Shoes: Who would have thought?

So many things happen in our lives over the years that we cannot possibly remember them all.  You would think we would remember the things that were traumatic.  We don't always remember those things.  As a parent, I can say that my kids remember things I do not.  When you are raising kids that is what you are doing.  You are busy with the discipline, the homework, the schooling, the taxi driving, the recitals, the games and somewhere in there a shower every now and then.  The things that happen on a day to day basis do not always imprint themselves on your brain so that you can recall them again.  Mostly you just lay down at night in exhaustion for 6 to 8 hours, just to get up and do it all again. 

Now my children are adults.  My daughter has four children of her own to see after.  She is busy and I am sure the description above is hers as it was mine.  But my daughter will bring up something from her childhood that I remember nothing about.  She did that a couple of weeks ago.  She said, "Remember the blue loafers with the tassels you made me wear?"  My mind was scrambling because I couldn't remember any blue shoes at all.  I am sure that I just bought them because she needed shoes and I got a good deal but to remember them...nope.

"No, I don't," I replied.

"They were terrible. I was so embarrassed to wear them.  I remember standing at the bus stop for school with them on. I didn't want anyone to see them. I didn't want to wear them but you made me" she said.

"Mmmmm, I just don't remember that."

"I even talked to your friend about them and she just told me they were classic."

"She was covering for me, I'm sure," I said.

She kept talking about those shoes and how much she hated them and how much she was embarrassed by them.  I began to feel bad for having scarred her with blue tasseled shoes.  I apologized saying that I didn't realize how badly they made her feel.

Wow!  Our memories are not perfect!  Neither are our intentions!  We make mistakes along the way as we parent.  Sometimes we never realize the many things our kids will remember of which we have no clue.  But blue shoes???  Who would have thought???

It is in times like that when I rejoice in my Heavenly Father.  He never forgets!  He always knows what is best for me!  He provides all I need!  He hears me!  He sees me!  He knows me!  He disciplines me for my good and His glory!  He is God and there is no other!  "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!" Galatians 4:6 

So what about the shoes my Heavenly Father has provided?  "and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace."  Ephesians 6:15  My feet are covered by the gospel of peace.  They are great shoes.  He always knows best!  The thing is these shoes are more than classic, they are eternal. 

I wonder if He has gospel of peace shoes in blue with tassels???

The Tooth Fairy Forgets!

On Thursday of last week, Tristan, my 7 year old grandson, lost his front tooth. He was excited about it. I received a picture from his mom on my phone of his toothless smile. Another great event in the life of a child growing up.

Thursday was also the day of the Christmas tea. My daughter came during the evening, sat at my table and we enjoyed the night together. At the end of the evening, there is always the clean up. I am in charge so I am usually cleaning up for over an hour after the event has ended. This year my daughter stayed to help me. We were in my office at around 10:00 p.m. when her husband sent her a text very concerned because she hadn't let him know she was staying. The result was that she went home and then sat and explained to him how she got caught up in helping and forgot to call.

On Friday morning, Tristan came in to his mother and said, "the tooth fairy didn't bring me the money for my tooth." My daughter's response was, "Well you see it was like this. The tooth fairy was at a party last night and stayed too late. She came straight home and talked with her husband so she forgot." As Tristan was just looking at her she added, "My tooth fairy never forgot."

Tristan's response was priceless. He said, "That's because your tooth fairy was a christian!"

Don't you just love that! I do because there is a relationship in his mind with a christian and integrity and follow through. Isn't that the way we are to live our lives as followers of Christ? We need to follow through on things and mean what we say. Thank you Tristan for the reminder!!

Grandma doesn't sin

A few days ago at my daughter's dinner table she and my granddaughter Addy had a conversation. It was about being a Christian. Barb made the statement, "I am a Christian." So Addy says "Then I am a Christian too."
Barb, "Addy, it doesn't work that way. You can't just say you are a Christian and be one. Do you ever do anything wrong?"
Addy, "Yes"
Barb, "That is called sin. So you are a sinner. We are all sinners."
Addy, "Not you, right Mom?"
Barb, "Yes I am a sinner too."
Addy, "What about Daddy?"
Barb, "Yes he is a sinner too."
Addy, "Well I know Grandma's not, no way!"

Barb went on to handle the conversation from there but I am stuck on what Addy said about me. How humbled I am and how challenged at the same time. Although Barb did tell her I was a sinner, I know that Addy is watching me carefully. How am I responding to her, the boys, her mom and dad and my husband. She is seeing everything I do and running it through her grid of right and wrong. I have got to stay on my toes.

I am so glad for the Holy Spirit within who convicts me, leads me and points me to the acceptable way of the Lord. I cannot do this on my own. I need His strength, power, discipline and love every moment of every day. God's desire is that I reflect Him well.

All eyes are on me and you and you and you and you...we are being watched to see how we handle life. We need to handle it well. "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

Google Calendar

The other day my daughter said to me that we should get the google calendar so that we would know what the other one is doing. You see we call each other every morning for the update of appointments and what the day holds. She said, "Then I won't have to call you but I will probably call you anyway." Which I thought was nice because I like the touching base with her.

In that conversation she also said something about my life and I said, "I don't have a life." I have been thinking about that statement. It is very selfish. For you see my life is not about me. It is about God and others. The more people that are in my life the better, right? Especially if I am going to do it God's way. So I think that people who spend time soaking in the tub, going to the tanning booth, shopping every Saturday at the mall, watching their favorite TV show or drawing life on being alone have got it all wrong. Not that any of those things by themselves are wrong but a string of self-satisfying things is definitely wrong. In fact, that person would be missing out on life.

Life is about having your google calendar with God and anyone else who wants to share it with you. We are to learn of Him, worship Him, honor Him and reflect Him to others. The others are the ones on the calendar who we are to love as we love ourselves. Living that way, now that's life.! So, do I have a life? You betcha and I want to live every minute of it for the glory of Christ, my Savior, who gave His life for me. He did that according to God's calendar. They were definitely on the same page.

So ok, Barb, let's do it!! Only trouble is, it's technical so you will have to show me and maybe you will have to do it for me. Guess what?? You have a life too. Love you.

Remember when...

We have all said "remember when". Sometimes it is because we don't see the value of something until a long time after it happened. Other times it is because it is a precious time. I was reminded of this the other day.

Ronn and I were on our way to a wedding reception and were early so we stopped at my daughter's house to kill some time. My daughter and husband were still getting ready for the wedding so we were being entertained by the grand kids. My granddaughter was in my lap when my daughter came down the stairs. She looked up and said, "Mama you're a princess!". This was one of those "remember when" moments. It was precious and we will repeat it often in the future.

It really got me to thinking. I began to remember my daughter twirling in a dress with her blond hair flying. She was a little princess all dressed up and enjoying every minute of it. My little princess grew up and on her wedding day she was a grown-up princess in a beautiful white dress marrying her prince. My granddaughter reminded me of my grown-up daughter princess and all of the times in her life which I "remember when".

The prince or princess you have is a gift from God. Enjoy him or her. Treasure your time. Utilize your position as parent to point your prince or princess in the direction of their creator and Savior. The days go by too quickly and we allow so many things to get in our way. It is important to take time with these who are our future. I know that I missed many opportunities to enjoy my children because I simply allowed myself to get too busy or to be impatient. Don't regret! Don't be caught in a position of not enough "remember whens" in your life.

I enjoy my time with my grown-up princess more today than ever. She has grown-up into a godly woman who loves the Lord, her husband and her children. I am so thankful to the Lord for His gift to me.