Paying It Forward {Giveaway Winner}

 

Friends, YOU BLESS MY HEART!!!!!!!

Do you know that?  Do you see that I wrote that in all caps and bold print because I was yelling that?!

You really do not know how much I love you guys, even though we have never met.

You are a HUGE part of my life!

Here’s an example of how you bless me:

Last week, I wrote a post about “paying it forward” with potted bulbs.

source

I told you about Joyce, my precious Children’s Minister, and shared with you how my boys and I bought flowers for her.

phone 014

 

Then I told you I was giving away a $25 gift card for you to “pay it forward” with flowers to someone special in your life.

All you had to do was leave a comment telling me who you would give flowers to and why.

I don’t know if you took the time to read others’ comments, but I read every one.

I got teared up as I read your comments, and some even gave me chills.  I saw how big your hearts were in those comments.  And I suddenly felt the urge to go out and buy a gift card for each one of you to pay it forward.  Then I looked at my check book and thought that might not be a good idea, and I really wanted to stay married.  Winking smile

Joyce said, “How in the world are you going to chose a winner?!”  Thankfully, I didn’t have to choose.  I have a plugin that randomly selects a winner for me.  Whew!

 

But this is what I hope with all my heart….

 

That everyone of you that left a comment about someone special in your life would do something for them this week.

Would you do that for me? 

Would you do that for them?

Whether it be a phone call to tell them you love them.  Or a cute card in the mail.  Or flowers, candy, or a small gift.  You know that person well enough to know what to do.

‘Cause I believe that God brought that person to your mind on purpose.  I don’t believe in coincidences.

I know that God will bless you as you are blessing others.

Do you remember that old hymn, Make Me a Blessing?

My mom used to sing that all the time.  I can hear her singing it now.  I’m so thankful for a mom that sang sweet songs of truth over me as a child.  This one definitely sticks out in my mind.

Here are the words:

Make Me a Blessing

Out on the highways and byways of life,
Many are the weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing;
Out of my life may Jesus shine.
Make me a blessing, O Saviour I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.

Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love,
Tell of His pow’r to forgive;
Others will trust Him if only you prove
True every moment you live.

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing;
Out of my life may Jesus shine.
Make me a blessing, O Saviour I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today. 

Give as ’twas given to you in your need,
Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed,
Unto your mission be true.

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing;
Out of my life may Jesus shine.
Make me a blessing, O Saviour I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.

***********************************************

 

Now, go bless someone today, friends!

{and I know you will be blessed too!}

source

The winner of the $25 Visa Gift Card is….

Author: Teresa

I would present them to my 90 year old mother whose is so loved and cherished. She was a farmer’s wife and worked hard all of her life. She lost my dad at the age of 56 and at the same time went through breast cancer mastectomy and treatments. She has always been so cheerful and accepting of what The Lord brought into her life. She has had congestive heart failure and now it is having some major complications. She is in her last days. I write this as I sit in her hospital room. She is still a prayer warrior for others to this day and has given so unselfishly. She loved her flower beds and I would love to present her with these.

Teresa, I get chills thinking of your sweet, precious grandmother.  I hope she loves her flowers!

Traci

17 Comments

  1. Oh how I love those old hymns. I used to play the organ at church and the new hymns just don’t do the same thing for me so I would play the old ones during the offertory or prelude. I know everyone was singing along, even if silently. Wonderful blog today and I hope we all take your advice and bless someone today.

  2. I don’t know that hymn, but the words a re beautiful. I’m glad Teresa won the giftcard. I remember how much my Mom loved receiving flowers when she was in the hospital. I will take your hope and pay it forward today. thank you. ctd

  3. Oh my goodness….God bless Teresa and her mama :'( that’s so perfectly wonderful that she won! Randomly selected by a machine – but God was in that detail too!

  4. awww Tracy, what a great thing you did. We all need to pay it forward and I do believe as you do that someone is brought to mind for a reason.
    I love the old hymns but did not know this one. Thank you for blessing me with it today!

  5. So glad Teresa won the gift card! Her story brought tears to my eyes. I hope to have my mom around at that age. She chances her odds though, as she is a chain smoker and smokes 3+ packs a day. I will love her while I have her to love. New to your blog…love it.

    Gina

  6. Bless you TRACI! Wonderful way you chose the winner. Maybe we all could commit to including in our hearts and prayers those nominated.. prayers are THE best! By the way, you are still on my heart after learning you have recently received unsettling news. We all are rooting for you!

  7. Teresa I am so happy for you and I hope your mother enjoys the flowers. Traci we are still praying for you and your family about the unsettling news that you have recieved. I pray that things are doing better. God bless all of you.

  8. For Teresa, may your Mom rally and be able to go for a ride with you to look at spring flowers. May she love her spring flowers and may she feel better by now, as we all pray for her. And for you Teresa, this is a hard time for you too. May you be comforted too.

    For Traci, unsettling news is not peace filled. May you feel our prayers for you at this time. Jesus is with you, you know, but it is neat because we blog readers gather together to pray Jesus is here amongst us for you. Blessings
    Ps. I did sing the song and it was perfect for where I am in life now. Thank you for sharing, our blessing.

  9. Thank you, Traci! I am sooooo excited that I was chosen to receive the gift card! What a wonderful surprise! It is so true that God is in every detail of our lives and is so good with His blessings and surprises, isn’t He? He knew that I needed a lift today. I am going to LOVE presenting those beautiful flowers to my mom! Miraculously, she has been doing better and her mind is sharp as a tack (always sharper than mine at age 54!). I have loved every precious minute with her these days. She has given so much to me. Thank you to all for your prayers for both of us, for courage and strength during this time. Your words of encouragement have blessed me. Love and bessings to you.

  10. Traci: I just love you to pieces. I’m so grateful for you, your blog, and the ladies who comment. It has touched my heart many many times in the last few months. :)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *