Welcome

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

I Corinthians 13:12

My name is Colleen Rae Kessler, better known as Connie or Connie Rae to a select few. My intention for starting this blog is to reflect on the goodness of the Lord in my life. I have often been encouraged to write a devotional book. That seems out of the scope of my current reality. However, I do feel like God has given me a gift or talent, at the very least a desire to honor Him with what I write. I have not always been wise in my use of written words. In fact someone once said I had a poison pen! God forbid that I would dishonor Him in this endeavor. I don’t aspire to please everyone, to debate doctrinal themes, or even to be politically correct. But my greatest desires are to to please the Lord, to inspire my brothers and sisters in Christ and to entice those who don’t know Jesus to want to have a relationship with Him.

I am a recent widow so I have lots of time to reflect. Reflecting on my 53 years of knowing Jesus as my closest friend. Reflecting on 43 years of marriage, memories of the good times grieving over what could have been and gratefulness for my three wonderful adult children, their spouses, and my five awesome grandsons. I was born in the middle of the Baby Boomer years. I am now a recipient of Medicare and Social Security but not yet retired. I have worked for over fifteen years with folks from The Greatest Generation and the so-called Silent Generation. I am in awe of my elders. There is so much to learn and respect from each individual. I feel like I was born fifteen years too late. Some who knew me as a child would characterize me as an old soul.

I find I Corinthians 13; 11 & 12 to be a reassuring passage … “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man [an adult], I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I am known.” It gives me great reassurance to know that I am always growing, learning, and maturing; that my life is not at any time stagnant. It speaks to me of the hope I have of one day seeing Jesus face to face; the only One who really knows me. He certainly knows me better than I know myself. When that time comes I believe I will automatically know the meaning for every circumstance of my life. Every scene will play before my eyes and finally make sense. The reason for and results of every hurt, every joy, every trial, every accomplishment and every defeat.

Reflecting and reflections will be the theme of this blog. The ultimate goal will be to honor Christ by reflecting His character through His perfect guidance. The reflection will invariably be seen “in a mirror, dimly,” with the enticement for a more perfect vision to come. That said, kindly keep me accountable.😏 I hope to cover a wide range of topics that touch my life and yours: aging, grieving, care giving, nature, health, missions, bullying, mental health and many other topics. I will welcome your input, comments and/or articles you write or suggest.

“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

I John 3:2