Tag: Betty Thomason Owens

Healing Laughter

On By Betty OwensIn Betty Thomason Owens4 Comments

Isa laughing“Don’t laugh!”

“Don’t you dare laugh!”

My husband used to say this to our sons when they were pouting or crying over something. It never failed to bring a smile to their faces. Within moments, they were laughing.

Laughter heals. It’s a proven fact. When’s the last time you really laughed? Laughed till you cried? It feels really, really good. And a night out with friends who can bring on that kind of laughter is strengthening. A vital element in the healing process.

What if you don’t have friends like those?

  • Watch a funny movie or television show.
  • Find a comedian you enjoy. (There are videos on YouTube featuring your favorite comedian/comedienne.)
  • Spend time with a favorite pet.
  • Hang out with kids.
  • Visit a library’s (or bookstore’s) humor section.
  • Go bowling with friends (Miniature golf, swimming, etc.)

I don’t have pets, but I love to watch those funny videos on Facebook. Facebook provides lots of opportunities for laughter as well.

Laughter is infectious. Laughter triggers positive health changes in your body, like strengthening your immunity, releasing stress, boosting energy. Who doesn’t want that? Remember endorphins? Naturally produced chemicals that make you feel great–yes, I could use a healthy dose of those.

dog-1033155_1280Learn to laugh at yourself. Lighten up! Let go and enjoy yourself. You can totally turn a situation around if you’re willing to laugh when you do something dumb. So you made a mistake. Is it worth getting upset over? Losing your cool, stressing out? I’ve chuckled over my stupidity many times.

I had a favorite aunt who had that down to a science. She was one of the happiest women I’ve known, though she’d seen plenty of trouble in her life. I think of her when things happen. How would Aunt Jen handle this? She’d laugh and make up some funny saying about it. She’d tell the story of what she’d done and make others laugh. One thing she never had a shortage of–friends.

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Sometimes you have to purposefully inject humor into your life. Set aside time to watch a funny video or movie. Call a friend who always makes you laugh. If it’s difficult for you, start small. Install a humorous screensaver on your computer and/or phone.

Remember to smile, because smiling is also contagious. Yes, others may wonder if you’re nuts, but they’ll probably still smile back.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15:13 NIV

 

Pray for Ecuador

On By Betty OwensIn Betty Thomason Owens

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  • This morning the news is filled with pictures of people coming together to help their fellow man and rise from the ashes of this disaster together. Please keep Ecuador in your prayers. Relief efforts are just beginning. #prayersforecuador #godisbigger

 

–From the Instagram post of one of my friends in Ecuador. The news is devastating, as the death count rises, videos reveal the massive damage to the beautiful coastal villages of Ecuador.

Please pray for the people of Ecuador.

Ecuador Isaiah 49

I’m Going Up Yonder

On By Betty OwensIn Betty Thomason Owens4 Comments

cloud-1044223_1280Going Up Yonder–I used to hear that song all the time. It’s an old song, and when it’s sung right–in four-part harmony–it’s really quite a nice tune. Hearing it now always makes me think of the elderly saints in the old Pentecostal church down South. They’d lived a difficult life, scraped in the dust to grow enough food to feed their family, worked hard in hot, dusty fields and factories.

tree-981183_1280Life was hard. Their view of heaven kept them going. They dreamed about “up yonder” because it gave them hope. It got them out of bed in the morning.

Many of the old gospel songs spoke of Heaven and the life beyond this one, for that very reason. Life was hard. Death came all too often, sneaking up and snatching away their loved ones. Not unlike those housewives, visiting the chicken yard on a Saturday morning. They had to have something for dinner of a Sunday.

rooster-1001892_1280I remember watching the scene as my grandma would choose a hen and go after it. All the other chickens would run for their lives. Did they have enough brains to know what they had avoided? Their lives returned to normal after Grandma left the pen, squawking bird in hand. Back to digging in the dirt, looking for bugs and earthworms. Something to fill their bellies, thus calming their fears.

Isn’t there more to life than this? Back then, I couldn’t wait to get back home where life was a little easier. We had indoor plumbing and air conditioning. Chicken came from the meat department of the local grocery. We picked fruit and vegetables from the bins in the produce department. Mom didn’t work in a hot, dusty factory. She sat at a desk in an air-conditioned office. Dad didn’t plow in the field, he got in the car and drove to his next appointment, selling insurance policies.

The experiences gained from life on the farm made me grateful for what I had. Happy to clean the sink and bathtub when it was my turn. I liked the aroma of chicken cooking without having to smell the bleed-out beforehand. I didn’t want to think about the living, breathing creature with eyes that held terror in its last moments. I just wanted to sink my teeth into the moist, tender meat that Mom put on the table.

Grandma, Granny, and Aunt Lona
Grandma, Granny, and Aunt Lona (left to right)

Granny stood among those old saints who sang about going up yonder, way beyond the blue. Life in heaven someday was what they lived for. And she was determined to go there and take her entire family with her. Aunt Jen used to tell me about spending the night at Granny’s house when she (Aunt Jen) was a girl. At night, when all the lights were out and everyone was headed for sleep, Granny would lay upon her bed and pray. She’d call out the names of all of her children and grandchildren–Aunt Jen was one of those. I suspect later on, my name was brought up on a nightly basis, as one of the great-grands.

This was a way of life for Granny. A way to get from one day to the next. Speaking over her children and believing God that each one would live and not die. And that each one would live for Jesus. Granny lived to 96 years old. Many of her children and grandchildren, greats and great-greats were and are believers in the Savior, Jesus Christ. Her children and some of her grandchildren have all passed on now, but for the most part, they lived good, long lives.

childrenpolaroidI’m thankful for a granny who prayed and wrestled heaven and earth for her family. A hard-working, hard-praying woman who lost most of her sight as a girl, but kept right on. She even pieced and quilted almost up to the end, keeping her hands busy and mind occupied. No doubt her prayers accompanied the stitches she made.

Now I’m a grandmother. My children and grandchildren are the subjects of my daily prayers and I hope to pass on the faith that is a vital part of my life. The reason my forebears didn’t give up–the hope that got them out of bed in the morning–stirs in my heart each new day. I hope and pray that you’ve found that purpose in your life as well. If not, I hope you’ll take the time to find it.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”–1 John 1:9 NIV

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV

7caa5-0416131633Did you, or do you have parents or grandparents who pray(ed) for you? Have my memories sparked a few of your own? I’d love to hear them. I hope you’ll leave one or two of them in the comment section below. Happy Spring!

The Translation of Annabelle’s Ruth

On By Betty OwensIn Betty Thomason Owens
Ecuadoran Women
Photo by Tiffany Sexton Riggs

If you’ve been keeping up with my blog, or my Facebook page, you already know about my upcoming trip to Ecuador. I’ll be ministering to women while I’m there. These women have specific needs. More than anything, they need love and the assurance that God is for them. No matter what life has dealt them, His redeeming power can help them overcome. Take for example, the women of the Book of Ruth.

After losing everything, Naomi returned to the land of her birth. She felt God calling her back there, where she’d be safe, among her family. Her daughter-in-law Ruth didn’t have to go with her. Naomi excused her from doing so. But Ruth insisted. Her love for Naomi kept her by the woman’s side. God saw Ruth’s obedience and great sacrifice. He chose to bless her. Not only that, but He provided for Naomi through Ruth’s obedient service.

Annabelle's Ruth FRONT final CoverI knew Annabelle’s Ruth was special as soon as I began writing. Actually, even before that, when the idea “popped” into my head. As the story fleshed out and became real, I knew in my heart, it was destined for greatness. Not long after it was published, the comments started coming in.

“This story is such a blessing!”

“Annabelle’s story has revived my hope, when I thought all was lost…”

It’s good to know that so many are enjoying the story and being blessed by the message of the book. So, I was especially excited to learn that Annabelle’s Ruth will be translated into Spanish. In fact, the process has already begun.

What excites me even more—the first printing of the Spanish version will be sold to benefit Unsion Ministries in South America.

In order for this to be possible, we need partners who would be willing to help pay for the preliminary printing of five hundred books. The cost will be an estimated $2500 – $3000. With the cost of printing the books paid in advance, we’ll be able to use all the proceeds from the sales to bless the women’s ministry in Ecuador.

I’m not asking anyone to give the full amount, though that would be amazing! Whether you can give a few dollars or a few hundred, that would help us on our way.

If you’d like to be part of this opportunity to be a blessing, you can click the link below to make your contribution (and please type “Annabelle’s Ruth” in the comment box):

https://giving.ag.org/Give/Details/600001-693941?MinistryName=unsion&Page

If you have any problems with this link or have further questions, please contact me via the “Contact Me” tab above this article (or contact me through my Facebook page).

God bless you, and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you!

For more information about the mission trip to Cuenca, Ecuador:
https://bettythomasonowens.com/2016/01/26/into-all-the-world/

https://bettythomasonowens.com/2016/01/19/when-youre-not-looking/

Will You Be My Valentine?

On By Betty OwensIn Betty Thomason Owens

valentine-1170622_1280Remember the Valentine cards we passed to all our classmates in grade school? I was always very careful of two things–make sure I had one for everyone in my class, including the teacher–and be certain to send the mushy cards to the correct people. I didn’t want any trouble.

I had my first “Valentine” in second grade. His name was Brent and he had such a crush on me! He sent me notes throughout the day, which got me into trouble because–embarrassed by his apparent adoration–I stuffed them in my desk. The teacher found the crumpled notes and asked my mother to come in for a conference. She expressed concern that I was far too young for such an amorous conversation with a boy. As I sat there, my discomfort quickly escalated to mortification. I hadn’t actually carried on a conversation, it was mostly Brent, but I suppose I was guilty by association. Or something like that.

As I remember, he was planning something special for Valentine’s Day. But…we moved to a new school district before that happened. I don’t remember even saying goodbye.

I was a new face in the classroom many, many times over the next few years, so I don’t really remember any other outstanding Valentine’s Days from my childhood. What about you? Do you have poignant or happy memories of a particular Valentine or Valentine’s Day? I’d love to hear about it!

valentine, valentine's dayBack to me–fast forward to the day when I met the love of my life. My forever Valentine. The scene changes drastically after marriage, doesn’t it? The Valentine cards are more intimate and usually more expensive. Men sometimes chafe at the holiday, blaming the card, chocolate, and floral industries. And perhaps it is an overblown holiday, but many of the feminine gender have known the discomfort of sitting behind an empty desk while the other women’s work areas are festooned with lovely gifts and displays of affection.

Even if our handsome Valentine has planned a wonderful evening, we still stifle feelings of envy over said display. This puts unfair pressure on our significant others. No wonder they generally dislike the holiday. It’s an expensive struggle, to find the perfect gift, or plan the memorable evening. I remember many times when my husband did a stellar job of planning and carrying out the perfect getaway. But honestly, I can’t recall whether it was Valentine’s Day, anniversary, birthday?? I’m not sure it even matters.

If as a couple, you’ve talked about it, and come to an agreement ahead of time, there’s no reason why you even have to celebrate that day. Just so you don’t overlook the important events of your life. I remember one Valentine’s Day early in our marriage, when money was tight love-letter-530346_1920and going out alone together was rare. We stopped by our local Target and looked at the Valentine cards. We each chose one we really liked. Then we exchanged them, read them, and returned them to the rack. The sentiments we found written in the cards passed between us and it was free. We still laugh at that memory. Most likely, if we’d paid the price for those cards and brought them home, they’d have ended up in the trash. I would not have remembered them half as well as the memory of that night.

If you’re struggling with a plan for Valentine’s Day, don’t forget that the small things count. Can’t afford a big night out? Find something else that means a lot to your love. Go for a long stroll (weather permitting), window shop, or stop in at your favorite coffeehouse for a treat. Make your own card, or better yet, write a letter (or a note), and let your beloved know you care. Show your Valentine that though your budget may be tight, your heart is not.

Love is the key that unlocks the heart.

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