Sunday, August 19, 2018

Saying please and thank you...



Blossom and Ross have been teaching Cully May to say please and thank you. 

Having just turned two she's begun to declare her independence more than they'd like, and ignoring instructions like "say please" or "say thank you" can wear them down, but Blossom is diligent to keep instructing their little cherub by her own example plus a great deal of patience.

As years go by I see an obvious lessening of please and thank you's in everyday life. People increasingly will push past in shops or on the street, knock you in the process, and never stop to acknowledge with a 'sorry' or an 'excuse me' - they just rush on by absorbed in their own pursuits.

Holding a door open, allowing someone to go in front of you, bringing in the neighbour's rubbish bin...the very simple things I grew up with - rarely happens now. But when it does I cannot say thank you quick enough as it's such a great blessing.

Today I would like to thank you.

Thank you for the encouragement you offer when I share things from my life and heart here on the blog.
Thank you for being real in your comments and emails.
Thank you for praying for me and my loved ones; for sending those very real encouraging hugs and messages when life is challenging; for letting me be who I am, mistakes and all; for listening when I write about this life, the universe and everything else in between; for accepting my broken humanity and the highs and lows which result from it.

In the world today there's increasingly more criticism, unkindness, jealousy, finger pointing, rudeness and bullying - reactions we never saw in the life example of Jesus. He offered correction in kindness, and loved others with so much honesty and compassion that His own people jealously marked Him for assassination. He gave all He had, and He had it all.

Mostly I'm kind, but sometimes I'm not. 
Mostly I'm an encourager, but to my shame I've also allowed jealousy to rear it's head at times.
Mostly I'm honest, but am still learning to let my 'yes be yes' and my 'no be no' without extra embellishment. (Matthew 5:37)
Mostly I'm generous, but there are days when I have to rely heavily on correction from the Holy Spirit because I'm trying to keep what I have.
Mostly I walk with Jesus, but at times I stray and He must come gather me in His arms and carry me back where He needs me to be.

Knowing this about myself, and having shared some of my many weaknesses through blog posts over the years, it means the world to me that you continue to visit and continue to encourage me.

I know none of us are perfect and we won't be this side of heaven, but let's make a decision to encourage one another every day, remembering we'll each have our good days and our bad, our Jesus moments and our earthen vessel moments. 

I'm so glad you accept me on both days. 

Be blessed this day and every day,
hugs


30 comments:

Aunt Carol said...

Thank you for this thoughtful, encouraging post. I wish it could be printed on every editorial page and read on every newscast. It would soothe our collective human spirit and calm our often unkind world.

Joyce said...

Jenny, thank you for the beautiful stitcheries, for your encouragement and the time you send making our lives more beautiful. I know I have a lot of faults but Jesus loves us all no matter what.

I agree about people seeming to be in too big of a hurry to use simple curtesy.

gracie said...

I thank you for your wonderful words and kindness. Always uplifting to visit with you.

Julie said...

I agree with all the comments above Jenny & think we should thank YOU for all the tutorials & stitcheries & patterns you share with us out here in blogland. Also for the fact that your blog is REAL ... with all the ups & downs of life & things that it throws at us. We are teaching my 3 year old grandson please & thank you also & he is catching on very fast which is great. When I worked in retail in town I always would make a big deal out of little ones that had good manners & compliment their parents ... I agree with you Jenny - it is not often heard in this day & age & yet means so much.

Nanna Chel said...

Jenny, thank YOU for being so encouraging and generous. You are such a blessing to so many people. I think that the teaching of good manners has slipped over the years so it is important that young mums keep persevering while the littlies are small as that is when they learn so quickly. Big hugs and I hope you are not too worn out from your house hunting.

Kay said...

A beautiful post, it is so sadly true that simple manners are in decline. Thank you for your lovely posts, they really cheer up my week. Thank you for the recipes and stitching patterns for me to try. Thank you for caring and showing your love in all of your posts and replies to comments. Thank you for being a daughter of God who lets her light shine. x

Suzan said...

Bless you Jenny.

Lin said...

Thank you for being there for us Jenny and for your beautiful posts. xx

Createology said...

Jenny Dear you are such a precious soul and I am grateful for your wise words and reminders of how to live a “Gentle” life and to be kind to others. I grew up by the Golden Rule and I am reminded daily of how our world has strayed from such a simple yet loving way to live each day. Blessings for you and your sweet family. <3

Jenny said...

In such a short time I have come to love your posts so very much. Your kindness & love for others, family & God come through so brightly & encourages me so.

One of my biggest disappointments at turning 50 was the fact that I did not have it all together! Can you believe...for some strange reason all my life I thought that around the age of 50 I would have self-control, no jealousy, be content, always have peace, never doubt....where that idea came from I do not know & I was seriously discouraged about it for awhile.

Reading your blog has helped carry me through some of the hardest times I've ever faced in my life & I am so grateful for you.

knitster said...

While I really enjoy your posts, I think this is the most beautiful one you have written. Sitting her this morning listening to the quiet enjoying my coffee and realizing what a blessed life I have. Thanks for the post, we need to be reminded of it often.

matty said...

Thank you!!! ❤️

Brenda said...

Thank you Jenny for this beautiful blog! Mostly, I would like to thank you for being such a wonderful example of a godly woman, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. I read accounts of your days and I think to myself this is a modern day Proverbs 31 woman here. You inspire me to busy myself with things that matter and make a difference in the lives of others, small things perhaps, but they mean a lot. So THANK YOU, Jenny for setting the example and for inspiring me to get my nose out of a book, or off the screen. May God continue to bless you and your family.

Chris said...

So much love your scripture blogs. This one went right to the heart. In this world, we do need to encourage each other and show more compassion and kindness. You encourage all of us with your words and thoughts and for this I am thankful. Have a blessed day.

Mary said...

Thank you for all your thoughts and time in posting. I appreciate it.

TerriSue said...

Dear Jenny, What a beautiful post. Another thing Jim and I always tried to do with our two was to tell them we were sorry when we were in the wrong. Children need to learn to say that by example. If parents are always putting themselves up as unerring, it can be quite confusing to a child to told to say they are sorry about wrong doings when the parents will not.
I have to say the place I see the most rudeness is the internet. I choose my blogs carefully not wanting to read in places where commenters are always posting hateful and derogatory things. I think the anonymity can give some a feeling that they can say just about anything without any regard for the blogger. Sometimes I am completely abhorred by it. One of the worst was when I followed a link to a spaghetti casserole that was wildly popular. It had hundreds of comments. I wanted to see how others had liked it so I started to read the comments. Most were rave reviews. The ones that were not were just plain nasty. It wasn't that they hadn't liked it...they were nearly screaming about this was why there was obesity in the world today, high blood pressure, clogged arteries and on and on. This recipe was a special recipe that some sisters had come up with. It was on their blog. They by no means were saying to fix it weekly. I looked into their blog further and found that that post was the very last one they made. It hurt me to think that it was probably those hateful comments that put a stop to what appeared to be a very nice blog.
I feel safe coming to your blog Jenny. You have become a friend on the other side of the world. I will often think about your being asleep when I am up, or your coming into spring as I am going into autumn. You have opened the world up a little more for me and I so appreciate it. At the moment I am working on your new Hope pattern and it is giving me hope. As I stitch I pray about your house hunt just as I would if you were a friend down the street. When You are under the weather it is a great concern for me as it would be if you were a member of my family. When something good has happened I pray a prayer of thanksgiving. Quite frankly you ARE family though we have never met. That has happened by your coming to us so transparently in this blog. So I will do what Blossom is teaching Cully Mae and tell you from the bottom of my heart Thank You for all the time and energy you put into this blog, it is so greatly appreciated.

kallii said...

And thank you for just being you! Tell Blossom thank you for teaching her children and not just preaching at them.

Farm Quilter said...

I am blessed to call you a friend. Friends are such a wonderful blessing from God, and I thank Him for you. If you were perfect, it would definitely be difficult to be around you, you know??!! Besides, when you are struggling with anything, it is a blessing for us, your friends, to be able to pray for you! So wonderful to see parents teaching their children that manners, politeness and kindness matter, through word and deed. As you raised her, she is raising her children.

Susan said...

Life can be a harsh teacher, so I think it's better to learn from those who love you. Earthenware vessels - a nice comparison, and very accurate. We won't reach perfection here, but we can practice every day here, and start over as often as we need to. Thanks for the reminder to be better than we have been, even if we aren't where we'd like to be.

Karen said...

Lovely post darling Jenny! Those 'mostly' are so great - they reminded me of the 'blessed' Love ya

Margie West said...

Thank you Jenny. I always look forward to reading your posts. Margie/NY

Susie said...

I think it's rather apt you wrote this post. I agree the politeness and manners of many people are so few and far between now they really stand out when they do occur. I can't say lately how many times other parents have commented on my children's manners. I'm proud of it but really think it shouldn't be a big deal. Just last night we were celebrating my brother's birthday out to dinner. My 10 yr old saw a friend at another table and as she is an only child it was a novelty for this girl to have a friend at the table so I let Lily sit with them. The parents commented later how polite is was for Lily to wait until they had received their food before she began to eat. It really doesn't take much and it all comes down to respecting others which we certainly need more of these days.

Susan said...

Another wonderful post. Thank you for being yourself and sharing honestly. It helps me be a better person. And I think you are very generous with all your free patterns and tutorials. Yours is one of the few blogs I still read because it has something worthwhile. Your tutorials are clear and well written and when I have had a question you replied so nicely. You are always in my prayers and I pray that God will bless you with the home you want.

---"Love" said...

Thank you for this beautiful and thought-provoking blog post! It truly spoke to my own heart and pointed out to me some things I need to consider and take care of. Thanks so much for sharing your heart with us. ---"Love"

Helen L said...

I love your words of encouragement and kindness. And your words of faith in Christ. We need more of that today, and I am glad that you share your faith!! Too bad we all aren't closer and could sit in happiness and stitch together! Hugs, H

barcord said...

Thank you again Jenny. It always seems to be give on your part and receive on mine. your words are a great encouragement.

krislovesfabric said...

Thank you for making my life richer and for your encouragements. You are a blessing to this community and I thank the Lord for pointing me in the direction of your blog.

Unknown said...

Thank you for your humble truths and please don't stop sharing the blessings of the LORD. They are encouraging and uplifting. ~ Judith~USA

Mimi said...

The encouragers of the world, also need encouragement Jenny. I love that this is a place for all of us to feel encouraged, including you. Mimi xxx

Allie-oops Designs said...

Amen - love you so much girl.