Sometimes life just gets too serious.
When I feel like I need a break from that serious stuff,
I tune in to FaceBook… but only the places there that bring me joy.
Here is one of them… try it out! It’s a place for CRANKY OLD LADIES
If clicking on that title didn’t take you there, try this link:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/691523582050399/posts/1125503371985749
Enough for today… Go out and enjoy this gorgeous springtime day!
Love,
JanBeek
Finding your center
Can be a difficult task
Inside or outside
Is your quiet place
Inside your pure heart of hearts
Or out in nature?
Wherever it is
I hope you discover it
And go there often
It may be inside
Looking out through clouded glass
Tuning in to YOU
Or it may be out
In the beauty of nature
Soaking in God’s grace
Wherever it is
Go to your quiet center
Away from chaos
I love the words of this hymn of grace.
If you are in a place where you can tap on the arrow and hear it,
I wholeheartedly recommend you do so.
But, if you cannot link to it and listen,
at least read these beautiful lyrics!
“Come and find the quiet center
In the crowded life we lead,
Find the room for hope to enter,
Find the frame where we are freed.
Clear the chaos and the clutter,
Clear our eyes that we can see
All the things that really matter.
Be at peace and simply be.
Silence is a friend who claims us,
Cools the heat and slows the pace.
God it is who speaks and names us,
Knows our being, touches base;
Making space within our thinking
Lifting shades to show the sun,
Raising courage when we’re shrinking,
Finding scope for faith begun.
In the spirit let us travel,
Open to each other’s pain.
Let our loves and fears unravel,
Celebrate the space we gain.
There’s a place for deepest dreaming,
There’s a time for heart to care,
In the Spirit’s lively scheming
There is always room to spare.”
Words by Shirley Erena Murray
Music attributed to B.F. White
You can live at peace
Even in the midst of strife
Find center in life
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
He had also told His followers
“…in this world you will have many troubles.
But take heart! I have overcome the world”
(John 16:33).
So peace is not the absence of trouble;
it is the presence of God.
Come and find your space.
Yes, we have some room to spare!
Come and visit us!
God bless you, my friend.
You are in my heart of hearts,
My quiet center.
Love,
JanBeek
What are 5 everyday things that bring you happiness?
It’s not THINGS that bring me happiness. It is people and our new furry friend, Owen. Here are five of my many:
Bob, my life-long partner and joy-maker
DeDe, our precious daughter, who lives in Switzerland, and with whom I communicate daily
Tyroneeee, our wonderful son, with one of our great-grandchildren (sweet Mable Iris).
Our daughter#2 Laina, and our daily communication via WhatsApp bring such happiness!
Oh, I could go on… friends bring such happiness. It is their love and sincerity that makes my heart swell.
I hope you are blessed with the joy of people who bring you happiness, too.
Love, love & laugh!
Hugs,
JanBeek
I am befuddled,
Baffled and feeling dreary.
Nothing can help me!
Except some sunshine
Or a good heavy rainfall –
Anything but gray.
Gray, cloudy, and cold:
Recipes for feeling blue.
How do these treat you?
Reach beyond the gray
Rest assured the sun’s up there
Even if eclipsed!
Sending love your way.
Even from my gloomy day
I can find beauty!
Hugs,
JanBeek
Life is made for play
Invite your friends to join you
Will your pals come out?
Owen sees his playmate
He invites him to come out
What a character!
Do you cherish laughs?
Need more of them in your house?
I recommend pups!
They bring you good cheer
Joviality for sure
Come on friends, let’s play!
Love, joy, cheerfulness
All of these things can be yours
All you need’s a dog!!
Of course I’m partial
To black and white pug-nosed dogs
But all dogs will do
They all will cuddle
Chase their tails and make you laugh
Let your chuckles out
Let’s Play!
Do you have a furry, four-legged friend
who brings love and laughter
into your home?
Love ya,
JanBeek
Choose wisely! Don’t let yourself be fooled!
Today is a special day in our family. My great-granddaughter, Mable, turns a big TWO today. She is the child of our chosen granddaughter, Faith. What a blessed day it was when she, as a newborn, was gifted into our Beekman family!!
Mable is such a love!!!
BUT, don’t be fooled, Mable.
Those blocks are not for eating!!
Also in the picture below is my “chosen” granddaughter, Kayla. Her 28th birthday is today. Mable and Kayla were born on this special day to be conduits of God’s love!
I am with our daughter #2, Laina, and her daughter, Kayla. Don’t be fooled… that was several years ago! But, hey… aren’t we a happy trio? Laina and Kayla (and her sister Katy) are dear ones we have chosen to be part of our family. We are so blessed by them!
Do you have “chosen ones” who have added love and joy to your family?
Do you know that YOU are a chosen one, too?
In her message today, “Corine @ Therapy For Christians” cwilliams@therapyforchristians.com had this message for us about the idea of being “chosen”:
“…as you navigate the complexities of life, know that you are not merely a recipient of grace but also a conduit of it to those around you, you are called to bear fruit – fruit that will last. Just as God’s grace has chosen you, you are empowered to extend that same grace to others.
This week, contemplate on practical ways to become vessels of God’s love and grace. Choose to share His grace through acts of kindness, words of encouragement, or simply being present for someone in need. In doing so, you actively participate in God’s redemptive plan, becoming a tangible reflection of His love in a world that often hungers for acceptance and understanding.
Allow His grace to permeate every aspect of your being, guiding you toward a life that bears fruit and brings glory to His name. Trust in His sovereign plan for your life, knowing that you are chosen, loved, and appointed to walk in His purpose. And remember, growth in any area of life, starts with growth in Him…”
So, on this April Fool’s Day, be careful what and who you choose. Be mindful! Don’t be fooled!
John 15:16 KJV
We are chosen! Hallelujah! Now let’s go out and spread the love!!
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
Happy April 1st!
It’s a day for choosing.
Choose love, not pranks!
God Bless You!
Love,
JanBeek
Thank You, Jesus!
Have a Blessed Day! Love, JanBeek
In silent awe,
JanBeek ❤️
Yes, you Owen! You chewed and shook and squeaked and rampaged that toy to death!
Ya, well it isn’t made of cast iron, you know.
Obviously you can, Owen. And you did. And then the ear. And then the other feet. And finally got a piece of the stuffing. And then the squeaker. What a mess!
Uh-huh! But how long will they last!? You are hell bent on destruction!
Yes, Owen, I love you! But you definitely need some training … and some cast iron toys!
Owen keeps us on our toes! He’s quite a character. My blogging has had to take a back seat to his care and attention. This week we’ll begin some intense training for him. Do you have any advice!?
Yup, ring the bell. Do your business outside. Don’t chew on the furniture. Stop grabbing your dad’s shorts off the bench in the bedroom and carrying them to the living room.
Wish us luck!
Hugs, JanBeek
No way!
No way can
One word describe
Me
or You!
We are waaay more complex than that.
Don’t you agree?
Take a look…
Can you come up with one word?
How about YOU?
A single word?
I doubt it!
Love ya,
JanBeek
Hugs to You !!
Inspire to Love
Let the SonShine!
You inspire me to respond
Learning to Live; Living to Learn; Learning to Love; Living in Love
