Giggles at the Grocery Store

Hello everyone.  I apologize that it has been so long since my last post on this page.  A few days ago, I remembered a funny little incident from my childhood, so I thought I would share.  

When we were growing up, Todd and I seemed to get the giggles at the most inappropriate times.  That alone caused Mom and Dad a lot of frustration. 

One time when the whole family as at the grocery store together, Dad put some little dessert cakes in the cart.  John was only a few years old, maybe four or five.  He asked Dad what was in the box and Dad told him. 

For the next several minutes, John followed Dad and said over and over again, “Those are dessert cakes, huh Dad?  Yep, them sure are cakes alright.” 

Ordinarily that wouldn’t be so funny.  But John repeated the same thing every few seconds and he was speaking so loudly everyone in the store could hear him.  Well, if that wasn’t embarrassing enough for my parents, Todd and I thought the whole thing was funny.  We got our giggle box turned over and could not stop laughing. 

Finally Dad turned around and told all three of us we better be quiet.  He told John not to say anything else about the cakes and he scolded me and Todd for all our giggling.  Even knowing we were in trouble, it took a lot of restraint to settle down. 

The incident became one of our funny family stories. 

Sometimes we just need a good laugh, don’t we?  It is good to find humor in simple things.  I think the ability to laugh is one of God’s gifts to us. 

In Luke’s recording of the Beatitudes Jesus said, “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled.  Blessed are you who weep now for you shall laugh.”  Luke 6:21

In Proverbs we find  “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”  Proverbs 17:22 

Another great verse on joy is Proverbs 15:13 which reads “A glad heart makes a cheerful face,  but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.”

Here is one more:  “Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Proverbs 12:25

I like this last verse because it tells us we can give someone “a good word” and make them glad.  Isn’t it wonderful to think we can serve the Lord this way? 

Kids can say and do funny things that make us laugh.  Children love to play and laugh together.  It is totally natural.  It is the way God made them and us too. 

It still when I remember that night at the grocery store so long ago. 

Let us treasure the time we have with our families.  Today’s laughs become tomorrow’s precious memories!

Christ above all things - Robin

The Marine and His Bride

He was a young Marine from Mississippi stationed in Miami, Florida.  He fell in love almost instantly one  fateful day at a drive-in restaurant with some of his Marine buddies.  She went to the skating rink with her sister and some  friends and stopped at the same place.    

The Marine was 20, but the young lady was only 16.  When asked for her phone number, she declined.  She thought he was too old for her.  It could have all ended right then.  The story would be over before it ever began. 

The love story still going strong nearly 65 years later would never have happened.  It would have only been a dream in the young Marine’s mind.  Except it wasn’t just a dream because the young skater’s older sister gave him the number.  

I’m not sure what changed the young lady’s mind about him.  Maybe it was because he was so persistent – but she agreed to go out on a date with him. They soon became a couple and about ten months later decided to elope. 

Thus began a loving, faithful marriage.  Their love for each other could easily be seen by all those around them.  They found joy in being together.  He always took care of her and provided for her and the children when they came along. 

She was his faithful bride who loved and trusted him to the fullest extent.  She had every confidence in his faithfulness to her.  She was his helpmeet and her support only made him stronger and better. 

The Marine passed from this world, but he loved her until the very end.  He showed it in so many ways all his life.  She loves him still.  The marriage vows say ‘till death do us part.’  But the vows are wrong, because the love goes on. 

Love and trust create a strong bond that is not easily broken.  It is that way with earthly relationships true enough; it is also true for our spiritual relationship with God. 

Through all of our trials and heartaches we must remember that God is faithful.  Our heavenly Father will never leave us or forsake us.  We can read about His faithfulness in 1 Corinthians 10:13.  It is a verse quoted regularly, but that does not decrease the importance of it. 

 ^“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Sometimes we think our trials are so hard to bear up under.  Sometimes we want to give up our faith and just walk away from it all. 

The devil wants us to give up.  God wants us to look up!  Look up, friends.  Trust Him!  Look for HIS way out.  He will give us an escape route – because He loves those who love Him. 

Just as the Marine and his bride had faith in each other, so we can have complete confidence in our God.  He will never let us down!

But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.  

                                                                                                                2 Thessalonians 3:3 

Christ above all things - Robin

Love in Teamwork

Love in teamwork? I can imagine many folks don't really think about love when they think of teamwork. That may be because we usually only think of teams in the context of sports. And sports is all about competition and winning, right? If you’ve watched football lately it isn’t.

Last week when Damar Hamlin had a heart attack on the field and CPR was administered to him, we saw love at work. I think everyone on the field was in prayer that night. Through those prayers, the sports world saw love in action. I am extremely grateful for Damar’s steady improvement.

I watched ‘You Tube’ with Robert yesterday. There were a group of guys who all specialize in different areas of automobile work. Each one had their own you tube channels. One guy asked the others to join him in taking a junk heap of a car and get it running in three days.

More went on than just working on that car. Before this project, the men didn’t know each other very well. By the end of three long days of work one could see the close bond they developed.

I don’t necessarily like watching shows about fixing cars, but I liked seeing these guys become close friends. One reason it probably went so well is that they were efficient, confident, and successful in their own area of expertise, so they respected one another.

This is not always so in a regular work situation. For various reasons, circumstances are seldom as ideal as the show I watched. People have their own ambitions and may end up jockeying for position. Some may take credit for all the work when they barely did any.

Still as Christians, we must remember who we represent. The Bible tells us everything we do must be done “in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through Him” Colossians 3:17.

Notice some important words: everything. Not just one thing, one time – but everything, all the time.

In the name of the Lord Jesus. Not in our name, for our glory – in His name, for His glory.

And thirdly, giving thanks to God. Keep a good attitude. Don’t complain or whine about your work, instead thank Him for the opportunity.

We are commanded to do our work well and to work well with others. Many times, this is not an easy task, but that is where the love comes in.

With God’s help we remember to treat others as Christ would. We learn to see others through His eyes, not our own. In doing so, we set a great example for others.

Vince Lombardi once said: "Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work."

We must be individually committed to do our best work – both with others and on our own.

Christ above all things - Robin

Annie Over!

When we were younger kids, we lived in a great neighborhood in Jackson, MS.  We always had plenty of friends to play with.  But it wasn’t like that when we came to visit Dad’s parents in northeast Mississippi. 

They lived on a farm out in the country and there were no other kids around.  We had to find other ways to entertain ourselves.  That was OK though, because we had good imaginations and just liked to play outside anyway. 

Besides that, Grandma taught us a couple of games that were fun to play.  One of them was Annie Over.  Have you ever heard of it?  I always thought it was something Grandma just made up, but I checked it out on the internet and according to some sources, this game dates all the way back to the mid 1800’s. 

It was an easy game, but it kept Todd and I busy for a little while.  Grandpa and Grandma had a well house that brought water from the ground and up to a faucet outside.  They didn’t have running water in the house.  Anyway, the wellhouse was small enough that we could throw a ball over it to the other side. 

In the game, the one who had the ball would yell out “Annie Over” and throw the ball over the house.  The person on the other side would catch the ball and run around the house to try to catch the one who threw it.  Oh wow!  I don’t remember all the rules exactly.  I just remember throwing the ball and running around chasing each other. 

The laughter too.  I remember the laughter.  We laughed chasing each other, but my Grandmother always laughed when we played.  Oh how she loved to see us have a good time!  It always made me feel good to see her laugh. 

I think God likes to see his children have a good time too, don’t you?  Our life is so full of work and taking care of our families and paying bills and.. and .. and.  The list goes on, but the point is made.  Sometimes we forget to relax and enjoy ourselves. 

When I think about this topic, I often think of what Christ said in John 10:10.  “ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” 

I absolutely love that passage!  It shows us God does want us to have a full, rich life here on earth.  An abundant life means taking pleasure in all the things God gives us to enjoy.   

He created the family unit, when he created Adam and Eve.  A husband and wife are to love and cherish one another.  The children God gives are truly a gift!  Our little ones giggle at the simplest of pleasures.  There is no greater joy for a mother than to hear her child laugh. 

Knowing all this, how could we ever think God doesn’t want us to have fun from time to time?

Proverbs 17:22 – “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”  Please don’t let anyone steal your joy. 

I love you, but God loves you more!

Christ above all things - Robin

Use Your Signal Light

Aaron has never been very talkative in the mornings and this morning was no different.   I was taking him to school, like I did every morning during his high school years.  I wanted to chit chat.  He didn’t. 

I asked him all kinds of questions and tried to think of something I could say to get a response from him.  I finally had an idea I thought might work. 

The monthly ladies devotional was coming up soon.  I was supposed to have the devotional, so I asked Aaron what he thought it should be about.

We were at a  four way stop and I was about to turn right.  He looked over at me and said, “You didn’t use your signal light.” 

He was right.  I had forgotten.  Trying to joke with him I said, “You think I should do my devotional on using directionals?”

Aaron gave me a frustrated look and said, “Mom, I’m serious.  You should really use them.  You need to let the other drivers know which way you are going.”

I told him he was absolutely right and said I would be more diligent in the future.  Then I smiled again and set “But I may still use your idea for a devotional.” 

I don’t think Aaron knew what to think about that.

We use signals in our lives every day and I’m not talking about driving now.  The type of language we use, our facial expressions, our body language and even the tone of our voice all send signals to those around us.  They can tell what kind of mood we are in. 

The way we relate to people in our everyday lives will show others the type of person we are.  We may not want to believe it, but what we say and do reveals a lot about us.  Think about it. 

I was shopping with Mom a while back and we saw a woman put her items into her car and take her cart back to the cart corral before she went back to her car to leave. 

Mom and I talked about that.  Many people do the right thing and put their shopping cart up; but there also many people who do not. 

This is true of many small acts of courtesy like holding a door open for someone or helping a person pick up something they dropped.  All these little things add up!  We shine our lights and set a good example for others to follow.  In doing so we glorify our Father in heaven!

It’s like Aaron said, we need to let other people know which way we are going.  

As we strive toward heaven, let us tell others about Christ.  They may end up going our way.  Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

“for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”  Ephesians 5:8

Christ above all things - Robin 

 

 

 

Her First 'Grown Up' Board Game

Greta was so excited her parents allowed her to bring the game she got for Christmas.  She couldn’t wait to play with it with her family.   It was a great game!  It wasn’t a little kids game.  This was a game she knew everyone would like to play.  But first she had to endure the five hour road trip.    

When they finally got to her grandparents’ home they greeted the family and relaxed from the long trip.  She wanted to get her game out, but Mom said, “Greta, you will have to wait honey.  Everyone just got here.” 

Greta was ten and waiting was not her strong suit.  She wasn’t even hungry, but everyone else was ready to eat.  As soon as they were done, Greta asked again if they could play her game.  This time it was Dad who said, “Let’s wait a little while longer, honey.”   Aunt Rita noticed the disappointment on Greta’s face. 

A few minutes later there was a lull in the conversation.  Aunt Rita looked at Greta and said, “I hear you got a great new game for Christmas.  Did you bring it with you?”

Greta’s mom said, “Rita we don’t have to –“ but Rita cut her off in mid-sentence.  “Greta go get your game.  Let’s play.” 

Two of the older cousins spoke up, “What game? How many can play at one time?”  Greta practically screamed.  “The name of the game is Clue.  Up to six can play, but we can do it with four.”  And she ran to get it.  By the time she got back, her Uncle Terry wanted to play too. 

Greta knew she probably wouldn’t win because she didn’t have much practice, but she wondered who would.  As it turned out, Aunt Rita was the winner.  Greta got her mom’s attention and told her who won.  

Her mother laughed and said, “I told you she was smart.”   Greta was not disappointed in her loss.  She loved playing with the grownups and she learned a lot just by playing that one game. 

---------

It is interesting to note Greta’s enthusiasm about playing even though she knew she might not win.  She maintained her cheerful outlook and saw the whole thing as a learning experience. 

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Christians were like that?  Remember how excited we were when we first became Christians?  Our sins were forgiven and we had so much joy in our salvation! 

All we could think of was serving the Lord.  We wanted to take Jesus with us everywhere we went, just like Greta brought her game with her.  She was proud of it and wanted to spend time sharing it with her family. 

Christians should always be excited about sharing the Bible with our friends and neighbors.  We should be proud of our Savior and talk about Him to other people.  It is important to always have the desire to continually learn and grow.  We don’t begin our Christian lives knowing everything there is to know. 

We can’t be an “Aunt Rita” right away; but we can spend time with those more seasoned Christians and gain wisdom from them.  

God loves us.  Jesus died for us.  The Holy Spirit intercedes for us.  

Please never allow your zeal for the Lord to grow cold. 

Christ above all things - Robin

"Who Shall Separate us From the Love of God"

  We have all seen our share of bad news lately.  It seems living in this old world gets tougher every day - because the world grows farther and farther away from God every day.  As a result we see devastating tragedies all around us.  

       Somehow, in the midst of all the mayhem and madness we still see good in people.   Everyday folks reach out to help their fellowman and in that moment -- that one moment of choosing to do the right thing -- they become heroes.  
     
       In tough times like these, it is good to find encouragement through the scriptures.  When we see the good in people it helps us remember the goodness and the love of God.  

       The Bible - the true and living word of God- gives us comfort and hope.  One such chapter that offers us hope and reminds of God's goodness is Romans chapter 8.  Many of us are familiar with parts of this chapter and in particular vs. 28 -- "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." 
      

      That verse is truly comforting.  It is easy to see why we all turn to it for encouragement.  However, there are other verses in this chapter that give us the reassurance we seek from time to time.  Because you see, as one my friends said once -"This old world just beats you up sometimes." 

       One of the verses I love in this chapter is verse 18 - "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."  We suffer in the world, but God has promised us glory ... if we are faithful.  

     Consider verses 13 and 14 - "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."  

   

     If we put to death our worldly way of life - then we are called the sons (and daughters) of God.  Now how awesome is that!!!  Verse 16 says - "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." 

      Paul talks about earthly suffering in this chapter.  He tells us we have  assurance that God is on our side; and no one can stand against us. (v. 31)  He also tells us the Spirit helps us.  He (the Spirit) intercedes for us when we don't know what to pray for.  

     

       Many times I have become so overwhelmed with sorrow and grief I could not put my prayer into words. How wonderful it is to know the Spirit intercedes for us -- and takes what is in our hearts -- what we can't express ourselves -- and gives that to God in a way that God can understand it (verses 26 & 27).  

      Really folks, this whole chapter is rich and full of treasure.  Read it whenever you are having a tough time.  I don't think anyone can read this chapter without feeling blessed and encouraged.  

      Verses 35-39 sums it up -- "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword?  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord."
    
    Hang in there -- even when the world gets really ugly and we feel like we have gone as far as we can go  - we have the Spirit interceding for us, (vs. 26-27) the love of Christ, (vs. 35) and the love of God on our side! (vs. 39) 

     And if God be for us -- then really -- who can be against us?

Christ above all things,
Robin