| Sunny Side Up January 8, 2003 �2003, Kathleen Gibson Keep sending your words back Your responses to this column keep me inspired, encouraged, cheered, and humbled. Here�s a few: There was the fellow who wondered about my nightwear. �I was reading your column and saw mention of your �Donut print pajamas.� Where did you ever find these? I've been looking for some fabric with a donut print on it, and hoped you could help me in my search.� I tried. Hey Mike�.did you find your fabric? A July column generated this gentleman�s response: �Kathleen, I know some outspoken women will call a spade, "a spade", but I must say, this is the first time I have met one who will invite you to meet a friend who is, and I quote with glee, a "chicken killin', stallion castratin', grizzly chasin', babysittin', church goin', Bible readin' plain talkin' Christian cowboy. I laughed till there were tears in my eyes." That one warmed my cockles. (If you�re wondering where those are exactly, I think somewhere close to my muscles.) I was soundly reprimanded, in a nearly identical pair of letters from two irate women of considerable maturity. I had quoted someone who used a four-letter-word beginning with f�(not the one you�re thinking, but if you can eat beans without making this, you�re lucky). �This day is a black mark on the ethics of Christian conversation,� one wrote. �How could a Christian woman like yourself use that �f� word?� I couldn�t answer�neither signed their name. A lady in Maryland wrote: �That story made stop and think�.thank you.� You�re welcome! A column about my pianos generated a recent email from a Toronto descendant of nineteenth century piano maker Gerhard Heintzman. �Treasure that piano - a piece of Canadian history,� she said, among other things. I always will, I responded. Many responded with questions to a column published just before Christmas. �Did Baby Frederick live? Was he home in time to be Baby Jesus at your Christmas pageant?� Yes! God said YES to our prayers. The Sunday before Christmas, Fred and Amanda Skorobohach, costumed as Mary and Joseph, walked onto the platform and laid their miracle baby in the manger. Tiny �angels� instantly surrounded him and adored. I doubt the room contained a throat without a lump. Some responses are both humbling and encouraging. Heather wrote, �A big thank you for adding depth to our lives by exposing your heart to your readers. I often think of you sitting at your computer and know it must take hard work, perseverance, soul searching, and tears. Please be assured that there are many others like myself who silently, week by week, continue to appreciate your efforts.� I treasure that one. And this one: �Thank you for choosing to be used by God, for letting His words and love speak through you.� No. Thank each of YOU who�ve taken time to respond to Sunny Side Up. God used your words in my life! I�ll continue as he directs, praying he�ll use mine in yours. Blessing and joy in 2003! Respond at any time to [email protected] |
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