It's the thought that counts

"Mints make you cry?" my sister asked me when I sat down after the elevator descent from our mom's hospital room.

I knew my dad had gone to the "dutch" store earlier that day. I didn't think about or know why. When we got to mom's hospital room, he handed me a brown paper bag. Inside was a large container of individually wrapped peppermints. The good ones. He told me when I opened the bag, "You said you don't like the pink ones." I don't.

Peppermints have played a supporting role in my life looking back. From the peppermints we used to get from grandpa V.W. when we would visit in the nursing home to the peppermints we would use in church to pretend we (kids) were getting communion too, peppermints have been a comfort. They also freshen the breath when I am in TOO much of a hurry heading out the door. ;)

It wasn't the mints that made me cry. It was the fact that my dad went out of the way to get me something I like. Something I would not have gotten for myself. It was a day when I really needed a reminder that I was being thought of.

My point of this post is that if you have that little nudging of a feeling to do something nice for somebody else? Do it....even if it doesn't make sense to you. We get those nudgings for a reason. YOU may be the answer to somebody else's prayer....maybe one they haven't even put words to yet! The "something" does not have to cost $$. Maybe it's an encouraging note, phone call or text. Encouragement has a great ripple effect. Try it!

My "dutch girl" mints THANKS dad!

Philippians 2"1-4 (NIV)Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit,if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

1 Thessalonians 5:1 (NIV)
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Infusion in the midst of confusion

Ah, the time change. Daylight Saving (no S!) time. I will blame/chalk it up to that. The grumpys, blahs, grumbles, gripes, pick a phrase, ______________ (fill in the blank with whatever you call it when you get in a funky mood!) began to run rampant today. My brain felt foggy and confused. I felt like I was going through the motions....and slow motion at that. Letting life happen to me. I turned on some praise music. Better, but still not where I'd like to be.

However, when I really begin to pay attention, I can see all the little/subtle (sometimes NOT so subtle!) ways that God has been trying to get my attention.

As I type this, I'm hearing a message on grumbling and gratitude (and realizing it is the same one I heard when I got in the car earlier this PM after dragging my feet to head out the door, right time, right place comes to mind) OK God, I'm a bit slow! In that message, I was reminded that not being joyful is a way of grumbling at God. Even on my darkest day(s), I am still SO blessed.

Time for a perspective change What is going wrong? to all the things that could be, but are not going wrong.

Where does the infusion come in? I'm thinking back on my day. I get the thought of tea. To me, tea is comforting. I look up the definition of infusion: the addition of something that is needed or helpful. My overwhelmed feelings = hot water. Adding God (tea) the addition of someOne that is needed or helpful. God infuses my overwhelmed feeling into a more comfortable take on life. I could even go as far as living water.

I also happened to pick up a daily devotional book at the thrift store today. "More Than Conquerors" good title and a good reminder to me. "We are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us." Romans 8:37 I open it up to where the ribbon is placed in the book. Who cares if it was July! I read because I have often found (AND still am surprised) that God has taught me much when I take a few minutes to focus on Him. One page is about having an inborn longing for God (compared it to migration for birds). The other page is about hope in our hearts. The line that stuck out: "If God is the sunshine of your life when things are going well, He is also your lamp in the darkness of midnight. When your heart is overwhelmed and many difficulties greatly upset you and it is all too much to share with other people, put your hope in God, your personal Comforter in sorrow."

Prayer:
God, our ever light when darkness tries to creep in,
Thank you for the times you arrange for us to be confronted and comforted in truth and love, especially when we least expect them but need them most. Forgive us for the times when we have let overwhelming feelings. emotions and darkness try to block out the light and love you want for us. Help us not to give into those or let negative words come out of our mouths. Help us to remember 1st to praise and say uplifting words to others and ourselves. There is a difference between happy and joy-filled. I pray for my friends that they be uplifted by Your glory and compassion, however You decide to shine it into their lives. May we dance and sing praises long and loud enough to banish even the grumpiest days into submission.
All in the name of your Son, Jesus.
Amen

The following verses were those mentioned in the radio program I was listening to. The 2nd time? I was even by a computer! Bonus.

When I look in the Bible, I like to look at the headings. Gives me an idea of what's going on. This one in Philippians is under "Have the attitude of Christ" (uh? Yes, please!)

Philippians 2:14 (NLT) Do everything without complaining and arguing,

(Note: in all circumstances, not FOR all!)
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT) Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NLT) Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. 

Radio mentioned verses 11-12. However, the whole chapter is worth a read:
Psalm 30 (NIV)
1 I will exalt you, Lord,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2 Lord my God, I called to you for help,
and you healed me.
3 You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;
you spared me from going down to the pit.
 

4 Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;
praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
 

6 When I felt secure, I said,
“I will never be shaken.”
7 Lord, when you favored me,
you made my royal mountain stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
I was dismayed.
 

8 To you, Lord, I called;
to the Lord I cried for mercy:
9 “What is gained if I am silenced,
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
10 Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me;
Lord, be my help.” 

11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

Breadstick Tuesday, Someone Else's Mother and Mentoring

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Hebrews 10:24 (NLT)

Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.  Philippians 2:4 (NLT)

Seriously, I should buy stock in Little Caesar's.  Bless them for having $1/bag (8 sticks) crazy bread on Tuesdays in our area.  Tuesday (most weeks) has become the day I bring lunch to my daughter (and her friends) in middle school.  It has become known as "Bread stick Tuesday".  I try to bring a few extra bags and the kids I give them to are supposed to  share with others at their table.  At least once while I am there, someone other than my daughter calls me mom.  All this only takes about 15 minutes of prep time and approx. 45 minutes for lunch.    For this investment, I am granted insight into my daughter's world and get to see who she hangs out with.  On Tuesdays, she is a popular girl.

I have lunch with another girl and other kids who decide to come with us that day.  There have been as few as one to a whole roomful of between 10 - 15.  We leave the lunchroom and go to a conference room in the office.  There is no planned discussion (except for a few times when we've had some issues we needed to take care of).  We talk about anything they want to talk about.  I try to mention at least once during lunch about being a friend and keeping the friends they have.  Every once in awhile, I get to interject something of importance that, hopefully, their parents approve of. 

I wonder how long they will let me continue to be a part of their world?  I suppose as long as I bring food...at least for awhile longer.

With my son, there were a few times into 9th grade and then it was kind of awkward as he and his friends had different lunchtimes.  For them it wasn't bread sticks.  There was one boy who liked chocolate milk, another liked apples.  One boy's mom had passed away during the year.  I always made sure he got a cookie.  One time when I was in his class, he shared with me about his mom.  I was honored that he trusted me enough to share.

Without realizing it or intending to, I have become a mentor (per Webster: a trusted counselor or guide).  The kids I have lunch with have become mentors to me also.  I give them a view of the world outside school.  They give me a view of inside school and the pre-teen mind....scary, I know!  ;)

Do I always feel like going when Tuesday rolls around?  That would be no.  Are there other things that I could/should be doing for that hour on Tuesday?  Sure.  However, for these moments in time while I am welcomed into their world, I cherish being called mom by someone other than my own kids.

Bread sticks are a small investment for making a kid feel noticed and important.  At least for 1/2 hour lunch on Tuesday.

In a world where we continue to connect more and more through cyberspace, we need human interaction.  I urge you to find a place that has a space that only you can fill.....as a volunteer or mentor....or another kid's extra mom or dad.  We can never have too many people care for us.  Share your knowledge.  Share your love.  Share your time....it's the best investment you will ever make.