Childlike faith is so wonderful

Childlike faith is so wonderful and powerful!

We just finished a trip to the store. You know, one of those times that is fine until you get in line. I strategically picked the line I thought would be the fastest. The customer didn’t seem to be engaged in any kind of conversation that the two cashiers were having. (My first mistake was to not question why there were two cashiers.) Then it happened, the customer said something and they all started chatting away and the checkout process became longer. Normally, I force a smile on my face and pray pray pray that I will have the strength to keep my cool. But this time there was a box of “orange dream bars” and “chocolate fudge bars” on the line. I was doing okay, until the transaction was over and it was my turn. The cashier smiled at me and said, “Susie (‘m not even sure what her name was because I was so absorbed with selfishness) will be taking over for me”. I took a deep breath, this could be different than all those other times when the next cashier can’t get something working… it wasn’t. She looked at me and said in horror, “I can’t believe it, I will be right back”. Great, I thought, and started taking deep breaths all the while I imagined orange and brown goo leaking out from the boxes. She came back shortly and started ringing me up, I guess she forgot to log out of the last register. “I’ve never done that before” she said more to herself than to me. I’m glad she didn’t glance up. Still taking deep breaths I forced a smile and said have a nice day when I was done.

Did I mention the reason for going to the store in the first place? A much needed band so that Little Professor’s glasses would stay on his head. Well, you guessed it… it wasn’t rung up. I noticed before we got out of the store. In a rage I went back very upset with Curious George who had been playing with it while we waited in line. Okay… so I did over react. I just hope no one knew me or even paid any attention. I rudely stepped in front of the customer being checked out by Susie and grabbed the band that was sitting to the side of her register and went to another register with no line. All the while chastising Curious George for playing with it, and not putting it where she could see it. Like I said, I was over reacting. We quickly headed for the car and raced away.. well, as fast as we could without running over the car that decided to pull out before me and the family crossing in front of me.

Once on the road, I talked to the kids. “Guys, I’m sorry, but I’m extremely frustrated right now. I’m afraid the ice cream we bought is going to be ruined and I am very frustrated that it took so long. I know I’m over reacting and I’m just really really frustrated.”

Then it happened. My wonderful, faith filled Curious George spoke up. “Mommy, you don’t have to worry because I already prayed. I prayed that if it was God’s will for the ice cream to melt that we would be okay with it. But if He wanted to, I asked Him to make the ice cream not melt. I figure, if He can raise the dead, He could keep the ice cream from melting.” The frustration melted from me, and I said, “absolutely, that was the best prayer you could have said.”

When we got home, after several red lights, (there are only 5 lights on the way home and I think all of them were red) we all rushed to the back of the van and opened the box of ice cream… still frozen. Curious George looked up at me with a smile and said, “I knew God could do it”.

Determined Little Boy

Today my 6yo went up to a swimming instructor after his swim lesson and asked if he could take a swimming test. It involves treading water for 30 seconds and more stuff, I'm not even sure what. But my brave little boy went for it. With tears in my eyes, fervent prayer in my mind and my lips shouting encouragement, I watched my son struggle to stay on top of the water. Never having been in the deep end of the pool, I held my breath as I saw him tire, but he did it. He was too exhausted to complete the rest of test. When he finished he was dejected that he had failed. I couldn’t have been more proud. His determination to get that “green band” that says he can swim is his goal. Today he made a huge step in getting it. I tried to encourage him, but I knew he was disappointed with himself.

The instructor was as surprised as I was that he was able to tread water that long. It was a first for him, especially because he is still learning to swim. I have no doubt that my little boy will be wearing that “green” band by the end of the summer. He is braver and more determined than I am even today. He makes my heart smile.

I asked his older brother by two years if he had ever tried to take the swimming test. He said, “no mom, I’ve just been working up the courage to ask”. I’m not even sure how my 6yo knew to ask, but I can imagine he just went up to a lifeguard and said “what do I need to do to get a green band”.

As we were leaving I was telling him how brave he was to try, and that he did his best which made me proud. With a quivering lip that he kept trying to control, he simply said, “thanks”. Poor guy, he wanted it so bad and he didn’t make it.

I can’t help but think of how God might feel with us. We try and fail, and He is cheering us on. “Don’t give up, I am with you. You can do this, because I have created you for it. Keep on trying; don’t grow weary in doing good. I see what you do and I will reward you. Nothing you do goes unnoticed by Me. I know you can do it. Just because you failed doesn’t mean I have stopped loving you.”

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9

“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” Revelation 22:12

"I have loved you, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to Myself." Jeremiah 31:3

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:28-29

Mother's Day 2010

Whenever you are tired

And feel you can’t go on

Remember these faces

To them you do no wrong

They love you and they need you

And they are growing up so fast

Spills and tears, fussing cries

All part of life now, won’t last

God has placed these in your care

Specifically each girl and boy

But other things will always try

To take away your joy

So cry it out and wipe those tears

Do all you do as for the Lord

And time will show through them

They are your great reward

Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

I received this in an email, and unfortunately I do not know the author, but I wanted to share it with you.


A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up; She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.


Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.


Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.' 'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.


The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?' Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water. 'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond?


Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor.


If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Mom, I'm Ready

“Mom, I’m ready to start having quiet times,” my 7 year old said quietly, as he entered the room at 6:30 AM yesterday. I was just getting into my own devotions but decided this was not one of those times to shush him. “That’s funny, I’ve actually been thinking a lot about that,” I told him. He continued, “When I wake up I want to stay up and not got back to bed, so I think I’m ready.” The rule at our house is before 7:00 it is “quiet time”, so daddy and mommy can get their devotions done in peace without questions, wants or demands. It doesn’t always happen but the kids know it is a rule.

The last time I was at my parents home, I found my “children’s daily devotional’s” that I used when I was a kid. I asked my mom to give these to him for his 8th birthday. I also asked her to write about the importance of spending time reading the Bible every day.

You see, when I was eight years old I asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins and come into my life. I thanked Him for what He did for me on the cross and I gave my heart to Him. Then, in order to get to know Him better I started having quiet times every day. I explained all this to Little Professor telling him how Grandma was going to send him the same books I used. His eyes lit up and he smiled real big. “But, if you want, in the meantime, you can start a journal and begin reading Proverbs” I told him.

“This is something my dad showed me,” I began, “the book of Proverbs is full of wisdom and there are 31 chapters. Look at the calendar and tell me how many days are in this month.” Little Professor cheered and noted that there are 31 days in October. “One for every single day!” he said. I gave him a black spiral notebook to use as his journal. Telling him that every day he could write in it what he wanted. He could write how he felt or anything at all, but to also write the verse he liked best from his reading and the date. I told him I still had one of my first journals.

So, my Little Professor started his journey yesterday October 1st, spending quiet time reading scripture. His 8th birthday is only 5 days away. This was an answer to a fervent prayer from a mother’s heart, who desperately wants all of her children to seek the Lord and follow hard after Him. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was for him to ask on his own!

“Mom”, he said, “I guess I have a head start on you, because I asked Jesus to come into my life when I was like two” I smiled and said, “not quite that young, but yes you do”

Not ten minutes later he had his verse, Proverbs 1:19. “This is a great one Mom, listen to this verse”. “All greedy people end up this way. Greed takes away the life of the greedy person.” “That’s really powerful, isn’t it mom?” I raised my eyebrows and said “wow, that sounds serious”. He shook his head and said “yeah, pirates really need to hear this one!”

The First Day Of School

Curious George started kindergarten Monday and was inspired to write this song. He had a great day which must have really sparked his creative juices.

(Sung to… lala la laaaaa)

It was the first day of school
When the bus came here
I was going to go to school
Until the bus broke down on me
And then the bus started going
But they didn’t fix it
and the driver was still in
and they saw a face
and a body in the air
And it was stealing the bus
And then the teacher said
EVERYONE!

GET OUT OF THE BUSS
A GHOST IS INSIDE !
And then this is happened
We were driving to school
And then the bus broke down again
And the ghost flew out
And they started to build the buss
And they were building the buss
For days....
And the days went by slow
And then the months went
It went summer, fall , winter
And then monsters existed
And monsters can break the doors
So I ran back to my house
And drived my car back to school
And the teacher was with me by my side
And I was old enough to drive a car
I drove it to school
And we found all these ghostest
At school and the ghostest were nice
But no one was at school everyone
Was gone including my teacher
My teacher drove away
And I wasn’t in the car
And then the ghostest flew out
And chased the teacher to her house
And the teacher ran and ran and ran
And ran to her house
Her house was across the world
So she ran so far
She bought a car
That didn’t’ have any gas
So she pushed it to a gas station
And pumped up some gas
And went to her house
And the ghost chased her back to school
And the car broke down
And then tow trucks didn’t exist
So she ran to school
She ran so far
She bought two cars
And left one at home
But she shouldn’t have done that
The ghost was chasing her
In a race car
And she was driving
She drove so far
She bought another car
And left it there
And more ghostest went
And that was a race car
And then she drove and her
Car blew up
But before... she ran out
(sing the last line very slowly)
And all the students were on the buss
The end

Living In Christ

Living In Christ
Let every part of your life--your person, your style, your direction, your flavor—be in Him. When you’re in Him, then you’re based on truth. You’ll be honest and genuine through and through; you’ll be coordinated, all of a piece; you’ll be in harmony with yourself. And then you can grow within yourself to unlimited dimensions—and all because you’re in God.

Faddish lives age quickly. They’re not based on God, who is greater than all culture and all generations, so twenty years from now they’ll seem faded and “out of it.” Anchor yourself to the great “I AM”, and you will develop more and more into a woman who is ageless, whole, true, and at rest.—ANNE ORTLUND Disciplines of the Heart

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Colossians 2:9-10

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. 1 Corinthians 3:4-5

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5

Lord, You know my desire is to follow You. Help me to stay the course and keep my eyes focused on You no matter what goes on around me. Give me strength not only when I am weak but always. You’re strength is what I want to rely on not my own. Open my eyes so that I may see how you are at work around me and through me. Help me to be faithful in seeking You. I thank You for Your sacrificial love. And I thank You for Your patience with me. Mold me and make me according to Your will.