I know it sounds hokey but when things seem to be bringing me down, looking at all that I have brings me back to reality and thankful to God for all that He provides. Thankful for a nice home, food on the table, my family’s health, my husband’s job, books to read, and of course Netflix -just kidding, well at least a little bit. We all need that time to reset, sit on the couch with a warm cup of tea and maybe a salty or sweet snack.
The podcast I am reviewing this week is Jamie Ivey’s Happy Hour. Jamie is a podcaster, author, and speaker. The Happy Hour is a place where girlfriends gather to talk about the big things in life, the little things in life, and everything in between. The episode I am reviewing is #292 with Melanie Shankle. Melanie is also a Podcaster, her show is called The Big Boo Podcast, and she is a New York Times bestselling author. Her most recent book is ironically called “On the Bright Side”. She submitted the book in April of 2019 thinking it would be great for a Presidential election year. Turns out God had another plan for it! As Melanie mentions in the Podcast, “we have a loss of expectations, not knowing when the pandemic will end, but we can still look on the bright side of where we are.” In her book she talks about friendships and making time for friends, parenting, and being true to yourself. Society has become so divisive, as Melanie says “how can we have real conversations with others who have different views from us? I wonder if in the end Jesus is going to say you all missed the whole dang point; you were supposed to love each other. Not all of these small minutiae things.” This brings us to the Greatest Commandment.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39
I know people argue who really is your neighbor? It is everyone, from the grocery store cashier (which by the way thank you for putting yourself out there and helping us to stay fed), to your neighbor down the street who has loud parties. I’m not saying that we have to agree with everything they do but make sure that we don’t go in the other direction and talk badly about them. If you have an issue with your neighbor first pray about it, then bring it to them, in a loving way, and most of time they will respond kindly too. This Podcast is definitely worth the listen.
A little light hearted skit for the end of the blog. My teenage fangirl singer/songwriter Jon BonJovi is on with Jimmy Fallon. You can watch it here. It is really good but I am a little biased. Until next time, stay safe, love each other and keep looking on the bright side!
Jamie Ivey’s Podcast “The Happy Hour” interview with Melanie Shankle
Melanie Shankle’s book “On the Bright Side“
thegodlypodreview.com 