The Pink House of Claremore

The trees will soon be changing color and then losing their leaves to the ground.

There’s just something about those fallen leaves, crackling under foot that feeds my lifelong memories. I can remember so easily gathering them up into piles as a child then jumping into them. It was so much fun.

I also loved picking up leaves by color and using them to make decorations. Each leaf was so different than the next. Maple leaves were the best, full of vibrant colors and rich texture.  I can still see my collection and how proud I was of what I had found.

Often I think gathering leaves is like gathering memories. They’re all scattered about and waiting for us to pick them up and put them in order. We have to make the effort to bend down and make good use of them. Otherwise, they lay lifeless before us without real purpose.

Memories will always tell a story about us if we let them. We know each one by sight and color and the smell. In a heap, they paint a picture of who we are and where we come from. We should always praise God for them.

I, for one, have decided to gather memories like I do the leaves. I’ll enjoy them while they’re here if only for a time.

Without me even wishing them to, they fall and keep coming. Cascading down. Tree by tree, leaf by leaf. Never ceasing to drop until that final season.

They won’t quit until the branches become bare and fruitless, stripped of life... and the cold finally arrives. Winter will set in...it always does.

And, try as I might... I’ll look and find no more leaves to gather.

Margo

One way to size up our growth as a person is to observe our response when things don’t go our way. If we fall apart at the prospect of trials or trouble in our life, then we probably have a lot of spiritual growing to do.

Ever hear the story about the farmer who owned an old mule? 

One day the mule tripped and fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule braying and was unable to figure out how to bring up the old animal. It grieved him that he could not pull the animal out. He'd been a good worker around the farm.

Although the farmer sympathized with the mule, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened. He had them help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and quietly put him out of his misery.

 

At first, the old mule was puzzled, but as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, he had a thought: he ought to shake off the dirt and step up. And he did just that.

 

"Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up." Even though he took painful blows of dirt and fought panic, he just kept right on shaking it off and stepping up!

 

It wasn't long before the old mule stepped up and over the lip of that well. What could have buried him actually blessed him...all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

 

What about you? How have you responded to trials in your life? Have you kept a positive attitude or have you allowed yourself to be buried by the dirt?

I believe we all need to remember to have a positive outlook no matter what we’re facing. We need to learn to shake the dirt off and then step up in our faith.

Things will not always go our way…but God promises He’ll help us in our time of need. He’ll give us the courage to overcome our adversity.

Remember the old mule…shake it off and step up.

It’s a great lesson if we’ll learn it.

Ask God for wisdom and strength.

And, don’t be buried by what life shovels on you!

Margo

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, I encourage us to find time to quietly say a prayer for the things we are thankful for and for those we love. We are surrounded by so much wonderful beauty and blessings in our lives. I know each of us has a story to tell of what God has done for us and the grace He gives us on a daily basis.

Finding time to convey that in a whispered prayer will give your heart joy and allow you an expression of gratitude to God. Remember He loves you so much and longs to be with you in the quiet moments of your life.

Set aside a few moments today to enjoy His presence and linger in His grace.

Psalm 111 says,

Praise the Lord.
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who have pleasure in them.
Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures for ever.
He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy,
they are established for ever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and terrible is his name!
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Margo

Most of us think of Thanksgiving as a day of stuffing ourselves with turkey and dressing and sampling every rich dessert in sight (not to mention that afternoon nap and football game). But, how often do we really think about the history behind the holiday and why we give thanks to God in the first place.

I believe we at least should be aware of the basics. For example, did you know…

• It took the pilgrims over two months to reach the New World in the Mayflower. The people couldn’t even keep themselves warm with a fire due to the risk of setting their wooden boat ablaze. Can you say damp, dark, and wet? 
• Only half of the 102 pilgrims survived that first winter in the New World in1620 due to the brutal weather. They fared far better the second year in 1621 with the help of Squanto and the Wampanoag Indians. That fall, Govenor William Bradford organized the first Thanksgiving feast to celebrate their bountiful harvest season. 91 Indians were invited.
• 100 years later, in 1777, the 13 original colonies joined together in thanks for victory over the British at Saratoga . Again, it was just a one time celebration, but it helped lay the foundation for our giving thanks as a nation.
• Thanksgiving wasn’t an official holiday until 1863. President Lincoln declared it so as a gesture of unity during the Civil War. I believe we should celebrate it today thinking of our rich blessings and what unites us together as Americans. 

Some other fun facts…

• Ever wonder what was on the menu for the first Thanksgiving? Wild ducks and geese, venison, fish, berries, dried fruit, potatoes, and even lobster, according to historians. Ironically, however, there’s no mention of turkey or even cranberry jelly with those ridges from the can. LOL.
• The NFL’s first game on Thanksgiving was in 1934. The Lions did it to get people to go to see games. It seems to have worked. 
• Each Thanksgiving, our President gives a turkey a presidential pardon. Yes, it’s true. They’re pardoned and then retired to a farm for life or Disney Land where they act as their Grand Marshall for their Thanksgiving Day Parade. For real? 

That’s all I have for now. If you have any facts you would like to include, just post it to our Pink House Facebook page.

Blessings to you and remember to give thanks to God for your Harvest this season.

Margo