Lessons from a Ten-Year-Old

She's already in bed when I get home, but I go into her room anyway to tell her good night. As my head nears hers, she stirs and rolls to her back.

"Good night, honey," I whisper, kissing her forehead.

Her arms circle my neck and she holds me close, never opening her eyes. Her lips tenderly find my cheek and I smile at the way she mimics her normal bedtime ritual.

"I love you, Mom," she says and hugs me tight.

Loving comes so naturally to her, she can literally do it in her sleep. She represents everything good and pure in life, reminding me love covers a multitude of sins.

And I am blessed.


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Falling for Jesus

I put the poster in an inconspicuous place in my room, a spot easy to miss if anyone visited, saving me any explanations. It seemed a little childish, this sheet I made myself with plain white paper and markers, but I couldn't bring myself to get rid of it. I worked hard on it as an assignment for VBS, even though I resented I had to attend as a seventh grader. There was no picture, only a Bible verse I drew out of a hat. It said,

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

But the placement of it in a little corner opposite my bed, made it the last thing I saw when I laid down to sleep and the first thing I read when I arose each morning. When a bad day hit and I questioned my place in life, there it was.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

When I wished I was as funny and thin as my sister, it told me:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

And when I sat through confirmation classes, hearing things I'd never heard before, things too good to be true, that silly poster urged me to believe it. My pastor said, "God has a special plan for your life." He said, "You were created uniquely" and "God knows everything about you. Nothing in your life is a mistake. He has a specific purpose just for you." Though everything in me wanted it, how could God be intimately involved in the lives of so many people? How could I be special? How could my weaknesses be there for a reason?

But there it was, every day, in black and white (or actually purple and white) on the wall of my bedroom, the same answer to every question.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

One day I sat on my bed pondering it all. Pastor said we could claim these promises as our very own if we asked Jesus to be a part of our lives. How could it be that easy? I stared at that poster until my vision became blurry and something in me stirred.

Believe it.

I closed my eyes, bowed my head and prayed, "Jesus, I don't understand all this. I don't know if this is real, but if it is, please come into my life. Please make me special and unique. Give me purpose. Make me more than what I am."

I didn't feel any different when I finished. No angels sang. No confetti fell from the ceiling. I didn't tell a single person.

Yet I was changed forever.

And I realized if this one verse held such power, I should be reading the rest of my Bible. The words were a balm to my young heart, confirming the things my pastor said. Some thirty years later, I can easily see the impact of God's Word on my life. I do have purpose. I do feel unique and sometimes even special.

Yet some things haven't changed. I still don't understand a lot. Sometimes it seems too good to be true. I always have tons of questions for God.

And He consistently gives me the same answer.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

Believe it.

Satan's Sucker Punch

Man A is oblivious to Man B, but sure likes his wheels.

Not get the joke? Check out Satan's Best Trick.

Satan's Best Trick

Woman A notices Woman B's workout routine is starting to pay off, catches sight of her own hips in the window and grimaces. Woman B wishes she had hair like Woman C, who wonders how Woman A got her teeth so white.

Woman X offers Woman Y a breath mint. Woman Y immediately starts analyzing whether she needs it or not while Woman X hopes being polite does not expose her own halitosis.

Woman D becomes paranoid as Woman E keeps staring at her waist, certain she notices her PMS bloating. Woman E envies Woman D's belt.

Woman R sighs as she steps away from the sink, thinking her hair looks bad. Woman S frowns at her reflection, silently bemoaning the new wrinkles she sees. Woman T enters the bathroom, smiles at them both, secretly wishing she was as together as they are.

Woman L is self-conscious of the zit on her chin as she talks with Woman M who is embarrassed her earrings don't match her shirt.

Woman F wishes she were as thin as Woman G. Woman G longs for a chest like Woman H. Woman H wants to be as young as Woman I. Woman I yearns for pretty eyes like Woman F.

Eyes roam. Comparisons abound. Satan laughs.

What is a woman to do?



Photo Credit: I wish i was the Royal Trux

Bird's Eye View

My predicament was not a life or death situation. There was no emergency or danger. The problem was merely an annoyance. I was sitting at an intersection in my little Chevette, stuck on a patch of ice. I was surrounded by stores I could get to easily for help. It wasn’t even that cold outside. But as my wheels kept spinning all I could think was, “C’mon, God, I don’t have time for this.”

Soon I spotted an elderly man walking toward my car. His long, white beard and disheveled appearance made me a little nervous to roll down my window.

“Hey, how about if I give you a little push,” he asked, “it wouldn’t take much.”

I knew he was right, but I wasn’t certain he had it in him.

He walked to the rear of my car and disappeared behind the bumper. In an instant, nagging doubts flooded my mind. Can he really do this? Should he? Maybe I should push and let him drive, but how do I know he won’t drive off with my car? I don’t want to make him feel bad by refusing his help, but I don’t want to kill the guy either.

“Okay, give it a little gas,” he yelled.

Letting urgency win over better judgment, I cautiously stepped on the accelerator. In no time at all, I was creeping off the ice. Rounding the corner, I rolled down my window to holler back my thanks.

But he wasn’t there.

I scanned the pavement expecting to see his body in a heap and imagining how I could possibly explain myself to emergency crews, but noticed only my tire marks on the ice. I checked both ends of the crosswalk. Nothing. I looked in my rear view mirror. Absolutely no sign of the guy. He had completely vanished.

The back of my neck tingled. Could it be? Why would God send an angel for such a minor problem?

Suddenly the words of a hymn I learned in childhood made sense.

For His eyes are on the sparrow and I know He watches me.

Thank You, Lord.


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News Bulletin

Operation Back Off, Mama has been in effect for two months now with apparent success. Mama is NOT receiving late night desperation phone calls and Son is NOT getting incessant nagging from Mama. Both parties seem happy with the arrangement and are seeing personal growth, as well as enjoying an adult relationship.

Who knew growing up could be so healthy?

I love you, Keygan.

God's Grace

A husband who says I'm not fat.

An old friend who assures me the only changes she sees make me stronger.

Opportunities to use the gifts He's given me.

An awareness of my inadequacies.

A God who knows how I was formed, who remembers I came from dust and scales my life accordingly.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect...

1 Corinthians 15:10

How can "thank you" be enough?




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Ten Tips for Frugal Living

Wow. I gotta say this is a tough topic for me. I was going to skip it entirely, but thought it the chicken's way out.

I don't think of myself as a big spender. I'm pretty conservative in my purchasing habits. My husband tells me I make up excuses for NOT buying things. Is that a nice way of saying I'm a tight wad? Hmmm. But I'm not sure I'd call myself frugal either. I rarely buy clothes that aren't on sale, but I don't do the thrift store thing either. I remember my mom scanning the grocery ads for what was on sale and planning meals accordingly. I regret to say I didn't inherit her skill and tenacity in that either.

But my family has known what it is to scrimp and be careful with our money. So I'll take a crack at it and share some things that have helped us.. Here's my random list of tips for frugal living.

(Drum roll, please.)

10. Plan meals ahead of time.

9. Buy groceries once a week.

8. Ask yourself before buying something, "Is this a need or a want?"

7. When we road trip to activities for our children, we save TONS of money by packing a lunch to eat on the way. Our kids think it's fun and much healthier too.

6. Make spending money a game. How many days can you go without buying anything?

5. Do home improvement work yourself and gain valuable skills at the same time. I've really enjoyed doing all the painting (learning some cool faux techniques) and even some drywall taping at our house.

4. Find cheap entertainment by visiting local art galleries, taking long walks or hitting the matinees at the movies.

3. Plan family nights at home with homemade pizza and videos.

2. Take advantage of grandparents' willingness to watch your kids. It's good for you and builds wonderful relationships that enhance your children's lives. (Our kids have the best grandparents on the face of the earth, willing to take them at a moment's notice. THANK YOU, Mom, and Mom and Dad! You have blessed us greatly! What would we do without you?!)

And my number one rule which may get me kicked out of the frugal living club:

1. Never, ever sacrifice people or relationships for the sake of pinching pennies. If this is extravagant, then I want to go down as loving others extravagantly. If faced with the choice of having lunch with a friend or saving money, I'll always opt for lunch. I'd rather spend my money on gas to see people than build up a savings account. People always come first.

Whew. I did it. Who knew I had it in me? I have to give a big thank you to e-Mom for stretching me today! For more tips on frugal living, visit her at Chrysalis.

An Unexpected Epiphany

I only come to tell my dad Happy Birthday.

But as I stare at his grave, old thoughts rush.

Oh, Dad, you've missed so much--a grandson you never knew who bears your name, grandchildren growing up, developing distinct personalities, learning to drive, going to college...confirmations, graduations, baptisms...and we've missed you, your presence, your humor, your laugh. If only you could see who they are becoming. You'd be proud. You'd watch and you'd chuckle.

Do you see them?

The familiar doubt creeps in.

Oh, Lord, I pray he's in heaven with You.

Why do I vacillate on this?

My mind searches for a marker to link my father's salvation to and recalls a vivid picture. Dad reclines in a chair, chemotherapy drugs dripping into his veins. He is reading some papers I gave him about how to know if you're going to heaven. We discussed it the week before and I knew he didn't get the assurance he was needing (nor did I). As he shuffles to the next page, he peers over his glasses and says, "I think I asked the right person this question." I knew the words that filled the pages, things like "if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9) and "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12) and "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). He finishes reading and as we talk some more I see a peace come over him I have never seen before.

So why do I still wonder?

I stare at the grave and say it again.

Lord, I pray he's in heaven with You.

I close my eyes, breathe deeply and wait for an answer.

The sunshine warms my face. A gentle breeze blows. The aroma of autumn fills the air.

And I wait.

Then a thought pops into my head. It's okay.

But, Lord, is that me or is it You? How do I make sure I'm not telling myself what I want to hear?

Trust Me.

THAT again?! Why is that always the answer?

Trust My Word.

If you can't trust My Word, what else do you have? How can anything you believe be true?

Of course. You're right, Lord. I have to accept it. Your Word is my only foundation. He did believe in Your name. He did confess You as Lord and believe in his heart You were raised from the dead. He did believe in You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Which means...

I open my eyes, bend down and run my fingers over his nameplate.

Happy Birthday, Dad. Give Jesus a hug from me.




Photo Credit: Celine

For the Love of God

Frustration set in. Again.

What are we doing here, God? Why does it have to be so hard? What do you expect?

O Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you.

The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.

I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like parched land.

Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

For your name's sake, O Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.

Psalm 143

A servant MUST wait.

For your timing.

For your purpose to prevail.

For your perfect plan.

Truly, you are the God who sees, the God who knows, the God who cares.

Forgive the impatience and lead on.


For more Thankful Thursday posts, visit Iris at her new blog, Grace Alone.


Related link: Dreams