Smiles Don’t Belong Here !

The Hospital had hired several persons who had graduated from the Medical Health Program. Four which included me were in the Physical Therapy Department.

Two of the girls had been there awhile and they teamed together as they made their calls to the wards.

I loved my job, and it showed. My smile and my humming a tune went before me into the Extended Care Unit where I was usually assigned.

One day, I passed the two other aides who were outside, taking a smoke break, and one of them made a comment that I could hear. “Smiles do not belong in a Hospital,” she said.

Well, that hurt a bit, but it did not stop me from smiling. My smile came from inside, and it was like a well springing forth. My joy could not be contained.

One day a patient told me how she and her husband had traveled, and they had seen some beautiful sights in this world. I told her that she could reserve a place in heaven where the streets were made of gold and the splendors there could never be imagined.

I held her hand, and prayed a short prayer asking Jesus to show him-self real to this sweet lady. Her face brightened, and she told me that she understood, and was ready when ever He was willing. Each day I greeted her with a smile and it was returned, until finally she was released to go back home. I expect to see her one day in heaven.

After working for a year, unexpectedly I was informed that our Insurance Carrier would no longer allow the unlicensed aides to write the notes on the charts. As of now, the data of each patient’s treatment must be from a Licensed Physical Therapy Technician.

My supervisor gently told me that she had both good news and bad news. She said the bad news was they were letting all four of the aides go including me. The good news was that I was the only one they were sorry to see go. I told my supervisor, not to feel upset, and that I would be fine.

As it was, I went on Unemployment, and before I could collect my first check, my phone rang. It had been a year since I had obeyed my Job Search Instructor, and took my application down to the County Personnel office.

The County requested that I come in for an interview to work in the Child Support Division in their accounting department.

Yes, I was hired, and worked there for 10 years, until the county was making some changes. A golden handshake was offered if 50 employees would retire. I was ready.

It turned out that 80 employees accepted the gold offer and as of today, I am still smiling!

Physical Therapy Aide REPOST

(This is a RePost as it goes with yesterdays story)

With several hundred hours of volunteer service in the hospital Physical Therapy unit under my belt, I concluded my health course training! I passed! At last, the hospital hired me and I became a full time physical therapy aide!

Treating the patients with gentle exercise, applying heating and massage, or wrapping wounds was only part of my job. My REAL job was “agent-in-disguise” on assignment by direction of my boss,

One particular day, I was assigned to do mild stretching exercises for the patients in one of the wards. As I walked by one of the rooms, I peeked in. A woman lay with her eyes closed. She was emaciated with her face drawn. There were barely any apparent signs of life. The Male nurse in charge, said, “No exercise for this woman, because she is in a coma and may not last the night. “

The Lord spoke to me and let me know that this woman was my assignment. I asked the nurse what her name was and he told me, “Her name is Mary.” “May I have a few minutes alone with Mary, if it is alright?” I asked the nurse. “Certainly,” was his reply.

I pulled the curtain around Mary. I knew that persons in a coma can hear and understand what you are saying. So softly, but with a voice of authority, I spoke, “Mary, I know that you have had a hard life and have done many sinful acts against your body and against God. (Pause) - - -

Mary, I have good news for you, and that is that Jesus loves you. (Pause) - - - I know you cannot speak to me, but in your heart you can tell Jesus that you are sorry for all the bad things you have done. (Pause) - - - Now, Mary, tell Jesus that you want Him to come into your heart and take all your sins away. (Pause)- - - Mary, Jesus loves you and wants to take you to be with Him in Heaven. (Pause)- - - Tell Jesus, ‘Yes, I want to be with you. Just say the word YES.“

I patiently and pleasurably watched as the frown on Mary’s brow softened and the downward curl of her lips moved to a slight smile.

The head nurse entered at that time, and asked me to leave.

Exactly what happened in that room on that day? The answer is that a woman became a “lady” and she was clothed in a white robe as she entered heaven to be with Jesus.

The next day, I re-entered the ward. The room where Mary had been was now empty. Mary was not there. She had passed on during the night to a better place, and had gone to be with Jesus. She barely missed heaven, but she made it.

There may be a Mary or a Bill, who needs a word from you. Opportunities are all around. Watch for them! Leap to catch them as they reveal themselves to you!

Stay tuned in to hear that still small inward voice. Obey when the Holy Spirit speaks to you. God is still speaking today….

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

A New Career at Age 60

At my daughter’s suggestion I had enrolled in a Job Search program.

One of our assignments was to take our resume and an application to the County Personnel Office. I did as I was asked and did not give it another thought until much later.

One eventful day, our Work Program Instructor invited a person from the local hospital to speak to us. The lady mentioned that you do not need to be a nurse or a doctor to work in a hospital. There are 200 positions available at our hospital, she informed us. She talked about the billing department, the cafeteria, and then she mentioned the physical therapy aide who would walk patients, and assist them with mild exercise.

Now I don’t usually hear voices, but that day a little bell went off in my spirit and I said to myself, “I could do that.”

Later I spoke to my instructor about my interest in pursuing that new field. She explained that I would need to take a Health and Medical class, and that only a few were accepted. She helped me fill out the application, and I patiently waited for my interview.

To be accepted into the Health class was just like applying for a job. The day came for my interview and as I drove there, I went over the hard questions in my mind.

At the office, I was welcomed by two smiling nurses. We glided over the questions and answers until they got to the one I was dreading: “What is your weakness?”

I smiled and said, “My weakness is chocolate!”

The nurse laughed and said that is mine too.

A few days later I was notified that I was accepted into the Health and Medical class, and to show up at an appointed time.

Among other things, we learned medical terms, abbreviations, parts of the body, and how to give shots. Each week we were asked to bring in a newspaper clipping that dealt with health and we would discuss the articles.

Our instructor took us on tours to different departments to see what might interest us, and we wrote down our three choices to be an apprentice. I selected Physical Therapy.

My assignment was to give several hundred hours as a non-paid, trainee in the Physical Therapy Department. I learned to clean the whirlpool baths, apply hot and cold packs, and give a massage to the hurting area. We assisted the patients with exercise bands and pulleys. I loved every minute of it, but my assignment term was almost to an end.

During my time as a trainee, the County had not forgotten about me. One day I received a telephone call to come in for an interview. I told the lady that I was enjoying a class I was taking, and at this time I could not come in.

I told my supervisor at the hospital that the county kept calling me, but I told them no.

As time went on, one day, I reluctantly told my supervisor that my time was up, and I must stop showing up unless they had a job opening. I was informed that a college student was going to be hired as permanent, and there was no other work available.

A few days later, I received a telephone call, that circumstances had changed, and to come in because I was hired. I was so happy! This was an entirely new carrier for me but one I certainly was looking forward to. I expected to be a blessing where ever I was.

Looking for an Income??

My youngest daughter was speaking to me, “Mom, why don’t you go down to the PIC office and see if they can help you find a job.”

It was true that we were dipping into our savings to live on, and things were not looking good. My husband was no longer able to work, and he had applied for early social security, but that did not go far either.

“Yes, I will do that, it can’t hurt and it should be fun,” I told my daughter.

The class was designed to help the students gain strength in writing a resume and to understand how to do a good interview. We learned the hard questions we might be asked and were given tips on how to answer them.

Filling out a resume properly was important. We visited the local college where we received suggestions, and were told that they would assist us to print up a nice looking resume when we were ready.

Our instructor at the job search class, asked us to grab our resume and fill out an application and take it down to the County. Many different types of jobs were available at the County, so I did as I was instructed and left my application at the County Personnel office.

My background was heavy into accounting and managing an office, so that looked well on my application.

Our instructor required us to look through the help wanted ads in the newspaper and make at least 3 inquiries. I applied at a lumber warehouse but knew I would not be happy there. The women did not smile or seem to enjoy their job.

Another place I did an interview was at a local insurance office. The gentleman informed me that the pay was minimum wage, and according to my resume, I was over qualified.

All this was good experience.

I can remember one of our Pastors teaching on finding a job. He stated that you must view a job search as if you were showing up for work. Pack a sack lunch, and early in the morning, go door to door at your local business establishments and request an application for work.

Seeking a job is serious business and our Pastor did not believe in hand outs to those who sat at home, and hoped that the Lord would drop a job out of the sky on them.

If you are in need of an income, naturally you should pray. But understand that God expects us to put effort and feet to our prayers.

May I offer some tips: Get your resume updated and begin your search.

Keep a smile on your face, and always be willing to do the work, the way the boss wants it done.

Accept each task with energy and meet every dead line.

May I suggest a word of caution; no preaching on the job. Let Jesus shine through your life and example, and they will know him by your love.

What I learned at EBay

Selling on EBay was a new experience for me.

I pulled up the forms on my computer, copied my information, and added the photo. Now I was ready to post my product.

What I failed to do was calculate the correct amount needed for postage.

My hopes were, that the item would bring the price I asked, and that would cover any extra shipping. There was a “Buy it Now” price, and that was what I expected to receive.

Another thing I over-looked, was it is good to have a certain “reserve” holding price, that the buyer must arrive at before I would let my item go. My item ended up in the auction section, with customers starting the bidding at 99 cents.

EBay notified me that my item had sold, but it was for a much smaller amount than I expected. The postage and the selling price was not enough to even cover my shipping cost.

When something like this happens in life, and you end up being the “looser” so to speak; it is time to cover your losses, and to keep your word and go on.

To me this was to be counted as a “Learning Experience.” (Not my first one sad to say.)

Yes, I sent the item to the buyer, and I was still stinging from the incident.

What I learned at EBay: I may never sell on EBay again!

Or at least next time I will count the cost.

Counting the cost is mentioned in the Bible. Research is needed to discover just how much serving God or NOT serving God will eventually cost.

The sad thing is to come up short at the end of life and not be allowed to enter Heaven.

The best thing is to count the cost now, and pay the price. The price is a full surrender of your will to His will.

It is a quality decision to serve God with all your Heart, and Soul and to begin today if you are not already living for Him.

Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first, and count the cost, whether he will have sufficient to finish it?

Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Not Satisfied?

Straight as a stick, that is how to describe our two daughter’s golden hair. Our third daughter had nice brunette hair with a lovely natural curl.

What do you think was their request as we approached the Beauty Salon?

The simple answer was; two perms for the straight haired maidens and a reverse perm for the third daughter with the curly hair.

Why is it that we are often not satisfied and contented with things the way they are?

I can remember hating my name because kids love to tease and hurt my feelings. I was called Witch Hazel, Hazel Nut, and that was enough to cause me want to change my name.

Mother would tell me that sticks and stones will break your bones, but names can never hurt you. To this day I still do not believe that saying. I know for a fact that words can hurt deeply in the emotions, but that is another story.

Noses, eyes, double chins, big hips, fat tummy, all get attention from the Plastic surgeon.

Please consider teeth! Now that is something I needed and went for. My two front teeth were crooked and overlapped, and when a cavity formed between them, my dentist suggested that he cap the two into a straight nice line. Prior to the remedy, I would put my hand over my mouth when I would laugh or smile. The new teeth certainly improved my appearance, and gave me new confidence. No longer was I afraid to smile.

Satisfaction is not always a sit down item. It is a good thing to seek improvement in our studies, work, health, attitudes, our thoughts and not to forget is - - our spiritual life.

Many women desire to do a make over on their husbands, but men are set in their ways. The best solution is to love them as they are, and trust that your love and gentleness, will eventually work its change in your children and family. In any event it may change you.

One person that I continue to be satisfied with is Jesus. He never changes, and the Bible reminds me that, He is the same Yesterday, Today and Forever.

Yes, I am satisfied with Jesus, and as the old song says, “Is He satisfied with me!!”

Family Secrets

Families do have problems. When my Uncle Clarence discovered that his wife was enjoying her free time just a bit too much; while he was dispatched on his work related rail road over night trips. He filed for divorce.

My dad (his brother) generously suggested that he to come live with us. Dad offered him our small room addition that was built for us by another uncle.

At the time, I was in the 5th grade, and flexible as to living quarters. My brother, sister and I had our private bed rooms upstairs, but one day, mother informed me that I must give up my room and begin to share with my sister; because cousin Walt was to take over my room.

What happened was my handsome cousin Walt, a high school student, decided he had endured enough of what was going on at home with mom, so he wanted to be with his dad and also move in with us.

What a tease he was, asking me what was my boy friend’s name. Then he made up a horrible name for the boy, and would taunt me unmercifully.

These were the days when teen-agers wore Levis, the dirtier the better. His Levi pants were extremely stiff, and would stand alone with no help wanted.

One eventful day when Mother did the laundry, she decided that those filthy pants needed washing. When Walt discovered what she had done, naturally he was completely devastated and sort of had a fit.

I knew better than to make any remarks, but secretly I smiled inside. To me, this was pay back for all the humiliation and embarrassment he had caused me.

One action-packed evening, my Uncle brought home a lovely lady friend he had met. They sat spooning in the front room on the sofa, while my mother, in the kitchen read to us children a bedtime story.

Soon, we heard the loud footsteps of my cousin running up the front porch stairs. Jumping up quickly, my uncle managed to lock the front door before Walt could enter.

Now our front door had a small window across the top, and my tall cousin had got a pretty good view as my Uncle was locking the door. My Uncle scurried into the kitchen with his lady friend and asked me to hide her, while he let his son in the house.

Oh me, how exciting this was!! I took the lady into my Mom’s bedroom and hid her in Mother’s closet. She was shaking and so scared! I told her that everything would be OK.

Embarrassed and excited, my uncle let my cousin in, took him into his room closing the door while trying to explain that the lady was my mother; and my cousin did not know what he saw. My cousin was not stupid, and he figured out what was going on; and later he came to understand that it was OK for his dad to see someone.

Shortly, I showed the lady out the back door, escorted her around to the gate, and she hurried home. We never saw her again. Best kept secrets are sometimes hard to keep.

If you share secrets with the Lord, He never tells, and you can always share with him anything, no matter what it is.

Disappointments are often for a good reason

Our Pastor asked my husband to teach a morning class on “Discovering Who You Are in Christ.” The Pastor requested an outline prior to allowing my husband to teach his lessons.

My husband and I had attended some classes held by Dr Charles Solomon, where he taught on the “Exchanged Life.” Dr Solomon illustrated with diagrams that we were first “IN Adam,” and needed to be translated into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son, and to become a new creature, “IN Christ.”

My husband had decided to present the Old man with his emotional feelings of rejection first, and lead up to the New Man who is “Accepted in the Beloved.” The Pastor was not sure he liked this approach and made it very clear to my husband that he felt this was a negative view.

My husband told me that something else was going on, and it was time for us to back out, and allow the Pastor to teach the class the way he wanted to by using some materials that we did not adhere to. When the Holy Spirit speaks, it is time to move on.

We ended up paying a visit to the Pastor at his home and telling him that next Sunday would be our last Sunday.

We parted friends, and the Pastor told us that the door swings both ways, and we were always welcomed back.

Later we heard that the church closed down because of some sort of scandal.

Praise God, we were not a part of it, and the Lord protected us, because we had listened to his voice.

Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Ephesians 5:8 For you were sometimes darkness, but now you are light in the Lord: walk as children of light.

Kilroy Was Here

There has been much written about the origin and proliferation of Kilroy.

It was a simply drawing with just the bald head, and hands showing from behind a wall. His long nose protruded over the wall, and his beady eyes shown bright. The words, “Kilroy was here,” were always intimating that he was there first.

In December 1946 the New York Times credited James J. Kilroy, a welding inspector at the Bethlehem Steel shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts, with starting the craze. Usually, inspectors used a small chalk mark, but welders were erasing those to get double-paid for their work. To prevent this, Mr. Kilroy marked his welding work with the long crayoned phrase ("Kilroy was here") on the items he inspected. The graffito became a common sight around the shipyard, and was imitated by workers when they were drafted and sent around the world. As the war progressed, people began opening void spaces on ships for repair, and the mysterious Mr. Kilroy's name would be found there, in sealed compartments "Where no one had been before."

To the troops in those ships, however, it was a complete mystery — all they knew for sure was that he had "been there first." As a joke, they began placing the graffiti wherever they (the US forces) landed or went, claiming it was already there when they arrived.

As a young girl during WW2 I can remember seeing these signs everywhere that you could use a can of spray paint. We kids would write on our book covers, “Kilroy was here.” It was a fun thing to do, but no one really knew why.

Kilroy signs spread everywhere from coast to coast, and from sea to sea. The military did much to spread his message. Yes, he was there first “Where no one else had ever been before.”

I am wondering if my mansion in heaven is reserved just for me, and no one else has ever been there before. I certainly hope, it is not Mr. Kilroy!

I sure do not want to see this sign in heaven near my mansion: Kilroy was Here

Expectation

Every day, I excitedly watched for the mail. My package should arrive any day soon!

My children were small and I was in the habit of sewing simple clothes for them; but now I was ready to tackle something with buttons!!

A magazine advertisement had caught my eye. Five hundred assorted buttons, six each of every kind in a nice box. That sounded like a wonderful bargain, so I eagerly sent the company a check and anxiously waited for my buttons to arrive.

It seems silly to be so excited about a box of buttons, but I certainly was.

What made me think of this long ago incident is the fact that because I am house bound for a season, the internet has been very inviting.

Something comfortable to wear around the house was my intention, so I went on line to Blair.com !!

All the bargains amazed me, so I placed an order. Next they offered me a discount if I ordered more so I did. Oh what fun this was!

Now the waiting part!! Can you believe that I am so extremely excited about the arrival of those packages? They should arrive any day now!! Soon and very soon!!

I believe this attitude of being anxious is what the Lord expects from us, as we wait for the return of Jesus. We know the Bible promises that He will come back, but only the Father knows the exact day or the hour.

Because we do not know the exact day or the hour, we should at least be aware of the signs of the times.

Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs - - upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

How excited we should be as we anxiously wait for Jesus to come back.

It is important to be ready for when He does come, for it will be so very quick. Just a blink of an eye; and all the Christians will rise to meet Jesus in the clouds.

Now, how excited is that? Will it be tomorrow? Only God knows.

Soon and Very Soon!

Act 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.