Today The Kid in our house got a big fat spankin'! And I do mean big!! Of course he asked for it, as surely as if he'd come right up to me and said, "Please spank me now!" He had been whining, complaining, arguing, and being generally disobedient all morning and into the afternoon long. Then he just had to hand me the last straw - you know, the one that broke the camel's back! Well, it was my back and I broke - all on his little booty! When I was done, he glared at me and said, "I am running away." I told him I would miss him. Then to really get to me, I guess, he said, "and I'm taking Harry." looong pause...."I mean it, I'm ruuning away and I'm really taking Harry."
Harry is the wild (yet sweet) dog that lives with us. Well, most of the time he does. He belongs to us and has had several tags with our address on them. We feed him and even had him fixed. Thing about Harry is - he has a straying kinda heart - he just can't be a one-family-dog. He spends a lot of time checking out his options. The other thing about Harry is that he is an escape artist. Knowing he has a straying heart, we keep him on a lead in the back yeard. But he manages to get away anyway, sometimes even dragging the wire or chain along with the stake, behind him. Just about everyone in the neighborhood knows he is ours and we hope they'll just keep bringing him back when they can catch him. oh...and he always comes home...eventually.
Well, you can imagine my most immediate thoughts when The Kid said he was running away and taking Harry. (To be perfectly honest, my first thought was, "No wait, you stay here and let me run away, pleeeeease.") I almost busted out laughing at the picture of those two running away together - a boy and his dog. To keep from cracking up - I quietly and seriously got up and walked back to my bedroom. And would you believe who showed up one minute later, saying "I changed my mind. I'm not going to run away." Next thing you know we were huggin' on each other and all was well.
I still want to laugh out loud, just thinking about it! Don't you just know that God sees my waywardness and smiles, maybe even laughs out loud, just thinkin' "That poor girl thinks she can run away from me and just look what she's dragging along behind her. Why, she'll never get anywhere like that!" Yet He loves me and loves for me to crawl up into His lap and say, "I think I'll stay here for now."
Thank you, God, for loving this runaway child!
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
The Shrinking Machine
Everyone who knows the kid at our house knows that he loves to invent things. Lately, he has been working overtime on a solar powered shrinking machine. He has built it using one of everything he could find, held together with lots and lots and lots of tape. An unsharpened red pencil is the on-off switch. It is not so big but it doesn't have to be. According to The Kid, the solar power is what makes it work so well. He worked on it for two days while I was out of town. He left me three voice mail messages about it.
When I got home, he had to show it to me. It was being tested...sitting on the chair with an apple in front of it. Since the apple had not shrunk, The Kid quickly figured there was not nearly enough solar power. He invites me to join him outside and finds the perfect sun-catching spot. Then he instructed me to stand in front of it. I was so afraid! Really! Not because I thought I'd shrink (oh how I wish!) but because I knew the machine wouldn't work and I didn't want to see his feelings hurt.
Well, I stood there as he flipped the red-wooden-pencil to turn on the machine. It did not work! He was not sad though. He immediately began to check it out. Oh no! The solar power was just not enough to make a machine like that run!
As I stood in front of that machine, I did think that it would be quite all right with me if I did shrink. Next I found myself considering the other parts of me that needed shrinking.....like my big bad attitude, my big need to be in control, and so much more that i really don't want other people to know.
So I am encouraging The Kid to stick with that machine until it works in every way, shrinking every one of my issues. If he could get it to work, he could be a young tycoon supporting us in a grand way!
In the meantime, I'll trust Jesus to shrink my problems and issues. After all, He IS the original Solar Power~~
When I got home, he had to show it to me. It was being tested...sitting on the chair with an apple in front of it. Since the apple had not shrunk, The Kid quickly figured there was not nearly enough solar power. He invites me to join him outside and finds the perfect sun-catching spot. Then he instructed me to stand in front of it. I was so afraid! Really! Not because I thought I'd shrink (oh how I wish!) but because I knew the machine wouldn't work and I didn't want to see his feelings hurt.
Well, I stood there as he flipped the red-wooden-pencil to turn on the machine. It did not work! He was not sad though. He immediately began to check it out. Oh no! The solar power was just not enough to make a machine like that run!
As I stood in front of that machine, I did think that it would be quite all right with me if I did shrink. Next I found myself considering the other parts of me that needed shrinking.....like my big bad attitude, my big need to be in control, and so much more that i really don't want other people to know.
So I am encouraging The Kid to stick with that machine until it works in every way, shrinking every one of my issues. If he could get it to work, he could be a young tycoon supporting us in a grand way!
In the meantime, I'll trust Jesus to shrink my problems and issues. After all, He IS the original Solar Power~~
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Funny Things I Want to Remember
In the past few days, The Kid in our house has had some funny-to-us things to say. In my own attempt to remember them, I will post them here....
Sunday after church, I asked him to pick up the two pairs of shoes he had in the middle of the den floor. I asked him again and again. After the third request, sure he understood the seriousness of my request, I moved on into the kitchen. A minute later he called to me, "Mom, come look, I picked my shoes up." I walked back into the den. He was standing on a chair, holding his hoes up in the air! He said, "Get it? I picked my shoes UP!" Great..a smart aleck in the making!
Later that same afternoon, we went back to church. While I was preparing for a meeting, he was perfecting his "invisible machine" - a chenille stem twisted into a bracelet with a contruction paper pouch holding a AA battery. (He'd been working on its development since the Thursday before.) Over and over he would "turn it on" and ask if I could see him. I would pretend not to since, after all, it was an invisible machine. As I was concentrating on finishing something for an upcoming meeting, he asked again, "Hey Mom, can you see me?" I nonchalantly answered, "Of course I can." He walked over to me and said, in his most serious voice, "Mom, have you been lying to me? You told me you couldn't see me, but you really could, couldn't you?" OOPS!
Monday while on staff retreat, I called him. As we were talking, I saw a fox walk by. I told him about it. He said, "Quick, go look on the internet how to make a fox trap. Then catch it and bring it home!" Like I want a fox in my house!
As soon as I got home on Tuesday he ran up to me and said, "I will go to Carlos' house when pigs fly. That means never! Ha!" (Someone had explained that saying to him the night before and told me that he had already applied to visiting Carlos...it was funny to hear him say it himself, though.)
Tonight he watched a science show on PBS about the evolution of flowers. (He loves Science shows!) As soon as it was over, he came to me and said, "Mom, I have to go to the California Academy of Science right now." I said I didn't think that would be possible today, so he said, "I'll just go ask dad." He walked toward the back door because his dad was outside, then quickly backed up and said, "Where did I say I wanted to go?" He makes me laugh!
I have wondered more than once why God chose to put a child in our home at our age, but I am so glad He did. The Kid in our house reminds to laugh and not take ourselves so seriously. God has used this boy over and over to remind us that some things really are big deals (like cuddling and sitting and listening, making eye contact and laughing at made-up jokes) and some things are not big deals after all (like muddy shoes or playing games by different rules). God has also used this sweet thing to remind us that He is a sovereign God, a righteous Judge, the author of Truth, and the finisher of His plans. We look in the eyes of The Kid and see our KING!
Sunday after church, I asked him to pick up the two pairs of shoes he had in the middle of the den floor. I asked him again and again. After the third request, sure he understood the seriousness of my request, I moved on into the kitchen. A minute later he called to me, "Mom, come look, I picked my shoes up." I walked back into the den. He was standing on a chair, holding his hoes up in the air! He said, "Get it? I picked my shoes UP!" Great..a smart aleck in the making!
Later that same afternoon, we went back to church. While I was preparing for a meeting, he was perfecting his "invisible machine" - a chenille stem twisted into a bracelet with a contruction paper pouch holding a AA battery. (He'd been working on its development since the Thursday before.) Over and over he would "turn it on" and ask if I could see him. I would pretend not to since, after all, it was an invisible machine. As I was concentrating on finishing something for an upcoming meeting, he asked again, "Hey Mom, can you see me?" I nonchalantly answered, "Of course I can." He walked over to me and said, in his most serious voice, "Mom, have you been lying to me? You told me you couldn't see me, but you really could, couldn't you?" OOPS!
Monday while on staff retreat, I called him. As we were talking, I saw a fox walk by. I told him about it. He said, "Quick, go look on the internet how to make a fox trap. Then catch it and bring it home!" Like I want a fox in my house!
As soon as I got home on Tuesday he ran up to me and said, "I will go to Carlos' house when pigs fly. That means never! Ha!" (Someone had explained that saying to him the night before and told me that he had already applied to visiting Carlos...it was funny to hear him say it himself, though.)
Tonight he watched a science show on PBS about the evolution of flowers. (He loves Science shows!) As soon as it was over, he came to me and said, "Mom, I have to go to the California Academy of Science right now." I said I didn't think that would be possible today, so he said, "I'll just go ask dad." He walked toward the back door because his dad was outside, then quickly backed up and said, "Where did I say I wanted to go?" He makes me laugh!
I have wondered more than once why God chose to put a child in our home at our age, but I am so glad He did. The Kid in our house reminds to laugh and not take ourselves so seriously. God has used this boy over and over to remind us that some things really are big deals (like cuddling and sitting and listening, making eye contact and laughing at made-up jokes) and some things are not big deals after all (like muddy shoes or playing games by different rules). God has also used this sweet thing to remind us that He is a sovereign God, a righteous Judge, the author of Truth, and the finisher of His plans. We look in the eyes of The Kid and see our KING!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Bear Hugs
The Kid in our house loves teddy bears. I do not think I've ever met a boy who loves bears the way he does. At last count, he had 19. They all have names and personalities. There is Heavy, the very large bear and Little Brother(pictured here), Heavy's brother. There's Chocolate and Licorice. Then there are the triplets - Madro from Fadro 1, 2, and 3. His first bear was named Sleepy. Sleepy Bear got lost on The Kid's first trip to Atlanta. Ever since, he hesitates before taking anything he likes with him to Atlanta. We are still praying for Sleepy's return.
The Kid is so very proud of his bear collection. He lines them up on the couch regularly and counts them. He has serious talks with them. They are his friends. They have been to the mall (only a few at a time), gone on vacations, eaten all kinds of food, and played in the park. They have heard the deepest thoughts and hurts of The Kid and they have always managed to help him feel better.
I am glad for his furry friends. I especially look forward to the day I unpack the box of bears that I will save for his own child! Yep, that's what it is all about - parenting for the day it all "comes around."
Meanwhile, I will enjoy every day of being the "grandma" of 19 fuzzy friends and the fun they bring to our home!
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Easters Past
Today I wore my old black pants, a cute black (hand-me-down) sweater, and sensible (that means comfy but not too cute) black shoes to church on Easter Sunday because it was just too cold to wear the lightweight linen dress I've been saving for Easter. I thought, for a very brief time, "no one wears their old clothes on Easter Sunday to church...what if someone sees me? I am wearing my old clothes." (Don't get me wrong...I've worn not-so-new stuff on Easter, but I usually went out of my way to make it look fresh by adding new accessories or shoes.) But then I remembered that it's a new day and no one will care if I am not wearing a new dress. They will just be glad I am here.
I remember Easters in the not-so-distant past when I would have died before wearing something old and from the wrong season on Easter Sunday. I am so glad that, at least for me, those days are in the past.
When I was a kid, my mom always sewed my Easter dresses. They almost always matched the dresses my sisters wore. Of course, there were matching hats, shoes, and gloves to top it all off. Sometimes even my mom had a matching dress, if she had enough time and fabric left. I remember feeling sad for her if she didn't get to wear a new dress on Easter.
Wonder what I would have thought of her if she had worn old black pants and a sweater to church on Easter Sunday?
The main thing to me is truly that I serve a great big God who is alive and has set me free! With Him and in Him all things are made new and fresh! He clothes the earth with indescribable beauty and provides all my needs as well. Who am I that He would care for me? I am His child and He loves me! Yeah and amen!!!
I remember Easters in the not-so-distant past when I would have died before wearing something old and from the wrong season on Easter Sunday. I am so glad that, at least for me, those days are in the past.
When I was a kid, my mom always sewed my Easter dresses. They almost always matched the dresses my sisters wore. Of course, there were matching hats, shoes, and gloves to top it all off. Sometimes even my mom had a matching dress, if she had enough time and fabric left. I remember feeling sad for her if she didn't get to wear a new dress on Easter.
Wonder what I would have thought of her if she had worn old black pants and a sweater to church on Easter Sunday?
The main thing to me is truly that I serve a great big God who is alive and has set me free! With Him and in Him all things are made new and fresh! He clothes the earth with indescribable beauty and provides all my needs as well. Who am I that He would care for me? I am His child and He loves me! Yeah and amen!!!
Saturday, April 7, 2007
A Quiet Place
Yesterday, on Sesame Street, Ernie visited his special quiet place where he goes to think. He even had a song to sing about his special place under an apple tree. After that song was over, it occurred to me to ask The Kid if he had his own special quiet place. He nodded his head and pointed outside...then he said very softly, "with my dog." "What do you do in your quiet place?" I asked. "I just think," was his reply.
Now for those of you who have met The Dog, you will understand when I say that "with the dog" is not exactly the quietest place around our house. In fact the dog is very loud and busy, but for some unexplainable reason, he will sit still and quietly with The Kid. (This is only after, of course, several minutes of wild running and jumping and barking - and the dog is pretty loud, too!!!)
All this to say, I remembered today that we all need quiet times and places to have those. I am also reminded that, in this day of much activity and busy schedules, we must be sure to allow for our kids to have times and places of quiet so they can just sit and think. I believe that "sitting and thinking" may be becoming a lost art.
What about you? Do you have a "quiet place?" Do your kids?
There may be more wisdom to be found on Sesame Street than we knew!
Now for those of you who have met The Dog, you will understand when I say that "with the dog" is not exactly the quietest place around our house. In fact the dog is very loud and busy, but for some unexplainable reason, he will sit still and quietly with The Kid. (This is only after, of course, several minutes of wild running and jumping and barking - and the dog is pretty loud, too!!!)
All this to say, I remembered today that we all need quiet times and places to have those. I am also reminded that, in this day of much activity and busy schedules, we must be sure to allow for our kids to have times and places of quiet so they can just sit and think. I believe that "sitting and thinking" may be becoming a lost art.
What about you? Do you have a "quiet place?" Do your kids?
There may be more wisdom to be found on Sesame Street than we knew!
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
April Showers
It's the second day of a new month and I feel the need to post something to get this month started.
I've been thinking that since it rained on April 1, that is a good sign of the beautiful things to come. The rain will freshen and clean everything. It will also feed and nourish things. And it washes away the yukky stuff. Yep, rain gets a bad rap, I do believe. But, just think about it...without rain there is no food and there are no flowers. And the yukky stuff just sticks around, even piling up. Rain takes care of it all - the necessary and the frills! Isn't that like God - to think of it all!
So I'm thinking that a little rain in my life could do all the same stuff - freshen me by renewing my comittment to God; wash away some of the yukky stuff that seems to pile up, and it feeds my soul as I am reminded that by the power of the Spirit, I am not only made clean and fresh, I am made holy and accecptable. All that with a little rain!
Bring it on---I'm ready for the showers!
I've been thinking that since it rained on April 1, that is a good sign of the beautiful things to come. The rain will freshen and clean everything. It will also feed and nourish things. And it washes away the yukky stuff. Yep, rain gets a bad rap, I do believe. But, just think about it...without rain there is no food and there are no flowers. And the yukky stuff just sticks around, even piling up. Rain takes care of it all - the necessary and the frills! Isn't that like God - to think of it all!
So I'm thinking that a little rain in my life could do all the same stuff - freshen me by renewing my comittment to God; wash away some of the yukky stuff that seems to pile up, and it feeds my soul as I am reminded that by the power of the Spirit, I am not only made clean and fresh, I am made holy and accecptable. All that with a little rain!
Bring it on---I'm ready for the showers!
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