168 ~ The Game

By Kay Heitsch

I heard a story about the game Monopoly. I remembered playing the game many times in my life. Sometimes it was enjoyable, and at other times, it wasn't. Very much like life! It's not always fun!

When playing Monopoly, we all gather around the table and set up the board. Someone is the banker, and they hand out the money. As the game progresses, we can buy and sell properties.

It's a great feeling to own Boardwalk, Park Place, and trade in those tiny green houses for red hotels. Since the hotels were red, you know that's what I wanted.

As the game goes on, it's fun if you're the one buying the red hotels and winning the game. However, the game eventually comes to an end, and everything is put back in the box.

How true that is in life. It doesn't matter how much stuff we accumulate. We have no idea when the game will end, and it all goes back in the box, so to speak. It may be today for all we know. Like with Todd, his game ended much sooner than I thought.

I've learned a few things over the years. I know life is not about the stuff we have and all that we have attained.

I believe life is about relationships. Our relationship with ourselves, others, and, most importantly, our relationship with God, which is made possible because of what Jesus has done for us.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

167 ~ Always In A Hurry

By Kay Heitsch

The heartbreak of Todd dying broke my heart, but amazingly, with the help of the LORD, it fixed my vision. After his death, I began to see life in a completely different light.

Things that had been a priority in my life now seemed insignificant. I started to notice people and take my time to help them.

In the past, I was always in a big rush. Now life took on a different meaning.

One day, as I was getting out of the car to go to a store, I noticed an elderly man using a walker. As I got to the door, I heard him say, "Always in a hurry, they're always in a hurry! No one has time to help." I stopped! I gave him a smile and said, "I have time to help."

Somehow, those words, "Always in a hurry. They're always in a hurry. No one has time to help," really got my attention.

I can and have lived my life in a constant state of hurry. I'm grateful that the Lord helped me hear and see this man's need, and I stopped to help him for a moment.

There's a Bible verse that says, "Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways." Proverbs 20:30 GNT

Unfortunately, sometimes it does take a painful experience to make us change our ways. But with the help of the LORD, we can be better for them.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

166 ~ One -Day

By Kay Heitsch

I've had a few one-day experiences that have changed my life forever.

I would have to say the worst one-day experience that changed my life forever was the death of our son, Todd.

If anyone has ever gone through the death of their child, I'm sure you would say the same.

However, as horrible as this day was, it marked the beginning of many one-day experiences that would start to change my life for the better.

I don't believe for one second that my life would have changed for the better had I not had another one-day experience.

It was on this day that I gave Todd and myself over to the LORD. On this day, I asked the LORD to use Todd's death for something positive, and if it was His will to use me, I was available.

One day after another, the LORD used Todd's death and me to bring many positive things out of Todd's death.

I love this Bible verse. "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28

Was Todd's death good? No, but God used his death to bring good out of it after I turned it over to Him.

One day can change your life! Even on the most horrible day of your life, God can use it to bring something positive out of it.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

165 ~ Telemarketer and Flannels

By Kay Heitsch

Yesterday, Brandon sent me a text asking about a flannel board, Bible figures, and scene cutouts that I have. I bought this flannel board after Todd passed away and used it to teach Sunday School to the little kids. I used some money my Dad had left me to buy them.

I bought two boards. Each is 32/48 inches. There are 2 boxes, one with 133 pieces and the other with 332. Plus the backgrounds. These pieces come in sheets that have to be cut out. It was a lot of work!

As I was digging the boards and boxes out of the closet, I noticed 11-gallon ziplock bags containing various cutouts, such as fruits, vegetables, animals, farm scenes, and images of children from around the world.

I don't recall where I met the woman I'm about to write about. I'm not sure if I ever met her in person. However, this lady was a telemarketer.

For years, when the phone rang, you didn't know who was calling, so I always answered it. I enjoyed chatting with these people. I don't see how the subject of the flannel board came up, but it did.

Out of the blue, this lady said she would like to help me buy more flannels for the board. She wanted to be a part of teaching Sunday School. She informed me that she would occasionally receive a bonus and was sending me the bonus money.

I was amazed when she did send me money, and that is where the 11-gallon ziplock bags of flannel pieces came from.

Now, these flannels and board gifts from my dad, along with this precious telemarker, are going to teach our sweet grandchildren about Jesus and His love.

I look back, and it's awesome how God works and who He brings into our lives.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

164 ~ Yes, There Was A Sign

By Kay Heitsch

The year between my Dad's and Todd's deaths was not normal. I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

However, I did come up with two explanations. First, I thought my uneasiness stemmed from being raised as an only child. Now with my Mom and Dad both gone, I felt abandoned, strangely.

My second explanation for my odd feeling seemed stronger. I felt that death was in the air. I certainly didn't think one of my children would die, so I figured it must be me.

That being said, I had a strong desire to start typing tips from the books I was reading. We had a Smith Corona typewriter, so I retrieved it and started typing.

I shared these with Todd. I never told him why I was typing these out, but in the back of my mind, I figured he would share them with Shannon and Brandon when I was gone.

What has amazed me after looking at these pages of practical tips from the Bible is that I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 at the bottom of the pages.

I do not remember typing that Bible text out.

After Todd died, I realized God was preparing me to deal with Todd's death. These tips and the Bible verse were for me!

Sharing these with Todd was helpful to him before he passed away. Todd was a happy person who saw life positively.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

163 ~ If I Had Known

By Kay Heitsch

It's interesting the thoughts that come to mind when a person dies, even many years later.

Tonight I remembered Brandon's reaction when my Dad and Todd died. They both died on February 6th, two years apart.

Brandon was around 10 months old when my Dad died. I learned that Dad had driven himself to the hospital, which he had done a few times before. We lived in another state, so usually I would go visit when he came home to help him.

However, this time, while he was walking through the hospital's hall, something happened. He was now in a coma and not expected to live. I was told that I would receive a call when he had passed.

I was upstairs waiting by the phone to learn when Dad died. Right before the phone rang, Brandon let out a loud cry. I told Bill. I know Dad just died, and he had.

The day Todd walked out the back door, Brandon wasn't quite three years old. As Todd was about to go out the back door. Brandon was hugging his legs, crying.

I have to wonder if he somehow knew something that I didn't. If I had known, I'm sure I would have been hugging Todd and crying, too.

We don't know when someone's last day on earth will be. Be kind and show love while they are still here.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

162 ~ Why Did It Take Todd's Death?

By Kay Heitsch

This is one question I have asked myself many times. Why did it take Todd's death for me to turn to the Lord for help?

I knew I needed help. But I didn't want to admit I needed the Lord. I guess this was one reason.

In my quest to fill the void, I began searching before Todd died. I'm thankful I shared many things I found with him.

I learned that I could put Bible verses into practice and live a happier life, as long as everything was going okay. I loved the challenge of doing it. But it took Todd's death for me to ask the Lord into my life and help me after he died.

Was I really doing anything without God's help? I know I could not take another breath without God. I believe God was helping me all along, but I didn't realize it at the time.

Something amazing did happen when I asked the Lord into my life. I felt a peace and love I had never known before. The emptiness was filled. I began daily conversations with God on what I should do with His help.

I'm sorry I was so stubborn and didn't want to admit I needed the Lord in my life until after Todd died. I don't know why it took Todd's death for me to realize this.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2