The Best Presents!

Posted on July 4, 2020 by Hadassah

I recently had an interesting experience in the food store. As the packing lady finished storing the groceries in my three bags, she handed them to me. I asked if she was going to take them to the car, but she murmured under her breath and looked ahead to the next customer. I was taken aback.

I really could have used the help as one bag was heavy with meat for my mother. I could be wrong, but perhaps with only three bags, she figured she would not have gotten a big enough tip. I don’t know.

I am a stickler for good customer service and I expect it even from the packing lady at the store. She shrugged me off. Further, I noticed she didn’t budge from the packing area; hence, preventing the next in line a chance to pack and gain a tip. As I exited the store with my three bags, I stopped to the first packer waiting on the line and gave her the tip I had for my packer.

Do you see how easy it is to despise something that was meant to be a blessing? Sometimes that increase is too small or perhaps that position too lowly. Maybe the present you received was seemingly too cheap. The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In all things give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus...”

After that experience, I thought of how a packer at another store reacted totally differently a few months earlier. As this student from A. F. Adderley was packing my bag, I was honest and told him I had no cash on me, so I would take my bags to the vehicle. This time, it was no three bags; it was a full trolley.

He humbly said it was okay and he would still take my groceries to the vehicle. I was impressed with this young man. He knew upfront he wasn’t getting a dime AND after not getting a dime, he would have to go to the back of the packers’ line.

I took the opportunity to express my gratitude and briefly encouraged him in the Lord. I promised him I would be back to give him a tip at some point.

Within two or three weeks, I returned to the store solely for that purpose. I met him on the line chatting with his peers. I asked if he remembered me. He said yes, with big wide, almost-smiling eyes. I escorted him off the line and pulled out a card from my bag which had a handwritten note of encouragement. Inside, I had slipped a handsome sum of money – way more than I believe the average packer receives for a tip.

The young man received a gift for doing for me when he knew he would get nothing in return, whereas the lady seemed to reject assisting possibly because the reward might not have been big enough.

Some of the best presents come in unassuming packages.

I understand packers make no salary, but attitude makes a huge difference. Let us be careful how we handle situations. Remember: The best presents aren’t always in the glittering or biggest packages!

Growing in Christ,
Hadassah

Should I Blame COVID19?

Posted on April 9, 2020 by Hadassah

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I have a confession. I ate a family size box of Fruit Loops over a three-day period – by myself!

Terrible! I know!

I must say, I have not exercised self control as I sit under this curfew due to COVID19 – the pandemic which has nearly brought the world to its knees. This Fruit Loops snack attack is not good for my health (loads of sugar) nor for my waistline (I hope I can fit in my clothes when it’s time to return to work)!

I also recognize the reason I kept going back to what really amounts to empty calories, was because I wasn’t full, but also because sugar is addictive.

It made me think: What else in your life amounts to empty calories?

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At this moment, everyone simply wants the basic necessities of life, chiefly, food and water. Who cares about missing a New York & Co spring sale? Who cares about paying $80 for a makeover, when that could go towards grocery? And is that planned trip to Disney more important than keeping a roof over your family’s head when both parents have been laid off? The $200 you might have been saving for dinner with a friend, now needs to help your grammy stock up in these uncertain times.

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The trappings of this life perhaps matter less to you by now. You may now realize that a lot of things we do are not necessary. They’re luxuries. I’m not saying don’t treat yourself. Don’t get me wrong. But in the grand scheme of things, if COVID19 hasn’t opened your eyes to the fragility of life and how it can be toppled over with little or no notice, I pray the scales be removed really soon.

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Today, I hope you are a bit more thankful for the things which matter. Interacting with the talkative old lady in the pew behind you. Sharing a meal with a colleague. That hug from your gregarious nephew. Let’s thank God for the little things – the things often taken for granted!

May this lockdown be a time of reflection. And when it is over, may we emerge as a more loving, thoughtful, compassionate people.

Growing in Christ,

Hadassah

God’s Mercies are NEW Every Morning!

Posted on February 19, 2020 by Hadassah

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When I look at this shredded tire, I think of the fact that the Lord’s mercies are new. Every. Single. Morning.

Two days ago, I was riding on this tire, not realizing it until I heard a flapping. Initially, I summed it up as mud under the tire, lifting up and hitting the mud guard as I drove along the highway. In the back of my mind though, I knew that I did not recently ride in mud. However, I continued on my way and it was not until it got LOUDER, while I was off the highway, that I parked on the side of the road to check it out.

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That’s when I saw this and was in shock. Fortunately, a tire shop was literally only about a minute away. I drove slowly and was able to get the tire changed. In fact, I was advised to get both front tires changed – which I did.

According to an employee, the only thing left for the tire to do was BURST!! I don’t speed, but still, the reality is on a highway you don’t drive at a snail’s pace. So imagine had that tire burst as I drove at highway speed? Who knows what could have occurred?!

I praise and bless God’s holy name for allowing me to notice this situation before something terrible happened.

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Meantime, I’ve certainly learned of the importance of inspecting my tires. In fact, I do – to an extent – but only to see whether they need air. Of course, I now realize a more thorough inspection is necessary.

From a spiritual standpoint, it makes me realize that we must continue to examine ourselves. Study the Word of God – which is a mirror – so we can see ourselves for who we are. More importantly, be obedient to what God’s Word tells us to do…the type of lives we ought to live.

If we hear any flapping…if we see any shredded tires, change those tires…change our ways. It certainly goes a long way for a smoother, safer ride.

Growing in Christ,

Hadassah

Tongue Dilemma!

Posted on October 16, 2019 by Hadassah

One week ago, something strange happened to me.

I woke up one morning and oddly, my tongue was irritated. It’s almost inexplicable. Totally weird!!! I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that I had NOTHING hot (I was on fruits, veggies and water that whole week) and I did not bite my tongue.

If I just drank water, my tongue was heavy to lift, my mouth felt uncomfortable and I was now talking like I was tie-tongue. I investigated via the mirror and I could see the raw flesh under the original covering of my tongue. What happened??!!!

It was a rough few days as I couldn’t even eat a grape. And yes, I tried.

One day, my husband made me a hearty omelette and for lunch and dinner, he gave me mashed potatoes. That was the closest I got to meals that day and believe it or not, eating those simple meals was painful!!!! You see, the movement of the tongue to aid in swallowing was further troublesome. Even my own saliva was BURNING my tongue!

The previous day, I called my husband and asked him to bring me a green smoothie for lunch, which I thank God I could drink with a straw and my head basically tilted to the side in an effort not to further aggravate that side of the tongue. I was truly hungry and needed something in my stomach. I drank it like someone who found an oasis in the desert!

This whole situation was very humbling. I have taken my tongue for granted. I NEED my tongue to speak, to sing, to eat, to drink. I limited verbal conversations and even verbal prayers. Thank God we could pray within the spirit and God still hears. My tongue was certainly not functioning properly, so my 77-year-old mother advised I put raw aloe on it. I did that for about three days to no avail.

As I prayed through my tears one morning, I thought of how vital my tongue is and how helpless I felt. It’s amazing how we just expect every organ to work – automatically. We don’t give it a second thought.

I FINALLY started feeling the beginning of my healing on Sunday after taking the advice of one of my brothers, backed by my husband and approved by a pharmacist: one part peroxide, one part water. Combine and swash around the mouth.

I can tell you that within hours I started feeling a difference and yesterday I was able to fully enjoy a Greek salad topped with a chicken salad – first meal without any pain!!!! PRAISE YE THE LORD!!!! I could eat without worrying about keeping food on one side of my mouth!!! I could chew minus the pain!!!!

Moreover, I thought of HOW I’ve been using my tongue. Do I always use it to uplift, to encourage, to speak life? James is my favourite book of the Bible because of its practicality. Chapter 3 speaks of the tongue being a “little member” that can cause a “fire.” The tongue is DANGEROUS. Use it wisely, people!!!!