Posts by joaniebruce

I lost the Lottery!

Posted by joaniebruce on Mar 27, 2013 in General | 2 comments

Yesterday, the lottery made it up to $320 million dollars, but did I win? Nope!  It was probably because I never bought a ticket.  🙂  But … I was thinking about winning all that money and what I would love to do with it. It was nice to dream about the things I would like to buy until I read my devotions this morning. Then it hit me. I’m really glad I DIDN’T win all that money.  Today, the verse that spoke to me was in Proverbs, chapter 27, and verse 7.  It says… “The full soul loatheth an honeycomb, but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.”

I believe that verse proves that it’s harder for someone who has everything to appreciate the things they have—even  the good things in life mean nothing because they were easy to come by. But, to those who have nothing, or struggle for what they have, everything means more. Does that make sense to you?

How much happier I am when I struggle for things, or work for what I have.  I appreciate every little thing so much more. I never thought I would thank the Lord for NOT winning money from a lottery or a sweepstakes, but I believe with all my heart that I’m happier when I have a “hungry soul,” because even the bitter things in life turn out to be sweet. 🙂

Are you a good listener?

Posted by joaniebruce on Mar 20, 2013 in General | 2 comments

Do you hate to see some people coming your way?—possibly because they tend to dominate the conversation? Maybe we each should consider how many times we use the word “I” in the middle of a conversation with our friends or family. We all have an unconscious habit of manipulating the conversation to express OUR opinion, OUR advice on a subject, or OUR “words of wisdom.” When you’re standing around with several of your friends, LISTEN to the conversation, and see how many times each person interjects their personal comment using the word “I.” After a while, it seems almost funny.

Most of the time we jump in because we want to help someone or make others laugh. Basically, we want others to love us. But, I believe the most loved people in the world are those who rarely use the word “I.” They’re people who actually LISTEN to others first. They ask questions about a friend’s situation, or problems, or family. If we would cut out four-fifths of the word “I” in our conversations with others, we could really HEAR what others are saying. And, who knows? … We might really hear something worth listening to.  🙂

Posted by joaniebruce on Feb 20, 2013 in General | Comments Off on

“Hold the Bucket”

Posted by joaniebruce on Feb 20, 2013 in General | Comments Off on “Hold the Bucket”

My pastor says the glue of the family is commitment, but the oil of the family is communication. Commitment keeps us together—communication makes the togetherness sweeter.

However, sometimes communication is hard—it takes courage, thoughtfulness and especially tact. We should feel comfortable having a conversation about ANYTHING, but that conversation should be seasoned with love, tenderness, and compassion. It also has to flow both ways.  My husband is so easy-going—he lets me rant and rave, then agrees with everything I say. BUT, if there’s something he’s passionate about, he speaks out. If either of you feel stifled in your communication, it drives a wedge between you, and the communication dies.

A big part of communicating is LISTENING.  Sometimes, we get so upset we need to vent or release pent-up frustration. That’s when we need someone to just “hold the bucket.” When your friend … your child … your spouse is upset enough to cry a “bucket full of tears,” all they need is for someone to listen.  Don’t talk … don’t try to “fix” them … don’t try to offer a solution. Just listen. And, “hold the bucket.”

What do YOU take for granted?

Posted by joaniebruce on Feb 12, 2013 in General | 8 comments

My son is at Marine boot camp in Parris Island, South Carolina. In his letters, he writes that he misses certain things he always took for granted: freedom to eat what and when he wants, lounging around in “old clothes” that are loose and comfortable, staying in bed a little longer in the mornings. 🙂  It brought to mind the things I take for granted in my life every day:

1)A companion and loving husband —I have a friend whose husband died at an early age with a heart attack.

2)A comfortable, warm, dry home—there are people even in the small town of Madison who no longer have homes to call their own due to circumstances beyond their control.

3)A loving, supporting family—one of my friends in particular has no relatives—not  even cousins to fall back on in times of trouble.

How many things do YOU take for granted?  In the book of First Thessalonians, verse eighteen of chapter five, God tells us to be thankful in all circumstances. If we take time, every day, to thank God for what we do have—not  taking anything for granted—not only will it please Him, but the new outlook on your own circumstances will put a smile on your lips and add a touch of sunshine to your day.  🙂