SERVICE TO OTHERS

How can I be of service to others?  The big question then becomes:  “Is this something that God is calling me to do? “

Perhaps you have had an urge to do something constructive to help other people but did not know how to go about it.  This year I had occasion to have some people help me in the area of my weight.  Now, we all know the importance of keeping our weight down, especially as we get older and it becomes harder to lose.  Doctors nag at you but your body defies you at every turn.  How then are we to find a solution?  We ask other people to help us; that’s how.

It is critical, in my estimation, to not fight a battle by yourself.  Get others to join you and together success can be attained. 

While Charlie and I were away this winter some lady friends gathered together to weigh in once a week and take our blood pressures.  Sharing ideas and past experiences, along with a few laughs, helped keep our spirits lively.  As the weeks passed, the weight slowly came down.  Sure, it was a little discouraging not to see the pounds drop off quickly; but over the past few months, there has been somewhat significant progress.  But, I returned home to combat my problem alone once again. 

Studying up on various healthy solutions to solving the weight problem has given me a few tools to share with others.  I put out a plea to my neighbors in my condo community to find a few kindred souls.  So far, five ladies have responded and next week will be our first formal meeting. 

I believe in my heart that this was God-inspired.  As the weeks pass and our group improves, it will be most encouraging to share our ups and downs as we explore new territory.  Keep in touch and find out how we do, with God’s help, of course.

According to Judy

All of a sudden memories of washdays from my childhood came flitting through my thoughts, and I remembered those days when we had to hang out the wash.  I grew up in northwestern Indiana, and just at the time I was turning six years old, we moved in with my paternal grandparents.  My mother brought with us a wringer washing machine.  From what I gather, this washer had the first electrically powered wringer in our family.  Instead of wringing out the wash by hand as was commonly done before, you could feed the clothes through the wringer which would squish out the excess water.  What a muscle saving feature that was!

While the clothes were washing, my mother would pick up the clothesline which was hanging on a hook nearby and go out into the backyard.  In the backyard were a number of wooden poles at both ends of the yard.  My mother would string the clothesline back and forth between the poles until there were about a dozen or so lengths ready to accept the wash.  However, before hanging the wash, it was necessary to take a damp rag and wipe down the clothesline just to make sure there was nothing foreign on the line to soil the clean wash.  The cloth bag of old fashioned clothespins was then hung on the line for ready access.  

Once the clothes were washed and wrung out, they were put into a laundry basket, toted up the basement steps and out into the backyard.  Each item of wash was taken from the laundry basket, shook out within an inch of its life to lessen the wrinkles and pinned to the line.  The bag of clothespins was then pushed down the row ready for the next item.  This process was repeated over and over until every piece was neatly pinned in place.  Then, in order to keep the heavily weighted clothesline from dipping too low, wooden clothes props with notches in the top end were place at various points along the clothesline to provide support.  

If you were fortunate that the day was sunny with a nice breeze blowing through, the clothes dried fairly quickly.  Even so, it might take almost all day for the heavier garments to dry.  Heaven forbid if the weather was dreary and threatened rain.  We would be on alert to run out at the first raindrops to gather everything in before it all was soaked again.  The last resort for drying clothes was hanging them on lines in the basement.  This, of course, meant that the clothes took much longer to dry and were not as sweet smelling as being outdoors in the sunshine.    

Today there may be areas in the country where people are still allowed to hang out their wash; but in most suburban communities, it is frowned upon.  Typically, because of technical advances in washing machines and dryers, there are no more days that are designated for laundry as it can be done any time of the day or night.  Thanks be to God for our modern technology.  

According to Judy

Is this a guiding question in your life?  Do you make any decisions that are based on other people’s influence?  

Perhaps you answered “no.”  Other than my husband’s feelings on a subject, I might say “no” myself.  However, there are so many areas in our lives that are impacted by what others think about us or about our choices, i.e. our clothing, our computers, our pets, movies to see, our home, our décor, etc.  Depending upon the individual, most of the time we probably discard the input we receive as we know what we like and that is foremost in our decision making.  

However, how do we react when someone makes a derogatory comment about what we are wearing today or about whether we are overweight or not.  Does this tend to make you feel less worthy?  Or, are you the type of person who can let this roll off your back?  

These are intriguing questions as every day our outlook is subject to change.  I like to think that I am uplifted by positive feedback from friends and family.  And, I also like to think that those people with negative input are not important enough to me to affect me.  What about you?

To be truthful, the most important question is “What Does God Think of Me?”  Is he happy with how I treat others?  Is he disappointed when we put the material things of life ahead of our relationships with other people?  Perhaps it is time for us to reexamine our priorities and put life in the proper perspective.  

According to Judy

Today is March 2, 2009 and the weather is sunny but cool this morning in Punta Gorda, Florida.  There is a promise of some warming during the day.  This is while snow is coming down in the Maryland/Virginia area and further northward.  If we were home, we would be enjoying the white landscape along with our family and neighbors.  Sometimes it is nice to be swaddled in your own home (as long as the power is on).

This past week has been one of mixed blessings.  And I say “blessings” as I know God has a hand in seeing that life is not always as we plan.  One of our plans for this past weekend was a bus trip to a Tampa casino with two other couples.  One couple had to cancel due to illness and we had to cancel as Charlie threw his back out the night before we were to leave.  The mixed blessing is that we missed the fun of the bus trip and Charlie had to endure his back pain, but it resulted in our maintaining our money for another use.  (God hasn’t told us what that is yet.)  Another positive aspect of that change in plans is that we were forced to stay home and relax.  

Believe me, we do not lack for things to do here in Florida.  One of the more delightful outings for us was going to Circus Sarasota.  For $10 a person we enjoyed some of the best entertainment available in the southwest part of the state.  However they did it, Circus Sarasota has “America’s Best Clown” as listed in TIME Magazine.  Bello Nock was the highlight of the entire day as he performed a number of times in various acts.  He is advertised as the “World’s Only Comic Daredevil” and he proved that throughout the afternoon.  This is not to say that the other acts were less entertaining.  Not in the least!  We were laughing and applauding during the entire circus performance and left with big smiles on our faces, still shaking our heads in wonderment.  

So, I leave you with this thought:  “Take from each day what God offers to you and see the bright side of life.”  

According to Judy

One of my lady friends, Gwen, who is attempting to make wise choices with her eating prepared an eggplant parmesan following a recipe shared in our group.  Because the recipe ended up being a large casserole dish, she and her husband invited Charlie and me to share the meal with them.  Now, eggplant parmesan would never be a restaurant choice for Charlie, but he was a good sport and admitted it was a tasty meal.  So, even Charlie made a healthy eating choice that day.  I am proud of him for doing so.

The community here had a comedy night this past Saturday.  It was BYOB but snacks were placed at each table.  To be on the safe side, I brought raw carrots and celery.  Some of the other snacks were questionable, but I ate some of them, as well.  The success was that I chose not eat all of them, which is what I may have chosen to do in the past.  So, day by day, choices are made, and I hope that you, too, will make the better choice.

For those of you who frequent the movies, some of us ladies went to see "Confessions of a Shopaholic."  This would not be something a guy would choose.  But we ladies got some laughs out of it.  Certainly, it is not an Academy Award movie, but if you want something light-hearted to watch, it is kind of fun.

May you choose God to be with you as you encounter your daily choices each day.  May He provide a host of angels to watch over you and keep you safe.  Amen.

According to Judy

Well, time is passing for all of us, isn’t it?  But, thank goodness, Charlie and I are enjoying our winter months here in Florida.  Last night we had a small cocktail party with six other couples, two of which are former Marylanders.  It was curious that half of them brought their own beverages in their own glasses.  We provided a selection of hors d’oeuvres, several of which were low in calories and fat for those of us watching our weight.

Speaking of weight watching, I lost 2 ½ pounds over the past week.  You may remember that my neighbors here have a small group to encourage each other to stay on the healthy eating path.  So far, so good!  I certainly am encouraged.  

Yes, to answer your question.  Charlie has gotten to golf and is going again today in Fort Myers with two of his Maryland buddies.  I will meet up with the wives for some relaxation, shopping and/or card games.  

For you movie goers, if you have not yet seen “Gran Torino,” do go and see it.  We found it to be a wonderful movie – the critics were generally not hot for another Clint Eastwood movie, but he did a great job.

A stumbling block entered my path as far as exercise is concerned.  When I last wrote, I was preparing to go for my second time for golfing and hoped for a better score.  Well, I did get a better score and was competitive with the other ladies.  But, fate stepped in and handed me a reminder that I have arthritis.  After golfing, my arthritic left knee totally rebelled.  And, the rebellion won!  Time and some healing may help the situation, but in the meantime, I am sidelined from golfing.  

The good news is that the pool here has finally reopened after being closed for a month to make renovations.  I am hopeful that I can squeeze in some pool time this week and loosen up some muscles.  

So I remembered that when God closes a door, He opens a window somewhere.  I am taking this message to heart with His closing the door on my golfing.  Perhaps the window He opened is the pool.  I will find out; but if this is not my window, I will persevere with His guidance.  May you also count on His guidance as you live each day.  God and I love you all.

According to Judy