tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79123683025932876932024-03-05T15:25:11.773-08:00Nancy Moser -- Author and Grandma-ExtraordinaireMusings and meanderings of author Nancy Moser about life, writing, and why we're here.Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-17306230326698428582020-05-26T07:01:00.000-07:002020-05-26T07:04:19.613-07:00Missing the Chance<div align="center" class="MsoBodyTextCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-mirror-indents: yes; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"But a Samaritan, as he traveled, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">came
where the man was;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and when he saw him, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">he took pity on
him."<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Luke 10:
33<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The
evening clouds billowed higher as if they were contemplating a storm. Rain
would be welcome as the ninety-degree temperatures sucked the moisture from all
living things—me included. I shut the pages of the book I was reading while
sprawled on a chaise lounge and gave my attention to the sky. So perfect. So
beautiful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">I found
myself praying. Praising. </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">Thank you for all
you give me, Lord. Use me. Let me help You by giving something back.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I rarely
take walks in the evening. I am a morning person and take my walks in the early
a.m. before most of the world is awake (including myself, if I'm totally
honest). But that night the clouds and the pink of the sunset called to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I laced up
my walking shoes and clipped on my headphones. And though I <i>always</i> head north, on this night, I
headed south to better see the sunset in the west. Or so I thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After
three blocks I neared the bottom of the hill where my street intersected
another. There, I saw a man on the corner across the street, holding a piece of
paper. It was dusk and his features were hazy, but I could see he was wearing
white tennis shorts and a white polo shirt. He looked at me. Did he say
something?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I ignored
my plan to turn right and turned left to cross the street toward him. I nudged
my headphones off my ears so I could hear him if he <i>was </i>saying something. I said, "Hello" to cover my
curiosity with normal courtesy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Is
this Hayes Street?" he asked, pointing up the street from where I'd come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ah, so that's it, he wants directions.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"That's
Hayes," I said, continuing to walk, but turning toward him as I passed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The man
folded the paper, mumbling. "I'm legally blind and I'm trying to find my
son. I can't see the street signs."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I nodded. I
repeated, "Yes, that's Hayes" and continued on my walk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After a
half block, I stopped and looked back. <i>What
am I doing? A man who is legally blind asks for my help and I point him in the
right direction and leave him to it?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With a
sudden urgency, I backtracked, turning north on Hayes, hoping to catch up with
him and be available if he needed more help. With my half-block diversion, he
should have been a block ahead of me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The sunset
was past its prime, the shadows closing in. I shut off the music, feeling the
need to concentrate in my efforts to find him and right the wrong I'd done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">There he is, up to the left.</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> A few more steps
revealed my "man" was a mailbox. I quickened my pace. He shouldn't be
so far ahead . . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I heard
some boys playing basketball in a driveway. His son? I hurried toward the
sound, hoping to see the father waiting for the last few baskets before heading
home. My guilt would be relieved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Five boys.
No adults. He wasn't there.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My throat
tightened. Tears threatened. <i>Oh, Lord. I'm
so sorry. Why didn't I stop and offer to help him? Why did I selfishly keep
walking?</i> I searched the street ahead, hoping to spot the glow of the white
shorts and shirt as he wandered in the dark. <i>Please, God. If he still needs help, let me find him. Give me another
chance to help. Please forgive me.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Too soon I
was home. I stopped in my driveway and scanned the street. Right and left. Up
and down. There was no man. He had disappeared as if . . . as if he'd never
existed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I sat on
the front steps a long time, watching for the man. Praying for the man. And
praying for myself. An hour earlier I'd asked God to use me. Within minutes, He'd
answered my prayer. And within minutes, I'd let Him down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As the
clouds rumbled in the distance, promising relief from summer's burden of heat,
I asked God for relief from my own personal burden of guilt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I asked Him,
and by His mercy would receive, another chance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> But not
today. Not today.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0702; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: 24px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0702; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: 24px;">**</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0702; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0702; text-align: center; text-indent: 24px;">Want more inspirational humor? Check out </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYB4LMN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i37" style="background-color: white; color: #b7593b; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;" target="_blank"><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Save Me, God! I Fell in the Carpool: </i><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Help, Hope, and Humor for Drowning Moms</i></a></span>Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-26592302387754165172020-03-23T05:29:00.000-07:002020-04-03T02:41:38.853-07:00Trying to Earn It<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Faith is being sure of what we hope for <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and certain of what we do not see."</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Hebrews 11: 1<span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I
admit it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a cause-and-effect
person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Logic rules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Some
of the cause-and-effect lessons learned are pretty mundane:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>if I eat the entire carton of cherry
chocolate-chip ice cream I won’t have room for dinner—among other
consequences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I don’t clean the
kitchen my mother will stop over unannounced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> There
are heavier situations where this also applies.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If I want my husband to listen to me, I have to listen to him.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If I want to get a book published, I need to
work hard.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Very hard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I
find comfort in this logical progression of action and reaction.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I can depend on it. I am most comfortable
with people and circumstances that fit into this mold.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Enter
God.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And faith.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And prayer.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not just any prayer.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Big prayers
for important, heartfelt needs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Everybody
has them, those worries that test our faith and make us wonder if God is
listening, because if He is, why is the answer taking so long?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> In
my case it wasn’t even a question of yes-or-no, but </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">when.</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I
won’t go into the details of the current prayer of my heart, because I want you
to think about </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">your </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">big prayers, the
ones that linger . . .</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">.</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> A
big part of my problem with the waiting stems from my cause-and-effect
attitude.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If I did thus-and-so surely
God would answer my prayer.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Going along
with my pragmatic nature, the thus-and-so has evolved as time went along. Trial
and error, you know.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Yet
no matter what I did I still didn’t have an answer to my prayers other than
“no” or “wait”.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I
am not a “no” or “wait” person.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> But
I am tenacious.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Call that stubborn.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If praying one way didn’t work, I’d try
another.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> And
another.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> And
another.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Prayer
is a wonderful thing, it’s our intimate connection with God.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He calls us to pray. And yet, I began to
realize the way I was using prayer was more like a bargaining chip than an
offering of love and respect to my Creator.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Over and over I let logic be my prayer-mentor, even as I followed the instructions
of the Bible:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> If
I prayed without ceasing surely God would answer my prayer. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Rejoice always,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pray continually, give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I Thessalonians<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>5: 16-18)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> No
answer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> If
I boldly went before the throne and asked for this prayer of my heart, surely God
would answer my prayer.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“</span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Let us then approach the throne of grace
with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our
time of need.” </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">(Hebrews 4: 16)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKZVp33O4rRaG0iJBxeIDuUmXsVk6NOHsVkVq6n5QujZLYzBEiF91XO6MYGL6xj6D1esEIeMXvpm-iFcFZrZ6KdQXyaJIToDnYeywtJZLEDc2IOxiM1YmsAngcY7U0r4-p5Mjj_TE-yul/s1600/PLEASE+WAIT+sign.JPG" width="200" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> If
I specifically asked for God’s will to be done, surely I’d get an answer.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">“This
is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">ask</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">anything</span> according to his will, he hears us.”</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> (I John 5: 14)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> No
answer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> If
I made sure I said, “in the name of Jesus Christ my Savior” at the end of each
prayer, surely God would answer my prayer. </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">“You
may <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">ask</span> me for <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">anything</span> in my name, and I will do
it.”</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> (John 14: 14)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> No
answer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> If
my husband and I (and others) prayed for our need, surely it would be answered</span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about
anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.”</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
(Matthew 18: 19)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> No
answer.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> If
I tried real hard to be perfect, was nice to everybody...and giving, and
loving, had quiet time with the Lord thirty minutes each and every day, went to
church, sat right up front…</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> No
answer.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQ9l-X7O4jvhFMiCSeAwD6d_pj80jpXMiI_tjMKNcBBbogUL-SbyuYcmmA7_IGLbbsjXeTo1DxFi3XplMd0DG30ePPOmSDGvGvnjOpvARAs1oYsLtvN8ASe2whLv2FkUprbkRP1gPjls5/s1600/prayer+child.JPG" width="209" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> If
I prayed humbly, meekly, loudly, softly, on my knees, arms up-raised, prostrate
on the ground, through tears…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> No
answer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> If
I acted like I didn’t care…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Never
mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I’d
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">been praying two and a half years and had
utilized all these methods of getting God to answer me.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What was I doing wrong?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> A
revelation came to me one morning when I took a walk to get the paper.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I love this daily task when the day is fresh
and new.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Each morning there is a different
sunrise, and I look forward to seeing what new beauty God has created.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But on this particular day I was struck with
a thought:</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">God makes a different sunrise every day for no reason other than He wants
to create this beauty for us—as a gift.</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> As
a gift.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> As.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Gift.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> What had I been
doing wrong?</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I’d been trying to </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">make</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> my prayers be answered!</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The praying was right.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The faith was right.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But thinking that I had to DO something SAY
something THINK something or BE something as a requirement for God answering my
prayer . . . as logical as those attitudes are within the secular world, they are
completely off base in the world of faith.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> God
would</span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">answer my prayer not because </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">of</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> me, but because He loved me.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He would answer my prayer as a gift freely
given, lovingly given.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There were no
conditions to be met or hoops to jump through.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As with salvation, the answer to my prayer could not be earned, only
given through God’s grace and love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> All
He asked of me was to believe in Him and in His son, Jesus.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUr-Kx9TAUj_DqPm41MoT3hso3NqXjtFlGBKW97ctMCFT0et2C4hjBCSBExCMbwv4aa-8YoYm-KqkTokV_23IdOvJVgD3VAveD5Y2-uFN0VdHJ7id-3ZOdmBbkWX2-jdsrPQIRHahxiJS/s1600/Sunrise.JPG" width="159" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I
stopped on the driveway and faced the gift of the sunrise, and there I suddenly
knew the answer </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">was</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> surely coming—in
God’s time . . . because He loved me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I
needed to stop trying so hard.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I needed
to trust Him.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Love Him back. </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will
give you the desires of your heart</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">.” (Psalm 37: 4)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I’m
still waiting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> And
honestly, it’s hard for me to let go of the logic and control and let God be
God. And it’s hard for me to quit judging myself against a standard that even
God doesn’t insist on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> But
I’m determined.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And hopeful.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And . . .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Better
off.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Because of the delay in His answer I
now have a stronger faith and I am waiting a little more patiently in the
knowledge of His love for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> God
answers </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">all </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">prayers.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">That keeps me going.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> P.S.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You’ll never believe this—or perhaps you
will.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Two days after the sunrise
revelation, I wrote this article, and ten days after that…God answered my
prayer!</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So don’t give up.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You may not be waiting on Him.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Maybe He’s waiting on you…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">***</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Want more inspirational humor? Check out </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYB4LMN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i37" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Save Me, God! I Fell in the Carpool: </i><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Help, Hope, and Humor for Drowning Moms</i></span></a></div>
</div>
Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-54784137535613900962020-03-23T05:28:00.000-07:002020-04-03T02:48:19.170-07:00Bosom Buddies<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A man of many companions may come to ruin, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> but there is a friend who sticks closer than
a brother</span>."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Proverbs 18: 24<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ynxdcnp1FMQ9iQ4nxlNglNzb33MTLi66Anny3hWEzXOsLz_WOKcOhfHISqPHACRltmFydWTG_GeFnn-yhqwCQOUNqJ83jzeWcfKTKq9qTlGby1UujW2pVw2GLlnjcvAIxECY2aqSpWXe/s1600/two+women+coffee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ynxdcnp1FMQ9iQ4nxlNglNzb33MTLi66Anny3hWEzXOsLz_WOKcOhfHISqPHACRltmFydWTG_GeFnn-yhqwCQOUNqJ83jzeWcfKTKq9qTlGby1UujW2pVw2GLlnjcvAIxECY2aqSpWXe/s1600/two+women+coffee.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> True friends are as rare as
lightning in a blizzard—and just as dazzling.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I'm friendly.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I can talk to a total stranger and hopefully
make them feel at home. I can negotiate the proper party mingle, and can even
be quite witty with a plate of cheese and crackers in my hand.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But as far as enjoying many deep down
bosom-buddy friendships?</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Only a few have
brightened my life.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> When I lived in Nebraska I
had one particularly good friend, Katie.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She and I met while we were both appearing in the chorus of
"Annie" at the community playhouse. Within minutes of meeting each
other we fell into the easy rhythm of lifelong friends. We listened, we
laughed, we gave advice, and kept secrets.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> But then, after seven years of friendship, I moved to Kansas.And I
missed her. She was as bad a letter writer as I was, so we made due with a few
visits and phone calls (this was in the olden days—before emails and
Facebook.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxsMwt6htySfIdq9D1jkWLzkOpH5cE634yZqqb2r5lVCbwZt04Jo6Rc3sDWq7XuKD4-J0fSd3SuikwGzoWqfjT9a67qRosiIzZyukbjLhyenLo70einQALX5ONfHf163dGAninxiSV4gO/s1600/moving.JPG" width="200" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Without contact, we drifted
apart.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxsMwt6htySfIdq9D1jkWLzkOpH5cE634yZqqb2r5lVCbwZt04Jo6Rc3sDWq7XuKD4-J0fSd3SuikwGzoWqfjT9a67qRosiIzZyukbjLhyenLo70einQALX5ONfHf163dGAninxiSV4gO/s1600/moving.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> One day, feeling rather sorry
for myself, I prayed that God would bless me with another bosom-buddy
friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew I was asking a lot, and I
was pretty much resigned to having a life full of numerous <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">acquaintances</i> but few <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sisters</i>
when<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>. . . the name "Katie"
popped into my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> "No, God.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not Katie in Lincoln.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A new friend, here in Kansas."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I didn't think about my
prayer until two weeks later when I went to a Christian writer’s group for the
first time.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was a wonderful evening.
Their openness and willingness to talk about how they had experienced God
working in their lives was true inspiration.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After the main meeting, when we sat around drinking iced tea and eating
goodies, I found myself next to a woman who had the most beautiful freckled
skin and red hair.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And when she smiled .
. .</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We got along famously, our laughter
and camaraderie drawing the envied notice of other members.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"You two act as if you've known each
other forever."</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">That's what it felt
like.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Friends forever.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I went home thrilled to have
found a new friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next day I wrote
her a note, taking a risk by <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">exposing my hopes that our friendship would grow and even putting myself on the line further when I recounted my prayer for a best friend. </span>I sent the letter, feeling
foolish, vulnerable—and hopeful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh,
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If nothing came of it, I wouldn't
be any worse off than I was before. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> A</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> few days later, she
called.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My note had made her day. We met
for lunch and talked for two and a half hours over burgers and fries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To have a friend I could talk to about God
and family and writing . . . she was truly an answer to prayer.</span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> And not surprisingly . . .</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Wait for it . . .</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Her name was Katy.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKvmdl-hCTMiA3-MQcdjFtqPAAHkNNAJnpJTrFY_JF1fTL5UeIaOl4J0qhn5sroP09tJzcAXT5-fLnXTcBQnDK1HEf2qf7D4K3inYohZSW1H58lHjw6txfD6Ysanoj_kyV4AzpCs_S361/s1600/Katy+McKenna+Raymond+and+Nancy+at+Mimi%2527s+2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKvmdl-hCTMiA3-MQcdjFtqPAAHkNNAJnpJTrFY_JF1fTL5UeIaOl4J0qhn5sroP09tJzcAXT5-fLnXTcBQnDK1HEf2qf7D4K3inYohZSW1H58lHjw6txfD6Ysanoj_kyV4AzpCs_S361/s1600/Katy+McKenna+Raymond+and+Nancy+at+Mimi%2527s+2012.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Katy McKenna and me</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">***</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Want more inspirational humor? Check out </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYB4LMN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i37" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Save Me, God! I Fell in the Carpool: </i><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Help, Hope, and Humor for Drowning Moms</i></span></a></div>
Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-67863787074848523222020-03-23T05:27:00.000-07:002020-04-14T03:12:35.064-07:00Collecting Attributes<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Each man has his own gift from God; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">one has this gift, another has that."<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1 Corinthians 7: 7</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> I'm a collector from way back.
As a child I collected fancy paper napkins. In high school, candles. Pitchers,
irises, fans. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I've enjoyed my collections, even as I've abandoned one for
another. There’s joy in the searching, joy in the gathering, and joy in the
sharing. And for me, the search usually starts where there are antiques.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favorite haunts are antique shows where
dozens of dealers assemble their booths, teasing me with aisles and aisles of
displays, just waiting for me to dive in. And drool.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> As I enter such a show, my eyes
scan the booths, skimming past the Fiestaware, the Depression glass, and the
Monkees lunchboxes. Like a missile locking onto its target they find what they
are searching for: antique purses.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdo11syWIdhwJojURCQT0nBI0ZKv6vuRgJ6zLKVl9MpXucNamCOG4MtSwyU76y0BDo4OqYwOxbVimn_HYTl9zvM8xIrdDEH1bMlmOxzQQFdWx1hPPZ4g1rcg02DvTOnM2SfH6ai51fvYH/s1600/purse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdo11syWIdhwJojURCQT0nBI0ZKv6vuRgJ6zLKVl9MpXucNamCOG4MtSwyU76y0BDo4OqYwOxbVimn_HYTl9zvM8xIrdDEH1bMlmOxzQQFdWx1hPPZ4g1rcg02DvTOnM2SfH6ai51fvYH/s1600/purse.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> Ooh, there’s a beaded one from the twenties. And another marked with a
Whiting and Davis stamp. There’s a Lucite purse from the fifties</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> (the
fifties . . . does this mean </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">I’m</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> an
antique?) The purses are not in perfect condition, but the fact they have
missing beads, torn linings, and tarnished handles only adds to their
character. I make allowances.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> I usually enjoy such gatherings,
quite willing to drown in the smell of old wood and dust. Yet on one day, in
such an antique-lover's paradise, I had trouble concentrating. Among the
Chippendale chairs and the tin toys I was drawn to the dealers instead of the
deals. A lady from Texas greeted every customer with a firm handshake and a
southern drawl. A dealer from Oregon charmed with a soft voice, wearing a
veiled hat. Another had a laugh that ricocheted off the glassware. Turns out
the people were as interesting and unique as the items they sold. </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">They</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> were collectible.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9V3QtRHP809FYh8DH7D9sXiCyx2ecs3EGw38GdVasAoLI5-ShfqypvHX1k9cV5E8zLsCHgzmPlqfPkZItGANGbTaKgX6lUymkSUmEwScvoayB1MNheKz6-5GFZuHQOWsslWVWUGcaMxJ/s1600/people.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: 0.25in;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9V3QtRHP809FYh8DH7D9sXiCyx2ecs3EGw38GdVasAoLI5-ShfqypvHX1k9cV5E8zLsCHgzmPlqfPkZItGANGbTaKgX6lUymkSUmEwScvoayB1MNheKz6-5GFZuHQOWsslWVWUGcaMxJ/s1600/people.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> That's when I started collecting
people—or at least their attributes Smiles, thank yous, the twinkle in their
eyes. The way they sang in their cars, kissed their baby's nose, or offered me
their place in line. The by-product of collecting strangers' attributes was
that I began to open my eyes to some attributes in my own backyard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> I now notice how my husband
always warms my ever-cold feet when we share the couch—without me even
asking.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">I enjoy how our oldest daughter
Emily emails photos of family events within a few hours of getting home (I am
quite willing to relinquish the pressure of chronicling every gathering to her
able hands.) My heart swells when I watch the face of our son Carson light up
when he makes his new baby smile (wasn’t </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">he
</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">a baby just yesterday?) And I marvel at the stories our youngest daughter
Laurel shares (she's a special-ed teacher) about the students that challenge
her—and that are changed </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">by </i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> Once I started to look at the
amazing qualities within my own family, it became easier to skim past the parts
of their personalities I didn't want to collect. For just like antiques, my
family is not in perfect condition—and shocker—neither am I. Yet the fact we
have missing beads, torn linings and tarnished handles only adds to our charm, and
even our value.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">I make allowances for
them, and I appreciate them doing the same for me. </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you
will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." </i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">(Luke 6:37)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXtnVzcAuhl7vieF9w0iKXuCPG_-i7-Yp7NImxGdMzuvbzTAiXGWVm0FboDChdbmK12GFs2qEAz5L1aKWgLsga0aaqptyI694At26kEkziMYKGKdQLE7zthtV6KdAP0BbR0TzRWLmtI3c/s1600/Thanksgiving+family+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXtnVzcAuhl7vieF9w0iKXuCPG_-i7-Yp7NImxGdMzuvbzTAiXGWVm0FboDChdbmK12GFs2qEAz5L1aKWgLsga0aaqptyI694At26kEkziMYKGKdQLE7zthtV6KdAP0BbR0TzRWLmtI3c/s1600/Thanksgiving+family+2.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> Although my collections come and
go, I hope I never give up collecting attributes. There is joy in the
searching, joy in the gathering, and joy in the sharing. There is good
happening all around us if only we open our eyes and see it. The special looks,
idiosyncrasies, and attributes of the people in our lives make them as
collectible as precious treasure. And as such, they are . . .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> Priceless.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">*** </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><o:p style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">Want more inspirational humor? Check out </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYB4LMN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i37" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Save Me, God! I Fell in the Carpool: </i><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Help, Hope, and Humor for Drowning Moms</i></span></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span></div>
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Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-57934279719991956402020-03-23T05:20:00.000-07:002020-04-03T03:20:46.507-07:00Being Human<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Stand firm and hold to the teachings </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we
passed on to you</span>."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
2 Thessalonians 2: 15<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;"> If you want to teach something,
be something.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> Sounds good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> Sometimes I wish I could tell my
kids to carry on, do what they know is right and don't mind me.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">Being a hypocrite is easy.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">Being a role model takes work—more work than
I'm up to after tethering and weathering the moments of my life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> When my three children were
small, I could get away with the convenience of "do as I say, not as I
do".</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> They didn't notice the
Snickers wrapper on the counter as I made dinner.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">They didn't say a word when I wore socks with
holes in the toes, and they were too busy playing with Kermit the Frog and
Candyland to see me clean the entry floor after tracking in my own share of
mud. Or perhaps they were too much in awe of Mommy to say anything.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> Maybe not.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> B</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">ut as they graduated to Barbie,
Battleship and beyond, their minds grasped a scary new concept—independent
thought.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">That's when they began to
challenge me and my two-faced behavior. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6kn6iV9alcSCleRp5XukGfLC_MrXT67Kj_m_w_C01QDB-o247ywQyljWNWpDDIM0tTfQHpwTS5AjMN9gVTTy-ewb8nAk4alRW_SrTLv0VzmPYqZbVtiaAo4-wE61UrE_s0Xru1sRE5QW/s1600/unmade+bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6kn6iV9alcSCleRp5XukGfLC_MrXT67Kj_m_w_C01QDB-o247ywQyljWNWpDDIM0tTfQHpwTS5AjMN9gVTTy-ewb8nAk4alRW_SrTLv0VzmPYqZbVtiaAo4-wE61UrE_s0Xru1sRE5QW/s1600/unmade+bed.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">"</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">How come we have to make
our beds when your bed isn't made yet?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> "How come we can only watch
TV an hour a night and you can watch more?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> "How come your shoes are all over the place and ours have to be in the shoe bin?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> I shake my head, stalling until I
conjure up a desperate parent's jewel:</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">"Because I'm the mom, that's why!"</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIW8VXucyW8y0nVDi8-Q0I2VCkhRtvxicoAzuJrMXxx-NjZQOV8zY7PlZmyHiloajzllbArTb4pyHstwjEHfaDIO5nnGpAIZHdrTays2UdOM41ijEMlT13HAhJJMEPC8QIxgiDaKM5zFq/s1600/petulant+child.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: 28.8px;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIW8VXucyW8y0nVDi8-Q0I2VCkhRtvxicoAzuJrMXxx-NjZQOV8zY7PlZmyHiloajzllbArTb4pyHstwjEHfaDIO5nnGpAIZHdrTays2UdOM41ijEMlT13HAhJJMEPC8QIxgiDaKM5zFq/s1600/petulant+child.png" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: 28.8px;" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> They roll their eyes and leave me to my humiliation.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">How'd they get so smart?</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">Certainly it wasn't by my example.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> It doesn't help my self-esteem to
remember my own mother's perfection.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">I
never caught her in a </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">faux pas</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">. No
wet towels on the floor, no crumbs brushed onto the kitchen floor when no one
was looking, no televisions blaring at a ridiculous level (can I help it if I
like to </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">feel</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> my movies?).</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">She taught us by example.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">When she worked till the early morning hours
sewing a prom dress, we learned to be industrious.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">When she made the roast and leftover corn
last for two more meals, we learned to be thrifty.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">When she made quilts for the less fortunate, we
learned to be charitable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> What am I teaching my kids?</span></div>
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<span style="clear: left; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lbqd7hW9d3J0I-j41pnT2tdnR6oVQJ2hiHWfW-25rbNzNBpB7KJdMOA2aySR3nSE54sVDOpPyo7QPZEn9yxgiKfWsrYdlbXq75wgj6J6f9fDDnEvlZobee7tVMQmH9EipMq6LUHj7bH6/s1600/writing+hard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lbqd7hW9d3J0I-j41pnT2tdnR6oVQJ2hiHWfW-25rbNzNBpB7KJdMOA2aySR3nSE54sVDOpPyo7QPZEn9yxgiKfWsrYdlbXq75wgj6J6f9fDDnEvlZobee7tVMQmH9EipMq6LUHj7bH6/s1600/writing+hard.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> There are </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">some</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> good things.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">When I
work on getting a book written, plodding along one sentence, one word at a
time, they learn persistence.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">When I hug
their father right in front of them and even give him a kiss (gasp!) they learn
love.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">When I tell them how a prayer was
answered, they learn faith.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> Not too bad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> Although I </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">am </i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">working on making my bed, limiting my television time, and
hanging up my coat, above all—flaws and all—I'm teaching my children we're in
this together.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">I don't know all the
answers, although I do know a bit more than they do. I have good traits I hope
they'll embrace and bad habits I hope they'll avoid.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: 0.3in;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8mIibr_XGiR64ySUB3OzJmKgzAdvXTtAm7HaL9nOMJyWyB-AnSAoTwMp5KhFI5h3ycyYSdZatME0IGM1tHa4qRivZ4r6WoExDYR38DlTVTkSi6RZoN1WmMoapAQL44fQ1k-K26vdEe9f/s1600/hugging+child.png" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 28.8px;" width="200" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">They know I'm not perfect.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> “Train a child in the way he
should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22: 6)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">If you want to teach something, be something...</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"><i> </i>I'm human. Human I can
teach.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;">Human I can be.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"> Perhaps, somehow, they'll learn
from that.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
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***</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Want more inspirational humor? Check out </span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYB4LMN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i37" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Save Me, God! I Fell in the Carpool: </i><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Help, Hope, and Humor for Drowning Moms</i></span></a></div>
</div>
Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-46097959585422103062020-03-23T05:18:00.000-07:002020-04-03T03:26:59.542-07:00The Keeper of Time<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Be still before the L<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">ord</span>,
all mankind,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling."<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Zechariah 2:13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtMcL9bkpLZq2yCNw2Vx-zVuYmFRqgxNh_gAwTppUfN35FJh_iXQdXzPgYFEpBVM2jtQH8rV4R-zA6abjUa98Izh9I1vgUYcNNGd-HadjzELTaix2oM74KV9VI4sToGnhU8p8_z2VZj0C/s1600/lists.png" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> My to-do list is novel length. And though editors have often
insisted I cut thousands of words from my overlong manuscripts (on one historic
occasion, 74,000 words, which is literally another story), I find it much
easier to cut entire scenes, subplots, and even characters from my novels than to
leave items on my to-do list undone.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> It’s not that I have the time to fully (or properly)
tackle my list. I admit to being overly ambitious, usually at the most
inappropriate times. For instance, when we are expecting company and I am
trying to turn my home into something pristine and worthy of a cover story in </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Better Homes & Gardens</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, I invariably
add projects to my already lengthy list. Like stripping wallpaper from a
bathroom—and painting it, or hanging pictures in a room that has never once complained
about having bare walls, or going through my closet and deciding what lucky
charitable organization gets dibs on a mauve suit with monster shoulder pads. After
forty years of marriage, my husband knows the signs and tries to catch
me before I go too far. With varying success.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> “Are you crazy?” he asks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Pretty much.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I confess. I have an addictive personality. Others
may have their alcohol, drugs, or shopping issues, but I am addicted to </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">lists.</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Yet, beyond the overachiever issues, my to-do list often
gets in the way of something of ultimate importance: my quiet time with God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Come on. Fess up. I know I’m not alone in this. You too wake
up early because the </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">list </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">mentally starts
glowing before dawn. You too rise, determined to get tons done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> And then, far too soon, your usual prayer time is suddenly upon
you, and instead of willingly submitting, you search your stash of memorized Bible
verses to come up with ones that glorify hard work and disdain sloth and
laziness. God loves a cheerful worker, yes?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Uh . . . kinda, sorta.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__DjeJINrs5D4_4SrJtfuykx5hxjeHifEjyAQ_5UT8TVJ6QivrgGCNRwXsDvVQlvZHOGYxJdcuhdUwBDWzNDUv9ALSeDTdmRaTQIOIx7_LA_GKdsEj8rXpi0mA9iSnPc6WqpvyqGGLS6y/s320/god+wants+to+talk+to+you.jpg" width="320" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> And yet, even as you force yourself to sit, even as you take
up your Bible or daily devotional, you’re thinking: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But, but . . . I don’t have time for this</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> To which God most certainly responds, </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Excuse me?</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Oops.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> That’s when it’s time to cringe—and surrender. If God, the
creator of all time, the keeper of all time, has time to “rouse himself from
his holy dwelling” for you, then certainly you have time to rouse yourself from
your unholy dwelling for Him. If you don’t, then perhaps you ought to put “Prioritize
Life” at the top of your to-do list? Hmm?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Here’s some insider information: I’ve found if I stay
faithful during the busiest times of my life and give God some one-on-One time,
He gives </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">me</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> time to tackle my
to-dos—along with a serving of wisdom regarding how to delete (or delegate) a
few tasks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> So let’s say He’s got you in the chair. Your Bible is on your
lap. But inside you grumble. Then you feel guilty for grumbling. You hope
God won’t notice and you can somehow slip under the radar just this once and
escape.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAR2-VTww5vB8JU6saRkdrCyGtkT7URWjifa97f_433XaShwbOmigdb59tfKCiuICVR5zB7tdWwVXzp4st6S1P24oIsfpD42Vj1NZYaXceUl_tnBmXbK6yFYaj7sIgSUp-YHQeOK5Bvgr/s1600/reading+bible.png" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Think again. He </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">knows,
</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and you know He knows. More than that, He cares. He wants your time
together to be productive and precious. But face it, when you are frazzled and
distracted you don’t have the right mind-set for quality time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> So take a deep breath. Maybe two. Or twelve. Then close your
eyes and tell God you </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">are </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">there (and
that should count for something) and you want time with Him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Yes, your mind will digress and zip back to your
list, but be as dogged toward diverting it right back to God as you are about
adding to and checking off your list. Being still, silent, and available to the
Keeper of Time takes practice—and prayer. Ask Him to teach you to be still and </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">His</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. That is certainly a prayer He will honor—and
answer.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI57p1StI6v45eYbs7PAhTRdkX_Z-sBMqcQ6VmrDdSbq3sXa_uQ7DAX3Z7kuYda0B3RZlf72XBfBb8k46yISpAlIVAr8OWiytx__sorp5ZVWBl0bXa3_zf_64NgAfoRxoduMMuxr0VJxw3/s1600/joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Then when you are settled down and centered in Him, instead of looking up your favorite “Be strong and do the work” verses, go for
a few “Be still before the Lord” verses instead. The to-dos on your list will
wait (truly, they will). And the exquisite time you share with Him is
priceless.<sub><o:p></o:p></sub></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI57p1StI6v45eYbs7PAhTRdkX_Z-sBMqcQ6VmrDdSbq3sXa_uQ7DAX3Z7kuYda0B3RZlf72XBfBb8k46yISpAlIVAr8OWiytx__sorp5ZVWBl0bXa3_zf_64NgAfoRxoduMMuxr0VJxw3/s1600/joy.jpg" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Above all remember this: Your relationship <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with </i>the Lord is more important than your
work <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">for </i>the Lord. Learn that and you
just might be able to shorten your to-do list. Or even tear it up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Call it a sacrificial offering.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">***</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Want more inspirational humor? Check out </span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYB4LMN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i37" style="text-indent: 0.25in;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Save Me, God! I Fell in the Carpool: </i><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Help, Hope, and Humor for Drowning Moms</i></span></a></div>
</div>
</div>
Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-29327596886787082562020-03-23T05:07:00.000-07:002020-04-03T03:35:10.337-07:00Don't Hurry Worry<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Do not be
anxious about anything;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">but in everything, by
prayer and petition,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Philippians
4: 6</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz90mTvR_p3D6guebbCpUillUM_Jg5p0Ns5MsPaY24Nww439ZZvnI9UJnmEr1mRRTF8QgYLnM09TYjsZ1RY2-ZsACbu0Kglx5hyphenhyphen74KuFsD-ogckgMyNFA5YO9jBWQWRnSe3HMahI6Zz3D3/s1600/hiking+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="733" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz90mTvR_p3D6guebbCpUillUM_Jg5p0Ns5MsPaY24Nww439ZZvnI9UJnmEr1mRRTF8QgYLnM09TYjsZ1RY2-ZsACbu0Kglx5hyphenhyphen74KuFsD-ogckgMyNFA5YO9jBWQWRnSe3HMahI6Zz3D3/s320/hiking+2.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">If worry
were chocolate, I'd weigh—it's none of your business. Let's just say I'm a
professional worrier, and have been since my feet dangled from a chair.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>G</i><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">od
will take care of everything</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I <i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">know </i>that. But
giving up worry is as easy as giving up coffee . . . cheesecake with cherries .
. . biscuits drowning in sausage gravy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's not
that I don't trust God. But I figure He has to be swamped, what with problems
in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East . . . Certainly He doesn't need to be
bothered by a bevy of everyday concerns rising up from Overland Park, Kansas.
Worries about Emily's history, Carson's math, and Laurel's spelling tests; my
husband's fatigue from dealing with 700 phone calls at work before noon; or my
penchant for impatience because I'm not a best-selling author—yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So what if
I handle a few things on my own? Is that so bad?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Yup.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But I'm an
independent woman! I can install a light fixture without shocking myself, I can
mow the lawn with only one five-minute nap behind the azalea bush, and I can
whip up homemade treats for Girl Scouts with ten minute's notice (take the
Chips Ahoy cookies out of the package and place them in a Tupperware
container). Surely God likes independent people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Nope.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I
discovered this truth when the ravioli boiled over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was the
end of a soap-opera day. Not the typical soap opera where my long-lost sister
appears on my doorstep, a nympho-schizo who ran away with my fourth husband
once removed while my evil neighbor plots to torch my house because my clothes
are whiter than hers (surely, you jest). <i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">That,</i> I
could have handled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was a
day when the cat piddled in the philodendron. We were out of milk and bread and
eggs, forcing us to eat Doritos and orange juice for breakfast. Somehow, the
kids managed to find a matching pair of shoes, and most of their homework. One
off to school. Two. Three.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I had just
scooped up Pepper with all intentions of having a serious discussion detailing
the differences between potting soil and kitty litter when Laurel called from
school. She'd forgotten her library book—which was already two days overdue.
She couldn't check out <i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">Little
House on the Prairie</i> until she returned <i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">Little
House in the Big Woods</i>. And her book report was due in three days.
Grabbing the book and my car keys, I wondered if any modern family was as
organized as Pa and Ma Ingalls. The world could be so... trying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After
returning the book, I stopped at the school door. The sky had turned from blue
to blanched—accompanied by a torrent of wet stuff. Never fear, my umbrella was
. . . in the car. I made a run for it, stifling the urge to rotate slowly in
the rain, saving my clothes a trip through the washer at some later date.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While I was
in a library sort of mood, I headed for the main branch. I needed to research
the effects of oleander for the mystery I was writing. As the weather
progressed from raining cats and dogs to dumping an entire pet store on my car,
the windshield wipers chose to deviate from their normal 4/4 rhythm. They tried
a quick waltz . . . before giving up out of rhythmic frustration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Brake
lights! Oh, no! Whew . . . a near miss. I collected my scattered wits and pulled
into a gas station to replace the wiper blades. Unfortunately, they cost more
than the seventy-three cents I dug out of the glove compartment. My checkbook
was at home. Charge it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The
library, groceries, lunch, laundry, writing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Finally, a
hot bath. I was just sinking into the steaming water, having discovered a way
to get my knees and torso warm at the same time, when the phone rang.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was a
neighbor near my son's school. Carson fell off his bike. His arm was broken.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I wrung out
my hair, pulled on some clothes, and raced out the door. I found Carson sitting
on the curb, his right arm held gently with his left hand. A few brave tears
escaped. His, and mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Off to the
hospital where he got x-rayed, delayed and okayed—and became the proud owner of
a fluorescent green cast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I zoomed
home, planted Carson on the couch armed with the remote control. I considered
making him chicken soup (feed a cold, starve . . . an arm?) I wondered how he
would do homework with his right hand encased in its glow-in-the-dark prison.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I headed
for the kitchen to start dinner. I tossed a rock of frozen hamburger into the
microwave and punched enough buttons to launch the space shuttle. Nothing
happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"No!
You can't do this to me!" I yelled, punching the sequence again in case I
wasn't speaking coherent micro-ese during my first attempt. Zippo, no zappo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Oldest
daughter Emily bopped through the kitchen on her way to work at the local ice
cream store. "See ya at eight," she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Don't
you want some dinner?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I'll
eat something at work."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Chalk up
one serving from the dairy, fat, and sugar food groups.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The clock
said Mark would be home in fifteen minutes. I hoped he wouldn't mind ravioli
with meat sauce a' la iceberg. I leaned against the counter and closed my eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Whatcha
doing, Mom?" asked Laurel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I'm
trying to remember how I cooked hamburger before the invention of the
microwave."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"How
'bout the stove?" she suggested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cocky kid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I pulled
myself out of my catatonia and followed her suggestion, browning the frozen
hamburger in one pan while water boiled for the ravioli in another.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The
doorbell rang. Another lawn service wanted to take care of us. <i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">Was
that a hint?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">That's when
it happened. That's when the ravioli boiled over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And that's
when I realized this particular independent woman couldn't do it alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I removed
the pan from the burner and shut off every appliance in the kitchen hoping to
prevent further mutiny. I escaped. To the bathroom. I locked myself in.
Voluntary exile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Mom?"
Laurel said, tapping on the door. "Are you all right?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I took a
deep breath and held back a primal scream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I
will be," I said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She left me
alone. But I wasn't alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's not a
noble position, sitting on the toilet seat next to a sink that needs scrubbing,
a mirror that needs shining, and a used Kleenex next to, but not in, the waste
basket nearby. But God didn't mind since He finally had me where He wanted
me—ready to listen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"God,
it's too much!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I didn't
hear a celestial voice echoing off the faucet. I didn't experience a flash of
light as God granted me His revelation. God's voice came from within and was as
comforting as a hug.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">"It's
about time you came to Me,</i>" He said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">That's when
I gave my worries to God. I relinquished the pesky cat and the freshly
fertilized philodendron. I gave Him Laurel's forgetfulness, Carson's arm, and
Emily's junk food dinner. I asked Him to take care of the weedy lawn and the
pasta-encrusted stove. And I asked if He had any good ideas for dinner—now late
and getting later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And He
answered. Not with words but with feelings. Serenity. Peace. Everything <i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">would </i>be all
right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I
transferred the Kleenex from the floor to the waste basket, re-entered the
world, and pulled out a phone book. I ordered pizza—with extra cheese.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">God
approves of pepperoni.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">***</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Want more inspirational humor? Check out </span></span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYB4LMN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i37" style="text-indent: 0.25in;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Save Me, God! I Fell in the Carpool: </i><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Help, Hope, and Humor for Drowning Moms</i></span></a></div>
Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-19415557335063735092017-03-19T06:11:00.000-07:002020-04-03T03:38:12.982-07:00What a Parent Wants<div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Lord, you are my God; </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
I will exalt you and praise your
name, <br />
for in perfect faithfulness <br />
you have done wonderful things, <br />
things planned long ago."<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Psalm 25: 1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Our family is going through a
season of babies. Children having grandchildren, a new generation springing to
life.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-NPiUBYHsSDKSKBomiUn09AvT2grC-_NPTbK5ErRF0Z9GVcXJ6n1fQKnS4TD0fxQnu0v4rLGzAqTm4eVZOu9XbqRX_0ENKEm5wR1w53R5lO0hhjz8QoDIjO1bNUsbxR2jlKIExAO1Kgu/s1600/BOOK+Lake+3+kids+June+2010+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-NPiUBYHsSDKSKBomiUn09AvT2grC-_NPTbK5ErRF0Z9GVcXJ6n1fQKnS4TD0fxQnu0v4rLGzAqTm4eVZOu9XbqRX_0ENKEm5wR1w53R5lO0hhjz8QoDIjO1bNUsbxR2jlKIExAO1Kgu/s320/BOOK+Lake+3+kids+June+2010+019.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Evelyn, Lily and Jackson</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I remember childbirth. It
wasn’t easy, but it was far easier than what happened when we got the baby home
from the hospital. I don't think any parent realizes the time involved in
taking care of the bun-in-the-oven who's bigger than a bread box.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_k3jNq9OWQhsju4SoSk6rvS00PBDUmb2uFbNRdc9z7KLCOt4hfjyDP1QY6y9JyA3idkyOuozw_BO3QegdjJD8mHbpw6Vd09h2NcBtBxNWABzkdN1K_inh52byXsSgnow_iBv_6mOTZZxx/s1600/Grandma+and+Jamison.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_k3jNq9OWQhsju4SoSk6rvS00PBDUmb2uFbNRdc9z7KLCOt4hfjyDP1QY6y9JyA3idkyOuozw_BO3QegdjJD8mHbpw6Vd09h2NcBtBxNWABzkdN1K_inh52byXsSgnow_iBv_6mOTZZxx/s320/Grandma+and+Jamison.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Jamison and me</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> The sacrifices mothers make
during pregnancy—the sacrifice of our waistlines, our wardrobe, and our freedom
to eat the foods we really love—pale in comparison to the sacrifices we make
once the bundle of joy has arrived. Every minute of our day is spent focused on
this wiggly little being who has no inkling of our sacrifice. If our time is
not spent actually touching them, talking to them, and caring for them, it is
spent thinking about them, fretting over them, and talking </span><i>about</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> them.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh9ni-6OwmZlueTJ1q-49BiyBYcSoz4-JU6bpDIXPa-vheF1W0r0v4HZWBxE1u0Fz8yKiAvoFC2KJ9JWt6OuBKjU5AhzKT69VCzMbKLw4OM720HGH0z636-mrQ413toMB_pf5e44WrJlR/s1600/Book+Birthday+Oliver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh9ni-6OwmZlueTJ1q-49BiyBYcSoz4-JU6bpDIXPa-vheF1W0r0v4HZWBxE1u0Fz8yKiAvoFC2KJ9JWt6OuBKjU5AhzKT69VCzMbKLw4OM720HGH0z636-mrQ413toMB_pf5e44WrJlR/s320/Book+Birthday+Oliver.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Oliver</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Our baby is totally helpless. And
so are we as we’re lured into their world and the spell of their tender
existence. We revise our purpose for living to provide, protect, and prepare
our child to be all they can be. They cry and we rush to their sides, eager to
fulfill their every wish. If they are hungry, we feed them. If they are wet, we
change them—or con Grandma into doing it. We give comfort and take it. We wrap
them in too many blankets when we venture outdoors. We shackle them into
car-seats when we drive. And when they start crawling, we follow their every
move to protect them from stairs, sharp corners, and the consequences of porcelain
knickknacks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVVtxK7ztk1vkXVhX236WFswTQYuxU4WsGfOFfoS25s0sdAZ41m8mV3oIBwLjmQ8fyWhGJYps8FAEpSJHIMd3A6z2xnFlpLPyF9BboOZmQ9P3a8p9_2878Prq5ztvMC4iw9S_XuxwCY4D/s1600/Book+Lake+Hazel+4th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVVtxK7ztk1vkXVhX236WFswTQYuxU4WsGfOFfoS25s0sdAZ41m8mV3oIBwLjmQ8fyWhGJYps8FAEpSJHIMd3A6z2xnFlpLPyF9BboOZmQ9P3a8p9_2878Prq5ztvMC4iw9S_XuxwCY4D/s320/Book+Lake+Hazel+4th.jpg" width="247" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Hazel</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> What do we ask in return? We
don't ask for monetary consideration. We don't ask for awards or a write-up in
the newspaper. We don't even ask for a thank you. All we expect as payment for
our loyalty and attention is their love. And we aren't even picky about how it
is extended to us. A smile. A laugh. A child's outstretched arms. The
indescribable moment when their head rests against our shoulder. And eventually
the most loving words they could ever say: <i>Mama</i>
or <i>Dada</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaDCLScaFdb4Vm7jDp2__YmoB2wzr-nCg923t_BGDN3lSJMG9GdD5yCEGKtjAcnYlRRntCsRx0f3tp5YwnIO0G0LLeXK5MuxSSQEkf-q5jkbbcf4v7LOrlk5c8T_4Rzj2JXkS8B8a_Fi1/s1600/2017-01-21+10.19.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaDCLScaFdb4Vm7jDp2__YmoB2wzr-nCg923t_BGDN3lSJMG9GdD5yCEGKtjAcnYlRRntCsRx0f3tp5YwnIO0G0LLeXK5MuxSSQEkf-q5jkbbcf4v7LOrlk5c8T_4Rzj2JXkS8B8a_Fi1/s320/2017-01-21+10.19.28.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Oscar</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> As we provide for our
children, God provides for us as He protects and prepares us to be all we can
be. What does He ask from us in return? He doesn't ask for monetary
consideration or awards or a write-up in the newspaper. He doesn't even insist
on a thank you. All God expects as payment for His loyalty and attention is our
love. A smile. A laugh. Our outstretched arms. The indescribable moment when our
head bows in surrender. And eventually the most loving words we could ever say:
</span><i>Father. Lord.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i> </i>In this sacred season, give our
Heavenly Father what He wants.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> He wants </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">you</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">But from everlasting to everlasting<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">and his righteousness with their children’s
children—<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">with those who keep his covenant and
remember to obey his precepts.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Psalm 103: 17-18</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">***</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Want more inspirational humor? Check out </span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYB4LMN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i37" style="text-indent: 0.25in;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Save Me, God! I Fell in the Carpool: </i></span><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Help, Hope, and Humor for Drowning Moms</i></span></a></div>
</div>
</div>
Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-6256583176451023982016-08-12T05:02:00.001-07:002020-04-03T03:42:00.253-07:00The Wails of Summer<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><i>“</i>Love is patient, love is kind.<i>”</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I Corinthians 13: 4</span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmkNYJx0TL1UrZgIXdd9_iLvRSNIneBvGqN5O8KbRV02OJXiwjZvi9ZSxmiftKOQG14FMMpKQssb1_92-_GoyYJ3wwt6NY2jEgTH3moxGTfYViDdOXNCfaJWE9lu4kWsSPwaF2mG6ofnT/s1600/wail+kids+playing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmkNYJx0TL1UrZgIXdd9_iLvRSNIneBvGqN5O8KbRV02OJXiwjZvi9ZSxmiftKOQG14FMMpKQssb1_92-_GoyYJ3wwt6NY2jEgTH3moxGTfYViDdOXNCfaJWE9lu4kWsSPwaF2mG6ofnT/s320/wail+kids+playing.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> I adored having my three kids
around the house all summer. Their muted
footfalls fluttered through the house like a scattering of rose petals. Their sunny voices asked, "Is there
anything we can do to help you, Mother Dear?"</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Welcome to Fantasy Island.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I know why Labor Day is at the
end of summer. It's the day mothers
question whether the fruit of their
labor pains was worth the price. Ask us
the question on Memorial Day and we'll bore you with sentimental memories of
our child's first tooth or our wistful tears as they trotted off to
kindergarten. Ask the question on Labor Day and we'll growl, "I'll give
you three for a buck-ninety-eight. Will
that be cash, check or credit card?"</span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> School days, schools days,
dear old Golden Rule days...</span></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uzV5lZr5kwRAsiMLw5NXIoP8CCCwfOlOzRBBbB1QdvB_XrOB10iOpPKt2dNFVk_zLESsLzxqxPenj1VopeBhjG6RGnLCiqSaHG6xSA9PUOKHJJsCxO_XUTiXf90ByZJ1ZuEOwSqocuZJ/s1600/Wail+Books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uzV5lZr5kwRAsiMLw5NXIoP8CCCwfOlOzRBBbB1QdvB_XrOB10iOpPKt2dNFVk_zLESsLzxqxPenj1VopeBhjG6RGnLCiqSaHG6xSA9PUOKHJJsCxO_XUTiXf90ByZJ1ZuEOwSqocuZJ/s320/Wail+Books.jpg" width="211" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> The Golden Rule is mentioned in
those lyrics to remind our children of the existence of rules. You know.
Those guidelines parents set up in June, revise in July and throw in the
trash compactor in August?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> You may not go swimming until one
hour after eating. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> One-half hour.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Here, take a sandwich with you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Come
inside when the street lights turn on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Here's a flashlight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Be
sure to lock up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> To be fair, the summer holiday
involves compromise on both parts. I was
used to eating Snickers for lunch and the kids were used to pestering an adult
who is unaware of their wide repertory of juvenile cons. So, I stocked up on peanut butter and pot
pies and the kids became buddies with the retired couple who lived down the
street. (I sent the couple an anonymous thank-you bouquet every Monday, signing
the enclosure, Your Eternal Friend.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Summertime proves to be costly
for those families where both parents work outside the home. Day-care expenses make you ask: </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not only are the kids out of school but I
have to pay money for the privilege?</span></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqz2Y2vFmErvlFNpIvjtTH0aAkx8-hr2B1ZU1-HETeMnQcGmMq7cJRJn14j6MJHpbz7WX4gz0PXwZzlBP2mDhEIbW8a4x2s9R2t5pD6hzBb-lW8DSR06-6lvp3hjotRpSdWbgi6cymtBa/s1600/wail+towels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqz2Y2vFmErvlFNpIvjtTH0aAkx8-hr2B1ZU1-HETeMnQcGmMq7cJRJn14j6MJHpbz7WX4gz0PXwZzlBP2mDhEIbW8a4x2s9R2t5pD6hzBb-lW8DSR06-6lvp3hjotRpSdWbgi6cymtBa/s320/wail+towels.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Those of us who work at home
dream of day-care. It's a bit hard to
concentrate when there's a trail of mildewing beach towels bisecting the house,
the smell of burnt cookies wafting out of the kitchen, and the pulse of
Meatloaf (the singer not the dinner) making me contemplate the construction of
a stockade in the back yard. (I wonder
if the library has a how-to book, perhaps shelved under child psychology?)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I should clarify. I love my kids. Cross my heart and hope to .
. . but they make me tired.
Lethargic. Catatonic.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I considered buying three season
tickets to the Royals. Let's see . . .
81 home games at four hours a game equals 324 hours when my darlings won't be
asking me <i>The Question.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> And what is The Question? </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Come on parents, you can ace this quiz.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Is The Question::</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A. We're tired, Mom, so what can we do now?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">B. We're hungry, Mom, so what can we do now?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">C. We're bored, Mom, so what can we do now?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> The Question is: All, or any of the above depending on the
barometric pressure, the peanut butter deficit, and the number of neighbor kids
glaring at me from the doorway.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> On average, I hear, and attempt
to answer The Question two hundred and eighty-three times. I started the summer with good intentions – and
good answers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> "Ask Erin over. Play
school. Read a book."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> But around the seventieth asking
(during Day 4 of summer) my answers, and my patience, began to show signs of
sanity withdrawal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> "Are you sure Erin's
parents don't want another child? Go pick the lock on the school. Watch </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Forensic Files</span></i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">."</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHLoczCg3VgkATU7fBra_M2EvcG3dFwshZVNPXhMXxsZbZL9SKtuLgKRCiVAqUpWuPs0WZIIk3GziiFVeJPYiWO_pxyNmn4aNzkmWmgxK7H6TTQowOSlJWHun0O3_CiUuPidQ12T4noib/s1600/wail+stressed.png.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHLoczCg3VgkATU7fBra_M2EvcG3dFwshZVNPXhMXxsZbZL9SKtuLgKRCiVAqUpWuPs0WZIIk3GziiFVeJPYiWO_pxyNmn4aNzkmWmgxK7H6TTQowOSlJWHun0O3_CiUuPidQ12T4noib/s320/wail+stressed.png.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I answered Question #274 with a
primal grunt. In response to Question
#275, I snarled. Intent on testing their
mother's new vocabulary to the fullest, my children continued through Question
#283 when they noticed my incisors appeared to be sharpening. I never heard The Question again. </span><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Hey, I don't raise no dumb kids.</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> As the end of summer glows on
the horizon and the aura of back-to-school entices, I realize there will be a
time when I'll give anything to hear the thud of elephant feet and the wails
of, "But, Mom, do we have to?"
I'll look back on these chaotic summers with a bittersweet
reflection. Guilt will sit on my
shoulders until I admit my insensitivity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Ah, what the heck. I'll risk it.</span><br />
<div style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Want more inspirational humor? Check out </span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYB4LMN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i37" style="text-indent: 0.25in;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Save Me, God! I Fell in the Carpool: </i><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Help, Hope, and Humor for Drowning Moms</i></span></a></div>
</div>
Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-15646648011263151242016-05-23T07:06:00.000-07:002020-04-03T03:45:52.533-07:00Make Your Selection Please<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"The Lord is near to all who call on him, </span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">to all who call on him in truth.</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He fulfills the desires of those who fear
him; </span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">he hears their cry and saves them."</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Psalm 145:18-19</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> When I'm trying to sort
through a problem, I do two things: I
pray, and I eat candy. One feeds my soul
and the other, my sweet-tooth. Both come from heaven.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarf1jgFkixK3Sp-qtlpNWIHoqzjPccBzjqr1kJTBsEgcYMmj4UZgB1woEGkqbKrTzeSFa7N4D504g2E4klKzGvppbLMivrUT97-MOigPC4dP8vZ7tbHDzyC_1qpaTZ4RW1yP6T6z-PfWg/s1600/Vending+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarf1jgFkixK3Sp-qtlpNWIHoqzjPccBzjqr1kJTBsEgcYMmj4UZgB1woEGkqbKrTzeSFa7N4D504g2E4klKzGvppbLMivrUT97-MOigPC4dP8vZ7tbHDzyC_1qpaTZ4RW1yP6T6z-PfWg/s320/Vending+1.jpg" width="192" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> On one particularly busy day,
I was bothered by a particularly pesky problem. So as I buzzed through my to-do
list, I prayed—at the stoplight, while waiting for the dry cleaning, while
going through the car wash. I didn't
pray in generalities, but prayed very specifically because I wanted God to get
it right. Hopefully, He would agree with
my solution, give His blessings, and everything would be grand.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> As talking to heaven made me
want to taste a bit of it, I eventually took a chocolate break.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> The coins clattered down the
vending machine's innards. Chocolate delicacies called to me like Sirens wooing
Odysseus. Did I want rich and gooey (Snickers), rich and creamy (Reese's Peanut
Butter Cups) or rich and crunchy (Butterfinger)? If only I had enough calorie reserves to have
them all.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDsnZ4t9avuQy5Iqyc3JgejE4mQDEmr0MBLutLwIGsgCk-4jWvXlt99E0VmmrqQQZrMny2vOuxC8l600nqCaQd6P9wp0VWxnnXciaEE-huH8hBNNxfPhjfVDaHWiruyrg7I4jMHZYQz9U/s1600/vending+snickers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDsnZ4t9avuQy5Iqyc3JgejE4mQDEmr0MBLutLwIGsgCk-4jWvXlt99E0VmmrqQQZrMny2vOuxC8l600nqCaQd6P9wp0VWxnnXciaEE-huH8hBNNxfPhjfVDaHWiruyrg7I4jMHZYQz9U/s320/vending+snickers.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> And the winner was: rich and gooey. I pulled the knob under the Snickers
bar. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Nothing happened.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I yanked the knob again. Harder.
Maybe it didn't understand the laws of elementary vending?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> The Snickers sat there,
glaring at me. Gloating.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> After a quick glimpse around
the vending area for witnesses, I gave the machine a smack with my fist. The Snickers held firm. But its neighbor, a low-fat granola bar,
plunged into the tray.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> "No!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I retrieved the granola bar
and stared at it. How dare it think it
could take the place of decadent chocolate. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I dug out more money. I fed the machine a second time and carefully
pulled the Snickers knob.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Nothing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I grabbed the sides of the
vending machine and leaned against it.
"You're not listening!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I pulled the knob again,
pounding the glass above the Snickers at the same time, hoping to give it a
push.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gvL9igY8LYFIsyX4SPv29jrdXH9PuuotzYX-QLcR0T_LSV3-033w5hDAWoHIAuk5u1UtcUvqMj4kJkwC35FMwKt2y64fvckCu8gbeJWnc14yz5GGw_901AGXKN1IQj9Lc1X97Z0Ye2Yv/s1600/cherry-granola-bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gvL9igY8LYFIsyX4SPv29jrdXH9PuuotzYX-QLcR0T_LSV3-033w5hDAWoHIAuk5u1UtcUvqMj4kJkwC35FMwKt2y64fvckCu8gbeJWnc14yz5GGw_901AGXKN1IQj9Lc1X97Z0Ye2Yv/s320/cherry-granola-bar.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> A granola bar plunged off the
edge to its death.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> "No! No!"</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I put a hand to my forehead,
took a deep breath, and tried to calm myself.
My desire for the Snickers bar was nearing the obsession level. I didn't </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">want
</span></i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">it anymore, I </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">needed</span></i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> it.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I rummaged around the bottom
of my purse hoping for a scattering of stray coins. If only the machine took
pennies.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sixty-five. Seventy. Just one more nickel. I looked in the compartment that held my
sunglasses. A crumpled receipt, a peppermint, a lint sculpture . . . and a
nickel!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I stroked the front of the
machine, calming it. "I'm going to
try this one more time," I said.
"For your own good, and my sanity, please cooperate."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I inserted the coins with
delicate precision, giving the machine ample time to log in each new
addition. I had the Snickers knob in my
hand when I hesitated. </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've pulled the Snickers knob twice and
gotten a granola bar twice. Therefore,
it's only logical . . .</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i> </i>I moved my hand to the
granola bar's knob. I bothered God with
a chocolate prayer and pulled.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> A low-fat granola bar fell
into the tray.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I stifled a scream as I
retrieved the final two granola bars.
With cool deliberation I stuck them in my purse, turned my back on the
vending machine, and strode to the parking lot.
With amazing self-control, I held in my anger until I was alone in my
car.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I hit the steering wheel with
the palm of my hand. "Stupid
machine!" I said. "I gave it
the right amount of change, I made the selection, I pulled the knob. I did everything right yet it didn't listen
to me! It kept giving me what I didn't
want."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Hunger overrode anger. I yanked a granola bar from my purse and
ripped off the wrapper. I tore a bite
off the top and chewed vigorously as if extracting my revenge. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> My chewing slowed. </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Not bad. Not bad at all.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I took another bite and read the back of the
wrapper. It was certainly more
nutritious than a candy bar. Less fat,
even a few vitamins.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> "Well, what do you
know?" I said aloud. I’d paid the
machine, pounded the machine, stroked the machine, tried to outwit the
machine. I’d asked over and over for one
particular thing only to have it give me something that was better than what I
asked for.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Unannounced, my pesky problem
popped into my thoughts. I called up the prayer I'd been reciting and reeled it
off. But mid-sentence I stopped and
stared at the granola bar.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Had I been treating God like
a vending machine: prayer in, answer out? Had I been </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">paying </span></i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Him with prayers, </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">pounding</span></i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
Him with my persistence, </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">stroking</span></i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Him
with easy platitudes, trying to </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">outwit</span></i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
Him by asking over and over for His blessings on </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">my </span></i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">will? In answer was He
offering me something that would be better for me than what I asked for?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I put the granola bar aside
and bowed my head, apologizing to the Almighty for my selfish nagging. I thanked Him for the lesson He’d just taught
me, and finally surrendered my problem to His capable hands.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Pulling out into traffic, I
knew my problem would be solved. Wisely,
fairly, and mercifully. As far as the
other problem I had in liking Snickers more than low-fat anything? God would have to work on that larger issue
another time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I wish Him well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">***</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Want more inspirational humor? Check out </span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYB4LMN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i37" style="text-indent: 0.25in;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Save Me, God! I Fell in the Carpool: </i></span><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Help, Hope, and Humor for Drowning Moms</i></span></a></div>
</div>
Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-40636545246283665332016-02-27T05:51:00.000-08:002020-04-03T03:56:24.936-07:00Emptying Our Hands<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“I spread out my hands to you;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my soul thirsts for you like a parched
land.”<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Psalm 143: 6</span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I am a multi-tasker.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I never </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">just </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">watch TV:</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I knit, pay bills, needlepoint, or even
read.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I never </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">just </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">go on errands:</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I listen
to audio books, brainstorm ideas, make mental lists, and think through
problems.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJGfIaBrCwyb8Yrxr97Mo5LSDorPPtdnb8UiRArUm5G6yamlmGA3objVfgDv49dmLAvb5enmsit5iBedskYtZvJWMY2y918d8K0oE95eb5AjRJBYm_yI_x70QUoM_z0tcDQOWVCWON54f/s320/Hands+knitting.JPG" width="320" /></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I pride myself on efficiency.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I rarely leave a room without taking
something with me that needs to go elsewhere.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I rarely have one thought at a time, but two.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> This morning I began to reconsider my ways.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I was at my coffee pot—a coffee maker with a carafe. My
habit is to bring the full carafe into my office so I can refill my cup there
(it’s more efficient that way, you know?)</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This morning I picked up a clean coffee cup, some extra sweetener, and the
carafe, then closed a cabinet drawer with my hip because I had no hands free</span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Suddenly, it hit me:</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I go through life with my hand’s full.</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i> </i>Oddly, the thought did not come as a compliment, but a
slap.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> But how could that be?</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">How could a trait I’d always considered an attribute be presented to my
conscience as a defect?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFiSTxBzUBE5ZGTnlu8iHVSuWafZDs6rmWYlc-stb5jzZFjEPuMZnUml0u620xsx1aqjRDAox8aMv5ITI2xRZnBKJwu3IGZ5WYjjbuXf9CBAmQ30Q3wcKktOsdcdOstQ-jpgHZciNXubY/s320/hands+coffee.JPG" width="320" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I set the coffee supplies on my desk—dropping two packets of
sweetener on the floor in the process—then sank into my work chair.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I turned my hands palms-up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My empty hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely doing many
things at once was a good thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
all, isn’t the centuries-old idiom true: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Idle hands are the devil’s workshop”?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Yet looking at my open hands I realized the gesture was a natural
display of supplication and worship.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On
impulse, I picked up my coffee mug with one hand and a pen in the other.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I looked at my hands again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> The supplication and worship were gone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> But it was good to work. “If a man is lazy, the rafters sag;
if his hands are idle, the house leaks. (Ecclesiastes 10:18).</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And one of my favorites, “Be strong and do
the work." (1 Chronicles 28:10)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> But if work and being busy had become my focus . . . if I
always kept my hands full . . .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I took out my Bible, looking up “Hands” in the concordance.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There were bad words associated with
hands:</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">idle, lazy, evil</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But there
were also good connotations</span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>train my hands, lay their hands, lift his
hands, wash their hands, clap your hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All the negative phrases had the focus on </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">us</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All the positive phrases
had the focus on God.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I remembered the story Robert Benson shared in his book, </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Living Prayer. </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He told of his time with
some monks.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He noticed their serenity
and asked them about it. They explained it this way:</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"When we are walking, we are
walking.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When we are working, we are working
. . .”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> By being efficient, making multi-tasking an art form, and
keeping my hands full, was I doing nothing well?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I put the mug and pen down and made my hands free again—free
to surrender, worship, ask, receive, and pray. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">They were free of the accoutrements of this
world and open to the blessings of the next.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I was reminded that there is a balance between busy and open
hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we accomplish when our hands
are full is worth much more if we let go, and let God be a part of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray and perform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worship and work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surrender and succeed. Adore and achieve.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in
vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain .
. . Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord,
not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord
as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">(Psalm 127: 1 and Colossians 3: 23-24)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Let us empty our hands and fill our hearts for the Lord—lest
He wash His hands of us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">***</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Want more inspirational humor? Check out </span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYB4LMN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i37" style="text-indent: 0.25in;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Save Me, God! I Fell in the Carpool: </i></span><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Help, Hope, and Humor for Drowning Moms</i></span></a></div>
</div>
Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-28921795793371546472016-01-22T20:18:00.000-08:002020-04-03T04:01:28.980-07:00Eluding the Perfection Police<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-style: italic;">
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><i>"</i>There, in the presence of the Lord
your God, </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">you and your families shall eat and shall
rejoice </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">in everything you have put your hand to, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">because the Lord your God has blessed
you."<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">
Deuteronomy 12: 7</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjDmpFZBOOspiH9VnKsF0j7xoHPopF-6cI9_K017sVZhEj4BvU7eoHyg822iZArkku6Dy2o4INfeqa-6YSg-aQ3BzuejHx8UgQEN1aDcKqcAbSyc7FQ6QhPdXalZ-fAZv1i2h9dflCeUv/s200/Perfection+dust-bunny.jpg" width="200" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I am not the best housekeeper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our house has dust bunnies that I've made
into pets. I see no reason to vacuum the carpet just to remove footprints. And
I know for a fact that a few water-spots on my kitchen faucet will not cause a
plague.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> It's not that I don't know
how to be a perfect Suzy Homemaker. Hey, I’m well aware of Martha Stewart’s
obsessions. Yet, after decades of marriage, nine houses, three cats, two dogs, and three
kids, and six grandkids I've chosen to take it down a notch.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> When the kids were young and the
perfection-police invaded our domain, I’d bark orders: "Carson, you cut a
swath through the family room. Emily, hose down the kitchen, and Laurel,
capture all the dust bunnies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'll
conquer the laundry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any
questions?"<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqU5F990rPpAgyPZrDOSxNHwMav12q7G24Tf302z7HlmJP6YEBhElAU9bEP30lvV7YnmBzr-z9ygeSRT3XECjiM_S60OaFhwpRm48VRW7NFYS_HjNLVbN5duF0GHfpGvWH1HhAXYNjMqz/s320/Perfection+kid+vaccuming.jpg" width="320" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Carson raised a hand.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Why are we doing this? Is Grandma
coming to visit?"</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> "No."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> "The pope?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I glared at them.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"No one's coming to visit.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We're cleaning the house for us. We </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">do</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> like a clean house, don't we?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Realizing this was a trick
question, the kids looked at each other and shrugged.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> "What's that shrug
supposed to mean?" I snapped.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> "We'll help," Emily
said, "but we don't understand why you're so . . . so . . ."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> "Zealous," Carson
said.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> We all stared at him.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Where did you get that word?" I
asked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Carson looked at the ceiling,
trying to remember.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I think I read
it in an article about wild-eyed fanatics who tried to take over some country."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> "Are you implying I'm
wild-eyed?" I asked, brandishing a broom in the air like a sword.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> My children's silence was my
answer. I looked around at the morning newspaper strewn on the coffee table, a
lone pair of shoes by the wall, the couch pillows which would only take a few
moments to straighten.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Maybe I was
exaggerating a bit," I conceded.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Maybe things aren't as messy as I thought."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> The kids' shoulders
relaxed.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">They'd been given a reprieve
from the perfection-police, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and their
zealous mother—who was (and is) far from perfect.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> The perfection-police visit
far less often now. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The popcorn bowl in
the sink, mail on the counter, a basket of socks that need matching, and a
baseball hat flung over the stair post are not capital crimes.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">They're proof that a family lives here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> And </span><em style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">that </em><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">is true perfection.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">***</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Want more inspirational humor? Check out </span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYB4LMN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i37" style="text-indent: 0.25in;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Save Me, God! I Fell in the Carpool: </i></span><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Help, Hope, and Humor for Drowning Moms</i></span></a></div>
</div>
Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-2235100579275934892015-10-23T12:23:00.000-07:002020-04-03T04:05:01.398-07:00The Racing Pigeon Club<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"How great is God—beyond our understanding!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The number of his years is past finding out."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Job 36: 26</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZB1qgnav2A7H8GQ1TGVytsiSULbV7Ru73NV5JfOgViCAQBG7N0brNfd2xlSyZHe8u4QrNqBQgqFtj0SIHDbCG5TmWrkxiNRcCPk4JEaNtVg9O4pUc-ZRWZBs6i9Q-ddEWTki4yCfDXGV/s1600/pigeon20racing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZB1qgnav2A7H8GQ1TGVytsiSULbV7Ru73NV5JfOgViCAQBG7N0brNfd2xlSyZHe8u4QrNqBQgqFtj0SIHDbCG5TmWrkxiNRcCPk4JEaNtVg9O4pUc-ZRWZBs6i9Q-ddEWTki4yCfDXGV/s320/pigeon20racing.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> My husband and I were driving to Nebraska for a
football game.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was at the wheel.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A pickup pulling an enclosed trailer passed me.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On the back of the trailer was written
"Siouxland Racing Pigeon Club."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> My first thought was, </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You've got to be kidding</span></i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My
second thought was more gracious.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A
racing pigeon club?</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Really?</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">How exactly does one get interested in such a
thing?</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As opposed to . . . quilting
clubs, travel clubs, antique car clubs, ski clubs, or traveling nearly four
hours every football Saturday to watch our alma mater play ball?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxLxzt1AfP6aqBC2CYmk9EcOqX0H0gXyw0sqTX0NWsV4GTR-CmVvmMTYasvChoFrngfuh8l2qefu5_tbQkRUO-BeXHiOr8yCanredDuA8DQaSCI8Hn7OPvgd08vX5Fp1xbJrG175amWMx/s200/grasshopper.jpg" width="200" /></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> There's a club for every interest and an interest in
every club, hobby, sport, or diversion. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There
are also over 900,000 varieties of insects in the world, 400,000 different
plants, and at least as many varieties of chocolate (or is that simply a
personal wish?)</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Is this volume of variety really necessary?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyzjus9S8sPcD2RbwFeHOQS7HPea3WELzJaVMDWEBXSXcFd4HJFAv8kHuHJfvui9tHylBQDi3UVn3hvu_SWlZiimpbTmWz2W16hNWrljbEL4OewoCy7TwMK3FDw3h0CJnvke3NnskXcrg/s1600/chocolate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyzjus9S8sPcD2RbwFeHOQS7HPea3WELzJaVMDWEBXSXcFd4HJFAv8kHuHJfvui9tHylBQDi3UVn3hvu_SWlZiimpbTmWz2W16hNWrljbEL4OewoCy7TwMK3FDw3h0CJnvke3NnskXcrg/s200/chocolate.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Obviously, yes.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To quote a line from the movie "Robin Hood:</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Prince of Thieves":</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"God loves wondrous variety."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> For God made each and every species, genus, group,
and classification. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He created them,
"And God saw that it was good."</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">(Genesis 1: 21)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELOL2w-JUdyV0ctFokn2zIDH7U7BrvR3vijpVngPBFgN_MP-pBDKpN0QFrAJSxMdZR3f_cwYXIoWnasyESiXyZYiECl2Flhnyva-dBK_4o-2k6gQZiv55A1wEUkoiOoT2p0Qf7r84Icjb/s1600/nebraska-spring-game-041115-twitter-ftr_qd2qgfx15lwl1d69kpoa6jg56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELOL2w-JUdyV0ctFokn2zIDH7U7BrvR3vijpVngPBFgN_MP-pBDKpN0QFrAJSxMdZR3f_cwYXIoWnasyESiXyZYiECl2Flhnyva-dBK_4o-2k6gQZiv55A1wEUkoiOoT2p0Qf7r84Icjb/s320/nebraska-spring-game-041115-twitter-ftr_qd2qgfx15lwl1d69kpoa6jg56.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Later that day, as my husband and I sat in the
football stadium among 85,000 of our closest friends, I looked across the crowd
and tried to see individuals, each with distinct qualities, talents, hopes,
dreams, and destinies.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God created each
one with a unique purpose.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He wants to
know each one on a personal basis, and longs to hear their prayers—and answer
them.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's estimated that
106,456,367,669 people have ever lived. (I love the audacity of the
"9" at the end of this number.) That's a lot of variety, that's a lot
of unique purposes, that's a lot of Divine attention to detail.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wz0-ynlmwn4wMiI9ZNOcBlLLjGnrtw8ABGziGSai1M6SLKup1JmyrGdLfDk5gaI67QCz3TrQ-vvQXRA0xMmSVzFkD90_yMoIh-MqF8qhlqty2pYyEdLsx-jnwUUwsYCnGs1Zbs0KFuIe/s1600/population.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wz0-ynlmwn4wMiI9ZNOcBlLLjGnrtw8ABGziGSai1M6SLKup1JmyrGdLfDk5gaI67QCz3TrQ-vvQXRA0xMmSVzFkD90_yMoIh-MqF8qhlqty2pYyEdLsx-jnwUUwsYCnGs1Zbs0KFuIe/s320/population.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> That's a lot of Divine love, over a lot of
years.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Such numbers are unfathomable—to us.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But not to Him.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"But do not forget this one thing, dear
friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are
like a day." (2 Peter 3: 8)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> We don't understand the need for this vast amount of
variety, but God does.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I truly believe
there is a reason for each insect, each flower, each person.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Isaiah 40:28-29 says it wonderfully:</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will
not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom."</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReLgqc2jlK1_EF9tigu-p30XAGOEIK-bbKt7J7epCWgcbGLJY-8cghTHZpHCHtTij_PGXTDIntAZs0H2SmF_UKJwEL3X-YLyL_cQAfZjv39Oj_6aG6OFZhRIfxlNNShmz8839WXYp31HE/s1600/person+standing+alone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReLgqc2jlK1_EF9tigu-p30XAGOEIK-bbKt7J7epCWgcbGLJY-8cghTHZpHCHtTij_PGXTDIntAZs0H2SmF_UKJwEL3X-YLyL_cQAfZjv39Oj_6aG6OFZhRIfxlNNShmz8839WXYp31HE/s320/person+standing+alone.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> And yet accepting this variety, pondering the
immensity of it, marveling in it, we can also marvel in the fact there is only </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">one </span></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One </span></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Christ Jesus, the way, the
truth, and the light. One who is the great I-Am. (Exodus 3: 14)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> So during this season to be thankful, take a moment
to look around at your world—which is the same yet different from my world.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Take note of the wondrous variety, be awed by
it, remember our one God who created it all, and allow yourself a sweet
indulgence to feel special.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> And very, very blessed.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">***</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Want more inspirational humor? Check out </span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYB4LMN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i37" style="text-indent: 0.25in;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Save Me, God! I Fell in the Carpool: </i></span><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Help, Hope, and Humor for Drowning Moms</i></span></a></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-44541833971094798072015-01-17T06:19:00.000-08:002020-04-03T04:16:40.138-07:00Getting Ahead of the Game<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Offer hospitality to one another without
grumbling.</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Each one should use whatever gift </span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">he has
received to serve others, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">faithfully administering God's grace in its
various forms."<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
I Peter 4: 9-10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I always vow this
will be the year I get ahead of the game—whatever that game might be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I'm tired of procrastinating.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm tired of feeling the pressure of
should-dos.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm tired of being
tired.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So . . . my solution is to embrace
the Boy Scout motto:</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">be prepared. </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ahead of time.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A little at a time.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmnOeNuLg2k1sQ6U4hWKnOJ-PGYHVmGkN81tWY6xzvK05KcjDc5nSBSUnHFObkSt96rCZJlnBosKk6_GQeZzz81WmdZyxmxNqWzaUH3LAUdDElvFnLwhk8_BVwUgurtCO5m9YErukvEql/s1600/Cleaning+woman.JPG" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;" width="320" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> The first test occurs right away
as I make preparations for some family visitors who are staying two nights. I need
to be domestic and clean and cook.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> U</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">nfortunately, none of these attributes are </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">my </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">attributes, unless I’m in the mood, and I’ve long realized those
moods can easily leapfrog months.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Or
years. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> But this year, with my new
resolution in tow, I vow that I will get ahead of the game and get the entire
thing under control.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">D-day (done-day) is
five days away, when the guests will arrive.</span><br />
<b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> Day #1:</b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I psych myself up to
do it right.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> H</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">owever, as the day wears on and I
haven't actually done anything beyond thinking about doing something, I end up
feeling very much like Scarlett O’Hara:</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">I’ll do it tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, tomorrow is another day.</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Day #2:</b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I look at my to-do
list and divide the house into battle zones:</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">basement, main floor, top floor.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When
the kids were little, I used to draw squares in the carpet of</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">their bedrooms with a finger, telling them to
“Clean up this square” in an attempt to make the chaos seem more manageable. This
might have been a helpful memory until I acknowledge the first floor of my
house is mostly wood.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> Instead I collect dirty dishes from
all three floors and fill the dishwasher.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I forget to turn it on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Day #3:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Feeling guilty for
yesterday, I make a menu and a grocery list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I even recopy the list according to sections
in the grocery store:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Produce, Dairy,
and the Fat-Sugar-Chemical aisle. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing this is above and beyond any “getting
ahead of the game” scenario I ever aspired to, I feel smug and done for the day
but . . . I refuse to give into the temptation and actually go <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to </i>the grocery store and buy the things
I need.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> It takes two carts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Back home, enticed by the food in
the Fat-Sugar-Chemical aisle, I make lunch.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And since that makes a mess, I dive in and cook the menu items that can be
frozen until the weekend.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Adrenalin
kicks in.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Four hours later I have made
sweet & sour chicken, coffee cake, muffins, crumb cookies, and a monstrous mess.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I wonder if Merry Maids has a 911 number . . .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I clean up and collapse on the
couch.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I fall asleep to "Law &
Order" reruns.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Day #4:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember the
Proverbs 31 Woman (sigh) and try to take verse seventeen to heart:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"She sets about her work vigorously; her
arms are strong for her tasks."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We'll see about that.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> The basement beckons.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As I vacuum, I notice a path in the carpet
the cats have made on their way to their Poo-Room.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I decide to force them into a new path by
pulling out a bar stool, relocating a potted plant, and moving a footstool in
the direct line of their padding little feet.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I wait for a cat to run the gauntlet.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pepper complies, and I feel momentarily victorious, until I realize a </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">new</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> path will be pressed into the
carpet.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I also realize as I vacuum the
stairway, that the felines are not the only guilty party.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Looking down upon my work, I see my own
footprints in the plush.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Because there is
no solution, and because my back hurts, I retire to the couch and watch "Law
& Order" reruns.</span><br />
<b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> Day #5 -- D-Day</b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">:</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I wallow in
the fact the wood floor cannot leave track marks like the carpet, but grieve
that it produces a community of dust bunnies.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I do my best rounding them up before proceeding to the second floor
where bathrooms and clean sheets beckon.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I try to imitate a fabric softener commercial by making a sheet float
through the air to fall neatly on the bed.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I only succeed in getting it caught in the ceiling fan and knocking over
a lamp. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But I make my mother proud by
making everything fresh and new—including hospital corners.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> It’s nearly time for them to arrive.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">'m sweaty and want a nap.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If I ignore the need for makeup, I could
probably slip in ten minutes of rest.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I
close my eyes (to afternoon "Law & Order" reruns) and am nearly
asleep when a kitty jumps up on my chest.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">From my position on the couch I
notice the entry light has cobwebs.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The
cat jumps to safety as I take care of it.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> And the windows need washing . . .
Hopefully, no one will be tempted to look through them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> And my roots need touching up . .
.</span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If I comb my hair just right or wear
a hat . . .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> The doorbell rings. And so the weekend begins.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The house is filled with family who bring
their coats, suitcases, and oft-heard stories, which makes me realize no one is looking
at the house anyway.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We are too busy
talking and </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">being.</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> The fellowship is awesome, the
food edible, and time flies. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> As they
leave I vow to add something to my “get ahead of the game”
scenario:</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">don’t worry so much about </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">anything</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> because my family don’t care
about kitty tracks, they accept whatever level of scrubbed tub I can manage,
and they’d settle for McDonald’s if that’s what I chose to serve.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxPvxLQH6OzhcJNF6wOUBcugbs5ckBjgHqMHlNKTfd_oZOGiTfqnTzyVAGzti-YoDI1blGdn3TXyJvF5av3v0MEH8Sgkm0B6VnTkWrvZzbrt9fwHZaZotEjNpGbpzdTIsHUvzLUnrhVbf/s320/BOOK+Fall.JPG" width="320" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> They love me and I love them, and
our time together is what’s important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made
complete in us." (I John 4: 12)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Knowing that is truly getting
ahead of the game.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Want more inspirational humor? Check out </span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYB4LMN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i37" style="text-indent: 0.25in;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Save Me, God! I Fell in the Carpool: </i></span><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Help, Hope, and Humor for Drowning Moms</i></span></a></div>
Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-88172747680387613872014-12-08T13:12:00.000-08:002014-12-08T13:12:15.729-08:00Costume Jewelry Brooches as Ornaments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILENqrw7r5LzanWaqzp0sSZFAQ3oFXW3bFIMDqb7rW5p2HJ-tCNWIZfN8MWpQt6vbzQst5eeqUSbD__OPhhqtrjRC-mBQNA9pfgapWbB7HSQCd9aQwrfZr6r8qj_iOy7Qk_Hr_lgFYvIV/s1600/pins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILENqrw7r5LzanWaqzp0sSZFAQ3oFXW3bFIMDqb7rW5p2HJ-tCNWIZfN8MWpQt6vbzQst5eeqUSbD__OPhhqtrjRC-mBQNA9pfgapWbB7HSQCd9aQwrfZr6r8qj_iOy7Qk_Hr_lgFYvIV/s1600/pins.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For years I've been collecting pretty pins/brooches, most from the 50's and 60's. The trouble is, they are way too fancy for the clothing I wear every day. I just don't dress up very often.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WNqXHcX6K9DqX6NNU0A6QZO5K15daU-LJGoLbsqsmVPZVVVK3Og3BB1A2EcLOuXaVLCbZM29rvTMict13lKanD1jVX6gPwOZ6Sb5ZQWOfzdUK43IItXygsdTpXWyaBLl-YuzgGZ9wrcr/s1600/pins+full+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WNqXHcX6K9DqX6NNU0A6QZO5K15daU-LJGoLbsqsmVPZVVVK3Og3BB1A2EcLOuXaVLCbZM29rvTMict13lKanD1jVX6gPwOZ6Sb5ZQWOfzdUK43IItXygsdTpXWyaBLl-YuzgGZ9wrcr/s1600/pins+full+tree.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My brooches spent some time in a glass-topped display coffee table, but I wanted to use them in a different way. So this year I hung them on a Christmas tree. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15cOHYvRMApUYwYaHQHX9YuTq7KfeUpWteglOGqFk4YPZnhLa3Bl9SIOrkf6NootBfy21zGQSjs9lp5tXaNrgP1hvdpYArJ_2Oq8L0qIRF82n0xH_vzAI-hIFkpunF8gAeRivymYNrpHe/s1600/pins+blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15cOHYvRMApUYwYaHQHX9YuTq7KfeUpWteglOGqFk4YPZnhLa3Bl9SIOrkf6NootBfy21zGQSjs9lp5tXaNrgP1hvdpYArJ_2Oq8L0qIRF82n0xH_vzAI-hIFkpunF8gAeRivymYNrpHe/s1600/pins+blue.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Add an ornament hook and you've got a gorgeous addition to your tree. Put them near a tree light and you'll make the most use of their sparkle potential!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5P-OsAE1yn7UKFbZbgGc6EmkqofRArKavaHOI9TIGBI13e1EPuUcq-jV1IhYauVtl1czkFFxVE6wEgwnUr5ggnS90bYtk5MqjaaOC7C04PetM8fC1hyphenhyphenZCFRmOTvvcCh4OaLsF7-lPBbB/s1600/pin+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5P-OsAE1yn7UKFbZbgGc6EmkqofRArKavaHOI9TIGBI13e1EPuUcq-jV1IhYauVtl1czkFFxVE6wEgwnUr5ggnS90bYtk5MqjaaOC7C04PetM8fC1hyphenhyphenZCFRmOTvvcCh4OaLsF7-lPBbB/s1600/pin+3.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheI5QiVXLG7kfUtaeoa0PZCgZX-k67D1sF2Vr1kRgARasShVt4bSxDJtj6VlOt_E2iVRuR4h5CmFA8Lu5IAevXh_VLc94Y0H2tR4eb8kCXnl5EQobsqoWZvDt25tpbO9ITUN_0EVFfyowq/s1600/pin+orange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheI5QiVXLG7kfUtaeoa0PZCgZX-k67D1sF2Vr1kRgARasShVt4bSxDJtj6VlOt_E2iVRuR4h5CmFA8Lu5IAevXh_VLc94Y0H2tR4eb8kCXnl5EQobsqoWZvDt25tpbO9ITUN_0EVFfyowq/s1600/pin+orange.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Often pins can be purchased at garage sales, on </span><a href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=brooches" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ebay</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, </span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/search?q=brooches" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Etsy</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, or borrowed from your grandma's jewelry box. Some aren't expensive at all. Mine are </span><a href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=brooches&_from=R40&_osacat=48579&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR5.TRC0.A0.H0.Xbrooches+vintage.TRS0&_nkw=brooches+vintage&_sacat=48579" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">vintage</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, but you can buy them new and sparkly too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So sparkle up and enjoy! Merry Christmas!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheI5QiVXLG7kfUtaeoa0PZCgZX-k67D1sF2Vr1kRgARasShVt4bSxDJtj6VlOt_E2iVRuR4h5CmFA8Lu5IAevXh_VLc94Y0H2tR4eb8kCXnl5EQobsqoWZvDt25tpbO9ITUN_0EVFfyowq/s1600/pin+orange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a><br />
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-cRLS-KiQdkg%2FVHT7O3itABI%2FAAAAAAAAClU%2FHWLXvGMXRug%2Fs1600%2Fpin%252Borange.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheI5QiVXLG7kfUtaeoa0PZCgZX-k67D1sF2Vr1kRgARasShVt4bSxDJtj6VlOt_E2iVRuR4h5CmFA8Lu5IAevXh_VLc94Y0H2tR4eb8kCXnl5EQobsqoWZvDt25tpbO9ITUN_0EVFfyowq/s1600/pin+orange.jpg" -->Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-62221188180560736192014-11-25T13:01:00.000-08:002014-11-25T13:01:29.679-08:00Christmas Wreaths in 30 minutesHave you seen the price of ready-made wreaths lately? $100 and up! Considering we have double doors and need to have double wreaths, I decided to make them myself.<br />
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And it wasn't hard. I went to Hobby Lobby when they had 50% off their Christmas stuff and bought the materials which consisted of:<br />
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1. a ready-made swag <br />
2. a roll of 6" mesh ribbon (30' long. Plenty for more than two wreaths.)<br />
3. a roll of contrasting 21" mesh ribbon (30' long. This is enough for two wreaths.)<br />
4. very thin, bendable wire<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSQcDMfDmzsX6qNKnVNmNdR2nJDELWwrR58yrWByWGqjwktfgYOqzC1bNkPsHffM2eIiZ2aqVvoOiUvWX0S5Z4yFBGuwEyt6W-h8DCFQEOOGDlkTC2u413T7GzBPPB-O-_QuUgjbzdTQ4/s1600/wreath+swag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSQcDMfDmzsX6qNKnVNmNdR2nJDELWwrR58yrWByWGqjwktfgYOqzC1bNkPsHffM2eIiZ2aqVvoOiUvWX0S5Z4yFBGuwEyt6W-h8DCFQEOOGDlkTC2u413T7GzBPPB-O-_QuUgjbzdTQ4/s1600/wreath+swag.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The swag I found was naturally vertical, but I made autumn wreaths using horizontal swags, bending them into a straight line, and hanging them vertically. (see photo at bottom of blog.) So find a swag you like and improvise.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrROeSocKu8C1zMkh9jVrMeNgUsrbvphD1UyJ8eSF7e-PQfqdWE7NJn7uWk2nGPhr0g68qUeFYxg-Xf0h3l-ujVwueGm5SyrucbocDCLGM4Ac1NCrnnmLJDeoqPUHWItcm3TwrCTCB4EpC/s1600/wreath+ribbon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrROeSocKu8C1zMkh9jVrMeNgUsrbvphD1UyJ8eSF7e-PQfqdWE7NJn7uWk2nGPhr0g68qUeFYxg-Xf0h3l-ujVwueGm5SyrucbocDCLGM4Ac1NCrnnmLJDeoqPUHWItcm3TwrCTCB4EpC/s1600/wreath+ribbon.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
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The star of these wreaths is the wide mesh ribbon. It was also 50% off. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89EVwLsiX9mTap64Re18rC8nqhUNjjHjlnvtvhOMqcE6O4bV9-AgtyVCZbwn9yLVTEJggfmrS-YDMZF3yw60SeJ3y09B9PI04WBTCs-X_KWoBMxvi-WAov-TfSJ4BwMsVsrqpqicvqs5Z/s1600/wreath+tape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89EVwLsiX9mTap64Re18rC8nqhUNjjHjlnvtvhOMqcE6O4bV9-AgtyVCZbwn9yLVTEJggfmrS-YDMZF3yw60SeJ3y09B9PI04WBTCs-X_KWoBMxvi-WAov-TfSJ4BwMsVsrqpqicvqs5Z/s1600/wreath+tape.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
To make the 21" wide ribbon into a huge bow, I folded it in on itself and sewed down the middle to hold it. Do not use tape (as you see I did at the left, using masking tape to hold it) as taking the tape off will rip the ribbon! And leaving the tape on there makes it too stiff to gather at the center of the bow. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1MS9BTUUojPFRk_RNW1DhMJfkLH1eqo_sVV2fAM00D_41kg3jrvC4meUJFO13a8y8lPbpD0j5bY_DyRKyzxk-MRknFv9yojXFmjmmLdt2Yv78Iehrck4RhUkvdyOD3cpdjZV4yCPVEgo/s1600/wreath+sewing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1MS9BTUUojPFRk_RNW1DhMJfkLH1eqo_sVV2fAM00D_41kg3jrvC4meUJFO13a8y8lPbpD0j5bY_DyRKyzxk-MRknFv9yojXFmjmmLdt2Yv78Iehrck4RhUkvdyOD3cpdjZV4yCPVEgo/s1600/wreath+sewing.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
Learn from my mistake and sew it by machine or even by hand, using a running stitch.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-UuaJvn1RlnoGNSIdKeRyBKobF_2Wkxtt07ukSsXbL72fvyhBLT2yJBkA0qcscTufMkLxwnHF27VXnCN0y1Km18YqWpc1V-KbhdeZiIsdrV4sD8hydH1sgkRVrr9kISyy3HnMwBDtPqbm/s1600/wreath+wire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-UuaJvn1RlnoGNSIdKeRyBKobF_2Wkxtt07ukSsXbL72fvyhBLT2yJBkA0qcscTufMkLxwnHF27VXnCN0y1Km18YqWpc1V-KbhdeZiIsdrV4sD8hydH1sgkRVrr9kISyy3HnMwBDtPqbm/s1600/wreath+wire.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
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Gather up the bow at the middle and wrap thin wire around it, twisting the wire ends. I LOVE this wire. It's so easy to use.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkWY1acwmjdbTB4gq39HzVaPgBLAKH8JhyphenhyphensvyTUMY1Zjyo-1a9RvHEzS-JdJdpGS0pGArTxaZwuf-NH_Rkj-S1GtROcmvL9b0DpdX8MnzLapOVIc4j-FKbxyb2B0iFv7ivXJYyI-6Dubh/s1600/wreath+single+bow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkWY1acwmjdbTB4gq39HzVaPgBLAKH8JhyphenhyphensvyTUMY1Zjyo-1a9RvHEzS-JdJdpGS0pGArTxaZwuf-NH_Rkj-S1GtROcmvL9b0DpdX8MnzLapOVIc4j-FKbxyb2B0iFv7ivXJYyI-6Dubh/s1600/wreath+single+bow.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
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Then make another smaller bow with the 6" mesh. You don't need to sew this bow as being less wide, it's manageable as is. When it's created, wire it on top of the big bow.<br />
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To make the hangy-down parts of the bows, let the ribbon (which has been on rolls) do it's own thing! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7Yx6FpVLnic4zo12GPXJ5QPfQmQydb99akLQ7FLuKxfeqFEPHfBs-E8MgbkxbgsIXrrGcXaavkknqkCQjMx1BBp_jdF_QolmeKNiXAIXP3ohY8RI4hHhyLLvCu9AHwoj5kvfmTstIGCJ/s1600/wreath+bows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7Yx6FpVLnic4zo12GPXJ5QPfQmQydb99akLQ7FLuKxfeqFEPHfBs-E8MgbkxbgsIXrrGcXaavkknqkCQjMx1BBp_jdF_QolmeKNiXAIXP3ohY8RI4hHhyLLvCu9AHwoj5kvfmTstIGCJ/s1600/wreath+bows.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
Cut to the length you want and wire it to the center of the bows. I just left it in one long length, folded in half at the top, but you can cut it into two if it works better for you.<br />
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Attach the ready-made swag into the of center of the bows with wire. Voila! These Christmas wreaths cost me about $40 each. And they're huge. The one for autumn was only $25.<br />
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So whether you need a wreath for spring, summer, fall, or the holidays, buy these four materials and in 30 minutes you're done!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-QBaYrnG0_FkGUBaF_13iP2nl-CDuYrUsGYxr5iY3W72g_Kt5koFHYSk-5OVWwvPqelq9oYePCpX_x_UJRwHW9zfbRIa2ZUUjEKpfbXPmqa5CQ32r8alskzSNLdFDSqli4n_xtpLGv8R/s1600/wreath+thanksgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-QBaYrnG0_FkGUBaF_13iP2nl-CDuYrUsGYxr5iY3W72g_Kt5koFHYSk-5OVWwvPqelq9oYePCpX_x_UJRwHW9zfbRIa2ZUUjEKpfbXPmqa5CQ32r8alskzSNLdFDSqli4n_xtpLGv8R/s1600/wreath+thanksgiving.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-57280707323595111202014-10-28T11:31:00.001-07:002014-10-28T11:32:02.316-07:00Canning Cinnamon Pear Sauce<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUq1BVucMyI9aU2LRr4McJItafLtvNWeW4DOz7UFyurmDeM9RdZ1oco8yzfrKKTE52Wj7wDQawuwhEsQkR1b2QfmDgVgnRGa_NdvYiNumSv96AGxTe8Ao1nG1v_ag8h6mwNmTGy2M8os49/s1600/can+family+of+pears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUq1BVucMyI9aU2LRr4McJItafLtvNWeW4DOz7UFyurmDeM9RdZ1oco8yzfrKKTE52Wj7wDQawuwhEsQkR1b2QfmDgVgnRGa_NdvYiNumSv96AGxTe8Ao1nG1v_ag8h6mwNmTGy2M8os49/s1600/can+family+of+pears.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A family of pears: Papa, Mama, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Teen, and Baby</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One of the best gifts my parents ever gave me was a pressure cooker for canning. Over the years I've canned applesauce, peaches, salsa, and pears. I'd like to try tomatoes...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A task for another day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today I'm dealing with pears. My sister has a pear tree in her yard and just gave me a huge box of them. You can't refuse or ignore free fruit, so I decided to can them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here are my step by step instructions:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You will need:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1. a pressure cooker canner. Mine hold 7 quarts or pints.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2. another big kettle to boil the fruit in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3. a strainer on a stand with a one-handled rolling pin</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOQuq1pM04eHjsobTqW7pTwPuklGtZBQ-e0qaB2T-BpadsHHA_yQfQcwmmzIdU35Lw8ggAbghwpdEg_tpFEtNlm_i_t8B1fiWn3Yly5lvokQcfVa0Yd_DcaYHEFLdu1uHLl-6ORn6P4bt/s1600/canning+equipment.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOQuq1pM04eHjsobTqW7pTwPuklGtZBQ-e0qaB2T-BpadsHHA_yQfQcwmmzIdU35Lw8ggAbghwpdEg_tpFEtNlm_i_t8B1fiWn3Yly5lvokQcfVa0Yd_DcaYHEFLdu1uHLl-6ORn6P4bt/s1600/canning+equipment.JPG" height="161" width="200" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4. Canning Mason jars with the metal rims (that you can use many times). You can get pint jars or quart jars. I like the wide-mouth jars the best.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">5. dome lids. You use these once and discard. The jars you buy have them already, but you'll need more if you keep canning in the future!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">6. wide-mouth funnel that fits on top of jars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">7. Pears or apples</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">8. red hot candies</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">9. Vitamin C tablets (capsules also work, but tablets dissolve better.) </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.walmart.com/search/?query=canning%20supplies" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Walmart</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> has these supplies. Or </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_16?url=search-alias%3Dgarden&field-keywords=canning%20supplies&sprefix=canning+supplies%2Cstripbooks%2C253" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Amazon</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1. Wash the fruit and the glass jars.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFLbAZEy06b2Q5c9fxoLMoBCm-QQGo9LIi584KlvxBByzKxnWZ2nR-AYZpzwJYDeyAXTh7d7rScHtA6KmzkeDYa_ElOsPba70OMLXLiCxRxXFOFrPxG1GjlveqpaRuQtCyD4TtopiwQga/s1600/can+quartered+pears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFLbAZEy06b2Q5c9fxoLMoBCm-QQGo9LIi584KlvxBByzKxnWZ2nR-AYZpzwJYDeyAXTh7d7rScHtA6KmzkeDYa_ElOsPba70OMLXLiCxRxXFOFrPxG1GjlveqpaRuQtCyD4TtopiwQga/s1600/can+quartered+pears.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2. Put a big kettle of water on to boil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3. Quarter the pears. I cut off the stem, but you don't have to peel or seed them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4. Put them in the water and boil them until a sharp knife can cut them with no effort</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">5. Pour them into a big colander to drain off the water. They are nice and mushy now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">6. Place your strainer over a bowl (mine is handily on a stand) and using a wooden one-handle rolling pin, strain the mushy pears into the bowl. The seeds and skin stay behind, and the delicious pear sauce strains through. You'll have to do this many times, and will also have to repeatedly scrape out the inside of the strainer to get rid of the pear parts to discard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">7. Stir in some red-hot candies and sugar. Or not. Make it to your taste. I used about 1/4 c. candies for the bowl you see (that held enough sauce for 3+ pints), and 1/4 c. sugar. But sometimes I've used no sugar at all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">8. Using the wide-mouth funnel, fill the jar to 1/2" from top</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">9. Add one Vitamin C tablet. This prevents the fruit from changing color. It's mostly for use if you want to can fruit slices in a sugar syrup (see directions at the end of the blog), but I always put it in the sauce jars too. Habit. And more vitamin C is a good thing!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">10. Wipe off the top of the jar rim with a towel (so it will seal well) and put a flat lid on it, then screw on the metal ring. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">11. Place the jars in the pressure cooker in a circle, with one in the middle. In my cooker I can get six around the sides and one in the middle. It's okay if they touch. Read the directions for your pressure cooker, but mine says to add 2 quarts of water around the jars.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">12. Secure the pressure cooker lid and place the jiggle-pressure bauble (what IS the term for this?) at <span style="color: red;"><strong>5# pressure</strong></span> on top of the cooker.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">13. Turn the burner on high. When the bauble starts bobbling (ha!) and continues to bobble about 4 times a minute, it means the air inside the cooker has been removed. NOW start timing. <strong><span style="color: red;">10 minutes</span></strong>. You can turn the heat down to Medium Hi, but you want the bauble to keep making noise at 4 bobbles /minute. It can be more, but not less.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">14. When the ten minutes is up, turn off the heat and <em>leave it alone! </em>This is very important for your safety. I set the timer at 45 minutes and leave it alone for that amount of time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">15. After 45 minutes, open the lid, but angle it toward the back because you will be releasing a lot of steam. Carefully remove the jars to a towel on the counter. You can use a fancy jar grabber tool, but I just use a towel. The jars are very hot!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">16. Leave the jars alone to cool. No breeze, just naturally. After 8 hours or so you can remove the metal screw-top lids. The tops of the gold dome lid should be indented, meaning there is a good seal! I like to write the date on the lid with a Sharpie.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Voila! I made 7 pints of pear pieces and 13 pints of pear sauce! It took 3 hours.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4U3L-eQGL_K92fJwKh-xKSvPScBn1dOwWNVRg83fsvQZFvNwUpFkTxOeuWQNH5YUcsRzw42M7yqzK9m8iIMw9DXX4E25v5sA99If0D_QzosvZw8MHE4ZCzLszsnY7Ajeh7HBfCTo_JuBa/s1600/all+done.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4U3L-eQGL_K92fJwKh-xKSvPScBn1dOwWNVRg83fsvQZFvNwUpFkTxOeuWQNH5YUcsRzw42M7yqzK9m8iIMw9DXX4E25v5sA99If0D_QzosvZw8MHE4ZCzLszsnY7Ajeh7HBfCTo_JuBa/s1600/all+done.jpg" height="244" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">More directions: To can <span style="color: red;"><strong>pear pieces </strong></span><span style="color: black;">(you can see them behind the sauce above)</span>, I peeled and cored the pears, but did not boil them because they were ripe already. I added a sugar water--sweet to your taste--to 1/2" from the top. Add Vitamin C and repeat #10-16.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6nPTeErSzaow9jCJehq0eptoKvWZU3U-ZgN3GAkZ8w-kMv7nrBKMyo33ST3ulUizIHnyY_tLJw9NJY1N53phXxsMLdEQemyBulRxeH945urSCW6rF3EBnTEV8luGkAhWzA3aajEVQRrj/s1600/Mom+and+I-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6nPTeErSzaow9jCJehq0eptoKvWZU3U-ZgN3GAkZ8w-kMv7nrBKMyo33ST3ulUizIHnyY_tLJw9NJY1N53phXxsMLdEQemyBulRxeH945urSCW6rF3EBnTEV8luGkAhWzA3aajEVQRrj/s1600/Mom+and+I-001.jpg" height="267" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I know there are other methods, but this is the way my mom taught me, and I'm not going to argue with her (she's 93!) Try canning. It will make you feel so domestic and healthy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Check out other food items I've pinned on </strong></span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/nancymoser1/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Pinterest!</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-JYrKHlaCmss%2FVE_XqdDN1dI%2FAAAAAAAACfk%2FTKct37B11Ko%2Fs1600%2Fcan%252Bpears%252Bboiled.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJkRaLqkzMB-EwK9AGI84aRhtHMG-1AO51mwEJAj4tOF7hPPja-PfSsoB1qLvDeun2u3zMhq63I1x0UHGIlh-8SWotgT8pSH0tvU74Y-M0ryVnz5iqHZ7yx9UZREFPKxEI7y7-YKK87rZ/s1600/can+pears+boiled.jpg" -->Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-22145919411192117272014-10-15T02:00:00.000-07:002020-04-03T04:28:09.077-07:00A Leaf in the Forest<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Then
the eyes of those who see will no longer be </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">closed,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and the ears of those who hear will
listen."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Isaiah 32: 3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> If a tree falls in the forest does it make a sound?</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> We didn’t know where we were—but we weren’t lost.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> My
husband and I love New England in the fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re “leaf peepers” (that’s an actual term.) Our agenda?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To have none.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No schedule, no reservations, and no goal other than seeing what each
day had in store.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Our
pattern is this:</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">we get up early, eat breakfast,
and head out on country roads, taking the odd turn here and there on a whim,
depending on our trusty GPS to get us back to civilization.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our aim?</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To be surprised and discover a perfect vista of golds, rusts, and reds
that makes us gasp in awe and delight.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When we hit the season right, our “Oooh!” quotient runs high and the
view around every bend seems to one-up the last. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> The
day of the incident (and I call it an “incident” merely to entice you to keep
reading) we were driving in eastern New Hampshire and found a highway that
bordered that state, just inside Maine (Highway 113 if you’re interested.)</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was a narrow two-laner, with huge trees
edging the road, nearly encroaching on it, and hanging overhead like a
canopy.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We drove through an amazing
tunnel of leaves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> There
was no traffic.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">None.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was as if we were alone in the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> But
we hadn’t seen anything yet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> My
husband kept saying, “I can’t believe this road!</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I can’t believe these trees. . .”</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Then suddenly, he put on the brakes, and did
a three-point-turn-around, right there on the highway.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> “Where
are you going?” I asked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> “You’ll
see.”</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VDpLFUDU-9IboeoFSCA2rYAzKwXV1cNjsd5EBuJO0SOBVKNwgeUNd1yIIjQ6_vBVu7L43mAZyrj0t0oUqRStlAC1rH0BdmnkhpOV4TRV9VjZISpMAJA-E4zNNkogVcfMrpAyLb-IfbMX/s1600/autumn+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VDpLFUDU-9IboeoFSCA2rYAzKwXV1cNjsd5EBuJO0SOBVKNwgeUNd1yIIjQ6_vBVu7L43mAZyrj0t0oUqRStlAC1rH0BdmnkhpOV4TRV9VjZISpMAJA-E4zNNkogVcfMrpAyLb-IfbMX/s1600/autumn+road.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> He
drove back a hundred feet and pulled onto a narrow shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned off the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come on.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> He
led me to a small sign at the side of the road that marked a hiking trail.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Small sign.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Easily missed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"> But
he hadn’t missed it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Thank
God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> We
walked single file into the woods, the path more like a deer trail than one
meant for humans.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The trail was thickly
carpeted with leaves and it was evident no one had passed this way for
ages.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Perhaps ever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> As
I picked up a red leaf as big as my hand, and then an orange one, then a bigger
yellow one, I was like a kid in a candy store.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“Look at this one!”</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Soon I had a
leaf bouquet, their colors as vivid as if I’d dipped them in vats of paint.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> It
didn’t take long for us to be deep enough into the woods to lose track of the
road, to be fully encased in this netherland beyond our own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> When
I allowed my gaze to move from the floor of the forest upward, I saw that we
were experiencing showers—not of rain but of leaves.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For all around us leaves fell from the trees,
dancing their way from branch to ground, landing on our heads and letting us
catch them with the simple effort of an outstretched hand.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Without
agreeing to it, both of us stopped walking and stood perfectly still, a dozen
feet between us.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We faced each other,
our heads shaking back and forth in utter incredulity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> "Listen,”
I whispered.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I
heard Mark take a breath and hold it.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I
did the same.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> And
then it happened.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> My
eyes caught sight of one specific leaf.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I watched as it let go of its branch and sashayed to the ground,
turning, bowing, floating . . .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> And
then I saw it touch the ground between us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I
heard it touch the ground. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I
</span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">heard </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I
looked at Mark. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The awe in his face
revealed that he had seen it too; heard it land.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> All
logic said it was impossible to hear the moment when a floating leaf meets the
ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sound is too infinitesimal,
the decibel-level un-measurable to the human ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> And
yet . . . we’d both heard it on a trail never-traveled, off a solitary road in
Maine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> We
were reluctant to leave that place, and when we got in the car and turned on
the engine, the sound seemed a sacrilege.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yet as the road led us to a town, and people, and the world and its
worries, we looked upon all of that busyness with new eyes that understood what
really mattered. Neither of us has ever forgotten what happened in the
woods.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was the highlight of the
entire trip, a moment when God led us to a special place to show us something.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Just
for us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Just
because.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> If
a tree falls in the forest does it make a sound?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Oh
yes.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Listen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">***</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Want more inspirational humor? Check out </span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYB4LMN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i37" style="text-indent: 0.25in;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Save Me, God! I Fell in the Carpool: </i></span><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Help, Hope, and Humor for Drowning Moms</i></span></a></div>
Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-25530716122510809912014-09-22T12:23:00.000-07:002020-03-23T05:39:24.059-07:00Wearing Underwear and Other School Necessities<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">What
has been will be again,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">what
has been done will be done again;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">there
is nothing new under the sun.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ecclesiastes 1: 9<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1MzCG-aHYBO1UiV04AQZctg9SH_N1bMj8pyzREqFUuJ1XaIswwa_ADPyq2GGVw-tesPTFD1j48zvui0S1HbbPx1YpV3RAm9yba27QPxcg-cRySAGpJhZm8k-Ob6DcXvOg683Wzqs1xWZ/s1600/School+apple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1MzCG-aHYBO1UiV04AQZctg9SH_N1bMj8pyzREqFUuJ1XaIswwa_ADPyq2GGVw-tesPTFD1j48zvui0S1HbbPx1YpV3RAm9yba27QPxcg-cRySAGpJhZm8k-Ob6DcXvOg683Wzqs1xWZ/s1600/School+apple.JPG" width="159" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>"School days, school days, dear old <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">broken</i> rule days."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Three months ago our kids sprang
into summer. Hurdled—dragging us with them. But now that school is back, it's
like trying to stuff a puffy pillow into a pillow case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to hold them by their waistbands and
shake vigorously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You vill fit into this.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We’ve all had our fun—or
whatever that was—and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">normal </i>beacons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, our kids will not go down
without a fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To help them surrender
their summer freedom without calling out the National Guard, take note of these
valuable back-to-school rules:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. <b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thou shalt get up on time. </b>During summer,
my kids got up when they woke up, so a week before school starts, I play my
oldie-goldie favorites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Full blast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 7 a.m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The effects of "Rock Around the Clock" and "Shout"
on a child's sleepy mind makes the intrusion of an alarm clock seem mellow once
school actually begins.</span></div>
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</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGWSvaymgElo70Wo1DmGGZCHWmzC9qXaRpJGEQ0dUdRFDk28_T4i8zIS-dvR2np8zzyoUM1HlMyojHAetIC5aCeC9gq0HW9mrrbjJyYy9RQ0ODuxBrE789EzlBIzjApA-VZRwFMs7ZLun/s1600/school+shoes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGWSvaymgElo70Wo1DmGGZCHWmzC9qXaRpJGEQ0dUdRFDk28_T4i8zIS-dvR2np8zzyoUM1HlMyojHAetIC5aCeC9gq0HW9mrrbjJyYy9RQ0ODuxBrE789EzlBIzjApA-VZRwFMs7ZLun/s1600/school+shoes.JPG" width="200" /></span></a><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>Thou shalt wear shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Shoes are for civilized people— not my
kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, schools have the
rule, "No shirt, no shoes, no service" (do flip-flops count?)
Therefore, I take advantage of the shoe company's ad campaigns and point out
how fast they'll be able to run, jump, and play with rubber cushioning their
little piggies. Gullibility can be a gift.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3.<b> Thou shalt wear underwear.
</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the summer, my kids live in
their swimsuits (it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">does</i> save on
laundry). But since school officials frown at the smell of chlorine and too
much skin, I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>relegate the faded suits to
the nearest toxic waste site. Then I buy my girls some of those Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday underwear to remind them that the days of the week have
names. For our son?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A package of
spanking new whitie-tighties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What can I
say?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re a classic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5RZtYVE388LzbhaNTBYlqYgqI857Hsp5cBD1ajokrIKe4mpBJlnuApAMK36_AnmgWSu-x5-0-l7O1mHIRuDjP5yXeQPhd7UTJd2flp-hVWm2jmdLM7H4NM3k_1m8VRWSeX25Sv85BKJk/s1600/school+eating+at+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5RZtYVE388LzbhaNTBYlqYgqI857Hsp5cBD1ajokrIKe4mpBJlnuApAMK36_AnmgWSu-x5-0-l7O1mHIRuDjP5yXeQPhd7UTJd2flp-hVWm2jmdLM7H4NM3k_1m8VRWSeX25Sv85BKJk/s1600/school+eating+at+table.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4. <b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thou shalt eat at a table.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With chairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And napkins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And even a
fork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After spending the summer eating
between ball games, water fights, and Barbie marathons, I set the table and
make them sit down and eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they say
please and thank you, I toss them a cookie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Good dog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4D2jgrRQKGnvzNMWt7Aah5srdmWyBI6MUJrb-H3D3gb6_yQhpMQZf4IiT2ZpsbmY57oxQTk6rkJ7qycUdV6_Nm1V-5KLo6j2FvpnnHhuWD9y6E57AR7gM2Hl4EufpWS-5hVxZM4a2pFS/s1600/school+reading+a+book.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4D2jgrRQKGnvzNMWt7Aah5srdmWyBI6MUJrb-H3D3gb6_yQhpMQZf4IiT2ZpsbmY57oxQTk6rkJ7qycUdV6_Nm1V-5KLo6j2FvpnnHhuWD9y6E57AR7gM2Hl4EufpWS-5hVxZM4a2pFS/s1600/school+reading+a+book.JPG" width="157" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">5. <b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thou shalt stop growing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>The age-old goal is to get last month’s
Visa bill paid before they outgrow their new clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That hasn't changed, but styles have.
Remember the thrill of wearing a special first day of school dress or
shirt?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And new school shoes?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crisp. Neat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It's hard for a tee-shirt—new or not—to be crisp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And a pair of baggy shorts and untied
sneakers are eons away from neat (and that's my daughters’ attire.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for the extra inches they keep adding to
their physiques, try the old book-on-the-head trick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's a good way for them to get in touch with
the dictionary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>Thou shalt read.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The end of summer signals the downloading of
muscles and the uploading of the brain. A week before school starts, I make
them read quietly for an hour a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When they ask what they did to deserve such punishment, I tell them this
is the way it was done in olden times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At this point, if they reference <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my
</i>age, they have to read for two hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Want to try for three?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvOcTqREMRgTyMQrRRZd4wduDIhUamKFhHJnNnfJTyTJO_fXux02D5eXkTKl3DghUVs4PRyYx2wPjMe9TnHLInoftmWhA76GgbojwZ22WIRcuMWE7t0DpSXw7CRnzEJnvvddKMX1sNXoQ/s1600/school+math.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvOcTqREMRgTyMQrRRZd4wduDIhUamKFhHJnNnfJTyTJO_fXux02D5eXkTKl3DghUVs4PRyYx2wPjMe9TnHLInoftmWhA76GgbojwZ22WIRcuMWE7t0DpSXw7CRnzEJnvvddKMX1sNXoQ/s1600/school+math.JPG" width="200" /></span></a><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">7. <b>Thou shalt remember 1 + 1
= 2</b>. If you've been good parents (exceptional, extraordinary parents)
you've made your child read, practice their clarinet, and add random numbers
throughout the summer to prevent brain mush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, if you've been busy figuring out how to keep them safely
occupied while you’re at work, or what to make for lunch for three months, you
may have accepted brain mush as a viable summer alternative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If so, you need to reintroduce the concept of
math. Take the kids shopping and ask them to figure out how much their jeans
cost at 40% off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or how about:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If Mom
and a carload of kids leave the house at 2 o’clock to go on errands, traveling
at 45 mph until the kids spill their drinks in the car after five minutes, how
many minutes—and miles—will it take for said mother to decide to go home and
shop online?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>After taxing their
brains in such a manner they'll be eager to get back to school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Thou
shalt listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>No, not to their
computer, I-pod, Game-boy, cell-phone, or TV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And not even to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For during
the craziness of summer haven’t even <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you </i>sometimes
forgotten to linger in the silence, to hear your own breath go in and out, to
savor <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">now. </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For how can we hear what God has to tell us
if we constantly have noise inundating our lives?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He listens to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t it time we return the favor?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all
the earth be silent before him." (Habakkuk 2: 20)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So shush yourselves. Turn everything
off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And listen to the Teacher of the
universe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">9. <b>Thou shalt breathe a sigh of relief. </b></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This advice isn’t just for us parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even kids get tired of summer and long for—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm73yJMRG4j8nVW7wSUfuPB5Nyc5F8FOik5Ry_OW9bm4YW5zT1vIro7qHPgxI7Sk7NNF8H4-zluUBHrdnUkty_S_2vkdQuEDfjoXmzxIAfhM21F59sp-QbkhfG7pbk_DeNibEZnt_d10iV/s1600/school+leaves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm73yJMRG4j8nVW7wSUfuPB5Nyc5F8FOik5Ry_OW9bm4YW5zT1vIro7qHPgxI7Sk7NNF8H4-zluUBHrdnUkty_S_2vkdQuEDfjoXmzxIAfhM21F59sp-QbkhfG7pbk_DeNibEZnt_d10iV/s1600/school+leaves.JPG" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Never mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Number nine is just for parents, because
after enduring the question "But Mom, what can we do now?" 275 times
(and coming up with 270 good answers and 5 questionable suggestions) we need to
rejoice in the fact that our child's pain is our gain, and wallow in the
upcoming nine months of school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Until next summer—when we’ll
forget everything we learned and make the same mistakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t fret it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s just the way it is—and has been since
time began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then I applied myself to
the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that
this, too, is a chasing after the wind.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Ecclesiastes 1: 17)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wisdom, madness, folly . . .
that’s summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoy it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every chaotic minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For this too shall pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Too quickly.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Want more inspirational humor? Check out </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYB4LMN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i37" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Save Me, God! I Fell in the Carpool: </i></span><i style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">Help, Hope, and Humor for Drowning Moms</i></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
</div>
Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-84468135059675658702014-04-06T07:35:00.000-07:002020-04-03T04:33:51.106-07:00Treasure Hunts<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"For where
your treasure is, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">there your heart
will be also."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Luke 12: 34</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLsYwDqCxpyLo8aURBq5AshFwSBgRYBmvrlRYtRfjjE1jOtWlgH6FeheECYXUINOk0IMc4BmkeVsdA_lLb_66BuiXSF9xB5-VqosotU3YhZdVNONx81kJ4d8t8wxwCxTwxTcrP-7JZ_MZ/s1600/easter+eggs.jpg" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Some
things you never outgrow.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Like
treasure hunts. When I was growing up we had an Easter treasure hunt.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My mom made clues that would take us to the
next clue and the next, until at the end we'd find our Easter basket full of
goodies.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I passed
the tradition down to my kids. It was not an easy task.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Three kids meant three different treasure
hunts, each tailor-made to their respective ages.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Before they could read I would draw the
clues, making a picture of the TV or the fireplace or Dad's shoes.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When they were older, I wrote out the clues,
but still kept them simple:</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Where
Mom makes the coffee" or "Where the cat sleeps."</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> But as they got older, they were subject to
the full extent of my imagination.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Suddenly, "Where the keys are" didn't mean where we put our
car keys, it meant the piano, and "Vivian Leigh" would mean they should
look for the next clue to be taped to the video of "Gone with the
Wind."</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I liked the fact they had to
use their noggins. They hated it.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XH3la6ssiHwJ7x-3EhBBfanB9_N7Wwx3SCJCvBi1GqpAB0GHg7RNtNqU4nkr_w_c8AwiX7m3RFP5oVs7jyBz2y2AZEwc1DXK6_jGkASf9jGLqRpFyYz6iQ9W5r-NKJZ8B-_Pnc2cAQZB/s1600/easter+basket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XH3la6ssiHwJ7x-3EhBBfanB9_N7Wwx3SCJCvBi1GqpAB0GHg7RNtNqU4nkr_w_c8AwiX7m3RFP5oVs7jyBz2y2AZEwc1DXK6_jGkASf9jGLqRpFyYz6iQ9W5r-NKJZ8B-_Pnc2cAQZB/s1600/easter+basket.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> When the kids were in their teens I tried
stopping the tradition but they rebelled and insisted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I racked my brain for original clues that
would truly test their mental abilities, I had a prophetic glimpse into the
future and saw myself making treasure hunts when my kids were in their
forties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; mso-spacerun: yes;"> That future is now. Now I make treasure hunts for four grandkids! Hopefully with many more in the future.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> But
enough complaining.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The fact my children
like the traditions of our family and look forward to them is a comfort.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's also human nature.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">People seek out what they know, what they can
depend on.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Whether it be treasure hunts
at Easter, back to school shopping with lunch at the food court, or making
s'mores in the fireplace on vacation.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All these traditions reinforce the fact we are a family.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We are in this together and some things can
be counted on no matter what.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQNYAskeGsIsBm6nehy0BFAt1w3W1EzhLi2Fq2YLtEk634ZXo63xCUVK0i_uEKgmVwczZLQafuaxcj0LcQeMKhn8XgNv5Dk20yXLmB-oH4wB0Pjyf3ZG-y4ge0keThpsNtOpoucRmhp5o/s1600/easter+cross.jpg" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Like
Jesus.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">During this Easter season it's
comforting to relive the passion of his death and resurrection.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We seek it out.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We depend on it.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Christ's awesome expression of love
reinforces the fact we are a family.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We
are in this together and some things can be counted on no matter what.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">He</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
is the true treasure we search for at Easter.</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Blessedly,
some things you never outgrow.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">***</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Want more inspirational humor? Check out </span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYB4LMN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i37" style="text-indent: 0.25in;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Save Me, God! I Fell in the Carpool: </i><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Help, Hope, and Humor for Drowning Moms</i></span></a></div>
</div>
Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-2086142875887741632014-02-01T19:54:00.000-08:002020-03-23T05:40:43.132-07:00CONFESSIONS OF A VALENTINE JUNKIE<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“A new command I give you: <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Love one another.<sup><span style="font-size: small;"> <o:p></o:p></span></sup></span></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I have loved you, so you must love one
another.<sup><span style="font-size: small;">”<o:p></o:p></span></sup></span></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="woj"><sup>John
13: 34</sup></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKI_CSOj3EsLfGRmFWM_aNhO63N4Uj3JnnNRHebRFS32MInwQaTE9YcZI1POFTBoKb2csq7x1JYL4xUPQ94NHYbx2KPwhbFJZmu-va1etF26BklNt0dvvmsWngbFGXMkCaobUHRU2ASjo/s1600/valentines-day-clip-art-with-lovebirds-painting.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKI_CSOj3EsLfGRmFWM_aNhO63N4Uj3JnnNRHebRFS32MInwQaTE9YcZI1POFTBoKb2csq7x1JYL4xUPQ94NHYbx2KPwhbFJZmu-va1etF26BklNt0dvvmsWngbFGXMkCaobUHRU2ASjo/s1600/valentines-day-clip-art-with-lovebirds-painting.png" width="308" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">M</span>y tongue
is still stuck to the roof of my mouth from licking the stamps on the Christmas
cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now it's time to send valentines? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Responding
to the valentines that grace our mailbox every year, I am supposed to send
cards to my parents, siblings, grandparents, children, grandkids . . .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come February first I've noticed our bank has
a special loan officer handling Card Loans—not car loans—Card Loans to help
defray the Valentine's Day crunch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYvw4nkXb021kRSQzFho6HGMNEFd1ADSg1UZQbMjIbUT57zPQRtJS3TN4mFhS2AsJMxWitntrE_e_yNMUSp8SESXTSd4jBqZ6hBegqUmbvl43UyGfNZG_EAvJ5yzrv2gkDFBG4Q4yI02l/s1600/v+day+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYvw4nkXb021kRSQzFho6HGMNEFd1ADSg1UZQbMjIbUT57zPQRtJS3TN4mFhS2AsJMxWitntrE_e_yNMUSp8SESXTSd4jBqZ6hBegqUmbvl43UyGfNZG_EAvJ5yzrv2gkDFBG4Q4yI02l/s1600/v+day+-+Copy.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This
year, I am not going to succumb. Blame the economy, the barometric pressure or
the fact it's Tuesday, I will buy one valentine, and one valentine only:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for my hubby.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While I’m
shopping in a neighborhood discount store, I decide the time has come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I steer my cart toward the valentine section,
my eyes locked on a row of masculine-looking cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then it happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Out of the corner of my eye I spot a
valentine with a white kitty on it, "To a Purr-fectly Sweet Grand-daughter
on Valentine's Day".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe, just
one more . . .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"No!"
I cry, averting my eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My attention
shifts to cards that say, </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Grandmothers are Special on Valentine's
Day".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shove my cart into traffic,
nearly running into the blazing pole of a blue-light special. A guilt cloud
forms above my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lightning
threatens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I duck into the toilet paper
aisle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IDeGXqGaCO_pvRB4QwcZ8NomWOsxXpUQsmwjyfQNNQwoL82ChmCC1wYYmCCBUBk1nxFU0x-wKySBCYXLAk02RIKZLgMVpV5AxQ1Y62jfHLJH0SdcHhQTpVxWnskN5wuyiT9oOXftH74N/s1600/clipart-052-preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IDeGXqGaCO_pvRB4QwcZ8NomWOsxXpUQsmwjyfQNNQwoL82ChmCC1wYYmCCBUBk1nxFU0x-wKySBCYXLAk02RIKZLgMVpV5AxQ1Y62jfHLJH0SdcHhQTpVxWnskN5wuyiT9oOXftH74N/s1600/clipart-052-preview.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Only
one, only one . . ." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">An
elderly woman peers at me over her glasses and scurries away as if I am
rabid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I take a detour through the
hardware section.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The red hearts are
everywhere, hanging from the ceiling, plastered on displays of screwdrivers and
hammers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hear their pulse dogging me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">B</span>uy,
buy . . . my mother, my sisters, my kids . . . </span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I feel a
jolt as Cupid's arrow impales my cart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The wheels start moving of their own accord as he reels me in. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"No,
no, I won't go!" I yell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grab
onto a display of bean bag chairs, but am yanked away amid a blizzard of foam
beads. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A clerk rushes out of the music section,
smiles a pasty smile and says, "May I help you?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Pleeze!"
I wail, hanging onto his pocket protector as my cart is pulled magnetically
toward the greeting cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Help
me!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He shakes
me off like I'm a puppy biting his ankle. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Heart-shaped
boxes of chocolate appear on my right. I'm close. Much too close. With a sudden
rush of adrenaline, I whip my cart to the left, racing past the aspirin and
bulk softeners. I commandeer a shelf of antacids. Maybe if my cart is full,
Cupid will let me go in peace.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6uRbGN8PnOEHHtfHM4h_7DQ76q3QE2jHLQhQjYA04KxlU0BSXnwnKL8ow8zc6_y6WUgwyiEOAqSGqjQeasiMKnTBoQt3z1tVhWgMXcdUTzo-nNbb8lGbwlxFpYnLHnwvwPjDK0N0qzyx/s1600/Valentine%2527s+Day+Hearts+Clip+Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6uRbGN8PnOEHHtfHM4h_7DQ76q3QE2jHLQhQjYA04KxlU0BSXnwnKL8ow8zc6_y6WUgwyiEOAqSGqjQeasiMKnTBoQt3z1tVhWgMXcdUTzo-nNbb8lGbwlxFpYnLHnwvwPjDK0N0qzyx/s1600/Valentine%2527s+Day+Hearts+Clip+Art.jpg" width="298" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The
intercom blares. "Security, aisle three." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A
uniformed man with "Bob" embroidered on his pocket appears as I empty
a shelf of strawberry essence shampoo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
risk a glance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not see a gun. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Take
me into protective custody," I scream as I swipe a row of deodorant into
my cart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Take
it easy, lady," he says, his eyes searching for back-up. "What seems
to be the problem?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I stop
commandeering, emptying and swiping long enough to notice a crowd has
gathered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children clutch their parent's
legs, whimpering. Fingers point. They whisper behind closed hands. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"I .
. . I need to buy a Valentine's Day card for my husband but I'm afraid. .
." </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MeSjlQZrE_ksPhvBy8CPkt-56Go6IQQgYKsi13OGbGvmmruTSv6VHMOGa6zWPvBOrx2XI_yzADglbXI5s7wuxb_QTb8uCmjSurytxf1MX9YxEt8_MvlC1HswDLL2ijrZUAsMlkTMcQNQ/s1600/valentines-day-clip-art-animated_thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MeSjlQZrE_ksPhvBy8CPkt-56Go6IQQgYKsi13OGbGvmmruTSv6VHMOGa6zWPvBOrx2XI_yzADglbXI5s7wuxb_QTb8uCmjSurytxf1MX9YxEt8_MvlC1HswDLL2ijrZUAsMlkTMcQNQ/s1600/valentines-day-clip-art-animated_thumb.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Female
heads nod.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They<i> know</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A woman
carrying a toddler ventures toward me, her hand outstretched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"It will be all right," she
says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I'll help you."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As I take
her hand the crowd applauds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I leave my
cart with the security guard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shakes
his head, unaware admitting my problem is the first step toward a cure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The woman
leads me toward the cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart
races and my palms sweat but resolutely, she does not let me run away from my
fear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“I'll
stay with you," she says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
little girl offers to share her lollipop.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEDevSu9YYVNRKd2rgHwEduM8uJcl5rhOejlXecyWgXmYbDNfp1K7lwQrWLtE40KdHFgcHPLT4-92RVn94eKA41rEJAkc2RTxQnurt_cL5Tx0HbP7l2f4DwTGw_0lCu-ZexdDdqfEYQtW/s1600/cute-valentines-day-mouse.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEDevSu9YYVNRKd2rgHwEduM8uJcl5rhOejlXecyWgXmYbDNfp1K7lwQrWLtE40KdHFgcHPLT4-92RVn94eKA41rEJAkc2RTxQnurt_cL5Tx0HbP7l2f4DwTGw_0lCu-ZexdDdqfEYQtW/s1600/cute-valentines-day-mouse.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We stop
in front of the Sweetheart/Ex Husband/Significant Other section of the
cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman strategically positions
her body between me and the Mother-in-law/Babysitter/ Milkman section.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With shaking hands I make my choice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She nods,
approvingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"There, that wasn't so
bad, was it?" she asks. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We head
toward the check-out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I snatch a red box
of chocolates as we walk past and clutch it against my chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I'm done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won't need to deal
with this for another year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As I pull
out of the parking lot, I wave to the woman with the toddler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was so kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So patient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I really should send her a thank you note.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">No . . . a valentine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I speed homeward ever faster, feeling the wings of Cupid beating at my back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Want more inspirational humor? Check out </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYB4LMN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i37" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Save Me, God! I Fell in the Carpool: </i></span><i style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">Help, Hope, and Humor for Drowning Moms</i></span></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-33042065967183172982013-10-31T13:27:00.000-07:002020-04-03T04:38:09.381-07:00The Right Side Out<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><i>"</i>And as for you, brothers, </span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">never tire of
doing what is right.<i>"</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> 2</span> Thessalonians 3: 13</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was Sunday evening. My family
straightened up the house, transforming it from its weekend chaos to its
weekday cleanliness (or some semblance thereof).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I sailed past the living room, my hands
full of wayward dishes and newspapers, I noticed the afghan was folded across
the back of the couch—which was a nice surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet there was something displeasing about the
effect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I realized the afghan was
wrong side out.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYHOfpz2KQdGfdvCEQDyWQ9594KlBBVjQAiHUFRuCd8RNJnhOt8Zb3qGv5ijujBnSToSvQ8qeHNcMvqWSkZ7ZkRMgGdSnwL_mDvGT9q1Fh_7vXXIvMNJzv_Ti40NMtPuQggTcwINSBqF8/s1600/Afghan_blanket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYHOfpz2KQdGfdvCEQDyWQ9594KlBBVjQAiHUFRuCd8RNJnhOt8Zb3qGv5ijujBnSToSvQ8qeHNcMvqWSkZ7ZkRMgGdSnwL_mDvGT9q1Fh_7vXXIvMNJzv_Ti40NMtPuQggTcwINSBqF8/s320/Afghan_blanket.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Who folded this?" I
asked.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> "I did," said 13-year-old
Laurel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> "It's wrong side out."</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> "I didn't know there </span><i>was</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
a right and wrong side."</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I pointed out the subtle
difference in the fabric weave.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"There's a right and a wrong side to everything."</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I sounded almost . . .
eloquent.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Who knew?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Laurel went back to her chores, I
refolded the afghan, and that was that.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieX1f5pc_oqbAaBWIOtnYGVbvGR8c6JF13F45DN2X74G3m2qOl-fRwNegpnb2z3kSABh5rb4iDUSnfMotPJpovJMzJh7fwlo-tMzTfScIFf7IThVXcaMXZkdiEF_y4Jw0aKk4XjHaDMyUj/s1600/teen+homework.jpg" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Or so I thought.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Later, Laurel showed me her
history homework. I brought to her attention some spelling and fact
errors.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She didn't like the idea of
doing it over but I reminded her that just good enough is never good enough...</span></span><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> There's a right and a wrong side to everything.</span></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkFjGsXCDLip7F7WXbII0Jsr12h0nH0AfVXhi22cNQwptwOBx-ZUoRQCT-rtlfb7A-Z3NqXqL42ajk-PDut514tH0JFO5aJwer_4XhxboXXGMeCsk0YYPoxolQIwXm0wlaZ5BlruvAAtB/s200/male+driver.jpg" unselectable="on" width="155" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> The next morning, 17-year-old
Carson pulled out of the driveway to take Laurel and himself to school.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I noticed he made Laurel sit in the backseat.
Obviously, he was embarrassed by her little sister status. After school I
brought to his attention how a good deed can become tarnished by rudeness...</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkFjGsXCDLip7F7WXbII0Jsr12h0nH0AfVXhi22cNQwptwOBx-ZUoRQCT-rtlfb7A-Z3NqXqL42ajk-PDut514tH0JFO5aJwer_4XhxboXXGMeCsk0YYPoxolQIwXm0wlaZ5BlruvAAtB/s1600/male+driver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></i>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> There's a right and a wrong side to everything.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSW3PUECNFftnma5UCXcCTtXlufuEAdPaAzIp3P770NvsviKqNwnq8S9LJ7_OiOyTlR-dB-fy9qn0W-h8HHuD74WqvTvQzr-0x_aJdunGokGOGPJC5_Jry6xz9BkKDd02fPz0itp01VgW/s1600/Teen+working.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSW3PUECNFftnma5UCXcCTtXlufuEAdPaAzIp3P770NvsviKqNwnq8S9LJ7_OiOyTlR-dB-fy9qn0W-h8HHuD74WqvTvQzr-0x_aJdunGokGOGPJC5_Jry6xz9BkKDd02fPz0itp01VgW/s320/Teen+working.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Emily—who at twenty lived on her
own—called to complain that her boss didn't give her enough to do. Yet in the
next breath, she mentioned she hadn't finished a particularly tedious task
she'd been assigned.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I pointed out that
one task undone might affect the task yet to come...</span></span><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> There's a right and a wrong side to everything.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Being so wise was exhausting and
I still had some work of my own to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And . . . my daily Bible reading which I’d managed to put off all day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I opened the Good Book and began,
but . . . my mind wandered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePDq-TcmLyJL08YcTMnd3ECucK72N3hgIyF467HVbl5JvA49dP024aheZeRuF4IPIDlFs4nefyta2TJq37DIB29jXM-9EvPObJ9iY-m0FmDQZF_pvJTmRM0NVSQJgnspiyotYwb_qkBbN/s1600/bible+reader.jpg" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I only had so much brainpower
left, and I still had some writing to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Surely God would understand if I skipped the Bible reading and got my
work done. Surely it would be all right to skip it just this once.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> While I argued with myself, I
happened to read Genesis 4: 7: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If you do
what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right,
sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Well then.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> As He is so adept at doing, God
brought to my attention that doing the right thing was always the right thing
to do—and my relationship <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with </i>Him
was more important than my work <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">for </i>Him
. . .</span><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> There's a right and a wrong side to everything.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> The afghan's lesson was following
us around, stalking us. Our chores, school, work, and even God, were affected
by our choosing the right or the wrong side of life to put on display. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Some
choices were easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But some distinctions
between right and wrong were subtle and needed to be brought to our attention
by the One who wanted us to be the best we could be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Appeasing that afghan continues
to be a constant struggle. It's tough learning to live our lives with the right
side out. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> But the results can be very pleasing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> T</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">o us, to each other, and to God.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></o:p>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";">***</span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></o:p></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Want more inspirational humor? Check out </span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYB4LMN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i37" style="text-indent: 0.25in;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Save Me, God! I Fell in the Carpool: </i></span><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Help, Hope, and Humor for Drowning Moms</i></span></a></div>
Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-33144075549461724122013-07-30T05:00:00.001-07:002020-04-26T02:34:56.294-07:00Car-pooling Without a Life Jacket<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“</i>Start
children off on the way they should go, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and even when they are old </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">they will not turn from it.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Proverbs 22: 6</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
<span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;">A.</span></span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2022:6&version=NIV#en-NIV-17022" title="Go to Proverbs 22:6"><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Proverbs
22:6</span></span></a><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> : </span></span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen%2014:14&version=NIV"><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">S Ge14:14</span></span></a><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">B.</span></span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2022:6&version=NIV#en-NIV-17022" title="Go to Proverbs 22:6"><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Proverbs
22:6</span></span></a><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> : </span></span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%206:4&version=NIV"><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Eph6:4</span></span></a><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">C.</span></span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2022:6&version=NIV#en-NIV-17022" title="Go to Proverbs 22:6"><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Proverbs
22:6</span></span></a><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">S Dt</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Please note these simple safety rules of life:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>don't put marbles up your nose, don't gesture
with a fork while you're talking, and wear a life jacket when you jump or are
pushed into the carpool.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wqRsvwGFCCqP7LfLvd5Pd-Sf0l-819vq-ucvX3UXyFa5n4bcQXiQyvm62uyz3TyRnyduD0H48OT8hGK0nQXMlPccYpIb1XjGbkySWtnMOZdcHtBG4KzI8xtX2y1Gup1Vo1Z0Xv3-qWmZ/s320/kid-carpool.jpg" width="320" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Our family is fortunate. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We live
close enough to school so the kids walk or ride their bikes.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Unless water is involved.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Rain, sleet, snow—or the imminent threat thereof.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Precipitation heralds the beginning of
telephone negotiations worthy of any diplomat.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My youngest, Laurel, calls her best friend, Rae Chelle, and they try to
remember whose turn it is to drive. Since mothers are only consulted as a last
resort, the conversation usually goes something like this: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Mom?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you drive us to school?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Didn't I drive
last Tuesday when it rained?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"You drove <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to</i> but Rae Chelle's mom picked up <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">after</i>. Can you do it again 'cause Rae
Chelle's mom has a doctor's appointment and her little brother's sick and they
ran out of Rice Krispies so they're running late and she can't after."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"So am I taking
or picking up?"<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A pause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Let me check."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I realize it
would be easier to speak directly to Rae Chelle's mom but I don't because
there's a rule that says weekday mornings aren't supposed to be easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I do my part. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Because I work at home, I don't bother dressing up to do my car-pool duty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I feel downright chic if I put on
shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To shoe, or not to shoe is
determined in the final moments as I grab my keys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I feel brave, I scurry to the car shoeless
and pray that I don't run out of gas, get rear-ended, or meet up with my own
mother—who supposedly taught me common sense.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> R</span>emember that scene
from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mr. Mom </i>where Michael Keaton gets
scolded for going the wrong way through the car-pool lane at school? It's true,
all true. The way the elementary school has it's car-pool routine laid out is
as complicated as a gold-medal figure skating program—the long program. By the
time I escape back into street traffic I <!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1"
o:spid="_x0000_s1027" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkNjy1uSXkXvTXiQIf6wZjBJzoXI2CGJE5L9nPRUxmU6i9sb4iD_yOGYMOWXOLGY9a9wDjUBGJMI4HEXuawaDikKCZas4D3s-aY-SnDMlSKf49X_fPk180e3S8y3tKJPdeP4Pfy-vHJbW/s200/soda+cup.JPG"
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkNjy1uSXkXvTXiQIf6wZjBJzoXI2CGJE5L9nPRUxmU6i9sb4iD_yOGYMOWXOLGY9a9wDjUBGJMI4HEXuawaDikKCZas4D3s-aY-SnDMlSKf49X_fPk180e3S8y3tKJPdeP4Pfy-vHJbW/s1600/soda+cup.JPG"
style='position:absolute;margin-left:4.25pt;margin-top:14.8pt;width:73.45pt;
height:150pt;z-index:-251658240;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;
mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;
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mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;
mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;
mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page' o:button="t">
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Nancy\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image003.jpg"
o:title="soda+cup"/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkNjy1uSXkXvTXiQIf6wZjBJzoXI2CGJE5L9nPRUxmU6i9sb4iD_yOGYMOWXOLGY9a9wDjUBGJMI4HEXuawaDikKCZas4D3s-aY-SnDMlSKf49X_fPk180e3S8y3tKJPdeP4Pfy-vHJbW/s1600/soda+cup.JPG"></a><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">figure I've done a double axel, a
flying camel and a sit spin. If it's a good day, the judges give me a 5.9 for
my technical ability and a perfect 6.0 for my dazzling car-pool artistry.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkNjy1uSXkXvTXiQIf6wZjBJzoXI2CGJE5L9nPRUxmU6i9sb4iD_yOGYMOWXOLGY9a9wDjUBGJMI4HEXuawaDikKCZas4D3s-aY-SnDMlSKf49X_fPk180e3S8y3tKJPdeP4Pfy-vHJbW/s200/soda+cup.JPG" width="98" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Our carpool usually includes food and
drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of it's my fault.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm rarely seen without my trusty Diet
Coke—inevitably bringing chants of "Don't drink <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and drive, Mrs. Moser" from the car-poolees. Smart
alecky kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of the problem I
blame on those handy cup holders cars have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Talk about an invitation. After a trip through carpool-land those cup
holders are full of jelly beans, used gum, crumpled Dorito bags and assorted
ponytail bands—all of which are permanently adhered to the holder with the
greatest glue ever invented:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>dried apple
juice.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
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<img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3hVwTJucbBR4rAsU1mbpYwI8KtE0gbt-OYtyDZDJS6av1rhpVMBhz72UQlcRTNka0IEOdxkP3qD13-3sQD8YCgkQPYw_2IGUcie1tNecgva6XPnIg4keCNJlcD23TLFIeuVZ_UZ1fwSR/s200/tissue.JPG" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: 48px;" width="200" /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If
you have a keen interest in colds and allergies, you'll feel right at home in a
carpool. It seems the only tissues ever found in a child's possession are those
shredded and fossilized in their pockets after making the washer-dryer rounds. </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">If </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a child does have a fresh tissue, it
is of no use as it is buried beneath layers of jackets, backpacks and science
projects.</span><br />
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<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> A nose is running. A sneeze is bursting. A cough is
hacking. What's a poor child to do? I have a box of tissues in the car, just
for the occasion. But what happens to the tissue when it's served its purpose?
Since their pockets are already full of the day's earlier treasures (just
waiting to be fossilized) the kids stuff the used tissues in between the seats
or in a cup holder—if they can find one miraculously empty. Or they give it to
the baby to chew on.</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> Carpooling demands iron nerves, deaf ears, and eyes in
the back of your head. If you somehow avoid drowning in the deep end of the
carpool you'll deliver all the kids to the correct locations and make it back
home yourself (if, after all this, you still remember where you live).</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">When you get there, shut the garage door on
the world, toss your keys on the counter, and try a different pool—one that
steams and makes your skin prune. Calgon, take me away.</span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">***</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Want more inspirational humor? Check out </span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYB4LMN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i37" style="text-indent: 0.25in;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Save Me, God! I Fell in the Carpool: </i><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Help, Hope, and Humor for Drowning Moms</i></span></a></div>
</div>
Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-75827400624745434262013-06-20T19:07:00.002-07:002020-04-03T05:35:25.431-07:00No Sweat<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“Do you not know that your body </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">is a temple
of the Holy Spirit,</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">who is in you, whom you have received from
God? </span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You are not your own;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you were bought at a price. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Therefore honor
God with your body."</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 Corinthians 6:19-20<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbs5hnsQpfKoeoE7_PaJICIo8r9UusNXXCdT3Aj4gKdmqqQwgRI1cohiKGUib0NU4mJ6LLSqyKybfA7GIJWGjNSo6n5CfUfabAQH-g7LIXEJH-lPxUfRmlUKgp-rgwviYo5fyayb4nQwe/s1600/exercise+ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbs5hnsQpfKoeoE7_PaJICIo8r9UusNXXCdT3Aj4gKdmqqQwgRI1cohiKGUib0NU4mJ6LLSqyKybfA7GIJWGjNSo6n5CfUfabAQH-g7LIXEJH-lPxUfRmlUKgp-rgwviYo5fyayb4nQwe/s320/exercise+ball.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 19.2px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is NOT me.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Our bodies are a temple. We
should treat them with respect; keep them healthy. Eat foods that aren't
smothered in chocolate, drenched in fat, or covered with salt. And most
importantly, ex. . . exer. . . </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I find it hard to say—and
even harder to do. </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Exercise.</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i> </i>I'll walk. I'll do sit-ups
with the best of them. If it weren't for one thing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Sweat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I know a sure-fire way to
make a million bucks. Find a way to exercise and not sweat. No matter what you
call it—sweat, perspiration, or that salty glow you get when your lungs are
burning—it's annoying. It stings your eyes, melts your make-up, and leaves
telltale half moons under your arms. It's . . . the pits.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlujrkBoJuJBWc42a-59yI1m9Dr1L9DjE__CfZGCXSn6xmFivKcPpym5dbOvYfOxINEcTedMacSP3xI4mKbRfxrU4JsXNNUqhDeffw43DRWCbB0qcF-uSgSne-9R5z3u6UMEqgMp64dA5/s1600/exercise+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlujrkBoJuJBWc42a-59yI1m9Dr1L9DjE__CfZGCXSn6xmFivKcPpym5dbOvYfOxINEcTedMacSP3xI4mKbRfxrU4JsXNNUqhDeffw43DRWCbB0qcF-uSgSne-9R5z3u6UMEqgMp64dA5/s1600/exercise+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is also not me.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I realize a sweaty brow is a
trophy of sorts. It is proof (if accompanied by the appropriate ball, racket,
or aerobic attire) that you are keeping the inner workings of your body healthy
by achieving a certain measure of fitness. Exactly what measure can be
determined by your posture. If you are in a prone position resembling a dead
gingerbread man, your fitness quotient is low. If you are jogging in place with
enough breath left in your lungs to recite the Declaration of Independence, I
don't want to speak to you. Ever.</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Some weekend warriors (like
me) don't need a Boston marathon to break into a respectable sweat. Sorting seventeen
white socks from the dryer, finding a parking place at the mall, or turning the
channels manually on the TV when the remote gives out, can all create a
respectable glow. When I attempt some real exercise like walking, tennis, or a
game of H-O-R-S-E, my body calls out the National Guard. This is not a drill.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGpI74kpiAiOhlGpMGfDvoOxvFxZ1YE6hm1x01COWMMT_Z2mgHyBqiahCnuDrjMM6pAeKUs2R5Jwzjf45BadmcRKQ2OuCFF6feoSN6tdb04QaIkPwqxvInTteN507ovfcHpoR3RSLF_iL/s1600/deordorants.jpg" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /> There have been obvious
improvements in the sweat department in the last hundred years. Before the
advent of deodorant, daily showers, and washers that use electricity instead of
the nearest rock, the aroma of mankind was an accepted part of everyday life.
But considering lice, outdoor privies, and dirt floors were also <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">de rigueur</i>, it wasn't a point to brag
about. The potpourri many of us have sitting in a pretty dish to freshen a room
used to be a part of standard attire in the form of a pomander hanging from
one's belt to cover up the aroma of one's toils. People died young, not from
disease, but because their noses gave out. At least that’s my theory.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Now we live in a perfumed
society. There is no excuse for not smelling like roses, a newborn baby, musk,
or a sea breeze. Personally, I don’t like smelling like food: no peaches,
lemon, or vanilla for me. I think about food enough without smelling like it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Sweat discriminates. Baseball
players, tennis stars, and figure skaters look great bathed in sweat. I,
however, look wilted—my face gets red, my hair hangs like cold spaghetti, and
my clothes stick to me in all the wrong places. Perhaps it has something to do
with our respective earning capacities.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I realize sweat has a purpose
(as do rice cakes and Richard Simmons—or so they say) but certainly someone can
design a pill that will cool our bodies without making them sticky and
uncomfortable. Dogs pant. Humans . . . ?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Let’s cut to the chase: Jesus
said that “all things are possible with God” (Mark 10: 27). Therefore, I
challenge mankind to find a way to stay slim, be trim, and worship Him while
keeping our temples perspiration free.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the
Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the
Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24)</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i> </i>Hmm. What if we tackled a
healthy diet and exercise not for ourselves, but “as working for the Lord”?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Could we learn to view sweat
as a virtue?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboDk1_Ma3XiLiN49mx9Q3XaTLaHb-ViBYEAqq39TLeWNLx3XJ6rq8STsO_HA9lAyzvjRvK1MZutbUUPjlYyv0KphzVzHtMOrRAjfJysvZz2x5OUGRd7jedZqH_doJALQeGSGoJdR0-Uei/s1600/joy.png" /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I’ll add that to my list of
questions to ask God when I’m spending eternity with Him. Surely in heaven I’ll
be able to eat Big Macs and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not </i>do
tummy crunches. Or . . . maybe in His presence, I’ll have other things on my
mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Maybe I need to tap into
those “other things” right now, quit obsessing about my weight, put Him first,
and let the food and exercise handle themselves. How about the “He First” diet?
</span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of
its own.” (Matthew 6: 33-34)</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Trouble I make for myself?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Perhaps this is the key: honor
God with your body, work as if working for the Lord, seek Him, and don’t worry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> No sweat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I feel better already.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">***</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0702; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 24px;">Want more inspirational humor? Check out </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYB4LMN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i37" style="background-color: white; color: #b7593b; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;" target="_blank"><i>Save Me, God! I Fell in the Carpool: </i><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Help, Hope, and Humor for Drowning Moms</i></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.nancymoser.com/">www.nancymoser.com</a></span></div>
Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912368302593287693.post-44041364962488485072013-04-10T19:10:00.001-07:002020-04-03T18:42:17.016-07:00Someone Has to Do It<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Consider now,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">for the LORD has chosen you </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to build a
temple as a sanctuary.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Be strong and do the work."<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
I Chronicles 28: 10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Garage (g-raj'):<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A building or
wing of a building, in which to park a car or cars. </i></span><br />
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><i> </i>Oh, so that's what it's
for.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">I could have sworn it was for
storing Notinheres. You know, those possessions that live in the house until
someone asks the fateful question, "Where should I put this?"</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMB1-CYV08gJ95wjqkqc7AfkidCPImxSBk88YKD1WYKOIV3bJTtHc_zwrbiJd_1Aw3AN49X98ssLeFDVyor0uXjA_K4VhOpGdi0-KjB1F9loMt3CHJwSCj1e-a90kDcEU0SXFeSezFem0/s320/garage.jpg" width="320" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"> "Not-in-here."</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> Out it goes to the garage where
it begins its new life.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> It's not a bad fate being
relegated to the garage.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">There's plenty
of fresh air (except for the exhaust fumes), no one bothers you (except to
shove you deeper in a corner), and with luck you can live to extreme old age (anyone
care for a fossilized can of mauve paint?)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> The inhabitants of the garage
could live a peaceful existence if it weren't for one thing.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> Guilt.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> Once a year I get the urge to do
</span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">it</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">. God nudges me out the door and
reminds me that cleanliness is next to godliness, and He loves a cheerful giver.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">So I </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">give
</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">my all toward cleaning the garage.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> This usually involves relocating
the Notinheres from one shelf to another.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">However, this year, I'm determined to hold King Solomon as my role
motto: </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">Be strong and do the work</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">I’m going to be brutal and actually give
things away, and throw away even more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> Toward this end, I don my
grungiest sweat pants, a yellow tee-shirt that says: </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">I got out of bed for this?,</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> and cover my hair so I resemble a
Russian peasant working in the fields of a Siberian commune.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">I grab a broom and present myself to my
family.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> "Wish me luck," I tell
them. "I'm going to clean the garage."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> "Knock yourself out,
honey," says my husband.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> "No, you don't
understand," I say.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">"This year
I'm going to try something new.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">I'm
going to throw things away."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> He snaps to attention.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">"Don't you dare touch Ed McMahon."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> This is not a joke. A life-sized
cardboard cutout of Johnny Carson’s sidekick, Ed McMahon—a sales promotion for
something or other, long forgotten—followed us during a move from Nebraska to
Kansas.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">He comes to all our parties, his
hands holding a "Happy New Year" or "Go Big Red" sign.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96HrWi26AmZ5D4c36cFUCSbad_ESl3IhCzcDr7VkTuEWxxksa0IGws1l16oOt6DMeLTkhWbHsVVihKyhY_fxHn2Fp-I88SzfiavHZvFyx5_xvPXehoFzKdyT7-PGeGjOgbWYe83mYVuBa/s320/blog+ed+mcmahon.JPG" width="246" /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> "But Ed's neck is
broken.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">It's really time we got
rid—</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> "Not Ed!" he says.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> "And don't give away my
Rainbow Brite skates," says our oldest daughter Emily, who’s brought our
granddaughter over to visit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> "Or my football that
doesn't have any air," says middle child Carson, who’s come to borrow a
hedge trimmer for his own to-do list, but has been delayed by a baseball game
on TV.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> "Or my Boxcar Children books,"
says twenty-something Laurel who’s in town to visit us—and her friends (or is
she here to visit her friends—and us?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> I smile a sinister smile and
point a finger at all of them.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">"’A
sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds
nothing.’”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> My family stares at me,
uncomprehending.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">In truth...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> I got nothing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> I close the door on all
witnesses, determined to begin. The cars sit in the driveway, daring me,
pleading with me to make a place for them.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">I move a trash can to center-stage for the throwaways and a trash bag
for the giveaways.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">I survey the
Notinheres that line the perimeter like wallflowers at a middle school dance. I
turn on some music: the theme from “Rocky” offers the perfect inspiration.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> As the music swells I gain new
strength.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">"Ready or not..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> With mad abandon, I make a
beeline for Ed McMahon.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">His head
droops.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">There are cobwebs strung between
his ear and shoulder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> "Sorry, Ed.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">Sacrifices have to be made."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> Next go the Rainbow Brite
skates.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">I ignore the thought that if I
keep them long enough they might be worth something on Ebay—even if they are
missing a wheel.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">I toss the airless ball
(with the slit in the side) in the trash.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">The kid books find a place in the giveaway bag.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> The pile in the middle of the
garage grows as I cut a swath through the tangle of garden hoses, Christmas
lights, and torn volleyball nets.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">My
family peeks through the door, checking my progress.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> "Don't throw that—"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> "Back, I say!"</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">I brandish a weed-eater that hasn't worked in
four years.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">"No one comes out until
I say it's safe!"</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">They wisely
retreat lest I quote another proverb about plowing and sluggards.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> I am merciless.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">I toss.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">I throw.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">I sweep.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> And finally . . . I'm done.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> I open the door and call,
"All clear.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">Everybody out!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> They file into the garage.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">Their "oohs" and "ahhs"
are fitting payment for five hours work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> I begin my "From now
on" speech directed toward my husband.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">"From now on all the sports equipment goes here and the tools go
over there . . . "</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> I catch Mark staring wistfully
toward the curb where the trash cans await pickup.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">Ed McMahon waves a farewell, his head bobbing
in the breeze.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> "It'll be all right,"
I tell him.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">"It was simply . . .
his time."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> The next day, when I get in my
car to go on errands, I notice an addition to our freshly cleaned garage.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">It's Ed. He's waving hello from the corner
behind the lawn mower with duct tape strengthening his neck muscles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> I remind myself that God is all
about second chances.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> For garages.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> For Ed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> And even for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">***</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0702; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0702; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">Want more inspirational humor? Check out </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYB4LMN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i37" style="background-color: white; color: #b7593b; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;" target="_blank"><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Save Me, God! I Fell in the Carpool: </i><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Help, Hope, and Humor for Drowning Moms</i></a><br />
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</span>Brenda Joseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.com0