Friday 7th

Yesterday I baked some buns and took them to the old folks home where Gladys lives so that they could have them with their afternoon tea.   It wasn't the most exciting random act of kindness in the world but I suppose it was a start.

Going to visit Gladys is always a bit of a treat.  Despite the fact that Ive been visiting her at least once a week for the past couple of years she always greets me like a long lost friend.  '  Oh how lovely to see you !  What a nice surprise!'  she says with a big grin on her face.  And what makes it so great is that she genuinely means it every single time.   In her 89 years on the planet Gladys has mastered the art of making people feel special.   Yes, she is deaf as a post and yes, she can be very pernickerty and difficult, but her great gift to me is her unconditional delight every time she sees me.  When was the last time you made someone feel great the moment they walked into your room?   When was the last time your words carried such genuine expression of delight that the person you were meeting went away feeling blessed just to have been in your presence?

Gladys last Christmas

I have learned a lot about being old from Gladys.  I wish I had known her in earlier years but Im just mightily glad to have been able to share these last times with her.  I have learned that you dont get what you dont ask for.   Ive learned that saying thank you and expressing gratitude costs nothing but really oils the wheels.  I have learned that a life of faith lived faithfully is its own reward and that God will always meet the needs of those who trust Him implicitly.

So my challenge for today is going to be to make someone feel really good.  Im not sure who and Im not sure how.  But as Friday is painting day with my friend Denise I suppose it might be her.  Or perhaps I shall make an effort to compliment everyone I meet today.,  I shall report back tomorrow and let you know if Ive remembered and how it has gone.  I suspect being nice to everyone all day might be harder than it sounds :-)

Dear Lord
Thank you for Gladys and the huge blessing she is to me.  Thank you for her unconditional love and her generosity of spirit.  May I grow in that same attitude which is quick to express the joys and slow to complain.   Today help me to speak more positive than negative and to bless those who come across my path.