Mirror mirror on the wall.......well in my case, on the window seal, lighted and magnifying like 75 times. The queen in the Snow White movie talked to her mirror. Apparently Michael Jackson did too. I talk to mine occasionally. What I usually say is something like 'some day I'm going to have electrolysis'.
So. In the morning we look in the mirror and we are either shaving, putting on makeup or brushing our teeth. What are we really seeing? Our reflection. Nothing else. We are working on making ourselves look good to others. Our outside is all that matters at that moment. But what about the man, or woman, in the mirror?
Every now and then I am reminded of an exercise to do in front of a mirror. It's not goofy stretches or anything like that. It's something very simple but completely life changing. Here's what you do. Stand in front of the mirror. Alone. Look at yourself. Look at yourself in the eyes. Then say "Jesus loves ________(insert your name here)". Okay then say it again. If you can say it without choking up.......well I can't.
That mirror. Wow. It goes from a vain thing to a righteous experience. A cleansing. An awakening. A humbling. Looking in that mirror now you see someone real. Someone who is special. Special to Jesus.
In fact, you are so special to Jesus that He gave His very life for you. Jesus came to earth, after being involved in it's creation, and lived like a human. He could have just shown up as an adult. He's God. He could have just said "Okay cancel all that 'sin' stuff. Everybody is going to Heaven!" But He didn't. And He still doesn't.
Jesus came as a baby, born in a barn and lived a humble life. He didn't do one thing to hurt anybody. Ever. Yet He suffered ridicule. He was even accused of thinking He was the King of the Jews. (He's actually the King of Kings so they didn't quite get that right!)
Jesus. He took all of our sins, yours and mine, and suffered for them just like they were His own. He wore a crown of thorns. He was whipped and beaten. And then He was forced to carry His own cross.....our cross.....up a hill. At the top of the hill they put the cross on the ground and tied Him to it. Then they drove huge spikes through his hands and His feet. For me. For you.
Jesus could have called Heaven's angels to come down and destroy all of His accusers. He could have come down off the cross at any time. But He didn't. Because Jesus loves __________ (insert your name here).
They say that when you are alone, that's the person you really are. No show being put on for co-workers or friends. Just you. So the next time you are alone, please, go to the mirror. Look yourself in the eye. And say "Jesus loves __________ (your name)".
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Thursday, January 22, 2015
I Killed a Snake for the First Time Today!
And my feet are up on the coffee table as I type because I just can't have my feet on the floor and even think the word snake! Yes this is January. Yes it's cold outside. And snakes should be sleeping somewhere for the winter. But some how this anaconda found it's way to our house, right by our mailbox. Well maybe anaconda doesn't describe it very well. It was probably more the size of a brand new number 2 pencil but not as big around. But it was still a snake!!!!!!
Now I have NEVER been a fan of snakes in any way! The only good snake is a dead snake in my opinion. In fact, one step further, the only good snake is a dead snake half way around the world from me! I grew up in the country and am sure I walked on air one time when I was told that the bouncy earth I was walking on most likely was a snake den! We've had a couple of snakes in our yellow garage.....that I know of.....and I have made sure to not go in the garage when I knew they were visiting. I've called on my husband, sons and even a neighbor or two to kill those disgusting visitors over the years. But when I saw this one was alive, I determined it was time!
Grabbing a hoe from the garage, I bravely trudged (as much as you can trudge in 3 inch heels) down the driveway. I paused to call our middle son who has come to my rescue many times at the sound of mom screaming 'snake!' I told him, with determination in my voice, "I'm gonna kill that snake!" He got out there as quickly as he could, grinning from ear to ear as he examined the smushed remains of that slithery beast. I asked him to carry it off to a ditch but he said a bird would carry it off so it was okay. (Hahaha yea. Probably a sparrow could have carried it off!)
Ever think about how pretty much everyone hates snakes? Especially women. We don't want to see them, get near them or even think about them! (Yes, my feet are still on the coffee table.) Let's go back to the beginning. The Garden of Eden. It was beautiful! The man and his wife had everything they could ever want or need. God only gave them one 'do not'. They were not to eat of the tree in the center of the garden. But the devil, a snake of all things (some translations say snake, serpent, etc. Whatever it was, it lost it's feet and had to crawl on its belly so sounds like a snake to me!) talked Eve into eating from that tree.
How did he do it? How did the snake trick her? He lied. Has the devil ever lied to you? Of course he has! His best trick is deception. Did Eve have to listen? Nope. And neither do we. Unfortunately though, like Eve, there are times we do.
So Eve took the fruit at the advise of the snake (remember, that's the devil). She ate it and gave some to her husband. And suddenly they knew things. Things that they didn't need to know. God had made a pretty perfect life for them. But they goofed. Adam blamed Eve. Eve blamed the snake. Then God, because He is God and had one rule and that rule was broken, had to pronounce judgement. Genesis 3:14 is where God told the snake he would be cursed and have to crawl on his belly. (I would imagine he was beautiful before that.) And verse 15! Oh wow! "I will make you and the woman hate each other!" WOW! I'm not crazy or a fraidy-cat after all! God said I would hate that snake! Haha!
When we disobey God, there are always consequences. They may not be immediate. But there will be consequences. Just like Adam and Eve, our disobedience can cause issues for generations to come. Ouch. That doesn't feel good to think about. What have you done that is affecting your kids or grandkids? Like Adam and Eve, do you regret it?
Well here's the thing. Our God is a God of mercy! All we have to do is ask and He forgives and forgets. I know I've said that many times, but it's sooooo true! Even if that snake says it's not. Remember, he's the liar. Like Adam and Eve being sent out of the garden, there may still be consequences brought on because of our sins though. But that doesn't mean God didn't forgive.
And here's something else. That snake. That ole' snake the devil. Once we have Jesus living in us, we have authority over him! He can't hurt us unless we disobey the Lord! Yeah. Just like Eve did. As long as we trust God, there is absolutely NOTHING to fear! Am I gonna be okay with snakes? Well I still don't like 'em. But God gave us victory over the devil through Christ. We just need to trust and obey Him. And today I got victory over a literal snake for the first time in my whole life! I'm riding high! With my feet still on the coffee table......
Now I have NEVER been a fan of snakes in any way! The only good snake is a dead snake in my opinion. In fact, one step further, the only good snake is a dead snake half way around the world from me! I grew up in the country and am sure I walked on air one time when I was told that the bouncy earth I was walking on most likely was a snake den! We've had a couple of snakes in our yellow garage.....that I know of.....and I have made sure to not go in the garage when I knew they were visiting. I've called on my husband, sons and even a neighbor or two to kill those disgusting visitors over the years. But when I saw this one was alive, I determined it was time!
Grabbing a hoe from the garage, I bravely trudged (as much as you can trudge in 3 inch heels) down the driveway. I paused to call our middle son who has come to my rescue many times at the sound of mom screaming 'snake!' I told him, with determination in my voice, "I'm gonna kill that snake!" He got out there as quickly as he could, grinning from ear to ear as he examined the smushed remains of that slithery beast. I asked him to carry it off to a ditch but he said a bird would carry it off so it was okay. (Hahaha yea. Probably a sparrow could have carried it off!)
Ever think about how pretty much everyone hates snakes? Especially women. We don't want to see them, get near them or even think about them! (Yes, my feet are still on the coffee table.) Let's go back to the beginning. The Garden of Eden. It was beautiful! The man and his wife had everything they could ever want or need. God only gave them one 'do not'. They were not to eat of the tree in the center of the garden. But the devil, a snake of all things (some translations say snake, serpent, etc. Whatever it was, it lost it's feet and had to crawl on its belly so sounds like a snake to me!) talked Eve into eating from that tree.
How did he do it? How did the snake trick her? He lied. Has the devil ever lied to you? Of course he has! His best trick is deception. Did Eve have to listen? Nope. And neither do we. Unfortunately though, like Eve, there are times we do.
So Eve took the fruit at the advise of the snake (remember, that's the devil). She ate it and gave some to her husband. And suddenly they knew things. Things that they didn't need to know. God had made a pretty perfect life for them. But they goofed. Adam blamed Eve. Eve blamed the snake. Then God, because He is God and had one rule and that rule was broken, had to pronounce judgement. Genesis 3:14 is where God told the snake he would be cursed and have to crawl on his belly. (I would imagine he was beautiful before that.) And verse 15! Oh wow! "I will make you and the woman hate each other!" WOW! I'm not crazy or a fraidy-cat after all! God said I would hate that snake! Haha!
When we disobey God, there are always consequences. They may not be immediate. But there will be consequences. Just like Adam and Eve, our disobedience can cause issues for generations to come. Ouch. That doesn't feel good to think about. What have you done that is affecting your kids or grandkids? Like Adam and Eve, do you regret it?
Well here's the thing. Our God is a God of mercy! All we have to do is ask and He forgives and forgets. I know I've said that many times, but it's sooooo true! Even if that snake says it's not. Remember, he's the liar. Like Adam and Eve being sent out of the garden, there may still be consequences brought on because of our sins though. But that doesn't mean God didn't forgive.
And here's something else. That snake. That ole' snake the devil. Once we have Jesus living in us, we have authority over him! He can't hurt us unless we disobey the Lord! Yeah. Just like Eve did. As long as we trust God, there is absolutely NOTHING to fear! Am I gonna be okay with snakes? Well I still don't like 'em. But God gave us victory over the devil through Christ. We just need to trust and obey Him. And today I got victory over a literal snake for the first time in my whole life! I'm riding high! With my feet still on the coffee table......
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Goin' Courtin'
'Goin' Courtin'. Goin' Courtin'. Always sets your senses in a whirl!' Is it still courting if you're married? Guess it could be. Our date night started this week as we drove off in The Amazing PT . Kinda felt like teenagers as we drove off, side by side with the passenger seat holding my purse. Haha it was so fun!
'Oh it's fun to hunt and shoot a gun. Or to catch a rabbit on the run. But it's just not quite the sportin', goin' courtin'.' If you don't recognize these lyrics, you probably don't love the movie "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" like I do. It is my all time favorite! In fact, it played through three times just yesterday as I cleaned house. So when I found out the play was coming to a local performing arts center, I started making plans. And that was months ago!
Knowing the Executive Director of the arts center, I made a phone call about a week before the show. She reserved some of the best seats in the house for us! After hubby approved and tickets were purchased, I could hardly wait! I don't have a very long bucket list, but this was definitely on it.
So here we were, in our chariot (a 2000 Ford F150 XLT, aka PT) on our way to fulfilling another dream of mine. I have to add, my husband is amazing about indulging me in these things. Beach trips, Graceland, Donny & Marie. The list goes on and on. He really enjoys seeing me have a good time and getting to live my dreams. Just remembered, he's even told me I'm the smartest woman he knows! Wow. I think he likes me! :)
Finding our seats, I was very calm for me. No bouncing up and down even! But I did quietly hum the songs we were about to hear. I wondered if all the Pontipee brothers would have red hair like in the movie. Would they use live animals on stage? Oh no! What if it wasn't as good as the movie? (And yes, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was a movie before it was a play.) We were about to find out!
'Bless Your Beautiful Hide!' Adam Pontipee was standing right there on the stage in front of us. No Howard Keel. And no red hair. But he was really good! Live animals? Nope. And I'm kinda glad since we were second row center. Could have been a little messy.....
Were we disappointed in the performance? Not at all! In fact, even hubby had a good time! He smiled and laughed and enjoyed it almost as much as I did! It wasn't exactly like the movie but it was amazing and I don't think we will soon forget it.
Something that caught my attention this time, though, was about Adam and Milly. (Yes I know this was just a story but hear me out please.) They knew, almost at first sight, that they were meant for each other. They knew very little, well really nothing about the other. But they both knew they were to be together. Now I'm not saying it's that way for everyone in real life, but when you're ready for that special relationship, you're ready. They knew they were ready.
Was it smooth sailing from then on out? Absolutely not! Start with Adam's first 'lie'. He didn't tell Milly she was going to be cooking and cleaning for seven men and not just him. He had several opportunities but let that information out. Did Milly get upset when she found out? Yes she did. But she quickly calmed down, regained her composure. And decided to make the best of her situation because she was in love and had made a covenant with her new husband. And as the play emphasized more than the movie did, marriage is for a lifetime.
Around the middle of the play, Adam helped his brothers kidnap the girls they were in love with. Now this part has always made me wonder......if it's 12 miles to and from town and they started out at night, it probably took them at the very least 6 or 7 hours to make their round trip to town and back to the farm, plus the time it took to kidnap six girls. Didn't Milly wonder why she suddenly had the place all to herself all night long? Anyway, with the girls kidnapped and brought back to the farm, Milly had to figure out what to do because her husband and brothers obviously were thinking of themselves and not much of anything else.
So here we go. Milly made all the men sleep in the barn while the kidnapped girls had the house. That didn't set too well with Adam. After all, he was the head of the house. When Milly wouldn't let him stay in the house with her, he got so mad and left her. No cell phone. No land line. Not even a party line. No means of communication whatsoever. And Milly hadn't even told him she was pregnant. Ever have an argument like that? Where there was no communication to clarify? No way to apologize. Alone with your thoughts. And sometimes those thoughts are not so good.
Milly wasn't really alone as she had a dozen people with her. But she missed Adam. She couldn't tell him this though because he was gone. And she couldn't go find him up on the mountain. The only way up there was on horseback and she had never even been there before. Besides she was pregnant and chaperoning six young couples all by herself.
Adam was alone though. He thought about Milly. He later admitted he couldn't get her off his mind. But his pride wouldn't let him leave that mountain cabin. So he spent his time alone. No TV. No radio. No internet or Words With Friends on his cell phone. Just alone.
Sometimes real life really is like this. We can't seem to even communicate with those we love the most. We've been selfish. Pride gets in the way. We think and think and think just way too much. And like Adam and Milly, we hurt. Solution? Oh wow. In real life, God is always the first place to go. Ask His forgiveness. Then ask Him how to deal with your spouse. Like Adam and Milly, restoration is always the goal. Will we always agree on everything? Of course not. But allowing your spouse to have an opinion, a view, and trying to see things from that view and not just your own will completely change not only your outlook but also your ability to communicate.
Like going to the play. Wasn't my husband's first choice of things to do on that night or any other for that matter. But he was very unselfish. Didn't let pride get in the way by saying it was just for women and acting like he was too good for it. As it turned out, he had a great time! And driving home afterwards? Well, like teenagers again. With me sitting in the middle of the seat and his arm around me. Awwwwwwwww..........
'Oh it's fun to hunt and shoot a gun. Or to catch a rabbit on the run. But it's just not quite the sportin', goin' courtin'.' If you don't recognize these lyrics, you probably don't love the movie "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" like I do. It is my all time favorite! In fact, it played through three times just yesterday as I cleaned house. So when I found out the play was coming to a local performing arts center, I started making plans. And that was months ago!
Knowing the Executive Director of the arts center, I made a phone call about a week before the show. She reserved some of the best seats in the house for us! After hubby approved and tickets were purchased, I could hardly wait! I don't have a very long bucket list, but this was definitely on it.
So here we were, in our chariot (a 2000 Ford F150 XLT, aka PT) on our way to fulfilling another dream of mine. I have to add, my husband is amazing about indulging me in these things. Beach trips, Graceland, Donny & Marie. The list goes on and on. He really enjoys seeing me have a good time and getting to live my dreams. Just remembered, he's even told me I'm the smartest woman he knows! Wow. I think he likes me! :)
Finding our seats, I was very calm for me. No bouncing up and down even! But I did quietly hum the songs we were about to hear. I wondered if all the Pontipee brothers would have red hair like in the movie. Would they use live animals on stage? Oh no! What if it wasn't as good as the movie? (And yes, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was a movie before it was a play.) We were about to find out!
'Bless Your Beautiful Hide!' Adam Pontipee was standing right there on the stage in front of us. No Howard Keel. And no red hair. But he was really good! Live animals? Nope. And I'm kinda glad since we were second row center. Could have been a little messy.....
Were we disappointed in the performance? Not at all! In fact, even hubby had a good time! He smiled and laughed and enjoyed it almost as much as I did! It wasn't exactly like the movie but it was amazing and I don't think we will soon forget it.
Something that caught my attention this time, though, was about Adam and Milly. (Yes I know this was just a story but hear me out please.) They knew, almost at first sight, that they were meant for each other. They knew very little, well really nothing about the other. But they both knew they were to be together. Now I'm not saying it's that way for everyone in real life, but when you're ready for that special relationship, you're ready. They knew they were ready.
Was it smooth sailing from then on out? Absolutely not! Start with Adam's first 'lie'. He didn't tell Milly she was going to be cooking and cleaning for seven men and not just him. He had several opportunities but let that information out. Did Milly get upset when she found out? Yes she did. But she quickly calmed down, regained her composure. And decided to make the best of her situation because she was in love and had made a covenant with her new husband. And as the play emphasized more than the movie did, marriage is for a lifetime.
Around the middle of the play, Adam helped his brothers kidnap the girls they were in love with. Now this part has always made me wonder......if it's 12 miles to and from town and they started out at night, it probably took them at the very least 6 or 7 hours to make their round trip to town and back to the farm, plus the time it took to kidnap six girls. Didn't Milly wonder why she suddenly had the place all to herself all night long? Anyway, with the girls kidnapped and brought back to the farm, Milly had to figure out what to do because her husband and brothers obviously were thinking of themselves and not much of anything else.
So here we go. Milly made all the men sleep in the barn while the kidnapped girls had the house. That didn't set too well with Adam. After all, he was the head of the house. When Milly wouldn't let him stay in the house with her, he got so mad and left her. No cell phone. No land line. Not even a party line. No means of communication whatsoever. And Milly hadn't even told him she was pregnant. Ever have an argument like that? Where there was no communication to clarify? No way to apologize. Alone with your thoughts. And sometimes those thoughts are not so good.
Milly wasn't really alone as she had a dozen people with her. But she missed Adam. She couldn't tell him this though because he was gone. And she couldn't go find him up on the mountain. The only way up there was on horseback and she had never even been there before. Besides she was pregnant and chaperoning six young couples all by herself.
Adam was alone though. He thought about Milly. He later admitted he couldn't get her off his mind. But his pride wouldn't let him leave that mountain cabin. So he spent his time alone. No TV. No radio. No internet or Words With Friends on his cell phone. Just alone.
Sometimes real life really is like this. We can't seem to even communicate with those we love the most. We've been selfish. Pride gets in the way. We think and think and think just way too much. And like Adam and Milly, we hurt. Solution? Oh wow. In real life, God is always the first place to go. Ask His forgiveness. Then ask Him how to deal with your spouse. Like Adam and Milly, restoration is always the goal. Will we always agree on everything? Of course not. But allowing your spouse to have an opinion, a view, and trying to see things from that view and not just your own will completely change not only your outlook but also your ability to communicate.
Like going to the play. Wasn't my husband's first choice of things to do on that night or any other for that matter. But he was very unselfish. Didn't let pride get in the way by saying it was just for women and acting like he was too good for it. As it turned out, he had a great time! And driving home afterwards? Well, like teenagers again. With me sitting in the middle of the seat and his arm around me. Awwwwwwwww..........
Monday, January 12, 2015
The Parks are Parked
I don't often brag about my kids. Well yeah I do. But I've got a lot to be proud of! The first time I became a mom was when my husband and I married over 25 years ago. He had a little blonde bundle of energy who stole my heart. In fact, the first time he spent the weekend with us after we married, my new 2 1/2 year old son and I clung to each other and cried when daddy had to take him home. Then daddy cried. It was a mess. After they left I folded laundry and cried as I put away those tiny clothes. Tomorrow that little boy will be 28 years old. Oh my. How did life go so fast?
Well pretty soon we had two more little boys. Now I guess most people would think that was enough. Even more than enough. But we made pretty kids. Smart kids. So why not have another! Of course we just knew number four would be a girl. Wrong.
So, 20 years ago tomorrow night, we celebrated our oldest son's 8th birthday. I'm pretty sure cowboy boots were involved. With this birthday celebration, all the boys had them. Well except for the one who was about to be born. But I'm thinking he may have thought he was wearing cowboy boots. I distinctly remember sitting on the couch and being kicked from the inside so hard that I stood straight up instead of doing the usual weeble wobble to get up.
The next couple of days our three little boys played cowboys and just had a general good time. I was humongous. Even a man at our church announced that I looked miserable. Thanks. I spent that Sunday afternoon nesting and preparing for our new little one. Dad spent the afternoon napping. In fact we even videoed him napping and blowing bubbles as he snored haha!
We all went to bed that night as usual. A normal night. Until around 1:30 in the morning when I woke up breathing "who who who who who who who" and reaching around to grab my husband so he could share in the contraction! On full alert, he sat up and we timed the next contraction, called the doctor, the babysitter and grandma. As I gave instructions to the babysitter, pausing to grab the wall as I breathed through another contraction, she laughed and told us to get to the hospital.
So off we went to hatch boy number 4. All checked in and trying to relax as much as possible, I asked hubby to sing to me because it always made me feel better. He asked what I wanted him to sing. I told him I didn't care, just to sing. Should have thought that one through. Next thing I knew he was belting out a country tune, "I will admit it. I got a think-in prob-lem. You're always on my mind." Well at least he made me forget the pain for a bit.
Things progressed and contractions got closer and closer together til it happened. Between "who-who" breaths I said "my water broke!" So my husband, ever the calm, collected one, pushed the button to call the nurse. When asked what we needed he said very calmly as if ordering a burger at a drive through "Yes. My wife believes her water broke." Now just how does he do that? Calm. Cool. Collected. As always.
Back at home, grandma had arrived and took over for the babysitter. Letting the boys wear whatever they wanted, they arrived at the hospital wearing sweats and cowboy boots. Yep. My boys. And they got there just in time to meet there new little brother who arrived at 9:59 AM, eyes wide open and taking in his new world. A call from our pastor to see how things were going not long after our new son made his entrance into the world provided a well thought out comment. He proudly announced that "The Parks are parked at Sparks" (Hospital). Anyway, by that night our son was propped up in my bed while I stood by videoing this amazing new son of ours as he looked around the room.
Fast forward 20 years. Wow. I can't believe he's about to not even be a teenager anymore. We still will have one teenager though. 19 years ago tonight we found out number 5 was on the way. A surprise. And a surprise yet again when this time we got our girl! All 5 unique individuals. All 5 a blessing. All 5 who love driving us crazy at times! And the one who is turning 20 this Friday, well here's what he has been up to lately. Zack Parks, "Thinking Out Loud" Hope you enjoy it.
Well pretty soon we had two more little boys. Now I guess most people would think that was enough. Even more than enough. But we made pretty kids. Smart kids. So why not have another! Of course we just knew number four would be a girl. Wrong.
So, 20 years ago tomorrow night, we celebrated our oldest son's 8th birthday. I'm pretty sure cowboy boots were involved. With this birthday celebration, all the boys had them. Well except for the one who was about to be born. But I'm thinking he may have thought he was wearing cowboy boots. I distinctly remember sitting on the couch and being kicked from the inside so hard that I stood straight up instead of doing the usual weeble wobble to get up.
The next couple of days our three little boys played cowboys and just had a general good time. I was humongous. Even a man at our church announced that I looked miserable. Thanks. I spent that Sunday afternoon nesting and preparing for our new little one. Dad spent the afternoon napping. In fact we even videoed him napping and blowing bubbles as he snored haha!
We all went to bed that night as usual. A normal night. Until around 1:30 in the morning when I woke up breathing "who who who who who who who" and reaching around to grab my husband so he could share in the contraction! On full alert, he sat up and we timed the next contraction, called the doctor, the babysitter and grandma. As I gave instructions to the babysitter, pausing to grab the wall as I breathed through another contraction, she laughed and told us to get to the hospital.
So off we went to hatch boy number 4. All checked in and trying to relax as much as possible, I asked hubby to sing to me because it always made me feel better. He asked what I wanted him to sing. I told him I didn't care, just to sing. Should have thought that one through. Next thing I knew he was belting out a country tune, "I will admit it. I got a think-in prob-lem. You're always on my mind." Well at least he made me forget the pain for a bit.
Things progressed and contractions got closer and closer together til it happened. Between "who-who" breaths I said "my water broke!" So my husband, ever the calm, collected one, pushed the button to call the nurse. When asked what we needed he said very calmly as if ordering a burger at a drive through "Yes. My wife believes her water broke." Now just how does he do that? Calm. Cool. Collected. As always.
Back at home, grandma had arrived and took over for the babysitter. Letting the boys wear whatever they wanted, they arrived at the hospital wearing sweats and cowboy boots. Yep. My boys. And they got there just in time to meet there new little brother who arrived at 9:59 AM, eyes wide open and taking in his new world. A call from our pastor to see how things were going not long after our new son made his entrance into the world provided a well thought out comment. He proudly announced that "The Parks are parked at Sparks" (Hospital). Anyway, by that night our son was propped up in my bed while I stood by videoing this amazing new son of ours as he looked around the room.
Fast forward 20 years. Wow. I can't believe he's about to not even be a teenager anymore. We still will have one teenager though. 19 years ago tonight we found out number 5 was on the way. A surprise. And a surprise yet again when this time we got our girl! All 5 unique individuals. All 5 a blessing. All 5 who love driving us crazy at times! And the one who is turning 20 this Friday, well here's what he has been up to lately. Zack Parks, "Thinking Out Loud" Hope you enjoy it.
Saturday, January 10, 2015
What Did You Do!!!!!!!!!!!!
What did you do??????? Something most of us have been asked at one time or another. Came home and had to confess to or come up with an excuse why the car had a huge dent. What did you do??????? The floor had just been mopped and you came in with mud on your shoes. What did you do???????? You sinned so badly that God won't forgive you.
So you've done something that God can't forgive. You've sinned. Then you felt guilt and shame. Shame. Chapter 9 of Robert S McGee's "The Search For Significance" starts out "I am what I am. I cannot change. I am hopeless." Ever thought that? You did something bad. You lied. You stole. You cheated. Oh boy did you feel guilty. And then it happened. To make yourself feel better, you did it again! The guilt and shame built. You didn't know what to do. You felt so much shame. And somehow you became convinced that you just couldn't do any better.
McGee goes on to say "Is there anything about your life (past acts, something done to you, anything about your appearance) that you believe makes it impossible for you to ever experience consistent happiness, peace or joy?" It just so sad. You've done something that you just don't think God can forgive. You hurt so badly that you have to do something. But because you don't believe you can do any better, you become convinced that you enjoy that sin. You're hurting. And you think the only way to fix that hurt is to sin even more. Soon one thing leads to another and you just can't stop. You think you are not hurting anyone but yourself so it doesn't matter.
But it does matter. You matter. Last night God was revealing things to me about standing in the gap (Love Standing) . Things that I never realized. When standing in the gap for someone, we must do it in love. How? By praying for mercy for our loved one. You see, it doesn't matter what you've done. God loves you so much that He doesn't want to punish you. But if you break His commandments He doesn't have a choice but to punish you just like a dad who loves his disobedient child. But God wants someone to intercede, to stand in the gap and pray for mercy.
You know, when I got it, when I finally got the message that I was to pray for mercy when standing in the gap, it was like I saw God weeping! It was as if God was finally able to do what He really wanted to do......not punish, but offer mercy! All He wanted me to see all along was that He wanted to provide mercy but wanted someone to care enough to ask for it. It was as if God was relieved that I finally understood how to stand in the gap! He didn't want to discipline. He wanted to offer mercy!
What did you do that was so bad that God couldn't forgive? Absolutely nothing. There is not one thing that the pure blood of Jesus will not cover. There is no sin that His forgiveness will not wash away and cause to sink to the bottom of His sea of forgetfulness. He loves you so much! He wants to give you mercy! He wants to wrap His arms around you and hold you, His precious child.
Have you found peace in repeating your sin? Have you found peace in doing even more and more to take away the pain? No. You know you haven't. Do you live every day with the shame of your choices? Hiding behind lies and fake laughter. Do you realize yet that people see past it? They know you are not really happy.
Do you have someone standing in the gap for you? Thank God! It's keeping you from suffering all the consequences of your sins. God wants to get rid of your past and give you an amazing future. No shame. No guilt. Can you even imagine? Try to imagine just a little bit maybe. He wants to turn your sorrow into joy. Then people will be asking "what did you do" because they will see the new you. Oh my! Just imagine.....................
So you've done something that God can't forgive. You've sinned. Then you felt guilt and shame. Shame. Chapter 9 of Robert S McGee's "The Search For Significance" starts out "I am what I am. I cannot change. I am hopeless." Ever thought that? You did something bad. You lied. You stole. You cheated. Oh boy did you feel guilty. And then it happened. To make yourself feel better, you did it again! The guilt and shame built. You didn't know what to do. You felt so much shame. And somehow you became convinced that you just couldn't do any better.
McGee goes on to say "Is there anything about your life (past acts, something done to you, anything about your appearance) that you believe makes it impossible for you to ever experience consistent happiness, peace or joy?" It just so sad. You've done something that you just don't think God can forgive. You hurt so badly that you have to do something. But because you don't believe you can do any better, you become convinced that you enjoy that sin. You're hurting. And you think the only way to fix that hurt is to sin even more. Soon one thing leads to another and you just can't stop. You think you are not hurting anyone but yourself so it doesn't matter.
But it does matter. You matter. Last night God was revealing things to me about standing in the gap (Love Standing) . Things that I never realized. When standing in the gap for someone, we must do it in love. How? By praying for mercy for our loved one. You see, it doesn't matter what you've done. God loves you so much that He doesn't want to punish you. But if you break His commandments He doesn't have a choice but to punish you just like a dad who loves his disobedient child. But God wants someone to intercede, to stand in the gap and pray for mercy.
You know, when I got it, when I finally got the message that I was to pray for mercy when standing in the gap, it was like I saw God weeping! It was as if God was finally able to do what He really wanted to do......not punish, but offer mercy! All He wanted me to see all along was that He wanted to provide mercy but wanted someone to care enough to ask for it. It was as if God was relieved that I finally understood how to stand in the gap! He didn't want to discipline. He wanted to offer mercy!
What did you do that was so bad that God couldn't forgive? Absolutely nothing. There is not one thing that the pure blood of Jesus will not cover. There is no sin that His forgiveness will not wash away and cause to sink to the bottom of His sea of forgetfulness. He loves you so much! He wants to give you mercy! He wants to wrap His arms around you and hold you, His precious child.
Have you found peace in repeating your sin? Have you found peace in doing even more and more to take away the pain? No. You know you haven't. Do you live every day with the shame of your choices? Hiding behind lies and fake laughter. Do you realize yet that people see past it? They know you are not really happy.
Do you have someone standing in the gap for you? Thank God! It's keeping you from suffering all the consequences of your sins. God wants to get rid of your past and give you an amazing future. No shame. No guilt. Can you even imagine? Try to imagine just a little bit maybe. He wants to turn your sorrow into joy. Then people will be asking "what did you do" because they will see the new you. Oh my! Just imagine.....................
Friday, January 9, 2015
Love Standing
God has been talking to me today about love. Of course I Corinthians 13 went right along with what God was saying to me. All day long the verses have spoken to my heart. Love is patient and kind. Not jealous or proud. Love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable. Ouch. How many times have I said "I love you" to someone and then gotten mad at them within minutes? Boy. I sure got over that love fast didn't I......
Love doesn't remember when it's wronged. Anyone ever do anything to you? Someone that you really loved but they did something bad to you? What did you do? Did you decide to get revenge? Did you hurt them back? That's not love. Took me many years to learn that one. But the past is the past. We can either let it destroy our future or we can forgive and forget. When we ask God's forgiveness He forgives and forgets. I can't even count the number of times I've thrown something back in someone's face to hurt them back or to justify my actions. Thing is, anything other than my forgiving them is not love.
Love is not happy with evil but is happy with the truth. Jesus is love. Jesus is truth. Without Him we cannot truly love anyone. Jesus is never happy with us when we sin. But when we ask His forgiveness, when we seek Truth, Truth wraps His arms around us in love. The past is gone. We are free.
So if someone has done something really horrible to you....lied, cheated, stole, behaved in a prideful or selfish manner that hurt you terribly? What did you do? Did you hurt them back? How did that work for you? I'm guessing not good. Revenge or bitterness is not even close to God's plan. And while you may feel justified in your actions, that's not love. Did you ever really love them if you behaved that way?
Ephesians 6:12 tells us "For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers of this dark age." Wow. Tells me that that person who hurt us isn't really who hurt us but is a deceived person, a loved one, who is being used by the devil to do what he wants. So sad. Does that change things for you? I hope so! It certainly does for me.
And that leads me to another thing. Standing in the gap for someone. In Ezekiel 22 God is not real happy with His people Israel. Now before you stop reading because this is Old Testament stuff, we need to remember that all scripture was written long ago but is still for us today. They didn't have computers or smart phones or books for that matter. No cars or planes. They did have boats though. Of course those boats were man powered but they were boats. Just saying this to remind us that people were people then just like they are people now. So basically the Word still applies to us today.
Anyway, the priests were breaking God's law and had no respect for what was holy. They didn't teach the truth. Basically the religious leaders, because of their own choices, were not leading the people and the people had no respect for God. The government was corrupt. The prophets hid sins like whitewashing a wall. Just about anything imaginable, cheating, lying, murder, on and on and on, was being done by God's people. These were God's people! In verse 30-31 God said "I looked for someone who could build a wall, who could stand in the places where the walls have crumbled and defend the land when my anger is about to destroy it, but I could find no one. So I will turn my anger loose on them, and like a fire I will destroy them for what they have done".
Oh my. All God asked was that someone would stand in the gap. Someone who pray and intercede for those people. Someone who would pray for them because they weren't able to or didn't realize they needed to do it for themselves. He just wanted someone to care about them. Did God still love them? Of course He did. But they had broken pretty much every one of His laws. There were consequences for breaking those laws. Did God want to judge and punish them? No. But they broke His commandments. He didn't have a choice. Unless.......unless someone would pray for them and ask God to be merciful to them.
This particular passage ends with God saying He would have to destroy them as their punishment or judgement for what they had done. So we are back to love. Is there anyone you love enough that you would stand in the gap for them? Do you have a child, spouse, parent, sibling or friend who is breaking God's laws and sinking deeper and deeper to the place that they are way to close to suffering God's judgement and you just don't know what to do?
Well here's the deal. If you love them, truly love them, instead of hurting them back, instead of spreading gossip about them or even sacrificing for them or 'preaching' to them, have you thought of standing in the gap? Not just anyone can stand in the gap though. God couldn't find anyone who could stand in the gap for His people way back then so He was going to have to rain down judgement on them. He didn't want to do that because He loved them. But they left Him no choice. They continued in sin and He had to keep His promise there just like He keeps His promises when we obey Him. They disobeyed so they had to be judged, punished. His people. Their children. Everyone. Because there was no one able to stand in the gap for them.
Want to stand in the gap for a loved on? The first thing to do is be worthy and capable of standing in the gap. God can't accept just anyone as a gap stander. In order to stand in the gap, you first must have your heart right with God. If you aren't right with God, you can't stand in the gap for the one who so desperately needs Him. Next, you gotta really love that person or people. I Corinthians 13 kind of love. Be patient and kind. Love them with a love that never gives up. A love that never fails to be faithful, full of hope and patience. A full and complete, eternal love.
All God asked for was someone who would stand in the gap so He wouldn't have to punish His children. Are you willing to be that person for someone? Are they important enough to you that you will become that stander? Then do it. Regardless of what anyone says. Regardless of whether others thinks your loved one deserves it or will ever change. Make sure you are right with God. Show how much you really love that person. Have compassion for that hurting soul who is being used by the enemy to do his bidding. Stand in the gap. And see what God will do!
Love doesn't remember when it's wronged. Anyone ever do anything to you? Someone that you really loved but they did something bad to you? What did you do? Did you decide to get revenge? Did you hurt them back? That's not love. Took me many years to learn that one. But the past is the past. We can either let it destroy our future or we can forgive and forget. When we ask God's forgiveness He forgives and forgets. I can't even count the number of times I've thrown something back in someone's face to hurt them back or to justify my actions. Thing is, anything other than my forgiving them is not love.
Love is not happy with evil but is happy with the truth. Jesus is love. Jesus is truth. Without Him we cannot truly love anyone. Jesus is never happy with us when we sin. But when we ask His forgiveness, when we seek Truth, Truth wraps His arms around us in love. The past is gone. We are free.
So if someone has done something really horrible to you....lied, cheated, stole, behaved in a prideful or selfish manner that hurt you terribly? What did you do? Did you hurt them back? How did that work for you? I'm guessing not good. Revenge or bitterness is not even close to God's plan. And while you may feel justified in your actions, that's not love. Did you ever really love them if you behaved that way?
Ephesians 6:12 tells us "For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers of this dark age." Wow. Tells me that that person who hurt us isn't really who hurt us but is a deceived person, a loved one, who is being used by the devil to do what he wants. So sad. Does that change things for you? I hope so! It certainly does for me.
And that leads me to another thing. Standing in the gap for someone. In Ezekiel 22 God is not real happy with His people Israel. Now before you stop reading because this is Old Testament stuff, we need to remember that all scripture was written long ago but is still for us today. They didn't have computers or smart phones or books for that matter. No cars or planes. They did have boats though. Of course those boats were man powered but they were boats. Just saying this to remind us that people were people then just like they are people now. So basically the Word still applies to us today.
Anyway, the priests were breaking God's law and had no respect for what was holy. They didn't teach the truth. Basically the religious leaders, because of their own choices, were not leading the people and the people had no respect for God. The government was corrupt. The prophets hid sins like whitewashing a wall. Just about anything imaginable, cheating, lying, murder, on and on and on, was being done by God's people. These were God's people! In verse 30-31 God said "I looked for someone who could build a wall, who could stand in the places where the walls have crumbled and defend the land when my anger is about to destroy it, but I could find no one. So I will turn my anger loose on them, and like a fire I will destroy them for what they have done".
Oh my. All God asked was that someone would stand in the gap. Someone who pray and intercede for those people. Someone who would pray for them because they weren't able to or didn't realize they needed to do it for themselves. He just wanted someone to care about them. Did God still love them? Of course He did. But they had broken pretty much every one of His laws. There were consequences for breaking those laws. Did God want to judge and punish them? No. But they broke His commandments. He didn't have a choice. Unless.......unless someone would pray for them and ask God to be merciful to them.
This particular passage ends with God saying He would have to destroy them as their punishment or judgement for what they had done. So we are back to love. Is there anyone you love enough that you would stand in the gap for them? Do you have a child, spouse, parent, sibling or friend who is breaking God's laws and sinking deeper and deeper to the place that they are way to close to suffering God's judgement and you just don't know what to do?
Well here's the deal. If you love them, truly love them, instead of hurting them back, instead of spreading gossip about them or even sacrificing for them or 'preaching' to them, have you thought of standing in the gap? Not just anyone can stand in the gap though. God couldn't find anyone who could stand in the gap for His people way back then so He was going to have to rain down judgement on them. He didn't want to do that because He loved them. But they left Him no choice. They continued in sin and He had to keep His promise there just like He keeps His promises when we obey Him. They disobeyed so they had to be judged, punished. His people. Their children. Everyone. Because there was no one able to stand in the gap for them.
Want to stand in the gap for a loved on? The first thing to do is be worthy and capable of standing in the gap. God can't accept just anyone as a gap stander. In order to stand in the gap, you first must have your heart right with God. If you aren't right with God, you can't stand in the gap for the one who so desperately needs Him. Next, you gotta really love that person or people. I Corinthians 13 kind of love. Be patient and kind. Love them with a love that never gives up. A love that never fails to be faithful, full of hope and patience. A full and complete, eternal love.
All God asked for was someone who would stand in the gap so He wouldn't have to punish His children. Are you willing to be that person for someone? Are they important enough to you that you will become that stander? Then do it. Regardless of what anyone says. Regardless of whether others thinks your loved one deserves it or will ever change. Make sure you are right with God. Show how much you really love that person. Have compassion for that hurting soul who is being used by the enemy to do his bidding. Stand in the gap. And see what God will do!
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
This and That and Some Other Stuff
As I sit here with our pup Pippa snuggled up against my right elbow, I'm wondering just what's going on. Could be because everyone else is either out or just not in the room so she wants companionship. Or it could be because she senses that tomorrow we are set to have the coldest weather of the season so far so she's just practicing getting warm. Or maybe she just likes me. :)
Ok well since this is called This and That and Some Other Stuff, we will start with the this. Tomorrow our daughter goes back to college. This is killing mom. Dad and brothers seem fine. But this is absolutely breaking mom's heart. I just got used to her being home and she's going again. (See Taking our baby girl to college ) Of course she hasn't spent much time at home during Christmas break but having her here at least some of the time sure does change the dynamics. When she's away it's just me and a bunch of guys. Well Pippa is here too of course. But anyway, I just miss her like crazy when she's not home. Better stop or I'll be crying again.
Now for some That. Did you know that people still actually call the fire department when they see a cat is stuck up a tree? Yep. I heard it with my own ears. I've been visiting hubby at fire stations lately because he seems to be at work most of the time. We sit in the car for sometimes an hour or two and catch up on things. Hey! Just realized that's kinda like a date! Only instead of listening to music we are listening to radio traffic so that he can give me a quick kiss and hop out to go get on a fire truck should he be called out. Anyway, while on one such visit this weekend the dispatcher called for a certain pumper truck. (By the way, I have permission to tell this story but I assured him I wouldn't name names etc.) The dispatcher said it was a public service. We waited to hear just what that Sunday afternoon public service call might be. You could hear the smile on the dispatcher's face when she announced that a cat had been up a tree for two days! The fireman's response.... "oooookaayyy". That was just too funny. My husband has told me many times that if you just leave a cat up a tree long enough it will eventually come down because it's hungry. Apparently some people haven't figured that out yet.
Well we've covered the This and the That so I suppose it's time for some other stuff. Been meaning to write about this for several weeks but have been kinda consumed with our amazing Christmas. (See Operation Momma's Christmas Surprise ) Anyway, several weeks ago I had a dream that included our kitchen being yellow. Now I know this blog is called My Yellow Garage but yellow has never been on my list of favorite colors. Still, the garage is yellow, and until recently our bedding was yellow. When I had that dream I just knew it was time for more yellow. So with the help of a son or two and one of their friends, the kitchen became yellow.
During our painting adventure, one of the boys brought up Painting in the Buff . If you haven't read this story, it's pretty funny. Anyway, they always enjoy hearing how I thought their dad was painting 'in the buff' not long after we met when what he was really saying was that he was 'painting above' the door! Talking about that reminded me of something I had never told them. The reason we were introduced in the first place. I couldn't believe I had never told them the prequel to the circumstances that brought their parents together. They listened, smiling, as they learned that when their dad was young he would take his Bible to work. The man who introduced us worked with him at a convenience store prior to becoming a realtor. (See Buy a House Get a Spouse ) He was so impressed with this Christian young man that he thought we would be perfect together. I'm so thankful he thought so much of my husband. And of me for that matter! The boys, well they enjoyed hearing about their dad being a strong Christian young man. And I loved walking down sweet memory lane. All because I had a dream that our kitchen was yellow.
There's a lot more other stuff but we'll save that for another day. :)
Ok well since this is called This and That and Some Other Stuff, we will start with the this. Tomorrow our daughter goes back to college. This is killing mom. Dad and brothers seem fine. But this is absolutely breaking mom's heart. I just got used to her being home and she's going again. (See Taking our baby girl to college ) Of course she hasn't spent much time at home during Christmas break but having her here at least some of the time sure does change the dynamics. When she's away it's just me and a bunch of guys. Well Pippa is here too of course. But anyway, I just miss her like crazy when she's not home. Better stop or I'll be crying again.
Now for some That. Did you know that people still actually call the fire department when they see a cat is stuck up a tree? Yep. I heard it with my own ears. I've been visiting hubby at fire stations lately because he seems to be at work most of the time. We sit in the car for sometimes an hour or two and catch up on things. Hey! Just realized that's kinda like a date! Only instead of listening to music we are listening to radio traffic so that he can give me a quick kiss and hop out to go get on a fire truck should he be called out. Anyway, while on one such visit this weekend the dispatcher called for a certain pumper truck. (By the way, I have permission to tell this story but I assured him I wouldn't name names etc.) The dispatcher said it was a public service. We waited to hear just what that Sunday afternoon public service call might be. You could hear the smile on the dispatcher's face when she announced that a cat had been up a tree for two days! The fireman's response.... "oooookaayyy". That was just too funny. My husband has told me many times that if you just leave a cat up a tree long enough it will eventually come down because it's hungry. Apparently some people haven't figured that out yet.
Well we've covered the This and the That so I suppose it's time for some other stuff. Been meaning to write about this for several weeks but have been kinda consumed with our amazing Christmas. (See Operation Momma's Christmas Surprise ) Anyway, several weeks ago I had a dream that included our kitchen being yellow. Now I know this blog is called My Yellow Garage but yellow has never been on my list of favorite colors. Still, the garage is yellow, and until recently our bedding was yellow. When I had that dream I just knew it was time for more yellow. So with the help of a son or two and one of their friends, the kitchen became yellow.
During our painting adventure, one of the boys brought up Painting in the Buff . If you haven't read this story, it's pretty funny. Anyway, they always enjoy hearing how I thought their dad was painting 'in the buff' not long after we met when what he was really saying was that he was 'painting above' the door! Talking about that reminded me of something I had never told them. The reason we were introduced in the first place. I couldn't believe I had never told them the prequel to the circumstances that brought their parents together. They listened, smiling, as they learned that when their dad was young he would take his Bible to work. The man who introduced us worked with him at a convenience store prior to becoming a realtor. (See Buy a House Get a Spouse ) He was so impressed with this Christian young man that he thought we would be perfect together. I'm so thankful he thought so much of my husband. And of me for that matter! The boys, well they enjoyed hearing about their dad being a strong Christian young man. And I loved walking down sweet memory lane. All because I had a dream that our kitchen was yellow.
There's a lot more other stuff but we'll save that for another day. :)
Thursday, January 1, 2015
God's Peace and Warm Cozy Socks
As I sit here looking at the Christmas tree and knowing it has to come down, it's not the work I dread. It's packing away the memories. I love everything our tree stands for! So many memories surround the ornaments. Births. Vacations. Family. The celebration of the birth of our Savior. The lights. The warmth. The joy. Yet I know it's time. But not until I finish writing today. :)
It's cold this first day of 2015. Rainy. Dark. I love this kind of day. Yeah I know that's not the norm and that's just fine with me. Cold rainy days remind me of so many good things. Like the smell of warm cashews. Back in the day it seemed the only time we could go to the big city (which is the town I've now lived in for most of my adult life) was if it was a cool, rainy summer day. Our first stop back then was always Kmart. Yeah that was a big deal to us! And we were always greated with the smell of warm cashews as we walked into the store. My mom and her mom would need to shop. I preferred to just smell those amazing cashews! In fact I would still rather smell warm cashews as to shop.
Another thing cold rainy days remind me of is my dad's mom. Mamaw. Both my grandmothers pretty much wore dresses year around and wore stockings in the winter. But I guess Mamaw's feet would get cold so sometimes she would wear my grandpa's socks. She's been in heaven for close to 30 years but it's like I can still see her standing in the kitchen wearing a dress and Papaw's black dress socks.
Looking back I kinda wondered why she didn't wear socks of her own. Maybe she didn't have any. Maybe his were warmer. Or maybe wearing her husband's socks made her feel happy, warmer and protected. I have to admit, I have on a pair of my husband's socks right now. I started wearing his socks with boots at first because I was in a hurry and could find his socks quicker than I could find mine amongst my tights, leggings, socks for exercise etc. Then I realized they actually were warmer. I have to wonder why manufacturers would make men's socks warmer when women usually have cold feet. Oh well. This works.
So while the thought of my grandmother wearing my grandfather's socks kept popping up in my mind, an interesting thing happened. A friend texted me about God's peace. She said to her God's peace was like warm soothing sunshine covering you when it's raining all around. She asked me what God's peace was like to me.
My reply: Well I like rainy days so they don't usually get me down. But I love having warm socks! I relayed the story about my grandmother wearing my grandfather's socks and how the vision of her doing so kept popping up in my mind. I continued to explain that I have been wearing my husband's socks lately and how much warmer my feet have been. Plus, somehow there's a secure feeling when I'm wearing his socks. So, as strange as it may seem, wearing my husband's way too big but oh so warm socks is how God's peace feels to me. Comfortable. Secure. And if my feet are cozy the rest of me is usually pretty cozy too.
What's God's peace like for you? Do you ever experience His peace? God's peace is only experienced and enjoyed when we are living in obedience to His Word. One of my goals for 2015 is to experience warm cozy feet all year long. God's peace. How about you?
It's cold this first day of 2015. Rainy. Dark. I love this kind of day. Yeah I know that's not the norm and that's just fine with me. Cold rainy days remind me of so many good things. Like the smell of warm cashews. Back in the day it seemed the only time we could go to the big city (which is the town I've now lived in for most of my adult life) was if it was a cool, rainy summer day. Our first stop back then was always Kmart. Yeah that was a big deal to us! And we were always greated with the smell of warm cashews as we walked into the store. My mom and her mom would need to shop. I preferred to just smell those amazing cashews! In fact I would still rather smell warm cashews as to shop.
Another thing cold rainy days remind me of is my dad's mom. Mamaw. Both my grandmothers pretty much wore dresses year around and wore stockings in the winter. But I guess Mamaw's feet would get cold so sometimes she would wear my grandpa's socks. She's been in heaven for close to 30 years but it's like I can still see her standing in the kitchen wearing a dress and Papaw's black dress socks.
Looking back I kinda wondered why she didn't wear socks of her own. Maybe she didn't have any. Maybe his were warmer. Or maybe wearing her husband's socks made her feel happy, warmer and protected. I have to admit, I have on a pair of my husband's socks right now. I started wearing his socks with boots at first because I was in a hurry and could find his socks quicker than I could find mine amongst my tights, leggings, socks for exercise etc. Then I realized they actually were warmer. I have to wonder why manufacturers would make men's socks warmer when women usually have cold feet. Oh well. This works.
So while the thought of my grandmother wearing my grandfather's socks kept popping up in my mind, an interesting thing happened. A friend texted me about God's peace. She said to her God's peace was like warm soothing sunshine covering you when it's raining all around. She asked me what God's peace was like to me.
My reply: Well I like rainy days so they don't usually get me down. But I love having warm socks! I relayed the story about my grandmother wearing my grandfather's socks and how the vision of her doing so kept popping up in my mind. I continued to explain that I have been wearing my husband's socks lately and how much warmer my feet have been. Plus, somehow there's a secure feeling when I'm wearing his socks. So, as strange as it may seem, wearing my husband's way too big but oh so warm socks is how God's peace feels to me. Comfortable. Secure. And if my feet are cozy the rest of me is usually pretty cozy too.
What's God's peace like for you? Do you ever experience His peace? God's peace is only experienced and enjoyed when we are living in obedience to His Word. One of my goals for 2015 is to experience warm cozy feet all year long. God's peace. How about you?
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