Tag: kindness

You’re Making Glory Dust

It’s been an interesting year for me. On December 28, 2024, I fell and broke my left humerus. After surgery, with a 9-inch rod and six screws installed, I began my road to recovery. Months into physical therapy to prevent a frozen shoulder, I developed another health issue that occasionally knocked me down as well. I was beginning to think I was worthless because I couldn’t do as much as I used to for the Lord.

As I was dressing the other morning, the 1994 Newsboys’ song, Shine, came on. The refrain kept reverberating in my spirit:

Shine
Make ’em wonder what you’ve got
Make ’em wish they were not
On the outside, looking bored.
Shine
Let it shine before all men
Let ’em see good works and then
Let ’em glorify the Lord

I heard, “Glory dust” in my spirit. Immediately, I saw smiles and kind gestures, like giving up your place in line. I shared this with a friend, and she said, “If you don’t write a poem about that, I will!” And so I did…

Glory Dust

The world tells me who to trust.
Religion tells me what I must.
My body whispers I should lust.
My soul replies, “I am a bust.”
My mind insists, “Don’t be fussed.”
My heart feels hope, though often crushed.
My will declares, “You must adjust.”
Then suddenly—there came a thrust:
His Spirit said, “You’re making glory dust.
Each smile, each wave, a spark of light,
A gift of love that warms the night.
I watched you bend to lift the litter,
And leave behind My holy glitter.
You yielded kindly, gave your place in line—
A quiet act that made Me shine.
You wrapped the cold with shoes and shirts,
And helped to heal another’s hurts.
The smallest deeds exalt My name;
From tiny embers rises flame.”

We don’t have to do BIG things for the Lord to bring Him glory. He sees the small things, and they make Him smile. So, spread a little glory dust today.

Give a High 5 @ 5

5at5forMomsHasn’t this been a year? Yeah, you could say that again! It has been a year for moms like none other. As a mother and grandmother, I have seen the weariness on their faces, heard it in their voices, and frustration in their comments. My hat is off to moms who have tried to adapt to this Coronavirus pandemic and what it’s done to their family life and especially their children. And if you’re a working mom having to work from home, well, you’re a saint in my book. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has had to adapt and yes, make sacrifices, to keep peace in the home, hot meals on the table, clean sheets on the bed, and be a dr/nurse/playmate/teacher/cook –a what’s ever needed to their children.

My youngest turned 39 yesterday, so I’m way past most of you ladies now that I’m almost 70. As the oldest girl of 9 children, I had the benefit/blessing of being raised by a mom who knew how to organize and “line us up” to get things done. I’ll never forget her wisdom when I had my first child: “Mary, be prepared for the witching hour ’cause it will happen every night when you’re out of energy and done for the day. You’ll need to get a second wind.” All moms know what I mean–that fussy period in babies that starts about 5 o’clock when it’s time to get dinner on and yes, it lasts through dinner, through dishes, and through homework if you have older children.

Let’s Give Them a Hand & a Prayer

Sunday I did sheets and towels for one of my daughter-in-laws and yesterday, I dropped off some Costco frozen meals for a single mom of 4. Yes, I have the energy and time to do practical things. BUT, I believe the most significant thing I can do is the commitment I made yesterday to pray for moms and children at 5PM for 5 minutes. I’ve set my phone alarm to remind me. I’d like to put a challenge “out there” to any who read this. They need us now more than ever, especially with the school year beginning.

Nana’s Nudge:  Set your phone alarm for 5PM and pray 5 minutes for moms, children, and teachers.
Nana’s Songs:  Joy  |  All Things Possible  |  God Bless All the Little Children
Nana’s Prayer: Father, thank You for blessing us with our children. We look to You to watch over our families. Strengthen mothers, bring Your peace into our homes, calm our fears so that we can be confident for our children. Holy Spirit, we ask for Your fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to increase in our lives. May there be a special grace given to mothers of special needs children. Amen.