What I Wished I Had Said…

My cousin Pearl & I

It was during our weekly conversation when out of the blue she said to me, “I’ve told Jesus whatever His will is just let it be.”

I knew exactly what she meant but I didn’t want to hear it, not at that time.  So my reply to her was, “We know where we’re going when we leave this earth.  We’ll be going home to be with Jesus. There’s no reason to be afraid but you don’t have to be in a hurry to say your goodbyes. 

We talked, we laughed, I prayed and told her, “I love you and I’d call again soon.”  Neither of us knew that would be our final conversation.

I wish I had taken that moment to say:

 I believe with all my heart I’m going to see you again on this earth but, if I don’t I want you to know my friend, you’ve had an impact on my life. You’ve left an impression on my heart that will never be erased.

You have given generously, loved unselfishly and defended all. You smiled through your pain while offering others comfort and support.  You lived out your faith, trusting always in God. 

You believed however he answered His way was best and you lived surrendered to his perfect will.

But I didn’t say this because wouldn’t saying it mean I had no faith? Who says goodbye when believing for a miracle?

I hate goodbyes.  If I can I avoid it, the awkwardness, the sadness, the finality of goodbye. However, whether we are in perfect health or dealing with a life threatening illness, we don’t know how far we are away from our final goodbyes with our loved ones.  Hence we should make each moment count, say the things that need saying so there are no regrets.

When I tried to explain my sometimes mixed up words to my cousin she’d always say, “You don’t have to explain, I know your heart.” So today I take comfort in knowing, although in that moment I didn’t say the words I wish I had said, she knew how I felt about her.

…Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalms 30:5 

I also rejoice in the fact that because we shared the same faith in our risen savior I’m going to see her again.

 ²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21(NIV)

Are there any words that you want to say to someone you love? I encourage you to say it…

Heavenly Father, I pray for those today who are dealing with grief.  Wrap your loving arms around them.  Let them feel your presence and your peace.  Give them the strength to make it through this difficult time.

I write this post in memory of my cousin and friend Nurse Pearl Carey. Beloved child of God.

I also shared this post at Laced With Grace.

Trusting Him,
~Bernadine~

She Chose Joy

She lived a few houses down from me. She was often outside working in her yard or sitting on her front porch reading. We’d wave when I drove by and sometimes I’d pull over and chat with her for a few minutes. One thing I noticed in the years that we shared the same neighborhood was that she was always smiling...

I'm at Laced With Grace today. I'd love for you to stop by and read the rest of my post, She Chose Joy.

Trusting Him,
 ~Bernadine~

A Sister's Love

"I wonder what’s wrong with her," the perceptive older sister said as her little sister approached.  "She looks as if she’s upset." And she was.  It was Awards Day at her school and while she had received an award, her name had been misspelled in the booklet and left off several award categories.

When little sister reached where we were standing, her sister asked, "What's wrong, Sweetie?"  She started to talk then tears started to fall.  I followed as the older sister led the younger one to someplace more private and then pulled her into her arms...

I'm at Laced With Grace Today.  I'd love it if you'd stop by and read the rest of my post A Sister's Love

Fear Not

The words fear not jumped out at me this morning as I read 2 Kings 6:8-17.

How often have I read those words as I study the pages of my Bible over the years?  God does not want us to fear, not even for a moment and he proves to us over and over again that he is always with us.

In this scripture, the King of Syria had been plotting against the King of Israel.  However, Elisha the Prophet would always warn the King of Israel and he would avoid the trap of the King of Syria. When the King of Syria found out that it was Elisha who had knowledge of his plans he sent his army to fetch Elisha.  When the army surrounded them Elisha’s servant was afraid.  However Elisha said to him;

Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 2 Kings 6:16 KJV (emphasis mine)

Are you like me…sometimes fearful?  It often seems as if the obstacles that the enemy throws in your path are unsurpassable.  They seem bigger than life.  However, they are not bigger than God.

I'm at Laced With Grace Today.  I'd love it if you'd stop by and read the rest of my post Fear Not

Not Worthy to Be Counted

Do you see people the way God sees them?  I’ve been meditating on that lately as I read David’s journey to becoming king in 1 Samuel 16. Sometimes we are quick to look at people with judgmental eyes based on their outward appearance.

We make snap judgments based on the way they dress, look and many other things.  Even the prophet Samuel wasn’t exempted from this. When God sent Samuel to anoint one of Jesse’s sons  He took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the LORD’S anointed.

He wasn’t!

I'm at Laced With Grace Today.  I'd love it if you'd stop by and read the rest of my post Not Worthy to be Counted

Don't Lose Your Peace

Peace… it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work.  It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. (Unknown)

It had just been an hour or so earlier when I’d texted a friend that I was having a good day.  A short encounter with someone shortly afterwards started to get me frustrated.  A little later and another conversation with another person and I got even more frustrated.  Before I knew it, my sense of peace began to dissipate.  I started to feel annoyed and actually called my sister to vent about a day that had for the most part gone quite well.

I'm at Laced With Grace today.  I'd love it if you stop by and read the rest of my article Don't Lose Your Peace

Trusting Him,
~Bernadine~

Stepping Out in Faith

Life is strange sometimes.  Just as you get to a place where life is going along seemingly well and you are happy inhabiting your comfort zone, you suddenly start longing for more.  You want something to change.  Maybe you have a “dream job” in mind that you would like to go after.  Maybe it’s moving someplace new or a million other scenarios. However with each one of them, risk is involved.

The big question is do I want to risk what I have now for something that may or may not pan out? Do I have enough faith to believe that it will work out?

I'm at Laced With Grace Today.  I'd love it if you'd stop by and read the rest of my post Stepping Out in Faith

Trusting Him,
~Bernadine~

It's Gonna Be Alright

I jumped in my car and turned on the engine.  It felt as if the weight of the world was on my shoulders.  My eyes were heavy from tears that were so close I could feel them about to fall.  I had just gotten some distressing news and I wasn’t sure what it meant and how to process it.

Questions weighed heavily on my mind as I mentally prepared myself for the period of tears and questions I was about to enter with my heavenly father. However before the first tear could trickle down my cheek I heard the lyrics to a song coming across my car radio...

I'm at Laced With Grace Today.  I'd love it if you'd stop by and read the rest of my post It's Gonna Be Alright

Trusting Him,
~Bernadine~

Second Chances...

“What if I made a horrible mistake?” 

“What if I missed God big time with that decision I made?”

I was talking to my sister Stephanie when I asked her those two questions I had been pondering for some time.  She knew the decision I was talking about.  It wasn’t a recent decision and there was no going back and changing it.  However, fast forward to the present and here I was wondering if the decision, that I felt was the right one at the time, had changed the course of my life.


I'm at Laced With Grace Today.  I'd love it if you'd stop by and read the rest of my post Second Chances.

Trusting Him,
~Bernadine~

Birthday Blues...

It was my birthday and I woke up that morning feeling happy and excited.  However as the day went by I began to lose some of my joy.  Everyone seemed too busy for me.  My sisters who I shared an apartment with at the time barely said, “Happy birthday!”  Everyone was extra distracted that day and didn’t appear to notice or care that it was my birthday.

I made the best of my day but I was sad inside... 

I'm at Laced With Grace today.  I'd love for you to stop by to read the rest of my post Birthday Blues.

Trusting Him,
~Bernadine~

The Ultimate Goal

I’m not an athlete, never have been.  In fact you can say I’m not much of a sports fan except on occasion.  However once every four years I become a total fanatic about the world of sports when the Olympics come around.   I love the fact that each country sends out its best to represent them at these games.

I enjoy hearing the life stories of my favorites at the Olympics.  Knowing the time, effort and sacrifice that enabled them to reach to the moment where they become Olympians makes me to a small degree understand how devastating a loss is and how victory can make all the sacrifices seem worthwhile.

The Olympics is a place where dreams become reality for some and come crashing down for others.  It’s the place where the favorite doesn’t always win and the most unexpected sometimes happen.   As I watch, I applaud, celebrate and commiserate with those who participate in these games.  I admire their dedication but most of all I am inspired by their passion...

I'm at Laced With Grace today.  I'd love for you to stop by to read the rest of my post The Ultimate Goal.

Trusting Him,
 ~Bernadine~

Don't Miss the Moment

“I feel so good today!”

These heartfelt words came from the young gentleman who was helping me with my groceries.  “Really, did something special happen today?” I asked him.  He went on to tell me that he had gotten his report card that day and he was excited because he had done so well.  When we reached to my car he reached into his pocket, pulled out his report card and proudly showed it to me.  I’d never met this young man but I was happy to share in his excitement.  I told him to keep up the good work and that I was proud of him.  I had about $7.00 left after paying for my groceries so I gave it to him and told him to take that as a small reward for his excellent report card.  He left me with a bright smile on his face feeling happy that someone took time to share in his success.

As I got into my car, I thought about that short moment in time and I was thankful that I didn’t miss it. It took but a moment of my time to make someone’s day.  But, many times I’m guilty of allowing busyness to cause me to not be present in the moment...  

I'm at Laced With Grace today.  Do stop by to read the rest of my post  Don't Miss the Moment

Trusting Him,
 ~Bernadine~

In God Alone...

I’m the youngest child in a family of eight.  Consequently, when I was growing up there were always people around that I could count on to be there for me when I needed them.  However, inevitably as happens in life there were times when they let me down in spite of their well meaning intentions.  To be fair I’ve done the same also.


But it just goes to prove that no matter how good our intentions are we disappoint others.  We are human, we make mistakes and we unknowingly cause pain.  Sometimes it’s not easy to let go of the pain that others cause us even when it wasn’t deliberate.  We often want to hold on to it and allow the hurt to grow instead of letting it go... 


I'm at Laced With Grace today.  Do stop by to read the rest of my post In God Alone...

Mission Impossible

One million one, one million two, one million three…

Photo credit:  123rf.com

As I counted I surveyed the area around me.  The beautiful sandy beach stretched on for miles and miles.  Then I looked at the little pile of sand in front of me, it could barely fill a sandwich bag.

It was at this point in the face of my insurmountable task that I finally threw my hands in the air and shouted “I give up!!!”

I knew then as I knew when I began that my mission was impossible, not Tom Cruise impossible but really impossible.  There were not hours enough in the day or days enough in my remaining time on earth to count the grains of sand on this one beach in the Bahamas so the world…? I think not.  

I'm at Laced With Grace today.  I hope you'll stop by and read the rest of my post Mission Impossible

Trusting Him,
~Bernadine~

The Gift of Prayer...

Have you ever thought about prayer as a gift you can offer as well as receive?
I'm over at my friend Michele's  new blog, Hidden in My Heart, talking about The Gift of Prayer.
I hope you'll stop by.

update

I've also shared this post, The Gift of Prayer at Laced With Grace.

Trusting Him,
 ~Bernadine~

The Gift of Encouragement

 I’m kinda quiet at times, especially in large groups.  I’m a bit of an introvert that way.  So navigating the whole blogging world is still somewhat of a challenge to me because even in the privacy of my home, behind the safety of my computer screen I’m still the girl who although she loves the Lord, loves to share him, loves to laugh, talk and voice her opinions, still find it easier to do so in small familiar groups.

Staying in a comfort zone is easy for me but ever so often God allows me to meet up with people who encourage me to go beyond my comfort zone... 

I'm at Laced with Grace today. Do stop by to read the rest of my article The Gift of Encouragement



Trusting Him,
~Bernadine~

Except Ye Become as Little Children

It was the happy sounds of laughter that drew me to my window. So there I stood watching them playing in their backyard. There were no expensive toys strewn about or even a bat and ball. They were simply running around the yard playing tag, two brothers one older, one younger and a sister in the middle.

They played with total joy and delight, talking, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. I watched them for a while, their laughter making me smile. As I watched the littlest one tumbled down, however before his first tear fell his older siblings were there brushing off his little legs and offering comfort ensuring that no tears spoiled their fun.

I wonder when it all changes? When does the simplicity and joy of childhood begin to lose its luster?  

I'm at Laced with Grace today. Do stop by to read the rest of my article Except Ye Become as Little Children





Trusting Him,
~Bernadine~

Oh Come all Ye Faithful

Oh come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
oh come ye, oh come ye to Bethlehem…

I love Christmas carols especially the old hymns that we sang in church when I was growing up. Somehow, when the musicians started playing and the choir began singing you “felt” Christmas. The words of the songs brought to life the true meaning of the Christmas season. They lifted your spirits and took you on a journey… a journey to Bethlehem...

I'm at Laced with Grace today. Do stop by to read the rest of my article Oh Come all Ye Faithful




Trusting Him,
~Bernadine~

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all my dear readers.
I hope your day is filled with lots of love, laughter
and of course delicious food.

Today I'm thankful for all of you that I've gotten to know
through this blog.

Have a wonderful day!  Also, do stop by
Laced With Grace for a special Thanksgiving
message from the team.

Trusting Him,
~Bernadine~

Waiting for Perfect Conditions

Have you ever found yourself putting off doing something you really want to do because the conditions are not quite perfect? You have your to do list that you pull out and peruse ever so often but not much seem to get crossed off because it never seem to be exactly the right time to do it.

I’ve been thinking about that as November draws to a close. There were a number of things I knew I wanted to accomplish coming into this year, however very few of them have been crossed off my list.


I'm at Laced with Grace today. Do stop by to read the rest of my article Waiting for Perfect Conditions





Trusting Him,
~Bernadine~