I have two of the most wonderful grandsons in the world. Each has his own personality, his own style of talking, his own walk, and his own quirky little things that I love. But they both have my hair! The older more so than the younger. I gave it to their mother, who in turn gave it to them. I don't think they want it any more than I do!
Their mother sent me a picture of their first haircut of the school year by a professional hairstylist. She said that when the lady asked Hunter (the six year old) what kind of "cut" he wanted, he said, "Straight!"
I thought about his answer this morning over my last cup of coffee, and I wondered, "When did we begin to believe that the impossible was not possible? Was it one particular circumstance or many happenstances in our lives that caused us to doubt that anything is possible?"
When we were children, we were sure that someone could fix any problem; Mom, Dad, our grandparents. I have glued noses on wooden pull toys, performed surgery on dolls, bandaged booboos, and altered clothes, but I cannot "cut" hair and make it straight.
I think, for me, the answer is, "many happenstances." I cannot think of one defining moment when doubt crept in. I can , however, think of many situations in my life when I realized that there were things I could not accomplish, or at least, not without making sacrifices I was not willing to make. It was during those times that God showed me that there were things in this world better left undone; things that were not in His divine plan for my life.
It was not in His divine plan for Hunter to have straight hair. Though, if I could "cut" it for him, I would.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Good Friends
I just spent the last 24 hours with two of my best friends. These ladies know almost everything there is to know about me. That could be a scary thing for some; to have people around who know almost everything about them. But because of who these people are, I feel very secure in that knowledge. Not because they are successful, or because they are upstanding citizens of their communities, or because they are good people. I have this security because of their spiritual maturity. I can tell them my inmost feelings and insecurities and know that they will not judge me. They might tell me to get over myself, or that I need to examine the situation a little further, or that I am not applying biblical principals; but they will not judge me. I can be away from these ladies for weeks at a time, sometimes even months, but when we get together, it is as if no time has passed.
It is my hope that all of you have friends such as these. I cannot imagine going through life without them. In Deuteronomy 13:6, God speaks of a friend as "one who is as your own soul." These are my friends. Those who are as my own soul. Through thick and thin. When my life makes sense and when it doesn't.
In Exodus 33:11 the Lord talked with Moses, "...face to face, as a man speaks to a friend." There are times during my prayers when I know without a doubt that I am "face to face" with God. And yet, there are times when I know that I have "hidden" myself from Him. I know that I have refused to share the most intimate details of my life with the very best friend that I have. The one who breathed my soul into this lifeless shell of a body. Why is it so hard to tell God of my shortcomings and so easy to share with my other friends? As I reflected on this I thought that perhaps it was because, being a parent, I understand how much my shortcomings must hurt Him. Not that I fail, but that I do not come to Him; that I do not always trust Him to forgive and understand. Perhaps because, sometimes in my pain and frustration, I forget that He is a loving God. I forget the fact that, when I cannot stand alone He holds me up, and when I cannot go on, He carries me. God is not "as my soul," He "is my soul."
I pray that you not only have friends such as these, but that God is number one in your life. I pray that you come face to face with God on a regular basis. That you allow Him to carry you and hold you up when you cannot go on alone.
Thank you my friends, for listening.
It is my hope that all of you have friends such as these. I cannot imagine going through life without them. In Deuteronomy 13:6, God speaks of a friend as "one who is as your own soul." These are my friends. Those who are as my own soul. Through thick and thin. When my life makes sense and when it doesn't.
In Exodus 33:11 the Lord talked with Moses, "...face to face, as a man speaks to a friend." There are times during my prayers when I know without a doubt that I am "face to face" with God. And yet, there are times when I know that I have "hidden" myself from Him. I know that I have refused to share the most intimate details of my life with the very best friend that I have. The one who breathed my soul into this lifeless shell of a body. Why is it so hard to tell God of my shortcomings and so easy to share with my other friends? As I reflected on this I thought that perhaps it was because, being a parent, I understand how much my shortcomings must hurt Him. Not that I fail, but that I do not come to Him; that I do not always trust Him to forgive and understand. Perhaps because, sometimes in my pain and frustration, I forget that He is a loving God. I forget the fact that, when I cannot stand alone He holds me up, and when I cannot go on, He carries me. God is not "as my soul," He "is my soul."
I pray that you not only have friends such as these, but that God is number one in your life. I pray that you come face to face with God on a regular basis. That you allow Him to carry you and hold you up when you cannot go on alone.
Thank you my friends, for listening.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
America's "High"
"I am overfull, and I feel so good!" That is what I thought as I took the last bite of Cracker Jacks. Then it dawned on me what my weight problem had been all along, or at least partially. I get "high" on feeling full. I had eaten enough; even more than enough according to my calorie intake for the day. However, I was not "full." I didn't have that "aah, I'm miserable" feeling. Anyone out there know what I mean? I realized that when I get to a certain point of fullness, my body must feel so good that it releases endorphines; which make me happy, or at least make me seem happy. As a result, I am constantly searching for my "high." I am addicted to food!
Knowledge is power. Now that I have this knowledge, I should be able to battle the need for this feeling.
It dawned on me later that Americans are like that. We are so used to that "high." Most of us have a lot more than we need to survive, but we still long for more. We are such a spoiled people. We want what we want and we want it now! God has blessed this nation so much, and yet we demand more. We have lived on that euphoric feeling for so long that we cannot imagine giving it up. When will we battle this feeling,;this addiction? It is my opinion that soon we will not have a choice, in Texas, at least. Already it is hard to get "same day" delivery on things. Prices will soon skyrocket. Cotton and all that is made from it will be scarce. Fresh vegetables will have to be shipped in. Beef prices will soar because ranchers had to sell so many of their cattle. It is time to stop overfilling. Quit spending government money so that we will be given the same amount next year. Quit building fancy offices and overhiring. Quit cowtowing to lobbyists. In other words, quit paying $200.00 for hammers!
Maybe we should overfill on "The Fruit" instead of the fruit. We could stand a little love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, and faithfulness in this world today. (Gal. 5:22) And Fruit is healthy!
Knowledge is power. Now that I have this knowledge, I should be able to battle the need for this feeling.
It dawned on me later that Americans are like that. We are so used to that "high." Most of us have a lot more than we need to survive, but we still long for more. We are such a spoiled people. We want what we want and we want it now! God has blessed this nation so much, and yet we demand more. We have lived on that euphoric feeling for so long that we cannot imagine giving it up. When will we battle this feeling,;this addiction? It is my opinion that soon we will not have a choice, in Texas, at least. Already it is hard to get "same day" delivery on things. Prices will soon skyrocket. Cotton and all that is made from it will be scarce. Fresh vegetables will have to be shipped in. Beef prices will soar because ranchers had to sell so many of their cattle. It is time to stop overfilling. Quit spending government money so that we will be given the same amount next year. Quit building fancy offices and overhiring. Quit cowtowing to lobbyists. In other words, quit paying $200.00 for hammers!
Maybe we should overfill on "The Fruit" instead of the fruit. We could stand a little love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, and faithfulness in this world today. (Gal. 5:22) And Fruit is healthy!
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