"I'm never speaking to you again! And, I'm not ever playing with you again AND you better not come into my yard or I'll throw these rocks at you!"
The arguments of little children can be so hateful. Yet, by the next day, the conflict is usually forgotten and the children are happily playing together once more.
"You are NOT to come into my room ever again. I hate you!" And, the door slams in the face of the sibling.
Sometimes arguments and differences are not as easily solved within families. Sometimes, they are never solved. My husband tells of a married couple who had an argument and although they continued to live together, they never spoke to each other again. Oh, she fixed his meals and washed his clothes and he brought home the pay check but, according to their children, they never spoke. As the man lay on his death bed, one of the daughters went to her mother and begged her to apologize to her husband. The mother refused telling the daughter "We have lived this long without speakin' and I ain't changin' that now!" And, the old man passed into eternity never hearing "I'm sorry" or being allowed to tell his wife he was sorry. Because of an argument between family members, the conflict continues until one of them passes away and the family is never able to unite completely again.
Disagreements happen at work. A co-worker gossips about another and the hateful exchange begins. Soon, the whole workplace is taking sides and work is forgotten in exchange for a bitter conflict between two people. Business suffers because of the time spent arguing and eventually some may loose their jobs because of this.
There are churches that have conflicts within their walls. In the house of God where there should be peace and love, there is backbiting and hate and arguing. Members quit speaking to each other. Instead, they conspire as to how they can get their way or how they can hurt others. There was a church conflict years ago about the color of the new roof that was to be installed. I understand that to this day, one side of the roof is one color; the other side, another. Satan loves conflict. He loves conflict within the home or the workplace but especially within a church. If Satan can cause enough conflict with a church that it splits, he has won another battle. Many lost souls who might have been won to the Lord will not be just because of a conflict caused by a few people who didn't see eye to eye over something usually very small.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if the arguments and conflicts adults have could be forgotten so easily as that of small children?
" How wonderful, how beautiful,
when brothers and sisters get along!
It’s like costly anointing oil
flowing down head and beard,
Flowing down Aaron’s beard,
flowing down the collar of his priestly robes.
It’s like the dew on Mount Hermon
flowing down the slopes of Zion.
Yes, that’s where God commands the blessing,
ordains eternal life." Psalm 133 The Message
Monday, August 31, 2015
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Vacation Time Again
"Move over and get your head off me!” Daughter # 1 yelled.
“I’m not touching you so just shut up!” Snapped Daughter # 2
“MOM, make her scoot over. She is on my side!”
“I am not on your side! You’ve got your arm on my side!”
“MOM, she pushed me!”
“Did not!”
“Did, too!”
Ah, just the beginning of another wonderful vacation and another thousand miles to go.
“Girls, let me tell you a little story, okay?” I said as I glanced back at two frowning faces.
“About fifteen years after the end of the Civil War, they left their home in Kearney, Missouri and headed to the Ozark hills. According to stories passed down, your daddy’s g-g-grandparents lived, north of Gallatin, Missouri. His g-grandparents met and married there and then moved to Kearney, Missouri and became neighbors of Frank and Jesse James’ family. Your daddy’s g-g-grandparents had already moved to the Ozarks so his g-grandparents decided to follow them.”
“It was the middle of winter when the family loaded up their seven children and all of the belongings they could carry in a covered wagon and headed south. The family had to cross the Missouri river on the way. When they reached the river, it was completely frozen over and the family crossed it on ice.”
I turned around again to see if the girls were listening before I proceeded.
“It was a long, long trip in that old wagon and keep in mind, it was winter. Can you imagine how that would have been? They weren’t in a nice vehicle like we're in and all of their belongings were piled in the wagon among those seven children plus their parents. Do you think those kids were fussing all two hundred seventy-five miles until they reached their new home? Do you think they were yelling for their mom to make sister or brother move over and not touch them?”
Both girls shook their heads and glanced at each other.
“After reaching the Ozarks, your ancestors had to live in their covered wagon or with their parents until they could build a house. When the family was settled in , five more children were born into the family for a total of twelve plus their parents living in the house they build in the hills about eight miles north of where we now live. And, when the youngest son born after they moved grew up he helped your grandpa build the two room house where your daddy lived when he was little. Two of the brothers who were born after they got to the Ozarks grew up and married sisters.”
When I glanced back, both girls were sound asleep with Daughter # 2 leaning on Daughter # 1’s shoulder.
When I think about the hardships our ancestors faced in years past, I realize how spoiled we have become. God has blessed us with amenities that we enjoy every day without thinking; heat and air to make our homes comfortable; warm beds in which to sleep ; running hot and cold water , more clothes than most of our closets have room for and so much more.
Do we take time to thank our Heavenly Father for all of the blessings He sends our way or are we too busy complaining about the little inconveniences in life?
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
“I’m not touching you so just shut up!” Snapped Daughter # 2
“MOM, make her scoot over. She is on my side!”
“I am not on your side! You’ve got your arm on my side!”
“MOM, she pushed me!”
“Did not!”
“Did, too!”
Ah, just the beginning of another wonderful vacation and another thousand miles to go.
“Girls, let me tell you a little story, okay?” I said as I glanced back at two frowning faces.
“About fifteen years after the end of the Civil War, they left their home in Kearney, Missouri and headed to the Ozark hills. According to stories passed down, your daddy’s g-g-grandparents lived, north of Gallatin, Missouri. His g-grandparents met and married there and then moved to Kearney, Missouri and became neighbors of Frank and Jesse James’ family. Your daddy’s g-g-grandparents had already moved to the Ozarks so his g-grandparents decided to follow them.”
“It was the middle of winter when the family loaded up their seven children and all of the belongings they could carry in a covered wagon and headed south. The family had to cross the Missouri river on the way. When they reached the river, it was completely frozen over and the family crossed it on ice.”
I turned around again to see if the girls were listening before I proceeded.
“It was a long, long trip in that old wagon and keep in mind, it was winter. Can you imagine how that would have been? They weren’t in a nice vehicle like we're in and all of their belongings were piled in the wagon among those seven children plus their parents. Do you think those kids were fussing all two hundred seventy-five miles until they reached their new home? Do you think they were yelling for their mom to make sister or brother move over and not touch them?”
Both girls shook their heads and glanced at each other.
“After reaching the Ozarks, your ancestors had to live in their covered wagon or with their parents until they could build a house. When the family was settled in , five more children were born into the family for a total of twelve plus their parents living in the house they build in the hills about eight miles north of where we now live. And, when the youngest son born after they moved grew up he helped your grandpa build the two room house where your daddy lived when he was little. Two of the brothers who were born after they got to the Ozarks grew up and married sisters.”
When I glanced back, both girls were sound asleep with Daughter # 2 leaning on Daughter # 1’s shoulder.
When I think about the hardships our ancestors faced in years past, I realize how spoiled we have become. God has blessed us with amenities that we enjoy every day without thinking; heat and air to make our homes comfortable; warm beds in which to sleep ; running hot and cold water , more clothes than most of our closets have room for and so much more.
Do we take time to thank our Heavenly Father for all of the blessings He sends our way or are we too busy complaining about the little inconveniences in life?
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Friday, August 28, 2015
Judging by Appearence.
It was Daughter # 1’s 16th birthday. Her boyfriend at the time had come, picked her up and taken her to a nice restaurant for dinner.
It was a beautiful evening. We had the windows open letting the cool breeze blow through our home.
I heard the vehicle drive up; heard one vehicle door open and shut then another open and SLAM shut! Then I heard voices. I peered behind the curtain and saw Daughter # 1 stomping across the lawn with Boyfriend beside her. Her voice was raised by ...several decibels.
It was a beautiful evening. We had the windows open letting the cool breeze blow through our home.
I heard the vehicle drive up; heard one vehicle door open and shut then another open and SLAM shut! Then I heard voices. I peered behind the curtain and saw Daughter # 1 stomping across the lawn with Boyfriend beside her. Her voice was raised by ...several decibels.
“I CANNOT believe she would do that to me!! She had a party at HER house and didn’t invite me! And , she knew it was my birthday!
“Maybe she thought you had other plans.” Her boyfriend said, trying to calm her.
“Yea, right! She just didn’t want me to be there. She just pretends to be my friend! She doesn’t like me and this proves it! She thinks she is so much better than I am anyway. You just wait until I see her tomorrow! I counted at least 10 cars in front of her house and I KNOW who those cars belong to … MY friends! I guess now she is trying to turn all of my friends against me. She probably told them she invited me and I was too good to come to her party! I have a good mind to call her when I get in the house and let her know that I KNOW she is having a party and why didn’t I get invited.”
Daughter # 1 stormed up the front steps, opened the door, still mumbling. Our living room and entryway were divided by a tall bookshelf. She stomped across the entryway; turned to go into the living room and there stood her friend , whom she had badmouthed all across the lawn, and a dozen or so of her friends all waiting to wish her happy birthday and enjoy a surprise party that had been planned at our place one block over from her friend’s house. Remember, the windows in our living room were open so Daughter # 1’s friends had all heard everything she said…. humiliating to say the least. Thankfully, her friends laughed and laughed; her friend forgave her and her 16th birthday party was one she will always remember.
Here was a prime example of judging. Daughter # 1 was judging her good friend because of something she had seen and perceived. She had no proof there was a party going on without her, yet she was judging without facts.
“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” John 7:24 ESV
“Maybe she thought you had other plans.” Her boyfriend said, trying to calm her.
“Yea, right! She just didn’t want me to be there. She just pretends to be my friend! She doesn’t like me and this proves it! She thinks she is so much better than I am anyway. You just wait until I see her tomorrow! I counted at least 10 cars in front of her house and I KNOW who those cars belong to … MY friends! I guess now she is trying to turn all of my friends against me. She probably told them she invited me and I was too good to come to her party! I have a good mind to call her when I get in the house and let her know that I KNOW she is having a party and why didn’t I get invited.”
Daughter # 1 stormed up the front steps, opened the door, still mumbling. Our living room and entryway were divided by a tall bookshelf. She stomped across the entryway; turned to go into the living room and there stood her friend , whom she had badmouthed all across the lawn, and a dozen or so of her friends all waiting to wish her happy birthday and enjoy a surprise party that had been planned at our place one block over from her friend’s house. Remember, the windows in our living room were open so Daughter # 1’s friends had all heard everything she said…. humiliating to say the least. Thankfully, her friends laughed and laughed; her friend forgave her and her 16th birthday party was one she will always remember.
Here was a prime example of judging. Daughter # 1 was judging her good friend because of something she had seen and perceived. She had no proof there was a party going on without her, yet she was judging without facts.
“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” John 7:24 ESV
Thursday, August 27, 2015
And The Cake Fell.........
It was a perfect day for the big late afternoon wedding. The bride was radiant and the groom was all smiles as they repeated their vows. Friends and family of the couple had gathered to wish the couple well.
After the wedding, we hurried to the reception at a large hotel. The dining room had been decorated and the food was set out for the guests to enjoy.
“Would you like to go ahead and make a few family pictures outside while the light is good or do you want to go ahead and cut the cake so that people can eat it after they finish the Hors D’oeuvres?
“Oh, I think we better gather the family together before the children get cranky or some of them have to leave. And, we certainly want pictures outside while there is good light.” The bride said.
We managed to get all 40 of them lined up on the big steps at the back of the hotel and make several pictures of the big group and some of individual families with the couple. Just as the photography session was coming to a close, one of the waiters came out the door and motioned to me.
“You might want to get inside pretty soon and take the cake pictures because the cake is about to fall.”
So, we hurried inside only to find two waitresses behind the cake with spatulas under each side of the third layer of the four layer cake. Not wanting the waitresses in the photograph of the couple cutting the cake, we posed them between the two waitresses.
“I’ll get them focused here and when I say ‘Ready’, you two ladies step back very carefully leaving the spatulas in place and I’ll snap the picture at that moment.”
“Ready”, John said, and the two ladies very carefully stepped back. As they did, the cake began to tumble before the couple could slice it. What was once a beautiful wedding cake lay all over the end of the table and onto the floor in one big mess! The groom’s mother had worked for hours baking and decorating that elaborate cake only to have her masterpiece end up in the floor before the couple even had a taste. She was so horrified she left the reception sobbing. It seems she had failed to insert the wooden dowels that must be put in each layer before the layers are stacked and before it is iced in order to stabilize it.
Have you ever felt that things were crumbling all around you and you wanted to run away sobbing? It might be that you were handed the pink slip at work; it might be a catastrophic health diagnosis; perhaps a divorce in the family. It could be a number of things that all of us have encountered or will encounter during our life time.
God has the answer for all of our trials and tribulations. Oh, the answer may not come today or tomorrow or even next week. It may not even be the answer we were expecting, but, if we put our trust in Him instead of our own strength, He will handle the situation. Two verses come to mind as I think about this:
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 TLB
“Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God—soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.” Psalm 43:5 The Message
After the wedding, we hurried to the reception at a large hotel. The dining room had been decorated and the food was set out for the guests to enjoy.
“Would you like to go ahead and make a few family pictures outside while the light is good or do you want to go ahead and cut the cake so that people can eat it after they finish the Hors D’oeuvres?
“Oh, I think we better gather the family together before the children get cranky or some of them have to leave. And, we certainly want pictures outside while there is good light.” The bride said.
We managed to get all 40 of them lined up on the big steps at the back of the hotel and make several pictures of the big group and some of individual families with the couple. Just as the photography session was coming to a close, one of the waiters came out the door and motioned to me.
“You might want to get inside pretty soon and take the cake pictures because the cake is about to fall.”
So, we hurried inside only to find two waitresses behind the cake with spatulas under each side of the third layer of the four layer cake. Not wanting the waitresses in the photograph of the couple cutting the cake, we posed them between the two waitresses.
“I’ll get them focused here and when I say ‘Ready’, you two ladies step back very carefully leaving the spatulas in place and I’ll snap the picture at that moment.”
“Ready”, John said, and the two ladies very carefully stepped back. As they did, the cake began to tumble before the couple could slice it. What was once a beautiful wedding cake lay all over the end of the table and onto the floor in one big mess! The groom’s mother had worked for hours baking and decorating that elaborate cake only to have her masterpiece end up in the floor before the couple even had a taste. She was so horrified she left the reception sobbing. It seems she had failed to insert the wooden dowels that must be put in each layer before the layers are stacked and before it is iced in order to stabilize it.
Have you ever felt that things were crumbling all around you and you wanted to run away sobbing? It might be that you were handed the pink slip at work; it might be a catastrophic health diagnosis; perhaps a divorce in the family. It could be a number of things that all of us have encountered or will encounter during our life time.
God has the answer for all of our trials and tribulations. Oh, the answer may not come today or tomorrow or even next week. It may not even be the answer we were expecting, but, if we put our trust in Him instead of our own strength, He will handle the situation. Two verses come to mind as I think about this:
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 TLB
“Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God—soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.” Psalm 43:5 The Message
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Good Ole' Days!
This past weekend with three generations together celebrating John's birthday, I thought about how fortunate we were to have such a loving family. I thought about us as the older generation and how different our lives were growing up compared to the next two generations represented. There are those who walk our streets today trolling for some mischievous thing to do. There are people who want nothing more than to see what it feels like to commit a heinous crime. There was no ISIS or no selling of baby parts or kidnapping and killing children that we heard about; no shootings in theaters taking the lives of so many. What has happened to our society?
The kids on my block were free to come and go to each other’s homes. We didn’t have to fear what darkness lay in the minds of our friend’s family. Our parents didn’t worry if we spent the night with our friends and our friend’s parents never worried when their offspring were in our home. Sometimes, in the summer, we would even be allowed to sleep outside under the stars with a few of our friends.
I remember coming home from school on a beautiful spring or fall day, eating a snack, changing into my play clothes, doing a few little chores that my mother might have and then out the front door I went , scurrying down the sidewalk until I was directly across the street from my best friend’s home. I would stand and holler “Naaaaaaun, Naaaaaaaaun”, as loudly as I could until Nan would come out her front door. We would stand across the highway from one another and yell about what we wanted to do the rest of the evening. Often, we would round up the other kids in the neighborhood and ride our bicycles until our mother’s called us in for supper. After supper, we would assume where we left off, riding our bicycles until the street lights came on. We had no fear of being kidnapped by some stranger driving by or being shot by a drive by shooter.
Summertime was the best time of all. No TV ’s ; no video games to occupy us while we vegged away on the couch. We played hopscotch, anti-over, chase, jump rope, jacks and lots of other games that exercised our bodies and our minds. We spread quilts under the shade tree and had a picnic or we sold lemonade from a little stand in our front yard. Sometimes, we would walk together to the town square and window shop. Or we’d sit in one of the park benches under the shade tree in the middle of the square. If we had a nickel or dime, we might have an ice cream cone from the Berryville Drug. Sometimes, we would wander into the bandstand where the high school band played on Saturday nights and pretend we were tooting those horns like the band members did. We would talk about the coming county fair; discuss all the rides that we might want to take; the snow cones or popcorn we would eat and the grandstand shows we might get to attend if we saved our money.
How wonderful it was not to have to think about the bad things that were happening in our world. Oh, I’m sure there were a lot of things we never heard about because we had no TV’s, cell phones or internet. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our kids could all be that carefree today?
Our children and grandchildren don’t know what they have missed by not growing up in the good old days.
“Make our sons in their prime like sturdy oak trees, Our daughters as shapely and bright as fields of wildflowers.
Fill our barns with great harvest, fill our fields with huge flocks;
Protect us from invasion and exile— eliminate the crime in our streets.” Psalm 144:12 The Message
The kids on my block were free to come and go to each other’s homes. We didn’t have to fear what darkness lay in the minds of our friend’s family. Our parents didn’t worry if we spent the night with our friends and our friend’s parents never worried when their offspring were in our home. Sometimes, in the summer, we would even be allowed to sleep outside under the stars with a few of our friends.
I remember coming home from school on a beautiful spring or fall day, eating a snack, changing into my play clothes, doing a few little chores that my mother might have and then out the front door I went , scurrying down the sidewalk until I was directly across the street from my best friend’s home. I would stand and holler “Naaaaaaun, Naaaaaaaaun”, as loudly as I could until Nan would come out her front door. We would stand across the highway from one another and yell about what we wanted to do the rest of the evening. Often, we would round up the other kids in the neighborhood and ride our bicycles until our mother’s called us in for supper. After supper, we would assume where we left off, riding our bicycles until the street lights came on. We had no fear of being kidnapped by some stranger driving by or being shot by a drive by shooter.
Summertime was the best time of all. No TV ’s ; no video games to occupy us while we vegged away on the couch. We played hopscotch, anti-over, chase, jump rope, jacks and lots of other games that exercised our bodies and our minds. We spread quilts under the shade tree and had a picnic or we sold lemonade from a little stand in our front yard. Sometimes, we would walk together to the town square and window shop. Or we’d sit in one of the park benches under the shade tree in the middle of the square. If we had a nickel or dime, we might have an ice cream cone from the Berryville Drug. Sometimes, we would wander into the bandstand where the high school band played on Saturday nights and pretend we were tooting those horns like the band members did. We would talk about the coming county fair; discuss all the rides that we might want to take; the snow cones or popcorn we would eat and the grandstand shows we might get to attend if we saved our money.
How wonderful it was not to have to think about the bad things that were happening in our world. Oh, I’m sure there were a lot of things we never heard about because we had no TV’s, cell phones or internet. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our kids could all be that carefree today?
Our children and grandchildren don’t know what they have missed by not growing up in the good old days.
“Make our sons in their prime like sturdy oak trees, Our daughters as shapely and bright as fields of wildflowers.
Fill our barns with great harvest, fill our fields with huge flocks;
Protect us from invasion and exile— eliminate the crime in our streets.” Psalm 144:12 The Message
Sunday, August 23, 2015
Family Time is Nice!
Have you had enough of our 80th birthday pictures yet? And, we don't even have the family group pictures posted. I will try and limit the ones of our family groups. Sorry if they are clogging up your facebook. Feel free to just scroll right on through them.
Seriously, we had a great celebration for John yesterday afternoon and into the night with eating, laughing, sharing stories, swimming, game playing, etc. with all but one granddaughter and her husband. Sometimes mandi...tory seminars do prevent travel from Ft. Worth. But, it was great she could join in some of the fun via FaceTime. It's wonderful to have daughters and sons-in-law who arrange for such an event. If your family wants a place to gather check out Marriott's
TownePlaceSuites in Johnson, AR. They were SO nice and SO accommodating. Their rooms are extremely comfortable and clean. And, their gathering room accommodates a family the size of ours. Our family would recommend them highly.
Seriously, we had a great celebration for John yesterday afternoon and into the night with eating, laughing, sharing stories, swimming, game playing, etc. with all but one granddaughter and her husband. Sometimes mandi...tory seminars do prevent travel from Ft. Worth. But, it was great she could join in some of the fun via FaceTime. It's wonderful to have daughters and sons-in-law who arrange for such an event. If your family wants a place to gather check out Marriott's
TownePlaceSuites in Johnson, AR. They were SO nice and SO accommodating. Their rooms are extremely comfortable and clean. And, their gathering room accommodates a family the size of ours. Our family would recommend them highly.
And, it's great to see Grandchildren, who enjoy being together , teasing one another and just generally having a good time. And, we are glad they feel free to bring their friends to family celebrations. We are so blessed with a very wonderful and close knit family and we love each and everyone of them to the moon and back.
"Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift?
the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?
Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows
are the children of a vigorous youth.
Oh, how blessed are you parents,
with your quivers full of children!
Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you;
you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep." Psalm 127:3-5 (The Message)
"Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift?
the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?
Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows
are the children of a vigorous youth.
Oh, how blessed are you parents,
with your quivers full of children!
Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you;
you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep." Psalm 127:3-5 (The Message)
Saturday, August 22, 2015
Ole' Bernie and the Squirrel
Every country boy needs a good squirrel hunting dog when he's growing up. Ole' Bernie proved to be that for Little John. Ole' Bernie came to live with Little John and his family when Little John was about four years old. Ole' Bernie and Little John had a lot of adventures as they both matured.
One of Ole' Bernie's traits was treeing a squirrel and barking as long as he could see the squirrel. One day, Little John heard Ole' Bernie barking. As the barking continued, Little John headed toward the bark only to find Ole' Bernie with his feet on the tree trunk, looking up at a big, fat squirrel on one of the lower tree limbs
.
Little John ran back to the house as fast as his little legs would carry him.
"Mom, mom, Ole' Bernie's got a big, fat squirrel treed. If you'd let me take Dad's twenty-two, I'd get that old squirrel and we'd have fried squirrel for supper!"
"Now, Son, you know you are too young to be takin' your dad's gun and tryin' to shoot a squirrel. Just let Ole' Bernie bark. He'll get tired and quit pretty soon."
"No, he won't, Mom! You know how he is. He'll bark 'till he can't bark no longer and he might just fall over from the heat. Please, Mom, I'll be mighty careful and I'll come right back. Dad would love that fried squirrel for supper when he comes home from work.......you know how he loves the way you fry squirrel," begged Little John.
"Son, go on and find somethin' else to do and don't bother me any longer. You can't take your dad's gun and that's final."
So, Little John sauntered out of the house; head down and kickin' up dirt, mad as a wet hen, on his way back down to that tree. He was bound and determined to get that ole' squirrel one way or another.
Ole' Bernie was still barkin' up a storm and that big, ole' fat squirrel was lookin' down at Bernie knowin' that dogs don't climb trees.
As Little John continued to walk and kick rocks, an idea popped into his head. He picked up one of the flat rocks; took aim at that ole' squirrel and let fly! The rock hit the squirrel in the head and down he fell! Ole' Bernie didn't even take a breath before he had that squirrel killed. Little John, proud as punch, picked up the dead squirrel, threw his little shoulders back and proudly marched back to the house. He had helped his dad skin squirrels enough that he had no problem skinning him. Then off to the kitchen he marched.
"Lookie' here what I got, Mom, get that fryin' pan out 'cause we're gonna have fried squirrel for dinner tonight!
"SON, how on earth did you do that? Mom said, with a startled look on her face.
"I ain't tellin', Mom, I ain't tellin'.
One thing about Little John; he was determined. How determined are we? Are we determined to live as much like Christ as we can? Are we determined to make the right decisions in our lives regardless of what evil comes against us? We must try not to let ourselves be distracted or discouraged in our Christian walk but when that happens, we need to be more determined than ever to not allow Satan to have the victory.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
One of Ole' Bernie's traits was treeing a squirrel and barking as long as he could see the squirrel. One day, Little John heard Ole' Bernie barking. As the barking continued, Little John headed toward the bark only to find Ole' Bernie with his feet on the tree trunk, looking up at a big, fat squirrel on one of the lower tree limbs
.
Little John ran back to the house as fast as his little legs would carry him.
"Mom, mom, Ole' Bernie's got a big, fat squirrel treed. If you'd let me take Dad's twenty-two, I'd get that old squirrel and we'd have fried squirrel for supper!"
"Now, Son, you know you are too young to be takin' your dad's gun and tryin' to shoot a squirrel. Just let Ole' Bernie bark. He'll get tired and quit pretty soon."
"No, he won't, Mom! You know how he is. He'll bark 'till he can't bark no longer and he might just fall over from the heat. Please, Mom, I'll be mighty careful and I'll come right back. Dad would love that fried squirrel for supper when he comes home from work.......you know how he loves the way you fry squirrel," begged Little John.
"Son, go on and find somethin' else to do and don't bother me any longer. You can't take your dad's gun and that's final."
So, Little John sauntered out of the house; head down and kickin' up dirt, mad as a wet hen, on his way back down to that tree. He was bound and determined to get that ole' squirrel one way or another.
Ole' Bernie was still barkin' up a storm and that big, ole' fat squirrel was lookin' down at Bernie knowin' that dogs don't climb trees.
As Little John continued to walk and kick rocks, an idea popped into his head. He picked up one of the flat rocks; took aim at that ole' squirrel and let fly! The rock hit the squirrel in the head and down he fell! Ole' Bernie didn't even take a breath before he had that squirrel killed. Little John, proud as punch, picked up the dead squirrel, threw his little shoulders back and proudly marched back to the house. He had helped his dad skin squirrels enough that he had no problem skinning him. Then off to the kitchen he marched.
"Lookie' here what I got, Mom, get that fryin' pan out 'cause we're gonna have fried squirrel for dinner tonight!
"SON, how on earth did you do that? Mom said, with a startled look on her face.
"I ain't tellin', Mom, I ain't tellin'.
One thing about Little John; he was determined. How determined are we? Are we determined to live as much like Christ as we can? Are we determined to make the right decisions in our lives regardless of what evil comes against us? We must try not to let ourselves be distracted or discouraged in our Christian walk but when that happens, we need to be more determined than ever to not allow Satan to have the victory.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
Friday, August 21, 2015
Happy birthday, John!
" You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!" Psalm 139:16 (TLB)
The young couple, anticipating the time of arrival of their firstborn was at hand, had no vehicle so they walked across the holler to the husband’s parent’s home where there was access to a road thus making it easier for the doctor when he arrived.
“You better send for the doctor,” the young mother said, “I think this baby is coming.”
The young couple, anticipating the time of arrival of their firstborn was at hand, had no vehicle so they walked across the holler to the husband’s parent’s home where there was access to a road thus making it easier for the doctor when he arrived.
“You better send for the doctor,” the young mother said, “I think this baby is coming.”
Someone was sent to find Dr. Carter. Upon arriving in town, they discovered he was away delivering another baby. So, Dr. Bohannan was found and he made his way to the house where the young mother was well into labor. There was no electricity; it was the middle of summer and the heat was devastating. Labor progressed and just before midnight, August 20th, an almost 10lb baby boy, with lustful cries, made his way into the world.
I’m so glad with the help of a good doctor, that teenage mother brought that baby into the world because twenty-three years later, I married him. He has been a perfect companion for almost 57 years; a wonderful Christian example to those who know him; a loving father to our daughters and a doting granddad to five wonderful grandchildren.
Happy 80th birthday to the love of my life! I pray that God allows us to share many, many more birthdays together.
I’m so glad with the help of a good doctor, that teenage mother brought that baby into the world because twenty-three years later, I married him. He has been a perfect companion for almost 57 years; a wonderful Christian example to those who know him; a loving father to our daughters and a doting granddad to five wonderful grandchildren.
Happy 80th birthday to the love of my life! I pray that God allows us to share many, many more birthdays together.
Happy birthday, Malachi !
As grandparents, we pray that our grandchildren will find the perfect mate when they choose to marry. We have been blessed because all three of our married grandchildren chose a mate who is a Christian; they are kind, hardworking, loving individuals, who love our grandchildren unconditionally and exhibit that love in many ways.
Today is the 26th birthday of one we prayed our grandchild would find. We are so thankful that after losing track of one another for seventeen years, they renewed their friendship and after dating four years, he and Christen married last year.
We are thankful that you were raised in a Christian home and taught a great work ethic. We are thankful that you strive to be the best you can be in whatever you do. We are proud of your talent and accomplishments in college and look forward to seeing what God has in His plan for you as you begin your studies toward your master’s degree this month at the U of A.
Happy birthday, Malachi Million! You are truly one in a million!
Today is the 26th birthday of one we prayed our grandchild would find. We are so thankful that after losing track of one another for seventeen years, they renewed their friendship and after dating four years, he and Christen married last year.
We are thankful that you were raised in a Christian home and taught a great work ethic. We are thankful that you strive to be the best you can be in whatever you do. We are proud of your talent and accomplishments in college and look forward to seeing what God has in His plan for you as you begin your studies toward your master’s degree this month at the U of A.
Happy birthday, Malachi Million! You are truly one in a million!
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Raggedy Ann
Raggedy Ann or Annie, as she was affectionately known, came to live with us before Daughter# 2 ever walked through the door to her 1st grade class room. Annie was a birthday present and from then on, she played a big part in our lives.
Annie has seen a lot of faces over the years; faces that have kissed her many, many times leaving slobber marks on her rosy cheeks. She has heard many stories over the years; stories of make believe from little girls, up to and through the stories of heartbreak with a boyfriend. She has lain beside a child and listened to books being read. She has comforted a child, who was sick and running a high fever. Annie's face still bears the stains of little girl's tears. There's a mark that is brown now but was bright red with blood from Daughter # 2's lost tooth.
Annie has seen a lot of faces over the years; faces that have kissed her many, many times leaving slobber marks on her rosy cheeks. She has heard many stories over the years; stories of make believe from little girls, up to and through the stories of heartbreak with a boyfriend. She has lain beside a child and listened to books being read. She has comforted a child, who was sick and running a high fever. Annie's face still bears the stains of little girl's tears. There's a mark that is brown now but was bright red with blood from Daughter # 2's lost tooth.
Annie has seen two generations of love in her near half a century. All three granddaughters have loved on her from the time they were able to walk until they were grown.
Annie's sweet little blue flowered dress has a rip in the sleeve because her attire has been changed many, many times to fit the occasion at play time. Her red rag hair has fallen out in places due to the many combings and stylings over the years. Her little painted on black shoes are worn and dirty on the toes from being dragged around the house or outside through the dirt. Yet, her big, black button eyes and smile have stayed fixed through the years.
And, Annie's little painted on heart still says "I Love You" and if you listen closely, you can almost hear it beating.
Every child, no matter how old they are needs a companion they can confide in; a comforter when they aren't feeling their best. Annie has fulfilled that need in our family. Today, she is tucked safely away in our spare bedroom, in a box with other stuffed friends awaiting the day when a third generation discovers her charms.
Each of us needs a companion, a confident and a comforter. Jesus knew that and in His love for us, sent us just that in the form of His Holy Spirit.
How many of us take advantage of His free gift? How many of us call on the Holy Spirit when we need comfort or just need a shoulder to cry on?
"But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you." John 14:26 (Amplified Bible)
Annie's sweet little blue flowered dress has a rip in the sleeve because her attire has been changed many, many times to fit the occasion at play time. Her red rag hair has fallen out in places due to the many combings and stylings over the years. Her little painted on black shoes are worn and dirty on the toes from being dragged around the house or outside through the dirt. Yet, her big, black button eyes and smile have stayed fixed through the years.
And, Annie's little painted on heart still says "I Love You" and if you listen closely, you can almost hear it beating.
Every child, no matter how old they are needs a companion they can confide in; a comforter when they aren't feeling their best. Annie has fulfilled that need in our family. Today, she is tucked safely away in our spare bedroom, in a box with other stuffed friends awaiting the day when a third generation discovers her charms.
Each of us needs a companion, a confident and a comforter. Jesus knew that and in His love for us, sent us just that in the form of His Holy Spirit.
How many of us take advantage of His free gift? How many of us call on the Holy Spirit when we need comfort or just need a shoulder to cry on?
"But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you." John 14:26 (Amplified Bible)
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
The Red Wagon
When a little boy doesn't have many toys, but he has a red wagon, he can stay occupied.
One such little boy was my husband, John. When he was about seven years old, he had a best friend , who was a couple of years older. They were inseparable! What one couldn't think of to do, the other one could.
One day both of them were playing with the little red wagon. They had pulled each other in it; loaded it with limbs and rocks , hauling them to a place where they could build a ...fort. They had done a lot of other things that day with that little red wagon.
One such little boy was my husband, John. When he was about seven years old, he had a best friend , who was a couple of years older. They were inseparable! What one couldn't think of to do, the other one could.
One day both of them were playing with the little red wagon. They had pulled each other in it; loaded it with limbs and rocks , hauling them to a place where they could build a ...fort. They had done a lot of other things that day with that little red wagon.
As evening approached, John had an idea.
"Hey, watch what I'm goin' to do. This will be so much fun." Said John.
"Okay, I'll just sit over here and watch." Replied his friend.
Knowing it was about time for the men to get off work, John pulled his little red wagon into the ditchline beside the road; turned it upside down and crawled under it. He lay on his back with only his head and legs sticking out. Shutting his eyes he looked for all the world like he was either unconscious or dead. He lay there for a while waiting for the sound of a vehicle. Suddenly, a car came by , slowed down and stopped.
"OH, dear ! Look, there is a little boy laying under that wagon. He must be hurt !"
Hearing that, John wondered what he would do if they started to get out and found he wasn't hurt at all. What would he tell them? What could he say? Deciding there was only one way out of this situation, he threw the wagon over, jumped up, grabbed the wagon tongue and ran as fast as his little legs could carry him toward home with the little red wagon flying behind him , leaving the people in the car stunned for a moment and then laughing.
John was just a little boy and yet he was deceiving people and he was found out. How many times are we deceitful? Have we cheated on our income tax only to be audited? Have we stolen something and been discovered? Have we slipped around with another person and been discovered by our spouse? How many of us make people think we are perfect yet our hearts are full of deceit? How many politicians are deceitful?
Lying and deceit can destroy people's reputations , not just in families, but also at their job, at school, or even in the church. How do you feel when you find out someone has lied to you or about you?
God has warned against deceit.
"There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community" Proverbs 6:16-19
"Hey, watch what I'm goin' to do. This will be so much fun." Said John.
"Okay, I'll just sit over here and watch." Replied his friend.
Knowing it was about time for the men to get off work, John pulled his little red wagon into the ditchline beside the road; turned it upside down and crawled under it. He lay on his back with only his head and legs sticking out. Shutting his eyes he looked for all the world like he was either unconscious or dead. He lay there for a while waiting for the sound of a vehicle. Suddenly, a car came by , slowed down and stopped.
"OH, dear ! Look, there is a little boy laying under that wagon. He must be hurt !"
Hearing that, John wondered what he would do if they started to get out and found he wasn't hurt at all. What would he tell them? What could he say? Deciding there was only one way out of this situation, he threw the wagon over, jumped up, grabbed the wagon tongue and ran as fast as his little legs could carry him toward home with the little red wagon flying behind him , leaving the people in the car stunned for a moment and then laughing.
John was just a little boy and yet he was deceiving people and he was found out. How many times are we deceitful? Have we cheated on our income tax only to be audited? Have we stolen something and been discovered? Have we slipped around with another person and been discovered by our spouse? How many of us make people think we are perfect yet our hearts are full of deceit? How many politicians are deceitful?
Lying and deceit can destroy people's reputations , not just in families, but also at their job, at school, or even in the church. How do you feel when you find out someone has lied to you or about you?
God has warned against deceit.
"There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community" Proverbs 6:16-19
Monday, August 17, 2015
Straw
"That poor, poor old dog", I said as I watched Granddaughter #1 roll around over Straw.
"She not poor and she not old dog, Mimi, she nice dog and I love her" Granddaughter said as she wrapped her little arms around Straw's neck.
"Watch dis, Mimi", she would say, "watch me stand up on her and she not care." And, up she would climb then fall down right on Straw, lean over then give Straw a kiss right on the nose.
"She not poor and she not old dog, Mimi, she nice dog and I love her" Granddaughter said as she wrapped her little arms around Straw's neck.
"Watch dis, Mimi", she would say, "watch me stand up on her and she not care." And, up she would climb then fall down right on Straw, lean over then give Straw a kiss right on the nose.
Straw was a gentle golden lab and the most patient dog I have ever seen in my life. Granddaughter #1 would roll on, bounce on, pull on, lie on Straw and Straw would lie as still as a rug and never make a sound.
Yes, Granddaughter #2 loved to roughhouse. Her favorite thing to do in the evenings after she had worn poor Straw out, was to wrestle with her daddy, squealing with delight all the while.
Soon after her little sister was born, some relatives were on their way to see the family.
"Now you be careful when we get there and don't play rough because she just turned three and you're five, you're bigger and you're a boy so you mustn't hurt her."
There was a knock on the door and as soon as it was opened, Granddaughter #2 ran toward the little boy; hit him with a football tackle, knocked him to the floor and immediately sat on him just like she sat on Straw. That poor little boy didn't have a chance. He looked helplessly at his grandparents as if to say,
"Is this the little girl you didn't want me to hurt?"
While we wouldn't want to say that we treat God badly, we do so when we choose our own ways over his. We all will deal with sin and its consequences throughout life - none of us have conquered that and God hates sin. You can look throughout Scripture and find many Biblical heroes that paid a price for their sin, yet ultimately turned their heart back over to God. However, when our lives are in a pattern of disagreement with God's ways, we are treating God without respect. In essence, we tend to want to march to the beat of our own drum and not follow the path God has laid out before us.
"If we are faithless [do not believe and are untrue to Him], He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character), for He cannot deny Himself." 2 Timothy 2:13 Amplified bible
I heard someone say how thankful we should be that we don’t serve a mean, vicious, spiteful, or angry God. I say we should be thankful because we serve a good God....a kind, generous, faithful God.
Yes, Granddaughter #2 loved to roughhouse. Her favorite thing to do in the evenings after she had worn poor Straw out, was to wrestle with her daddy, squealing with delight all the while.
Soon after her little sister was born, some relatives were on their way to see the family.
"Now you be careful when we get there and don't play rough because she just turned three and you're five, you're bigger and you're a boy so you mustn't hurt her."
There was a knock on the door and as soon as it was opened, Granddaughter #2 ran toward the little boy; hit him with a football tackle, knocked him to the floor and immediately sat on him just like she sat on Straw. That poor little boy didn't have a chance. He looked helplessly at his grandparents as if to say,
"Is this the little girl you didn't want me to hurt?"
While we wouldn't want to say that we treat God badly, we do so when we choose our own ways over his. We all will deal with sin and its consequences throughout life - none of us have conquered that and God hates sin. You can look throughout Scripture and find many Biblical heroes that paid a price for their sin, yet ultimately turned their heart back over to God. However, when our lives are in a pattern of disagreement with God's ways, we are treating God without respect. In essence, we tend to want to march to the beat of our own drum and not follow the path God has laid out before us.
"If we are faithless [do not believe and are untrue to Him], He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character), for He cannot deny Himself." 2 Timothy 2:13 Amplified bible
I heard someone say how thankful we should be that we don’t serve a mean, vicious, spiteful, or angry God. I say we should be thankful because we serve a good God....a kind, generous, faithful God.
Friday, August 14, 2015
That Stack of Pennies
"Mimi, I tink I not want to take a nap today, otay?" Granddaughter #2 looked up at me with those big, pleading, beautiful brown eyes.
"I think if you don't take a nap, you'll be very tired when your mother gets home from school and you'll be kinda cranky, don't you think"
"But, Mimi, I not be tranky....I be nice." And, so the daily ritual began.
"I think if you don't take a nap, you'll be very tired when your mother gets home from school and you'll be kinda cranky, don't you think"
"But, Mimi, I not be tranky....I be nice." And, so the daily ritual began.
We were privileged to get to keep Granddaughter #2 in our home when she was small while her mother taught school. Daily naps were not a favorite thing for her.
"Tell you what, you don't have to go to sleep but you need to lie down and rest. You can look at books if you want." I reasoned.
"But, Mimi, I alweady yooked at all 'dem books, you know I did 'dat yeserday."
"You can look at different ones today. You know there are a lot books you like."
So, after a drink of water and a potty break, Granddaughter#2 climbed up in the big bed; carefully fluffed her pillow, put her mother's old rag doll, Annie, next to her, carefully pulling the sheet up over Annie ("So, she won't dit toll, Mimi" ) and laid down with a huff.
I knew from previous experience what would happen so I devised a plan.
"Tell you what..........I'm gonna put this stack of pennies here on the chest. Each time you get out of bed and come wanting something, I'm gonna take one of the pennies. When your Mother comes to get you, then you can take whatever pennies are left in the stack with you, okay?"
She thought for a minute surely trying to decide just how many pieces of candy those pennies would buy. Then, giving me that "I don't think I'm gonna like this game, Mimi" look, she finally shook her head in agreement and picked up a book. This game went on for several days and at the end of each day, I can safely tell you, Granddaughter #2, didn't get rich.
There is story in the bible about how Satan tried to get Jesus to do his bidding by offering him something in return. Satan knew all of earth's kingdoms were God's but he thought by offering them to him , as though he himself owned them, he might bribe Jesus into surrendering.
"Next Satan took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him the nations of the world and all their glory. 'I’ll give it all to you,' he said, 'if you will only kneel and worship me.' 'Get out of here, Satan,' Jesus told him. 'The Scriptures say, ‘Worship only the Lord God. Obey only him.’” Matthew 4:8-10 TLB
How often does Satan tempt us to do something by whispering to us how wonderful that sin would be? Satan offered Eve the fruit in the Garden and Eve gave in to temptation thinking, much as Granddaughter #2 had, how wonderful the end result would be. As it turned out, what Eve did that day changed the whole world and each of our lives by bringing sin into the sinless world God had created for their's and our enjoyment.
"Tell you what, you don't have to go to sleep but you need to lie down and rest. You can look at books if you want." I reasoned.
"But, Mimi, I alweady yooked at all 'dem books, you know I did 'dat yeserday."
"You can look at different ones today. You know there are a lot books you like."
So, after a drink of water and a potty break, Granddaughter#2 climbed up in the big bed; carefully fluffed her pillow, put her mother's old rag doll, Annie, next to her, carefully pulling the sheet up over Annie ("So, she won't dit toll, Mimi" ) and laid down with a huff.
I knew from previous experience what would happen so I devised a plan.
"Tell you what..........I'm gonna put this stack of pennies here on the chest. Each time you get out of bed and come wanting something, I'm gonna take one of the pennies. When your Mother comes to get you, then you can take whatever pennies are left in the stack with you, okay?"
She thought for a minute surely trying to decide just how many pieces of candy those pennies would buy. Then, giving me that "I don't think I'm gonna like this game, Mimi" look, she finally shook her head in agreement and picked up a book. This game went on for several days and at the end of each day, I can safely tell you, Granddaughter #2, didn't get rich.
There is story in the bible about how Satan tried to get Jesus to do his bidding by offering him something in return. Satan knew all of earth's kingdoms were God's but he thought by offering them to him , as though he himself owned them, he might bribe Jesus into surrendering.
"Next Satan took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him the nations of the world and all their glory. 'I’ll give it all to you,' he said, 'if you will only kneel and worship me.' 'Get out of here, Satan,' Jesus told him. 'The Scriptures say, ‘Worship only the Lord God. Obey only him.’” Matthew 4:8-10 TLB
How often does Satan tempt us to do something by whispering to us how wonderful that sin would be? Satan offered Eve the fruit in the Garden and Eve gave in to temptation thinking, much as Granddaughter #2 had, how wonderful the end result would be. As it turned out, what Eve did that day changed the whole world and each of our lives by bringing sin into the sinless world God had created for their's and our enjoyment.
Thursday, August 13, 2015
What Do You Do in Retirement?
“So, what do you do now that you’ve been retired for several years?” I get that question quite a bit. I tell people I do pretty much whatever I want as long as my pocket book and energy level agrees.
For one thing, I don't get bored. I enjoy reading and have a plethora of books just waiting for me to devour. And, there are the two hundred or so waiting to be read on my Kindle plus a church library full. I love to write so I do a bit of that. I have a piano and organ that I... can still play for pleasure. I have photo albums that I can enjoy. Of course, there is my laptop or IPad that gets a workout every day. I enjoy visiting with friends and family via phone.
For one thing, I don't get bored. I enjoy reading and have a plethora of books just waiting for me to devour. And, there are the two hundred or so waiting to be read on my Kindle plus a church library full. I love to write so I do a bit of that. I have a piano and organ that I... can still play for pleasure. I have photo albums that I can enjoy. Of course, there is my laptop or IPad that gets a workout every day. I enjoy visiting with friends and family via phone.
We don’t travel much anymore but we do drive a couple of hours or so to see our kids. We have been to both east and west coast; to Canada and Mexico. And, we have cruised to the Bahamas. I’m not a fan of flying so no foreign trips for me.
I am just pretty content staying at home, not having to run by the clock after doing that for many years. With a big house to keep and almost three acres, there is always something to do. My sewing machine gets a work out when I'm in the mood ; there are new recipes to try and have you seen all the things on Pinterest? I could stay busy from now until the Lord calls me home doing the projects on there. If I do get too bored with my surroundings, I just rearrange the furniture. One thing for sure, when you get our age, it takes longer to do things.
I am fortunate in that I have a husband to talk with. We have almost 60 years, counting our courting days, of memories. So, we can sit and reminisce for hours. And, we never tire of talking about our kids and grandkids.
A lot of people don't envy retirement. They are happy working, raising a family and meeting obligations. Most seldom take time to rest or enjoy each other or the home God has provided for them. Fewer still seldom sit down to a meal together and take time then to find out about the day each has had.
I wonder how we will feel when we get to our Heavenly home if we find it difficult to enjoy our earthly home? None of us really knows what Heaven will be like although we do know we will see and recognize those who have gone on before us. There will be no waiting in doctor's waiting rooms or lying in hospital beds. We won't be rushed or stressed or tired. Life in general and especially retirement is very short compared to eternity.
Right now I’m enjoying retirement just piddling around in our home. But, I feel very sure that I’m going to enjoy my Heavenly home even more.
“That is what is meant by the Scriptures which say that no mere man has ever seen, heard, or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 (TLB
I am just pretty content staying at home, not having to run by the clock after doing that for many years. With a big house to keep and almost three acres, there is always something to do. My sewing machine gets a work out when I'm in the mood ; there are new recipes to try and have you seen all the things on Pinterest? I could stay busy from now until the Lord calls me home doing the projects on there. If I do get too bored with my surroundings, I just rearrange the furniture. One thing for sure, when you get our age, it takes longer to do things.
I am fortunate in that I have a husband to talk with. We have almost 60 years, counting our courting days, of memories. So, we can sit and reminisce for hours. And, we never tire of talking about our kids and grandkids.
A lot of people don't envy retirement. They are happy working, raising a family and meeting obligations. Most seldom take time to rest or enjoy each other or the home God has provided for them. Fewer still seldom sit down to a meal together and take time then to find out about the day each has had.
I wonder how we will feel when we get to our Heavenly home if we find it difficult to enjoy our earthly home? None of us really knows what Heaven will be like although we do know we will see and recognize those who have gone on before us. There will be no waiting in doctor's waiting rooms or lying in hospital beds. We won't be rushed or stressed or tired. Life in general and especially retirement is very short compared to eternity.
Right now I’m enjoying retirement just piddling around in our home. But, I feel very sure that I’m going to enjoy my Heavenly home even more.
“That is what is meant by the Scriptures which say that no mere man has ever seen, heard, or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 (TLB
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Catelyn's Birthday!
Standing in the hallway listening for that first cry, an aunt, uncle, cousin and two very anxious grandparents waited for the news of the birth of Daughter# 2's first child.
"I think it's a boy."
"Wrong, it's a girl. I can just tell by the way she carried that baby."
"I think it's a boy."
"Wrong, it's a girl. I can just tell by the way she carried that baby."
"I don't care which it is, I'm gonna love it!"
After a couple of episodes of false labor, the day had finally arrived and so did the baby girl !
"IT'S A GIRL!!" Her dad yelled as he came bursting through the double doors of the delivery room. And, the hallway erupted in much rejoicing and dancing around.
26 years ago today in the small hospital in Berryville, Grandchild #2, Catelyn Elizabeth, came into this world with a hearty cry.
There were ups and downs as we watched you grow, Catelyn. There was crying when your curly hair was combed and knees were skinned. But there were many smiles and much joy, first in grade school, then your high school years, when you were drum major in band and a very important part of your church's youth group.
College and your future husband awaited you in Ft. Worth and now, here you are, all grown up with a master's degree, a rewarding job as a social worker with CC of FW, a teaching position at TCU this fall, a loving husband and a bright future. We know that God has great plans for you and we await them with anticipation.
"Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
After a couple of episodes of false labor, the day had finally arrived and so did the baby girl !
"IT'S A GIRL!!" Her dad yelled as he came bursting through the double doors of the delivery room. And, the hallway erupted in much rejoicing and dancing around.
26 years ago today in the small hospital in Berryville, Grandchild #2, Catelyn Elizabeth, came into this world with a hearty cry.
There were ups and downs as we watched you grow, Catelyn. There was crying when your curly hair was combed and knees were skinned. But there were many smiles and much joy, first in grade school, then your high school years, when you were drum major in band and a very important part of your church's youth group.
College and your future husband awaited you in Ft. Worth and now, here you are, all grown up with a master's degree, a rewarding job as a social worker with CC of FW, a teaching position at TCU this fall, a loving husband and a bright future. We know that God has great plans for you and we await them with anticipation.
"Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
Sunday, August 9, 2015
BOOM! BOOM!
BOOM!! BOOM!! I had never heard anything that loud in all my life and it literally shook my insides.
I was outside wandering around by myself when the thunderous roar came. I thought at first the sky was falling so I covered my head and ran screaming toward the screen door. On the way inside, my idea of a falling sky was replaced by the idea that it was the Lord who was returning.
"Mother, Mother !"... I screamed as I flung open the door, " Jesus is coming, Jesus is coming!!"
"That was only a sonic boom, Honey. Didn't you hear the plane fly over?" She took me in her arms and held me until my shaky little legs quit shaking.
It was a Sunday and we had just returned from church. Our pastor had been preaching about the second coming of the Lord. He had told us that Jesus would return suddenly out of the east . He said there would be the blasting of a trumpet and He would return with all of His angels.
I looked up at my Mother and said, "Well, that BOOM sure sounded like Jesus' trumpet and I thought He was coming back to take us to Heaven. I sure am glad I'm ready, aren't you?"
Mother smiled down at me and hugged me a little tighter,
"Yes, Honey, I'm glad you're ready, too."
How many of us are too caught up with the cares of this world to think about the Lord's return? A lot of us are like the people who were caught in the flood back in the time of Noah.
"For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man." Matthew 24:38-29 NIV
One of these days when we least expect it, we may all hear that "sonic boom" and be caught off guard when we look up and see the Lord descending from Heaven.
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first" 1 Thessalonians 4: 16 KJV
I was outside wandering around by myself when the thunderous roar came. I thought at first the sky was falling so I covered my head and ran screaming toward the screen door. On the way inside, my idea of a falling sky was replaced by the idea that it was the Lord who was returning.
"Mother, Mother !"... I screamed as I flung open the door, " Jesus is coming, Jesus is coming!!"
"That was only a sonic boom, Honey. Didn't you hear the plane fly over?" She took me in her arms and held me until my shaky little legs quit shaking.
It was a Sunday and we had just returned from church. Our pastor had been preaching about the second coming of the Lord. He had told us that Jesus would return suddenly out of the east . He said there would be the blasting of a trumpet and He would return with all of His angels.
I looked up at my Mother and said, "Well, that BOOM sure sounded like Jesus' trumpet and I thought He was coming back to take us to Heaven. I sure am glad I'm ready, aren't you?"
Mother smiled down at me and hugged me a little tighter,
"Yes, Honey, I'm glad you're ready, too."
How many of us are too caught up with the cares of this world to think about the Lord's return? A lot of us are like the people who were caught in the flood back in the time of Noah.
"For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man." Matthew 24:38-29 NIV
One of these days when we least expect it, we may all hear that "sonic boom" and be caught off guard when we look up and see the Lord descending from Heaven.
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first" 1 Thessalonians 4: 16 KJV
Broken Shoe String
I recently read a story written by John VandenOever. He tells about giving his small daughter her first kite. He was so anxious to show her how to run with it until the wind caught it and carried it high. The first attempts were thwarted because of her inability to understand what needed to happen. Finally, with her father running along with her, the kite soared upward. Suddenly, his daughter looked down. She saw her shoelace was untied and began to cry. As he puts it, “T...he triumph in the sky had been swallowed up by a loose shoe lace. Such is the life in Christ. Ours is a story written from before time, a promised inheritance hidden in Christ, a future where God ‘makes everything work out according to His plan’ (Eph. 1:11 NLT) and we let the spiritual equivalent of loose shoelaces be our undoing.” As long as his daughter was keeping her eyes on the kite and allowing her father to run along beside her, everything was fine. But, once her mind was taken off the things above, everything went wrong.
What is your undoing? Do you let the things of this earth take your eyes off your Heavenly Father and the plans He has for your life? Do you feel you can do things better your way and don’t need the Father to run along beside you?
I’m reminded of the story in the bible of the children of Israel being led from Egypt to the Promised Land. This comparatively short journey that should have taken them only a few months ended up taking them 40 years. Why? Because they took their eyes off of God and His promise and looked at their broken shoelaces. They grumbled and questioned why their journey was taking so long. They wondered why they weren’t enjoying the journey; why there were hardships along the way.
“They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!’ Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. “Numbers 21:4-6 NIV
They had taken their eyes off of the land that God had promised them and in the end, most of those who started out on that journey never got to see the Promised Land.
What might God do to get your attention when you take your eyes off of Him? What will you miss out on because you fail to keep your eyes on God?
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
I’m reminded of the story in the bible of the children of Israel being led from Egypt to the Promised Land. This comparatively short journey that should have taken them only a few months ended up taking them 40 years. Why? Because they took their eyes off of God and His promise and looked at their broken shoelaces. They grumbled and questioned why their journey was taking so long. They wondered why they weren’t enjoying the journey; why there were hardships along the way.
“They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!’ Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. “Numbers 21:4-6 NIV
They had taken their eyes off of the land that God had promised them and in the end, most of those who started out on that journey never got to see the Promised Land.
What might God do to get your attention when you take your eyes off of Him? What will you miss out on because you fail to keep your eyes on God?
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Saturday, August 8, 2015
Is Your Home Cluttered?
Is your home cluttered? Mine is. Oh, it’s organized clutter because I do try to keep our home clean and things picked up and put away. But, knick-knacks are here and there everywhere you look. True, most of them are things that bring back good memories of our life. But, some are just there because I have nowhere else for them. Or I hate to just discard them thinking I might regret that when something identical shows up on Antique Roadshow worth thousands.
Recently, I was going through my mountain of books and ran across a little paperback by Karen Levine entitled “Keeping Life Simple.” I opened it and began to read. She gives seven things we need to do to simplify: Relax your standards, free yourself of stereotypical roles, take time to figure out what is most satisfying to you, create time for the things you care about, learn to enjoy what’s in front of you, learn to be flexible and prioritize. Of course, I think in order to do those things, one first has to de-clutter so your mind can think.
Then I began to think about our lives as Christians. Are our lives cluttered with stereotypical roles? Do we look at other Christians that we consider to be outstanding in their Christian walk and try to be like them rather than patterning our lives after Christ? Christ lived a simple, uncluttered life. He didn’t worry about where His next meal was coming from; didn’t worry about whether He had the latest fashion wear or keeping up with the Joneses. He spent time with His Heavenly Father daily. He spent time ministering to those in need. He made and taught disciples; simple men who were willing to leave all and follow Him.
How about your Christian walk? Do you need to unclutter some of your preconceived ideas of how you should live and just pattern your walk after Christ?
1 Corinthians 14:33 tells us that “God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” And 2 Peter 2:19 makes it clear: “A man is slave to whatever has mastered him.”
Friday, August 7, 2015
My Fingers Are Caught In The Door
Those of you who know my husband would never have thought him to be bashful. However, the story below will tell you otherwise.
There comes a time in a little boy's life when he learns that speaking up, no matter how bashful, is less painful than being quiet.
It was a hot, summer day when Little John was five years old. Back then, people walked more then they drove if the distance wasn't far.
"I'm going to the store so put those little cars away because you have to go with me."
So, Little John put away his little toys; took his mother's hand and off they went.
After getting the few things they needed, they headed back toward home, Mom with a sack of groceries in each arm and Little John carrying a little sack. They had gone a very short distance when a neighbor stopped,
"You all need a ride home? It's pretty hot out to be walking." Mr. Neighbor inquired.
"We'd appreciate that a lot," Little John's Mom said , "and you're right; it's just pretty hot."
Mr. Neighbor leaned over and opened the door of his Model A Ford and took the sacks of groceries Little John's mother was carrying. She got in and sat down, putting the sacks in her lap. Then John gave her his little sack and climbed up beside his mother.
"Okay, Son, slam that door shut," his mother said," so we can get on home."
Little John grabbed the door frame near the latch with his right hand. Then, leaning over, with his left hand, he slammed the door shut. What he failed to realize was the door would slam on his little fingers. That's exactly what happened.
Meanwhile, his Mom and Mr. Neighbor were carrying on a conversation.
" Hope you folks are doing okay in this hot weather." Said Mr. Neighbor.
"Oh, we're makin' it just fine. We're tryin' to get our chores done in the cool of the morning or late in the evenings", his Mom replied.
Poor Little John had been told not to interrupt adults when they were talking. And, he was so bashful and so ashamed that he had not thought to remove his right hand before slamming the door thus catching the fingers in the door. Oh, how that did hurt and tears came to his eyes. However, he thought that because it was only a short distance from the store to home, he could stand the pain until they got there. But, the closer they got toward home , the more his fingers hurt.
"Mom, I need to tell you something."
"What is it, Son?"
" Ah, my, my, my fingers are caught in this d-d-d-doooor", was his reply.
"Oh, my goodness, stop, stop, Mr. Neighbor. His fingers are caught in the door!!", his mother yelled.
Mr. Neighbor slammed on the brakes of that little Model A Ford and Little John's Mom leaned over and opened the door , releasing poor Little John's hand.
How many of us have ever been ashamed, humiliated or had a moment of discomfort or embarrassment? Little John was bashful but he was also ashamed that he had been foolish enough to slam the door on his fingers. He was a little mortified by his clumsiness.
How many of us are ashamed to say grace in a public restaurant? How many of us feel discomfort or embarrassment when asked to pray in public? How many of us are bashful enough or not confident enough to share the plan of salvation with someone? How it must break our Father's heart to know that we are ashamed of Him.
"If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38
There comes a time in a little boy's life when he learns that speaking up, no matter how bashful, is less painful than being quiet.
It was a hot, summer day when Little John was five years old. Back then, people walked more then they drove if the distance wasn't far.
"I'm going to the store so put those little cars away because you have to go with me."
So, Little John put away his little toys; took his mother's hand and off they went.
After getting the few things they needed, they headed back toward home, Mom with a sack of groceries in each arm and Little John carrying a little sack. They had gone a very short distance when a neighbor stopped,
"You all need a ride home? It's pretty hot out to be walking." Mr. Neighbor inquired.
"We'd appreciate that a lot," Little John's Mom said , "and you're right; it's just pretty hot."
Mr. Neighbor leaned over and opened the door of his Model A Ford and took the sacks of groceries Little John's mother was carrying. She got in and sat down, putting the sacks in her lap. Then John gave her his little sack and climbed up beside his mother.
"Okay, Son, slam that door shut," his mother said," so we can get on home."
Little John grabbed the door frame near the latch with his right hand. Then, leaning over, with his left hand, he slammed the door shut. What he failed to realize was the door would slam on his little fingers. That's exactly what happened.
Meanwhile, his Mom and Mr. Neighbor were carrying on a conversation.
" Hope you folks are doing okay in this hot weather." Said Mr. Neighbor.
"Oh, we're makin' it just fine. We're tryin' to get our chores done in the cool of the morning or late in the evenings", his Mom replied.
Poor Little John had been told not to interrupt adults when they were talking. And, he was so bashful and so ashamed that he had not thought to remove his right hand before slamming the door thus catching the fingers in the door. Oh, how that did hurt and tears came to his eyes. However, he thought that because it was only a short distance from the store to home, he could stand the pain until they got there. But, the closer they got toward home , the more his fingers hurt.
"Mom, I need to tell you something."
"What is it, Son?"
" Ah, my, my, my fingers are caught in this d-d-d-doooor", was his reply.
"Oh, my goodness, stop, stop, Mr. Neighbor. His fingers are caught in the door!!", his mother yelled.
Mr. Neighbor slammed on the brakes of that little Model A Ford and Little John's Mom leaned over and opened the door , releasing poor Little John's hand.
How many of us have ever been ashamed, humiliated or had a moment of discomfort or embarrassment? Little John was bashful but he was also ashamed that he had been foolish enough to slam the door on his fingers. He was a little mortified by his clumsiness.
How many of us are ashamed to say grace in a public restaurant? How many of us feel discomfort or embarrassment when asked to pray in public? How many of us are bashful enough or not confident enough to share the plan of salvation with someone? How it must break our Father's heart to know that we are ashamed of Him.
"If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38
Thursday, August 6, 2015
5%
"Looks like you have about a 5% chance of ever having a second child."
The doctor's words were unwelcomed for the young couple had wanted another child for so long. The two of them had prayed for a long time and now they sought prayers for this situation from their Sunday School class. Then God spoke to the husband saying,
"Before this next year is over, you will have a child." And it was so............
Nineteen years ago today, that promise came to pass. Our grandson, Joel, came into this world. What a blessing he has been ! Very much a leader among his peers during his school years and at their church. He has such a compassionate heart and is such a joy to our family! We know that just as God promised a child would be born to this couple, He has promised to guide him along life's journey.
We don't know what life holds for this young man as he journeys off to the U of A to being his college life in a few days, but we know that God knows and in His time anything is possible.
Hundreds of years ago, God promised another couple that He would send them a child after the wife had been barren for many years.
"Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. Abraham gave the name Isaac" Genesis 21:1-3
The doctor's words were unwelcomed for the young couple had wanted another child for so long. The two of them had prayed for a long time and now they sought prayers for this situation from their Sunday School class. Then God spoke to the husband saying,
"Before this next year is over, you will have a child." And it was so............
Nineteen years ago today, that promise came to pass. Our grandson, Joel, came into this world. What a blessing he has been ! Very much a leader among his peers during his school years and at their church. He has such a compassionate heart and is such a joy to our family! We know that just as God promised a child would be born to this couple, He has promised to guide him along life's journey.
We don't know what life holds for this young man as he journeys off to the U of A to being his college life in a few days, but we know that God knows and in His time anything is possible.
Hundreds of years ago, God promised another couple that He would send them a child after the wife had been barren for many years.
"Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. Abraham gave the name Isaac" Genesis 21:1-3
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
The Fold Out Trailer
“Okay, Mom, think we've got everything packed so let’s get on the road.” Dad was ready to get this vacation underway.
Two little girls ran wildly about the house, grabbing their pillows, dolls, coloring books and Crayons and out the door they went headed for our Mobile Scout trailer. They piled their things inside, climbed in the backseat of our tow vehicle and settled themselves in for the trip.
From the time both girls were small, our family loved to go camping. Short weekend trips were always good and the long trips to the beach were always anticipated well in advance. However, this particular week we were headed to Texas and Six Flags. The park had only been open a few years and the girls had looked forward for weeks to the excitement of being there.
It was sunset when we pulled in the park and began looking for a place to camp for the night. We were somewhat surprised when pulling down toward the campsites, we spotted three couples from our hometown.
"See there, girls, that proves what I have always told you. Be very careful in all that you do because there’s always someone watching you. And, a lot of times it will be someone who knows you." I said.
It was difficult to get the girls settled in for the night because of what tomorrow would bring but they finally snoozed off into dreamland. There were a lot of campers in the park so we were parked fairly close to a fold out trailer.
Sometime after midnight our little family was sound asleep. Suddenly, there was a terrible crashing noise outside our trailer. The clanging and banging continued waking our family and sending us to the windows to see what on earth was going on. Then came a man’s voice,
“Son, son, where are you?” he cried out.
“I’m here, Dad?”
“Where, Son?”
“I’m here on the ground under these pots and pans!” and the little boy began to cry.
In the dim light of the camper park, we finally saw the fold out trailer with one end completely down on the ground. Apparently, everything that was loose inside piled on top of a crying little boy. It appeared that this part of the fold out had not been secured and had caused the end where the little boy was sleeping to flip down sending everything, including the little boy, sprawling.
Now to that poor family, nothing about it was funny. But, to our little family, we couldn’t stop giggling. You know how things are always funnier when everyone is tired? We would think our laughing was over and suddenly one of the girls would begin to giggle; dad would start laughing and it would all begin again. Needless to say it was quite the night and our family has enjoyed that story many, many times over the years.
The Lord wants us as Christians to enjoy life. He wants us to enjoy laughter even though, as in this case, sometimes it is at the expense of others. When was the last time you and your family enjoyed one of those times when laughter wouldn’t stop?
“How we laughed and sang for joy. And the other nations said, ‘What amazing things the Lord has done for them.’ ” Psalm 126:2 TBL
Two little girls ran wildly about the house, grabbing their pillows, dolls, coloring books and Crayons and out the door they went headed for our Mobile Scout trailer. They piled their things inside, climbed in the backseat of our tow vehicle and settled themselves in for the trip.
From the time both girls were small, our family loved to go camping. Short weekend trips were always good and the long trips to the beach were always anticipated well in advance. However, this particular week we were headed to Texas and Six Flags. The park had only been open a few years and the girls had looked forward for weeks to the excitement of being there.
It was sunset when we pulled in the park and began looking for a place to camp for the night. We were somewhat surprised when pulling down toward the campsites, we spotted three couples from our hometown.
"See there, girls, that proves what I have always told you. Be very careful in all that you do because there’s always someone watching you. And, a lot of times it will be someone who knows you." I said.
It was difficult to get the girls settled in for the night because of what tomorrow would bring but they finally snoozed off into dreamland. There were a lot of campers in the park so we were parked fairly close to a fold out trailer.
Sometime after midnight our little family was sound asleep. Suddenly, there was a terrible crashing noise outside our trailer. The clanging and banging continued waking our family and sending us to the windows to see what on earth was going on. Then came a man’s voice,
“Son, son, where are you?” he cried out.
“I’m here, Dad?”
“Where, Son?”
“I’m here on the ground under these pots and pans!” and the little boy began to cry.
In the dim light of the camper park, we finally saw the fold out trailer with one end completely down on the ground. Apparently, everything that was loose inside piled on top of a crying little boy. It appeared that this part of the fold out had not been secured and had caused the end where the little boy was sleeping to flip down sending everything, including the little boy, sprawling.
Now to that poor family, nothing about it was funny. But, to our little family, we couldn’t stop giggling. You know how things are always funnier when everyone is tired? We would think our laughing was over and suddenly one of the girls would begin to giggle; dad would start laughing and it would all begin again. Needless to say it was quite the night and our family has enjoyed that story many, many times over the years.
The Lord wants us as Christians to enjoy life. He wants us to enjoy laughter even though, as in this case, sometimes it is at the expense of others. When was the last time you and your family enjoyed one of those times when laughter wouldn’t stop?
“How we laughed and sang for joy. And the other nations said, ‘What amazing things the Lord has done for them.’ ” Psalm 126:2 TBL
Saturday, August 1, 2015
California , Here We Come!
As I read about people taking vacations, I'm reminded about some of the vacations I took with my family when I was a kid.
"Sis, help your mom around here today. She’s teary this morning so that means a trip to California to see your Grandma. I’ll be back about 5:00. If you all can get things together, we’ll try to leave early in the morning.”
About every three years, my Mother would get lonesome for her Mother and we’d make the long trek to California in the middle of summer. This particular summer was my 13th year. Having to travel with a teenager, who really would rather have stayed home with her friends, wasn’t a walk in the park for my parents.
We had a Studebaker with no air conditioning. Anyone who has made the trip across the desert to California knows that doesn’t make for a very delightful trip. Mother always packed things to eat along the way because my Daddy didn’t like to stop unnecessarily. And, although we would stop the first night about midnight at a motel in Albuquerque , it seemed we hardly got stretched out straight in the bed before I would hear my Daddy getting up.
“Time to rise and shine. It’s 3:30,” he’d say, “Time’s a wastin’ and we need to get on our way. More time we spend on the road; less time you get to spend with your folks in California.”
Daddy would go pay the bill and get his thermos filled with coffee while we packed up our things and off we would go.
“Sis, you want a banana?” Mother would ask. I was stretched out in the back seat; my pillow under my head catchin’ a few Z’s that I didn’t get the night before.
“Well, how about an orange? Would you like an orange? They’re good for you. When we get to California, you can pick oranges right off the tree. Won’t that be fun?”
“Yea, sure thing, Mother and no, I don’t want an orange.” And, I would turn over hoping there were no more offers.
Somewhere in the early afternoon, Daddy decided to stop for gas. I discovered if you needed a bathroom break, you took it while he was gassing up the car or we were stopped at a stoplight or you didn’t get one.
“While you’re getting some gas, can I run across the highway to that ice cream place and get an ice cream cone?” I ask my Daddy as he started to get out of the car.
“If you’ll make it snappy,”he replied.
So, I jerked open the back door and hopped out onto the pavement barefooted. Little did I realize it was 114 degrees and the pavement would fry and egg in 10 seconds. I jumped back in the car yelling my feet were scarred forever and why didn’t someone tell me it was that hot out there? The little water cooler we had in the car didn’t keep it very cool but it certainly was deceiving about the outside heat. Thankfully, Daddy felt sorry for me enough that he walked across the highway and got an ice cream cone for me and one for mother. He didn’t want one he said, as he poured himself another cup of coffee.
“How ‘bout some boiled eggs and crackers?” Mother turned around and looked at me and then at Daddy.
“Good grief, Mother, it’s hot as blue blazes in here and you’re wanting us to eat boiled eggs and crackers? I replied.
“Well, how ‘bout a piece of apple pie then? “ She asked. So, not wanting to hurt her feelings and hearing my stomach growl occasionally, I said I’d take a piece of pie but she could keep her eggs and crackers. So, she cut a piece of pie for me and one for Daddy. Of course, Daddy didn’t stop long enough to eat so she scooted over closer to him and fed his piece to him a bite at a time. Then, she poured some water from a little red thermos that she had filled with water and ice before we left home. It wasn’t very cold but at least, it was wet.
It was well after dark when we pulled into Grandma’s in Ventura. She lived with her youngest daughter and her husband so after a tearful reunion, Grandma and Mother finally got all the tears wiped away and settled down. Daddy unloaded our belongings from the car including what was left of the apple pie, boiled eggs and crackers. Then we were shown where we were to sleep and assured there was a busy day of sightseeing ahead of us.
“Oh, joy,” I thought, “Just what I needed; more time riding in a car.”
Family is so important. I wish I had realized that more when I was thirteen and had been a bit more sympathetic toward my Mother when she wanted to see her Mother. Now that my mother has gone to her Heavenly home, I miss her boiled eggs, crackers and apple pie. But, most of all, I miss our talks at her kitchen table or on the phone each morning. I don’t think we realize how important that bond is until we become Mothers or fathers. I am so very thankful for my children and grandchildren. I’m thankful that God has placed them close enough that I can see them frequently. And, I am thankful that, because of His grace, all of them are Believers and we will all be together forever in eternity.
“Children, do what your parents tell you. This is only right. “Honor your father and mother” is the first commandment that has a promise attached to it, namely, “so you will live well and have a long life. Fathers, don’t exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.” Ephesians 6:1-4
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