Have you ever played one of those “get to know you” games where you describe yourself in terms of an animal?  I hate that game.  Inevitable the only animal I can think of is Eeyore the donkey from Winnie the Pooh.  I’m definitely NOT a “Rabbit” (except for the gardening part), though at times I think I can very much be like a “Kanga”.  But when it comes to using something to personify my bouncy little 5-year-old, “Tigger” doesn’t even come close.  She is more like one of those monster big fireworks fountains that spew colorful sparks, fire balls and all manner of flashing fancies high into the air on July 4!  The only difference between her and one of those marvels is she tends to never fizzle out. 

Aspen, who is almost 6, is always super excited about everything.  She can cross the same bridge over and over and it is still as exciting as the first time.  When you take her someplace like a zoo or aquarium she exclaims loudly and bounces and jumps at each exhibit.  She truly has enough exuberance and excitement for everyone else there.  Today she wanted to make cookies.  She was so excited to get two of her little kid aprons that she insisted we both wear.  She couldn’t wait to pour everything into the bowl and mix it up.  Each of the 5 or 6 items received the same amount of excitement and joy. 

I would like to find life as exciting as she does.  When I think about it though, it is just a frame of mind.  She chooses to think everything is super exciting and something she gets to do, while as an adult, I seem to think in terms of things I have or need to do.  For example; after baking the cookies my thoughts are about cleaning up the mess after making the cookies and having to do wash dishes for yet a third time today.  Aspen, however, thinks that helping mommy clean is just another exciting event in life. 

Matthew 13 tells the story of a man who found a treasure in a field.  You can imagine how excited he was.  When he found it he hid it again, then went and sold everything he had to buy the field.  I can imagine that when he dug up the treasure again, he was just as excited, or even more excited than the first time.  Matthew 13:44 tells us that the Kingdom of Heaven is like that treasure hidden in the field.   First of all we should get just as excited about seeking the Kingdom of Heaven as the man did when he found the treasure.  Second of all we should get just as excited about the kingdom the umpteenth time as the first. 

Psalm 118:24 – “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

I had plans to do “stuff” today, but Brett had a headache and while I felt fine, I joined him in a “day off”.  I didn’t entirely waste my day.  At about 10am I was outside in my pj’s and unkempt hair watering my garden, hand pollinating the cucumbers just in case the bees didn’t get around to it and tying up the tomato vines.  I live on a dead-end street with just one house past ours so I felt pretty safe that no one would drive  by and see me so late in the morning without a shower.  Wrong assumption.  A couple of people drove up wanting to see Brett, who was in bed, so I did my best to be polite to people who dared to stop by without calling first!  I drug Brett out of bed to entertain the visitors and hopped into the shower.  At about 7pm we had another unexpected visitor.  After a day of wasting time on the computer and fixing meals, but not washing the dishes and not having picked up after Aspen yet,  I was embarrassed for someone we barely know to drop by.  It was my own fault I hadn’t straightened up, but I was annoyed and not in the mood to be polite to the person ringing the door bell.  He was obviously here to see Brett, who was still in bed with a headache.  I opened the door, told him I would get Brett and once again drug Brett out of bed.

What did I learn from this experience?  Besides the fact that I should be more hospitable,  I have concluded that I should always be ready and never take a “day off”.    Which sounds extreme, but todays experience reminded me of the story of the “Ten Virgins”:

MATTHEW 25:1-13 NIV

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep“ (vs.1-5).

“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ ‘No, ‘they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut“ (vs.6-10).

“Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ But he replied, ‘ I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour wherein the Son of man comes“ (vs.11-13).

Today we stopped by Taco Bell to get Aspen some dinner.  She ordered her usual menu: Two Cheese Roll Ups, a side of sour cream, a side of rice, and cheesy fiesta potatoes minus the cheese.  Brett commented that “Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes” without the cheese was an oxymoron.  After all, without cheese, they are no longer really all that festive so they aren’t Fiesta Potatoes, and who would be festive about that?  I usually just let him have these rants, it seems to make him feel better.  Most of the time I just smile and nod, but this time I thought he might be onto something.

 Now you may ask, “How does this apply to my spiritual life?”  Well having cheesy fiesta potatoes without the cheese could be compared to being a Christian without actually letting Christ influence your life.  Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes were so named because you could see the cheese on them.  Yum!  If someone had put you in charge of naming a bowl of fried potatoes with cheese and sour cream on them, you would have probably named them, “Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes”.  On the other hand if someone had set before you a bowl of fried potatoes with just sour cream on them, you may have named them “Potatoes’n’ Cream”.  In the same train of thought, if you stand before someone with the actions of Christ, they will automatically know what you are: a Christian.  But stand before a group of people without the actions of Christ and no one would call you a Christian.  “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16

MIRANDA’S VERSION: Today Brett and I went out to run a few errands.  Traffic was bumper to bumper as we drove through ‘old town’ to stop at the post office and then the bike shop.  When we pulled out of the bike shop the traffic cleared up and Brett drove like Mario Andretti.  I said, “Brett, the speed limit is 25.”  He replied, “Oh is it?”  But, he didn’t bother slowing down.  Now, I don’t like to nag or repeat myself, but I can think of better ways to spend money than on a speeding ticket.  So I said again, “Brett, the speed limit is 25.”  I’m sure I was as annoying as I felt.  He acknowledged that he heard me, but still did not slow down.  Since I drive that area of town more often than he does, I told him that I often see police pull cars over in that area for speeding.  He assured me that I was in the passengers seat to keep an eye out for hidden police cars.  I, on the other hand, emphatically replied, “No, I’m here to tell you what the speed limit is!” 

BRETT’S VERSION: Today, Miranda and I took off for town to get a couple of things done.  I was driving because being a passenger is not one of my spiritual gifts.  It  was late in the day so traffic was horrible downtown.  It was bumper to bumper on the narrow one-way, two-lane road and really slowing us down.  We had things to do and all the other drivers seemingly were united in purpose to keep us blocked in and crawling along.  Finally, I saw an opening.  It wasn’t a huge opening, but big enough for me to wedge my turbo Baja into and find some open space.  The Mercedes coming up on my left was just enough behind that I could cut lanes and not force him into the sidewalk.  I cut and then hit the turbo.  Now, I only did this for two reasons; first, I didn’t want to make the Mercedes have to slow down (that was thoughtful of me) second; when I found the open lane there was a good 7 or 8 car-lengths of emptiness in front of me.  If I didn’t act quickly I would lose the opportunity to get ahead and take the lead at the next light.  I would assume all of this would be blatantly obvious to Miranda, I mean, who wouldn’t see this!?  However, as soon as I began to implement operation Get-Ahead, she throws out that the speed limit is only 25 MPH.  What am I supposed to do with this information?  I know what the speed limit is, but that only applies in normal, every day driving, not this obvious special need circumstance!  So, I simply reply, “Oh, is it?  And just for her I brought the speedometer down one or two notches, though I don’t think she appreciated it or even noticed.  About halfway through my open run (why have a turbo if you’re not going to use it?) she  repeats herself stating the speed limit is 25 MPH.  Now, being the good driver that I am, my focus is on all the cars around me and making sure no one has enough time or space to try to cut me off, so I gave her a kindly, and full of love,  grunt of acknowledgement.  It obviously wasn’t enough because then she says that her experience is that she has seen people all the time pulled over here because they don’t obey the speed limit.  Now, I admit that sometimes my reactions are quicker than my ability to evaluate the repercussions of my reactions.  I only meant to be light-hearted when I jokingly said, “That’s why you are here, to watch out for the police!”  Not appreciating my attempt at levity Miranda shot back, “No, I’m here to tell you the speed limit!”  I got it and slowed down.

Now, I don’t want you to think that I’m a saint or anything, because I’m not, but when Miranda said that to me, a typical human response would have been to get angry or upset at being reprimanded.  However, the first thing (OK, not the very first thing, but close) to come into my mind is the similarities to my spiritual life this experience bore.  Sometimes I’m cruising along through life when I start to feel “held back” or things aren’t happening fast enough.  In those times, instead of letting God guide me, I tend to take things into my own hands and try to be the driver of my life.  I see what I think is an opportunity opening up that I must quickly take advantage of, even if it means cutting a few people off.  I mean, that’s OK in special circumstance, right?  While I’m in the process, God usually sends  a still small voice to warn me.  I may casually acknowledge Him and even give a partial and passive response, but I keep going.  He continues to warn me of possible impending consequences to my actions and I continue to nod in agreement without really changing (I told you I’m not a saint).  Sometimes, when my actions do bring hurt or pain into my life I cry out, “God! You’re suppose to look out for those things for me!” and I can now hear Him reply (thanks to the wisdom of my wife) “No, I’m here to remind you about my laws that I gave to protect you.”  That’s when I can look back at my choices and actions and see where I crashed through the two principal laws God has given me; To love Him and love others.  It’s so blatantly obvious, who wouldn’t see it? 😉

Yesterday while shopping at “Mom’s Organic Market” Aspen wanted to use the bathroom.  I took Aspen and left Brett in the refrigerated section of the store.  On the way back to Brett I stopped to look over some locally produced mozzarella cheese.  In the meantime Aspen didn’t want to wait so she raced ahead, much easier to do with her small child-sized cart thru the narrow aisles than with my full-size cart.  I chased after her as quickly as possible thinking all was well because the store was small and she would find Brett where we left him.  I arrived where I had left Brett and didn’t find either Brett or Aspen!  I tried calling Brett who didn’t answer his phone and headed back the direction I had come from calling for Aspen.  I was worried, after all she is only five.  Half-way down the aisle I saw her wildly race around the corner pushing her cart.  Obviously she was not with Brett.  I called to her and she turned around and came back, incredibly relieved to be back in the presence of her mommy.  Later when I related the story to Brett he turned and asked Aspen if she was glad she had found mommy.  Aspen replied, “I didn’t find Mommy…… Mommy found me!”

When we are the “lost sheep”  we don’t find God…..He finds us!

“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance”—Luke 15:4-7.

My husband asked to write the following devotional tonight after our evening walk:

NOTE: I know you have heard this, or something very similar, before and probably many times.  It is, I believe, good and important to be reminded of every so often how much God loves us because we are His children.  So, at the risk of repeating a truth you’ve heard a million times, here is how God reminded me about His love for me through my 5-year-old daughter.

Tonight, Aspen took a little tumble off her scooter during our family walk around the neighborhood.  It wasn’t a bad fall, no cuts or bleeding, just enough to give her a raspberry on her knee.  Aspen hasn’t had too many falls so far in life (she possesses her Father’s gazelle like abilities in balance and grace) so she really hasn’t experienced a lot of physical pain.  Therefore, whenever she does hurt herself, it’s something of a new experience for her and I think makes it hurt more.  So, when she fell, first there was shock and then there were tears.  My initial reaction was to make sure she was OK and not bleeding, but when she held up her arms, something from deep within me takes over and I want nothing but to pick her up, hold her and make all the pain go away.  In fact, I’ve learned that the more intense Aspen’s pain, the more intense are my feelings and desire to bring comfort and healing.

Now, contrary to what some people might believe about me, I’m a schmuck.  I’m not trying to be self-deprecating for humor, I just know me and when it comes to sinners I am, like Paul, the chief officer of sinners.  The reason I’m sharing this is to make a point: if I, being a chief of sinners, have that kind of reaction to my daughter’s pain, how much greater can you even begin to imagine, is God’s reaction to your pain?  

And we all have pain, right?  Oh as we get older the pain isn’t so much from tumbles, broken toys or fearing the monsters under our bed, but of moral falls, broken hearts and fears about our futures.  But the pain is still very real.  And the hurts can cut very deep.  And at times we may be tempted to believe that no one cares, I mean really cares.  Believe me, that is exactly what Satan wants you to believe.  He wants you to feel your all alone in this world because that is when you and I are most vulnerable.  But believe me, I know someone cares.  I know someone who hurts when you hurt and longs to heal your pain.  Because you are His child He can never, ever, not respond to you when you turn to Him with your hurt and tears. When you reach your arms out to Him, He will never turn away.  Because He loves He HAS to respond.  Believe me, I know a little how it feels.  And if you have children you probably know too.  And if you don’t, trust me.  I thought I knew a lot about God’s love for man.  Then I had a child and I learned that no matter how long I live as a parent, I will only begin to start to know something of God’s love for me and you.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:38-39

I give them eternal life; and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  John 10:28

This evening I suggested a walk around the neighborhood to my husband.  He agreed and picked up a golf club and ball.  Aspen excitedly decided to take her scooter rather than her bicycle.  We enjoyed strolling along while Brett took aim at his golf ball.  It was a beautiful evening for a walk despite the lack of wind and the small bugs that seemed to enjoy hovering around us.  I especially enjoy the time spent walking between hitting the golf ball, that is the time that Brett and I hold hands and just enjoy the walk, which can vary depending upon his iron of choice.  I don’t know a lot about golf, but I have learned that the higher the number, say an 8 or 9 iron, the more time we have for walking hand in hand.  The lower the number, say a 3 or 4 iron, the more time will be spent hacking into weeds looking for the ball and explaining to Aspen exactly why daddy tries to hit the little white ball with the stick if it makes him so mad–just kidding…mostly.

Back to holding hands, I can walk just fine and I don’t need help with my balance, but, as soon as I grasp hold of my husband’s hand walking just feels so much steadier, more solid in a way and grounded.   I’m sure those of you who hold hands while walking with your special someone know what I’m talking about.  Holding onto his hand is also very helpful on a walk thru the woods when I need help crossing a stream of a boost up a rock that is too tall for me.

We are all pretty capable of walking along life’s path on our own.  We can make decisions, not always the best ones, but as a general rule most adults feel capable of leading their lives.  But, life just seems to become so much more steady and solid when we hold onto the hand of Jesus.  And He is also great at giving us a boost through the tougher times in life. 

He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart.  Isaiah 40:11

The other day while driving, Aspen and I saw a mother duck with about half a dozen ducklings.  They were so sweet.  The unusual thing about this was that they were waddling past McDonald’s headed for the parking lot of Wal-Mart.  The little ducks faithfully followed mother duck despite their unusual surroundings. 

Do you ever wonder how you got somewhere?  I’d guess that Joseph wondered that as well when he trudged down the road to Egypt as a new slave.  Joseph didn’t give into complaining and feeling sorry for himself though.  He chose to trust God to lead in his life.  The Israelites on the other hand, when God led them out of Egypt, had a hard time trusting God’s leading despite His many blessings.  Any time something went wrong they turned into a  bunch of complainers.

Next time you’re in a situation like Joseph or the ducks and wonder how you got there just remember God  promises to take care of us at all times in all situations.  Nothing is too hard for God.  He took Joseph from favored son, to slave, to second in command in Egypt.  He delivered the Israelites from slavery, parted the Red Sea, provided water from a rock, fed them manna.  Even when we wonder how we got where we are, if we are following God everything will be turn out for the best.  God says in Genesis 28:15, “I am with you and will keep you in all places where ever you go.”

Richard pulled into his drive way and turned off the lights on his truck.  He braced himself to step from the cool air condition of his vehicle to the hot and muggy air of July in the southeast.   He fumbled with his keys at the front door looking forward  to stepping into his home and feeling the cool tropical breezes provided by his powerful air conditioning super unit.  He finally turned the key in the lock opening the front door.  But, instead of the arctic air he expected he felt a blast of hot air hit his face.  If he thought it was hot outdoors then it was absolutely scorching indoors.  Why were his anticipated cool, tropical breezes replaced by jet streams from a blast furnace?  Apparently the air conditioner had broken down sometime earlier in the day.

Richards sat at a desk all day, but his father was a heating and cooling specialist.  He was, in fact, so good that, when Richard was in grade school all his friends said that Jack Frost went to Richard’s dad for advice.  Later, while in high school and college, Richard had worked for his dad and knew some things about fixing an air conditioner, so he felt confident that, whatever the issue was with his unit, he could handle it.

The heating and cooling unit sat behind the house in total darkness.  He groaned, wishing now that he had repaired the broken light fixture on the back porch.  He didn’t want to try to fix the unit in darkness so he braved the heat of the house to find a flashlight and grab his tool box.  The inside  the house made the 106 degree heat outside almost seem cool. Turning on the flashlight Richard headed around to the back of the house.  The light of the flashlight he had managed to find proved almost ineffective in the blackness.  He was half seeing and half feeling his way forward when his foot came down on something soft.   He heard a cross between a meow and a yawl and realized the neighbors cat had managed to find its way under his foot.  Losing his balance and tumbling forward, he came to rest in what felt like soft leaves.  Using his flashlight (that was more like a glow stick) to inspect his surroundings he found he had landed in the middle of a poison ivy patch that he hadn’t yet cut down and was growing up the side of his house.   Of all the rotten luck.  He had horrible allergies to poison ivy, that is why he had avoided it in the first place.  He stood up and brushed himself off, realizing in the process that he was no longer holding onto his flashlight.  There it was in the middle of the poison ivy.  He gingerly reached for it, silently muttering uncomplimentary comments about the neighbors and their cat.

Richard itched already.  He shrugged it off.  Fixing the air conditioner was his top priority, he would worry about the itching later.  He made it back to the cooling unit and took a look–well, as good a look as he could take considering his flashlight wasn’t much better than one lit birthday candle in the midst of all the darkness.  Kneeling close to the unit Richard thought he saw the problem and decided to fix it himself rather than call his dad.  He pulled out a couple of tools and did the best he could in the dark.  He tightened the last bolt just as his flashlight quit.  Frustrated, he threw it into the bushes.  He heard another meow/yawl.  He smiled in satisfaction.

He stumbled inside managing to trip into the poison ivy once again, this time without help from the cat (though he swore he heard loud purring sounds after he fell).  He braved the heat that met him at the front door and turned on the switch for the air conditioner.  He heard a rattle, a sputter, a mechanical cough–and then nothing.  He mentally reviewed all his options and decided that calling his father to come fix it ranked at #1.

He reached inside his pocket to pull out the cell phone.  No cell phone.  Just then he heard a ringing outdoors.  He went outside just in time to see the phone light flashing in the patch of poison ivy.  Of all the rotten luck!  He walked towards the phone,  hoping the light would stay on until he picked it up.  With disregard for his allergies Richard plunged his already itchy hands into the ivy and flipped (it was very old) the phone open.  “Hello, hello?!” He said.  Though he can’t prove it, Richard again swore he heard loud purring on the other end and then the line went dead.

He didn’t bother going back inside.  He punched in his dads speed dial number and in less than 30 seconds was explaining all his woes to his father.  His father listened sympathetically, making the appropriate consolation noises.  After hanging up his dad picked out the right tools and took his biggest light with him.

Upon arrival at Richards house, his dad pulled out his tools and told Richard to carry the massive light.  Richard found a place to plug it in.  He looked for a light switch, but finding none he finally asked his dad to turn the light on for him.  His dad reached over and flipped the switch.  “Why hadn’t he seen it?” wondered Richard.  But he was just happy that they now had a light that, not only could they see to repair the air conditioning unit, but put out enough light to make the neighborhood think morning had arrived already.  With the bright light shining on the air conditioning unit it took no time at all for Richard and his dad to fix it.  Thanking him profusely from afar (he didn’t want to get poison ivy on his dad) Richard went inside to bathe in calamine lotion and look on Google to see if cats were allergic to poison ivy too.

“Opening your word brings light to the blind and understanding to the simple.  Psalm 119:130

I have my husband to thank for the idea for today’s post.  He wanted pancakes for dinner and since I didn’t have pancake mix I looked up a recipe online.  I had all the ingredients for basic pancakes.  Aspen joined me in the kitchen and soon the pancakes were sizzling in the pan.  Once on the plate and topped with butter and maple syrup they were pronounced, “delicious”.  Much better than any pre-made mix. 

The spiritual application here is that our relationship with God is just so much more “delicious” when we pursue it for ourselves.  Sitting in church and receiving it second-hand from the pastor is good.  But, nothing will liven up your spiritual life like actively stirring up all the ingredients into your own life.  Daily prayer and devotional time, praise throughout the day, sharing what you have learned about God with others, and serving others, are all great ways to spice up your spiritual walk. 

 It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.  Deuteronomy 13:4