#34598...Have you ever heard of sowing a seed and reaping
a harvest. Some people think you can only sow a seed by
tithing in church. But that's not so. ANYONE can turn their
life around by sowing seeds. It is so easy and doesn't
have to cost you one red cent in actual cash.

All we have to do to sow a seed...or to sow SEEDS...is to
let the love of Jesus come into our heart...and feel compassion
for others. You cannot personally change anyone but YOU. But
by changing YOU...the others around you will see the change in
you...and as time goes by...want to change themselves, also.

If you are depressed...to sow a seed to heal your depression,
you would find someone ELSE that is depressed or just down and
out...and find a way to lift THEM up. You can do that by
just doing a little good deed...bake them a pie...send them
a card to let them know you're thinking of them...pay them a
compliment...there are a gazillion things you can do to lift
someone up.

If you are lonely...be a friend to someone who is lonely. Do
special things to give them something to look forward to.

If you are financially swamped...give to someone else who is
in the same boat. Even if it's just by sharing a pot of soup...
or whatever.

This is what is meant by sowing seeds of kindness. And by sowing
seeds of kindness to others, God supplies OUR needs. When he
supplies our needs...we reap the harvest of the seeds we have
sown.

It's not like you're doing good deeds with an ulterior motive...
because once you start lifting others up...and you see how
much better THEY feel...it gives YOU a boost...and quickly
becomes very addictive. :-)
There is a running joke at church...that I am ADDICTED to helping
people. :-) But I am just swamped in blessings. I "AM"
addicted to helping people...I get such a rush out of knowing
I have made someone elses day...I wouldn't stop for anything
in the world.

Did you ever hear the saying "what goes around...comes around?"
Means the same thing. By YOU... doing, and giving, and loving...
YOU can change everyone around you...and ALSO your circumstances. You will find that blessings just pour over you
on a daily basis. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER...sit around and wait for
things to happen...go out and MAKE them happen!
And my "midnight" rule would apply here...just as it does in
diet, lifestyle, etc. Don't worry about what you did yesterday...you can never change that....and don't worry about
tomorrow...because it isn't even here yet. Just concentrate on
TODAY. When you get up tomorrow morning...just forget all
your problems...and head for MIDNIGHT! But in between getting
up and going to bed....do as many good deeds as you can...for
you husband...your kids...your next door neighbor...the old
woman down the block....the list is endless. When you go to
the grocery...if you see someone that looks down...just think
of something to compliment them on...and stop them and pay them
a compliment....their hair...their blouse,etc.

One day there was a really cranky lady that came into the clinic
where I worked....and the manager said...when she is ready to
check out...let her know...she didn't want anyone else dealing
with her...because she thought she possibly could be the
"bride of satan" :-) Well, I felt I could handle it...so
when she started to the front...(she was dressed all in black..
black rimmed hat, black hose, heels, etc)...when she started
to the front...I called out to her...and I said, "Ma'am...come
on over to my register...I'm having a bad day and I need
someone to cheer me up." She smiled a faint smile and walked
my way. She proceeded to tell me what a bad day she was having...and in cheering ME up (I wasn't really having a bad day)
but in "thinking" she was cheering me up...she cheered herself
up...she left smiling from ear to ear...and as she was leaving...
said she hoped the rest of my day was better. :-)

Build up your husband by leaving him little notes. If you leave
for work or school before he gets up...take a yellow highlighter
and "color" a big 4 or 5 inch smiley face on a paper towel and
drop it in the comode.:-) Do that for the kids too if you have
kids. Leave "smiles" here and there...start leaving notes...
to let him know you'll be thinking about him and you will miss
him....and very soon...your depressed withered husband will be
needing new shirts because he'll be busting at the seams with
pride. No matter what he's doing "now"..find ways to make him
feel good about himself...and soon he will want to do better.
Try to find ways to fill your home with happiness...and happiness
will take root. I wish you the very best and I'll say a prayer
for you and your family. kathryn (sorry I was so long...I'm
TERRIBLE about that) :-)