And Little Children.....

Matthew 11:25 (NIV) At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 

Ahhhhh.....summer! The days are warmer and longer. Time to catch up with family and friends. Cook-outs. Potlucks. Graduations. Summer is also the time when many churches hold VBS (Vacation Bible School). School's out.....BUT we never stop learning.....or shouldn't anyway. 

VBS....such a busy time, so much planning, so many volunteers needed.....but, oh so worth it! 

Our church splits the kids into groups with a variety of ages in each group. My kids are older so I forget how interesting it is to sit and talk/listen to 4 and 5 year olds. They get so excited. They haven't learned classroom rules much yet, so when they are asked a question even just to think about, they answer....loudly. They like to share the things they do know....even if it does not pertain to the subject....in the way we're talking about it.  (ex. Noah and the Ark....kid: My friend's dad has a boat.)

There was one little boy in our group who got extra excited and liked to share. "Did you know Noah's Ark was bigger than the Titantic?" He would almost steal the conversation. The other adults and I would smile at each other. I would quietly start edging up and put my hand on his back to get his attention and tell him he could tell me later. We only had 10-15 minutes for story time. However, as the nights continued and we would review the story, I would also feel kind of bad because I did not want to squash his excitement! He was so cute and so sincere it was impossible to get too frustrated with him. By Wednesday night, he leaned over and whispered in my ear, "I love you!". On Thursday night, he shared that he knew he had Jesus in his heart and would go to heaven.

Oh my. Sometimes as an adult I am not that excited or that secure in my faith. The learning continues......

Matthew 19:14 (NIV) Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Earth Angels.....They Still Exist! :)

Just when I think things are messed up with the world we live in, I experience something like what happened tonight.

I was bringing some friends home. I got a flat tire on a busy road. Luckily, I could bump my way into the gas station on the corner. This was not your average, run of the mill flat tire (in my opinion....not that I've had much experience with one). This tire was completely flat on the bottom. Air did not just leak out, something popped.

Normally, I would just call AAA, but I haven't had the $$ to renew my membership and figured I would call if I needed it. Luckily, my friend knew where the correct parts were, where the spare was AND how to change the tire.

Every time there was a part of the process that was not working, someone came up to ask if they could help. Throughout the process about 7 different people helped us get it done. One man and his son even went and got the floor jack from their home when they realized we could not get our van jack high enough. Bonus - they were mechanics that worked on cars at people's homes! They completed the tire removal and replacement. The father said he stopped because he had a wife and daughter-in-law that he hoped someone would help if needed.

Luckily, I had gotten some gift cards last week to give for graduation gifts. I was able to give them to the two people that helped us the most. These were guys that were willing to just lay down in the parking lot, place themselves in awkward positions and take time out of their lives....to help 4 people they did not even know.

My hope in the human race is restored somewhat. I said "luckily" above, but I know better. We were blessed in numerous ways....by earth angels willing to get dirty to help....when I would not have asked. Some of them even drive old red pick-ups. They didn't ask for anything. However, following the saying of what comes around, goes around....they will be blessed by someone shortly.

The flat tire was a spiritual lesson in itself...but I'll save that for another posting. I just wanted to recognize and remind myself....and, hopefully you, that there are good people in the world willing to make a difference.....even with "just" a flat tire.

Hebrews 13:2 (NIV)Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

The Joy Factor

Lately (for the past 2+ years), when I am feeling bummed with life, I go visit the triplets. Nephews and niece that graced the world with their births and they continue to be a blessing. I can say this as their aunt.....I don't have to live with them. BUT I probably would, if I could.

They were slightly preemie. They came home and it always seemed like at least one needed to be eating. What a bonus though. Instead of all of us fawning over one baby.....3 of us would get to hold a baby during a visit. It seemed like that stage would last forever. It didn't.

It seemed like they would be happy staying within those cushioned "walls" of the wrap around couch. It wasn't. They learned that there was a whole world waiting to be explored beyond the couch.

I know kids experience and give joy. I'm sure my kids have (and still do!). However, maybe I'm just paying closer attention to the triplets because our kids are older.

I love to watch the triplets learn something for the first time...and then repeat it....even days later. They are such little copycats with repeating the words and phrases we say.

I want to learn to copycat some of their ways though. The way they experience the world....fresh each day. The content feeling they have just snuggling on a lap. The joy they get from learning OR just having fun. Spinning for no reason other than it makes people laugh as they topple over.

Kids have a joy factor that we can only hope to copy. If the world or circumstances don't prevent it, that joy can stay for a long time. I pray that we adults can find that joy that sometimes hides beneath our responsibilities.

Join me for a spin and topple?  :)

Romans 12:11-12 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

D. O. T. - D. O. N. T.

I believe I have already admitted to being a procrastinator. If not, I am a procrastinator with a capital P. Recently, I found myself matching socks. A somewhat worthy job.....BUT not as much as getting our taxes done! :(  When overwhelmed, I can find ALL kinds of busy work.....and accomplish little.

I make "to-do" lists that have way too many items on for one day and then feel bummed I didn't get them all done. I very rarely ever feel like I have a "done" list.

So, today it hit me. I am looking at too much of the big picture. Normally, a good thing....but when faced with getting little to nothing done? Not so good. I get so overwhelmed and frustrated when I look at ALL I need to get done....or should be doing....I freeze up. Time flies. I watch TV/play on the computer. Time for bed (actually WAAAAYYY past time for bed).

I think I have a solution, I hope. I'm going to start trying D.O.T. Do One Thing. I'm going to do the most immediately needed "to do" thing first. If it is a BIG project, that takes all day to complete....so be it. I'll still make a "to-do" (or in my case "doo-doo" list) so I don't forget the overall things that need to get done. I drive myself nuts otherwise trying to remember what I wanted to accomplish. BUT I only need to pick ONE THING from that list.....and then:

D.O.N.T. Do One Next Thing, repeat the cycle....over and over until I am feeling at least a bit more caught up.

If you are also a procrastinator princess or prince, take heart:

Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Trust Fall

Recently, I watched my nephews. It's been awhile, but I love checking in with them and seeing what they like now and playing games, etc. As our own kids get older, I miss those younger years....when they wanted to spend time with me!  ;)

As one of them was getting ready for bed, he turned around and said, "Do you know what a trust fall is?" I told him I did, and he quickly turned back, put his arms across his chest and promptly fell backwards so I could catch him. I have seen these done in groups. I'm glad he wasn't much bigger, I would have hated to drop him! Oops, there goes that trust!

Trust is such a valued thing and can be so easily lost.

The more I thought about it, I don't physically do trust falls often. However, intellectually and mentally, I have trust falls everyday! Sometimes (I'm getting better, kinda) I'm the faller trusting that the other person will catch me and my intentions. Usually though, I find myself being the catcher....and that's OK. I am glad that I have people in my life who trust me enough to be willing to share their journey.

Whether you are a catcher or you need to fall a bit, I pray that you have people in your life that you can trust enough to be there for you when you need them to be.

Always remember too that God is the most trusted catcher ever. When there are things that you don't think anyone else could possibly understand or it's way too late to phone even your closest friend, God's there waiting for us to trust Him enough to let Him catch us.

Psalm 9:9-10 (NIV) The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. 

Psalm 56:3-4 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?