WET OATMEAL KISSES

Wet Oatmeal Kisses

"The baby is teething; the children are fighting. My husband just called- to eat dinner without him."
Okay, one of these days you'll shout! "Why don't you grow up and act your age!" And they will.

Or: "You guys get outside and find yourselves something to do...and don't slam the door!" And they won't.

You'll straighten up their bedrooms neat and tidy...bedspreads tucked and smooth...toys displayed on the shelves. Hangers in the closet. Animals caged. And you'll say out loud: "Now I want it to stay this way." And it will.

You'll prepare a perfect dinner with a salad that hasn't been picked to death and a cake with no finger traces in the icing and you'll say: "Now there's a meal for company." But you'll eat it alone.

You'll say: "I want complete privacy on the phone. No dancing around. No demolition crews. Silence! Do you hear!" And you'll have it.

No more plastic tablecloths stained with spaghetti. No more anxious nights under a vaporizer tent. No more dandelion bouquets; or wet, knotted shoestrings; tight boots, or rubber bands for pony tails.

Imagine. A lipstick with a point. No baby-sitter for New Year's Eve.

Washing clothes only once a week. No PTA meetings. No carpools. No blaring radios. No more Christmas presents out of toothpicks and library paste. No more wet oatmeal kisses. No more tooth fairy. No giggles in the dark. No knees to heal.
Only a voice crying, "Why don't you grow up."

And the silence echoing, "I did."

So many times I have shared this with a young mother bemoaning her fate in life. All of us who have raised children know about patience or the lack thereof. If you have grandchildren, or perhaps those beautiful great-grandchildren share the message of patience. Be an encourager to the young parents around you. They need to know our experiences of the past. Share Isaiah 40:31 with them. "But those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah’s advice is not just for the young people of the world. In this past year of hip replacements, Covid 19 and accidents I have often claimed his promise. I prayed for Patience for bones to heal and strength to return that I might walk and not grow faint. I dream of soaring on wings like eagles. Even though my bones will never let me run amazingly fast, my spirit can soar if only I will keep an attitude of patience.

Our God is a God of patience. I think daily what patience he must have as he forgives me day after day for the same foolish mistakes. And in our hurry-up society we quarrel and fuss and are so impatient about much that really isn't very important. Patience is a fruit of the spirit. Let me be reminded daily to "Wait upon the Lord." May you too wait as you walk with Him. Enjoy your Walk

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ALTHOUGH THEY KNEW GOD

“ For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Romans 1:21 NIV

I read this reference today in another devotion and went to search for myself.  Every translation I read indicated that the people knew God but did NOT thank him. (I read every translation offered on-line). And I thought surely this is wrong. Perhaps Paul was not speaking about people who knew God. Apparently “knowing” God indicates the people believed God existed, but they did not acknowledge His love and provisions for people. Still, as I studied and read commentaries, I was reminded of today’s culture.

I find I am reflecting a bit more than usual about the reasons I must thank God. Since about four days before Christmas, we have endured some hard times physically. First, my new hip replacement pulled from socket (because of my own foolishness.) As I was recovering and doing quite well, my husband fell from a ladder and miraculously did not break bones or receive major injuries. (perhaps an 86-year-old man should not be on a ladder.) I recovered from virus right after thanksgiving, and he tested positive in the ER. And we thank God for His mercy in these situations.

 My family is predominant in my reflections. I thank God for each of them and the love they have for God and His kingdom. I am thankful for the love they have for one another, and the love they show for the world around them.  And as my husband and I grow older and sometimes do rather foolish things resulting in physical injury, I am thankful for our children and grandchildren and the way they watch out for us (each in their own special way).

Those of us who “know” God should be showing the world around us how very thankful we are for the love and mercy He shows in our everyday life. God’s glory should be a part of our conversation and our actions as we live in today’s environment. If not, I fear that as the people of ancient days our “thinking will become futile and our foolish hearts darkened.”

PRAYER: O Lord bless us even though we don’t always acknowledge how very good you are to us each day. We thank you for forgiving us and showing us your mercy. In Jesus name Amen

 

THANK YOU FOR TECHNOLOGY

THANK YOU FOR TECHNOLOGY

During this season of pandemic, I feel a need to acknowledge how thankful I am for technology in the simple daily things of life.

In this past week, I ordered my groceries and picked them up without leaving my vehicle. I saw my great-granddaughter’s new braces via Facetime. On Instagram. I saw the smiling face of my other great-granddaughter as she and her mother were successful in a day of deer hunting. I watched my adult granddaughter lead a worship service in Montana as I sat in my Illinois living room.

I checked my phone and found where each of my children were at any given moment. I saw the daily activities of my daughter and son-in-law in Florida as they celebrate 38 years of marriage with a short vacation.

My husband received a text message each day reporting on a friend with virus. I saw my Florida friends enjoying their Monday morning coffee via text message and video. Facebook kept me up to date with my friends if they wanted to share, and the never-ending television broadcast of all the latest markets and world news. (I cannot say I am always thankful for this; however, I know it would be missed in our household.)

I have only skimmed the surface of how technology has touched me personally in the past week. And I can get out if I choose. I think what all this might mean to those who are alone, lonely or handicapped. Our doctor’s visits and all that has taken place in the search for a vaccine for the virus are a part of this thanksgiving. I realize many might disagree, but I feel it has become so much a part of our life that we accept it. Is it all good? Of course not! But it is a part of my thankfulness in this season.

I have many more important things in life for which to be thankful. My list can go on and on. I have good health, a wonderful healthy husband,(for our age), a loving family, a beautiful devoted church family, many caring friends, a home in Illinois and another in Florida, sufficient finances and all that any one woman would want or need. And for that I am truly thankful, but today I thought about what technology does for me and am thanking God.