Laughter or Tears? Sometimes Both

Our daughter's birthday is today. I gave her several gifts and a sparkly purple card. We are taking her to one of her favorite restaurants for dinner. I'm excited she was born! But she's not. She doesn't like adding another year to her age. It depresses her. Sigh. If only I was her age again! I wouldn't get lightheaded when I stand up from squatting down to clean out the cat boxes. I could stay awake later than 9 p.m. every night. I wouldn't need pills for high blood pressure and pain that bounces from my hips to my head. So. I'm laughing but she's crying. Over the same event! We are different, all right.

If you have a loved one who's vastly different from you, that's a good thing. It means you complement one another. When she's crying, you can encourage her. And when you're depressed, she can lift you up. If you both have Jesus in your lives, better yet. He shares in every little and big event, whether it brings laughter or tears. He's the Best Friend anyone can have. Is Jesus in your life? If not, contact me and we can chat about Him.

Three Reasons Why Late Consumers Have More Fun

          We bought our first gps only two years ago. And I’m not embarrassed that we were the last ones in the Northern Hemisphere to purchase one of these handy gizmos.

           My husband and I are what marketers call “late consumers,” because we wait until a product has been on the market for years and most of our friends have one before we make a purchase. This gives us several edges over the “first consumers,” who buy a new gadget when it first comes out:

            1.  The price has gone down considerably than when it first came out. Saving money is fun!

2.      Designers have worked out many of the kinks and quirks by now, so the invention has improved. A new and improved product is more fun!

3.      We can find out from those who've used it what the best brand is, where to buy it, and if there are any models to avoid. Making friends feel needed is fun!

In case you think I’m all about fun. . . you are right. That’s why I plan to program our gps with a 

British accent and name it “James” or “Winston.”

Are you a first consumer, a late consumer, or someone in between? What is the latest new gizmo you’ve purchased? 

Three Ways Blogging Helps You Become a Better Friend

If you've blogged for awhile, you may have

noticed three important factors in a good blog that will help you become a better friend.

1.      1. The more concise your post, the more readers you attract.  Most bloggers visit dozens of blogs. They don't have time to read and comment on long posts.

As you exercise self-control in writing tight, short posts, this discipline slips into your conversations. You find yourself getting to the point in fewer words, leaving room for others to chat, showing them the respect they need.

2.      2. Asking questions at the end of each post engages your reader, and makes them feel important. You can blather on about your vacation to Colorado and bore your reader for 500 words, or give us a 200-word run-down, then ask, “Where have you vacationed that you’d love to return to?”

If you ask questions of friends while talking with them, you make them feel important. They are important. But now they want to hang out with you because you showed an interest in them.

     3. You learn more by listening than talking. When you visit others’ blogs, you pick up trends and tips that help you, whether it’s a new recipe for chicken chests, a better way to parent, or a link to help you market your book.

So it is with conversations. You already know everything you know. So, the more you listen, the more you learn. And grow. And become a more interesting person. 

Did I leave anything out? How has blogging helped you become a better friend?

P.S. The winner of Diana Savage’s devotional 52 Heart Lifters for Difficult Times is Quiet Spirit of Following My King. Congratulations, Quiet—I know you will love this book; it is one of my all-time favorites! 

Snoopy Love

When I was ready to give up on writing a book and go back to pulling weeds and crocheting in my spare time, this friend said, "You have something worthwhile to say. Please don't give up."

When I needed a place to stay for the Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference last August, this friend said, "Be my guest!" (And she cooks a terrifice pot roast)

When I asked for people to host me on their blog to promote Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top, this friend said, "Sign me up!" then took her precious time to create a custom-made interview that will knock your socks off!


Susan Reinhardt, Friend Extrodinairre, Snoopy fan, and my first crit parter is interviewing me on her blog, Christian Writer/Reader Connection today and next Wednesday. It would honor me to see you there, and you may find a few surprises, too!

Do you have a special friend you couldn't live without?

How to Make Friends; Three Winners

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"There was a definite process by which one made people into friends; it involved talking to them and listening to them for hours at a time." --Rebecca West

I don't know what book or story this quote comes from, but I heart it. If you know, please tell. I'd like to read the source in its entirety.

My dad used to say "If you come to the end of your life and have one true friend, you are ich."Although I'm not nearing the end of my life, I can say I'm rich, with more than one loyal friend. Many of them are ones I've met blogging, like yourself.
With that in mind, I'm thrilled to announce the winners of my I Love My Blog Followers Office Products and Chocolate Drawing:

1st Prize: A basket worth over $50 of office products and chocolate: Cecelia Lester of Following My King;

2nd prize: A journal, pens, and chocolate: Susan Panzica of Eternity Cafe;

3rd prize: Four pens and chocolate: Sarah Forgrave of  Sarah Forgrave

Congratulations to the winners, and thank you to all who entered the drawing. I especially appreciate you who agreed to host my blog tour when Mirth and Worth in the Real Lane releases in April.

What three qualities do you regard MOST important in a friend? 

Treasures of the Most Valuable Kind

Do you keep a treasure chest full of glistening jewels and other valuables? No? Neither do I.

However, I do have some precious friends I consider treasures of the most valuable kind. They bring out the best in me. By kind words, wise advice, encouraging comments, and… blog awards! I’d like to thank the following Heaven-sent friends for these awards:


Thank you, Susan Reinhardt, prolific writer and kindred spirit from Christian Writer/Reader Connection and Sitka, a dear furry friend from All God’s Creatures


Thank you, Tamika, fellow-pastor’s wife and stunningly creative soul at the Write Worship


Thank you, Jill, an encouraging, helpful and well-organized novelist from Jill Kemermer


Thank you, Karin Beery, a humorous, inexhaustible writer at There has to be a Beginning


Thank you, Karen Lange, a fun author and creative writing instructor from Write Now


Thank you, Maria Morgan a kind and generous new blogging friend from Life Lessons.

I think I'm supposed to say one thing about myself that no one yet knows, and quote a favorite line from a book in order to accept these awards. Here goes:

I would love to own a little sportscar that seats only one or two, and zip around the country, whizzing to my heart's delight. Go, Granny, Go!

"If I'm not careful and prayerful, I can take on the cares and responsibilities that are not mine to carry. I need to remember that I'm called to point people to the Savior, not to try to be their savior. ---Marlene Bagnull, Write His Answer

I'm also supposed to pass these awards along. But because all of my blog friends are jewels in the treasure chest of my heart, I cannot choose only a few of you upon whom to bestow these awards. Please choose one award from the above list to post on you blog, and if you’d like, pass it along to a treasure in your life.

Have a Heavenly weekend!
Jen