes the lie that everyone knows their business. Satan doesn't know everything, he mimics, he steals, destroys, and kills any type of happiness that you desire.  God on the other hand  is ALL KNOWING AND ALL POWERFUL, He loves you with an everlasting love and yes with God you are on a "need to know basis." He will do anything you desire and will allow Him to do. Did you catch that? "Whatever you allow Him to do,"  God is a gentleman and loves with an everlasting love; Satan is rude, crude and obnoxious. So maybe taking a look around you and paying attention to what is being said by you or others and make sure everyone is on the "need to know basis."
So who are you listening to now? What do you think about? Did you know that what you are thinking about comes out in your words? Let's change our stinking thinking.
Let's begin with positive affirmations "not everyone knows my business."
"WITH God ALL things ARE Possible."
"I am NOT alone."
It's a start and I encourage you to remember people only know your business when you air it out.

~Marjorie

Gratitude List...

I have a lot to be thankful for as many of you do. Thanksgiving season is suppose to be a time of reflection. So what are you reflecting on? Are you more concerned about what you don't have than what you do have? I was at one time. I thought more about what my pockets weren't filled with, what skills I didn't have, or what luxuries I couldn't afford; money, stuff, and things.
One day, a friend of mine said "write a gratitude list." I thought "what a crazy idea, but okay to pacify him I will." The joke was on me though. I was challenged to write five things I was grateful for and by the time I finished my list grew to 20 items. I found that as my list grew, I did too. I began waking up each morning with a gratitude list. I challenged myself to find at least 3 things to be grateful for and then each day I added something new.
I have learned that as you become grateful for the smallest of things, the largest of things don't matter as much. So what are you grateful for this season, this year, this month, or this week?
Your gratitude list doesn't define you, but it says a lot more about you than you care to admit. Sometimes we all have the weight of the world on our shoulders and walk around disgruntled all day, all week, and all month. This is definitely a need for a gratitude list. Why? If you walk around and feel disgruntled all the time, that says you need an attitude adjustment. Make a gratitude list and watch your attitude change.
I wonder what would happen if most of our friends made a gratitude list, what a different world it might be. What a better place we might live in. Think about it, people would care for each other better, our towns would look well kept, our houses would be fixed up nicely because we care, and we probably would like ourselves more too.
♪ What a wonderful world this would be. ♫
Well this Thanksgiving season, I hope your list grows and your attitude changes. I pray you have a merry heart for it is good for your soul. I pray you enjoy the little things in life with a great big smile.
Enjoy your family members that you are with, even if they are grumpy or odd, it might be the last time you do. Enjoy the dinner prepared and remember to share with others.
Most of all have a safe and special gathering.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Marjorie