In This Issue

1. A Bit of Insight
2. What´s in your “Dash”
3. Quotes for Your Soul
4. Health Tip
5. Humor
6. Good News!
7. Special Story
8. Another Book
9. Thank You, Readers!
10. My Blog
11. May We Pray For You?
12. En Español
13. Story of the Month
14. Contest
15. Sponsor

Welcome

Every trial has a treasure...
Every triumph holds His truth
Welcome!
So glad you took a moment to receive a Splash of Inspiration in the midst of a hurried world.

Story of the Month

What Might Soothe Their Wounds

Some months ago after a visit to my doctor, I stopped by the receptionist counter. “Is this all I need?”
She placed papers in my hand, “sure is, have a great day.” Her tone rang with tenderness.
“Thank you,” I said, leaning toward the desk. “Stay as sweet as you are.”
After a few moments, she said, “That is the nicest thing I've heard in a long time.” Her voice choked. I’d not said anything profound or particularly complimentary. But I was touched, really touched  but also intensely enlightened. How could a few words evoke such reactions in others? How can our tone accompanying our words stir a response of gratitude, or even a reaction of admiration and gladness?

Words hold power, often greater than swords in our hands. Those words that slip from our tongue, those letters that we string together in emails, those responses to telemarketers or drivers on the road, or even to those we love  either plant a sweet scent of encouragement or drip dark gloom into someone’s day.

A friend of mine begins her emails with: "Hello dear sweet Janet.” A warm wave of delight caresses my heart when reading her greeting. And in turn, prompts me to ripple that same feeling to someone else.

Conversely, confessing my faults, I’ve had moments when the words I poured out spurred ugly regret. Words to friends, hubby and even my children. And while turning the pages of the album of my heart, I  wonder what words ring in my sons’ ears, or echo still?

Not long ago, I asked them. “Hey guys, do you remember the notes I used to Scotch tape to your pillows?” “Got everyone of them, I saved them mom,” my oldest son said. “I remember the notes that you’d put in our lunch boxes,” chimed my twenty-five year old.” They remember, I thought with delight. Like a soft fall breeze, gladness swept over me. They may have forgotten moments when I blurted instructions, quick demands, and harsh scoldings.

But something prompted me to spend those few seconds jotting simple words on a piece of paper and stuffing them in their lunch boxes. Perhaps it was an attempt to fill the role of a good mom, or to make up for my feelings of inadequacies, insecurities. Or just a tug at my heart, wanting them to know they were loved, really loved.

As they got older, longer notes that expanded on life’s insights, admonishments and praises for their achievements waited for them on their pillows.

Words, whether written or said, can transform and turn wounds to healing, dark moments into hope, defeat into victory and even despair into joy.

Struggles and fears abound, they did for my sons. And also swirl in the lives of those we touch. The words we sprinkle might just be the balm that soothes their broken world.

“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” (Proverbs 25:1)

If you like any of my stories, will you forward the newsletter to your friends. And ask them to sign up for their own issue?

Having a rough week? Visit my blog for light reflections to make you smile with encouragement, humor and insight: www.janetperezeckles.com/blog.html

Click Here to Contact Janet

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A Bit of Insight

Just Because

Don’t you love that answer? “Just because.” It screams you don’t have a real answer and that phrase should suffice.

But when it comes to our lives, goals and dreams, we have a definite “because,” we have a clear reason, we’re certain, sure and committed. For example, why do I write? Because I hope to inspire and draw my readers to the knowledge of God. Why do I create this newsletter? Because there might be someone who needs a little refreshing of their spirit in the midst of a dry, hectic day. Why do I travel to speak? Because I’m thrilled to impart humor, insight and nudge my audiences to live a victorious life.

Strange though, the ‘because’s’ in our lives change with seasons. I remember times when I worked my bones brittle, Because…bills, nagging debt, that dream house, vacation and just things planted a sense of urgency.

We all have our “because’s” in life. Some are obvious. But others lie in clandestine corners of our hearts—hidden as a guarded secret.

I had one of those--years ago, as a routine, I’d hold my hand up to make sure my tiny bit of eyesight still remained But when that day, that dreaded day came, I held it up and, to my horror, saw a dark gray of nothing. My body shivered. And  my future seemed to melt in the fire of adversity. But it was God’s “because” that murmured refreshing hope into my soul and continues to pour colorful expectations into my days:
Because she loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue her;
Because she loves me," says the LORD, I will protect her, for she acknowledges my name.
Because she loves me, she will call upon me, and I will answer her;
Because she loves me, I will deliver her and honor her. With long life will I satisfy her and show her my salvation."
(adapted from Psalm 91:14)

Maybe it’s not physical blindness that threatens to wither your world. Maybe it’s just a sprinkle of sadness or even an impending thunderous storm that stalks your joy. Whatever it may be, His “because” will peel off thorny layers of gloom, anxiety, and desperation. Blind or not, how liberating to know that because we love Him, we can snuggle in His arms feeling honored, healed and protected. And like a flower in the fresh rain, live a vibrant life, and best of all, have our eternity guaranteed.

In the end, when our jobs are gone, our health weakens, our goals are met and hunger for prosperity loses its taste, God’s “because He loves me” is the only one that will still shine brand new hope into our days.

"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
(John 14:21)

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Health Tip

Toxic Shock

Are you in ‘toxic shock?’ You may be and not even know it. A view of the toxic tree is a good place to start when asking yourself that question.

Before you are sold a bill of goods about a health problem, you must first detoxify your system with a cleansing program. Often what seems to be a health problem is just a need for a good digestive cleansing to get your 12 organs in the digestive system working. The 15 day cleanse from Nutrition Outreach is an ideal place to start. A summarized version of a full, all-natural detoxifying program, the 15 day cleanse is a good indicator for how severe your toxicity is and how much more (if any) cleansing you need.

Note from Janet: If you want information and details re this program, just email me: Jeckles@cfl.rr.com

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What’s in Your Dash?

I don’t mean your dashboard. I mean your dash. I don’t know who coined it but the dash is that little line that appears on your tombstone—the one between the date you were born and the date you die.

The question is what will that “dash” contain. What story will your life tell to those you leave behind?

Mother Theresa and Hitler both left a mark in history. One honorable, the other, a dark reminder of cruelty. Each had their own dash that lingers in history.

Though not to the degree of the above-mentioned individuals, we’re constantly creating our own dashes.

Let me tell you about a modern ‘dash-maker’. His name is Charlie Rogers. It’s no secret most young people hunger to emulate Hollywood stars, turn away from morals and embrace the easy way out, leaving behind integrity, honor and diligence.

We shake our heads at the downward spiral of morality. But not Charlie Rogers. He rolled up his sleeves and for over twenty years, with the assistance of fellow Rotarians, decided to make a difference.

After hours of planning, arranging and orchestrating, Charlie gathers a select group of high school students from the Central Florida area and packs a weekend with speakers, powerful programs, examples, workshops, knowledge and imparts tools for a different life—one of achievements, leadership, honorable goals, and the ability to make positively impacting choices.

They take away tools for a life where they indeed will make a difference and shine as role models for their peers.

I wonder if Charlie knows that his dash is already igniting a passion for those young people to create a powerful dash of their own.

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Another Book

A little more than a year ago I was prompted to go back and dust off a memory that had been stuffed in the back of my heart. A memory that had to do with words, words that wounded me and had a lasting impact in me. The details of that story are included in the new release, Wounded by Words--healing the invisible scars of emotional abuse, published by New Hope Publishers.

Here’s an excerpt from my story titled, The Echo of Love”: “…The days that followed during the school year brought agonizing pain for me. I couldn’t tell anyone of Sister Modesta’s harsh words, directed to me every chance she got. I tried harder to do well on tests, memorization, and homework, but her words of ridicule when I made small mistakes crushed me. As I grew up, the desire to perform, to please, and to bow to authority created anxiety within me. I spent all my energy attempting to prove I was worthy to be trusted.”

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Janet Perez Eckles