Nip It In The Butt

My dear cousin  once misunderstood a quip from "The Andy Griffith Show."  Barney was saying that a situation called for action and action now.  "Nip it in the bud" he said and it's been an idiom many of us have repeated throughout the years.  Here's the scenario:

• • (Opie and other town boys have been doing mischief, including braking a street lamp)
    Barney: I don't like it. I don't like it one bit. I tell you this is just the beginnin': goin' around breakin' street lamps - city property, mind you. Next thing you know they'll be on motorcycles and wearin' them leather jackets and zoomin' around. They'll take over the whole town... a reign of terror!
    Andy: Barney, these are just boys you're talkin' about. They're only about 8 years old.
    Barney: yeah, well today's 8-year olds are tomorrow's teenagers. I say this calls for action and now. Nip it in the bud. First sign of youngsters goin' wrong you got to nip it in the bud!
    Andy: I'm gonna have a talk with 'em. Now what more do you want me to do?
    Barney: Well, just don't mollycoddle 'em.
    Andy: I won't.
    Barney: Nip it! You go read any book you want on the subject of child discipline and you'll find that every one of them is in favor of bud-nippin'.
    Andy: I'll take care of it.
    Barney: Only one way to take care of it.
    Andy: Nip it.
    Barney: In the bud.

Sherrie, bless her heart, thought it was "nip it in the butt" though so this rewritten quote has been used often in my household whenever appropriate.   The other night, it once again took on a new meaning, one that will be laughed at and pondered for many moons.

Steve and I were holding the hands of our youngest grandson between us.  Every few steps--on the count of three--we'd swing him up and enjoy his gleeful sounds of delight as he rose into the air, skipping over the ground below, and enjoying soaring to a new level.  After a few swings and to make it more interesting, we had our oldest gson stand in front of us and--on the count of three-we swung G into W's backside.  They both loved it and cackled out with loud laughter.  But we still had one more child to deal with who didn't want to miss out on any of the fun.  So, we had C assume the position and then--again, at the count of three--swung Tubs into C's rear end.  However, our aim was a little off (or perhaps his tush wasn't as big) and instead of making contact on the cushy part of his tiny little body, G's feet went into his back.

"Hey!  That hurt!"  C's little eyes were filled with pain--and indignation.

"Oh come on, Little Buddy.  You knew it was coming."  Steve and I both tried to cajole him into staying light-hearted about the event.

His response?  "Yeah, but I didn't know there'd be an ouch with it."

Ahh, the poor child.  He knew something was about to get him but he thought he could handle it.  He'd been set up--willingly, of course--but didn't realize that what often is seen as just fun and games can often have a consequence that might have painful results at the end (or in the end, I guess I could say).

Fast forward now with me, for just a moment, to Wednesday's Bible Study.  The girls and I were discussing sin and its consequences.  Oftentimes, folks mess up and though they know there will be repercussions they still feel that the little discomfort will be okay, won't be so bad, or won't have long-lasting effects.  Ahem.  

Are you tracking with me, sisters and brothers?  Oh yes, some parts of sin look alluring, seem basically harmless, and/or worth the risk.  But then comes the "Ouch" that was not expected.  The outcome did not turn out as anticipated.  The momentary high was quickly brought low as the pain settled in, taking us aback in its fierceness.

May I encourage you today to be thoughtful, to be wise, and to consider the long-term results of what looks like something pleasurable but might, just might, not be so groovy after all?  Don't get nipped in the butt, friends.  Stop poor choices before they become bruises that take a while to heal.

Let's pray!

Dear Father, thank You for experiences that allow me to see hidden truths.  Like my grandsons, I too just want to have fun.  I too want to laugh, to play, to enjoy the fellowship of my brethren.  Help me, I ask, to be on alert though for the things that are there to trip me up or cause me to stumble.  Too often the ones we trust the most are the ones who wind up hurting us.  Help me to be wary, I pray, so that I may not cause pain or suffer pain due to wily tricks the devil uses to steal my joy.  In the name of Jesus I pray.  Amen.

Keep Your Hands to Yourself!

James 4:1Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. 

1 Corinthians 10:13No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

Don't touch that!

The toddler thinks about reaching for the button on the tv stand, hears these words, gives a mournful look at the voice speaking, and turns back to the tv.  His hands are twitching as they fight to obey.

Make the right choice, sweetie.

He looks back at the adults again, sees the seriousness in their eyes and also that they are both agreeing that he is to not touch those buttons, those oh-so-tempting buttons.  Reluctantly, he pulls his hand backward and places it behind his back.  The adults applaud, praising him for making the right move, staring at each other in amazement that this gesture just took place.  The child is delighted to have pleased them.  

But then...

That tv stand is still there.  It's such a shiny button.  Surely it couldn't hurt to touch it just...

Don't you even think about it comes the reprimand as his hand started to go forward.  Again, there's that voice of those holding him accountable that shows no mercy in letting up on this desire of his.  Even though he thinks they can't see him because he's facing another way, he realizes the supervision never seems to stop.

So, he cocks his head and smiles winsomely, claps his hands in approval that yes, he is making the right choice, and he turns his back on the tv, crawls away from it, and finds another toy to entertain himself with.

The adults smile and go on about their business, again tickled with the remarkable wisdom of this baby boy, when somehow, somehow he has twisted himself to being in front of the tv again, and there's that temptation, just sitting there, shining at him, and...

And he puts his other hand behind his back--without being told this time--and one can almost see the tiny little wheels turning in his mind as he surely must be thinking that he isn't going to fall for it this time. Talk about not letting your right hand know what your left is doing, huh?  No sir:  he doesn't have to be fussed at.  The decision is made.  He is going to do the right thing without being reminded to do so.  He has overcome the temptation of the shiny buttons!  Woo hoo!

Oh, if only it were so easy for us big people to learn this discipline, to put our hands behind our backs so that we too cannot reach forward to the shininess of temptations.  If only we had someone continually monitoring us, reminding us that this is not only forbidden but also potentially harmful, and we too should flee from this lust.  If only we had constant praise when we did the right thing, and the sense to keep our hands from touching what is not meant for us to touch.  If only we could keep our focus on the good, the right, the true, the acceptable things meant to bring us hope and pleasure.  If only those buttons weren't there, just waiting to be pushed, explored, felt.

Friends, be careful this season.  There are many shiny things out there to tempt us to spend more than we have.  There are many sparkly things that invite us to imbibe, just once, "since it's the holidays."  There are many devices that can be ignited with just the touch of a finger.  There is also the wonder of if you do mess up, does anybody really care?  Surely you aren't being watched by two busybodies who are only looking out for your "best interests."  Right?  And so what if you push a button--or two?  Who besides yourself does it really hurt?  

Ahem.  I'm not going to answer that because I think you already know the response.  Instead, right this moment, I am going to pray for you, for me, and ask God to help us to resist temptation, to flee from it when necessary, and to keep our eyes glued to the "whatsoevers" of the Bible, that are true, noble, pure, right, lovely, admirable, and of good report.  Will you pray with me?

Ahh, Lord, as You so often do, You teach me simple lessons in the baser things of life.  If I just concentrate on what is around me, I see the ways I too can be childlike in my growth and how easily Lord I can be put on the right track when I just keep my hands from reaching for things that they have no business touching.

Father?  This season is tough for so many and thus our guards aren't always up.  We get selfish when the attention is on others and we are left out of the playrooms.  We get stiff when we see others enjoying things that they probably don't deserve as much as we think we do.  We get resentful when people don't include us and so we act out.  We do things that can bring harm and future consequences that we just don't want to think about right now because sometimes, sometimes we just wanna be bad.  We wanna do the wrong thing.  We want some attention and sometimes this seems the only way to get it.

Oh Lord!  How in need of You we are!  How in need of You to fill those holes in our hearts that seem to throb and ache this time of year especially.  So, will You?  Will You pull us closer to You?  Will You whisper in our ears that these things aren't good for us but that resting in Your arms is?  Yeah, there are those of us who will resist that still small voice because it doesn't demand.  And like the stupid little sheep that we can often be, we want to be told what to do.  When no one takes this step, we feel unnoticed and uncared for.  In the light of day and in the truth of Your Word, we know this is just one of Satan's tricks.  Help us to be wise, to be wary, and to be worshipful.  May our attention be on You and the wonders You have created for us is my plea today.  May our arms extend to You and to Your Word instead of to the world?

Thank You for all You have done and all that You will do.  I love You so much, God!  Thanks for loving me too--even when my back is turned and I feel like You are too busy elsewhere to notice me.  I know this is not so!  

In the name of Jesus I pray.  Amen.

Sin will take you further

August 9, 2015

You may be done with the past, but the past isn't done with you.  Or, as Galatians 6:7 puts it:  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Good morning!  Yeah, I'm still pondering the movie from the other night that Steve and I watched, "The Gift."  It's led to quite a few interesting conversations, including bullying, human behaviour, and consequences of sin.  

Back in our day of growing up in the late 70s, early 80s, bullying wasn't much of an issue.  Oh sure:  there were whispers that occasionally became known to those who were murmured against.  At my high school, there were three cheerleaders that ran the school.  I didn't know it at the time, but when our 33rd Class Reunion took place a couple of years ago?  Several gals refused to come because of the hurts they had suffered at the hands of these 3 girls who have now gone on to become paragons of virtue.  I never was a part of their clique and didn't feel anything besides just not being "good enough" to be in the popular crowd but these others?  Maybe I was blind then, too self-involved to notice that they suffered daily from the impact made that so left an impression that 33 years later they still could not get over it.

Steve, on the other hand, told me a couple of would-be tales that might have involved stronger bullying tactics had he not been around.  His was an unspoken presence, an understood "don't mess with that one" that others seemed to just pick up on and not try to wreak havoc on one whenever he was around.  I guess they (the would-be bullies) sensed that because Steve was such a good guy, no ugliness would be tolerated in his presence.  Maybe ugliness isn't the right word, for my husband is no saint.  He's as human as the rest of us but...But there's just something different about Steve, something intangible, something that makes you want to be better when he is around because...because he is a saint.  He is a representative of God.  Then and now.  It's not something he has to proclaim on a t-shirt or place an ad about on a billboard.  No, there's just something different about him that makes you want to be different too.

Reminds me of Jesus.  Seriously.  I have said this many times and probably will say it again:  Steve is the closet thing to Christ that I have seen in the flesh.  People are drawn to him.  No, he doesn't have a bunch of followers (unless you count his 3 grandsons that want to go everywhere he goes) nor does he have 
a crusade to complete--except that of striving each day to be more like Jesus.  Which is what I think we all should aim for.  And if we did?  If we all chose to emulate the characteristics of Christ?  If we all took the time to tend to one another's needs instead of creating chaos for them?  If we all helped put the pieces back together of a puzzle that should never have been taken apart to begin with?  Oh my.  The things we could accomplish!

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."  Friends, today I want to encourage you and to warn you.  Be careful little mouths what you say.  Be careful little feet where you go.  Be careful little hands what you do.  And be careful little ears what you hear.  Don't listen to lies, to enticements, nor to schemes of man that will hurt another.  Stand up.  Be a light not a stone.  "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."  (2 Corinthians 5:10) 

Don't be foolish, folks.  Sow seeds of good and reap harvests that are beautiful and becoming to our Jesus.  Won't you?

Let's pray!

Dear Lord God, as we go about our days today, help us to--as much as possible--forget what is behind and strain toward the prize of God, for what is ahead, so that we may as much as possible live peaceably among man.  We can't do it in our own strength, Father, so please nurture us this day and the next ones as well.  May we be vessels of glory unto You, Lord God, is my hope.

Sins of the Past

"Y'all aren't going to start randomly shooting people, are you" asks the man, who with his elderly father-in-law, began to sit down a few chairs away from us last night at the movie theater.  Mostly kidding, but deathly serious underneath the camaraderie that soon followed, he assured us he was packing and wasn't afraid to defend himself.

What a sad world to live in, where just going to what was once a carefree experience now has to be so closely and carefully monitored.  But, that's what is known as a consequence and even though the sin was not ours, we have to be prepared to deal with it.

This leads me nicely into today's blog.  Last night, we saw a movie entitled "The Gift."  IMDB provides us with this summary:  

A young married couple's lives are thrown into a harrowing tailspin when an acquaintance from the husband's past brings mysterious gifts and a horrifying secret to light after more than 20 years.

"Horrifying secrets brought to light."  Do you have one?  Two?  Maybe more?  Did you think that because they were in the past that they were no longer a part of your present?  Did you think that the crazy things you did in your youth would just be laughed at and brushed away without any consequences for those poor choices?  The Book of Numbers tells us that:  you may be sure that your sin will find you out (32:23).  Now, I won't spoil this movie for you but it is a great representation of how true this verse is.

A couple of times during the movie, there were parts that literally made me jump.  The first time, we all laughed, a little self-consciously because the couple on our other side also were startled.  The second time, the fella I previously referenced outright laughed and his wife and mother-in-law (who had joined him and his f-i-l) solicitously leaned over to ask if I was okay.  No, it wasn't a horror movie--I don't do those!  It just had some great suspense moments in it that truly added to the seriousness of the theme of the movie.

{Sidebar:  isn't it great that even though we have to approach strangers with trepidation at first, that usually it only takes a few moments to form a rapport and casual friendship/acceptance of them?  I think so too!}

My past is riddled with poor choices and I often face consequences from them daily.  No, they haven't made a movie about any of them yet--thank God!--but in all seriousness, some of the things I did in my youth and even in my "wiser" years still have lingering effects.  That's why it is so vital for me to capture my thoughts before they turn into actions.  That's why I must keep a guard over my tongue so that my words don't offend.  That's why I must keep my hands from shedding innocent blood.  My feet need to be on the path God has laid out for me rather than traveling down back roads that may lead me into temptation and trouble.  Will you pray for me:  that I will make good choices and that I will seek God--not man--with my whole heart?  I'd appreciate it!  

Let's pray now!

Dear Lord, once again You have shown Yourself mighty in my life.  This movie helped me to remember that my sins--though I have been redeemed from them--still have the power to issue consequences that may be devastating to me, my family, and to my witness.  Thank You for forgiveness, Father, and while I cannot change what has already happened, I beg You for mercy and grace to let these things pass under Your love.  And if they don't?  Then I ask for more mercy, more grace, and if needed--where needed--the contriteness of spirit to apologize to those I've offended, hurt, and/or left scarred.  Be with me, Lord, as the days go on and grow me in You is my prayer.  Amen.

Throwback Thursday? Yes, please!!

May 14, 2015

Do you know what today is?  No, that was yesterday.  Today is Throwback Thursday and it has led me to ponder on a couple of things that I hope you too will think about.

To begin with, who came up with this concept of remembering and sharing those recollections with all of Facebook?  Yeah, some of those pics of you as a kid are cute but others?  Some conjure up a life that is no longer and those reflections can be dimmed by sadness.

Next, the title of this:  THROWBACK Thursday.  Now, we're getting somewhere.  Because the past is gone, indeed let's do throw it back.  Waaaay back.  Isn't that why it's behind us?  Mmn hmn.

Paul told us in Philippians 3:13-14 that "I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  Steve and I have been studying these verses the past couple of nights and last night he came up with a gem:  the past is something you have to live with not a place you have to live in.  

As he read me these words he had just penned from his journal, my head jerked up and I asked him to repeat them. "The past is something you have to live with not a place you have to live in."   Whoa!  Such wisdom from this man I am so thankful to call my husband!  Yeah, I'm sure it's been said before and pondered by us all but here it was, in a simple phrase, declaring this timeless truth:  the past is something you have to live with not a place you have to live in.

We don't have to live in the past but we do have to live with its consequences.  But, we do not have to let those choices determine our fates today though, now do we?  Nope!  We are not prisoners, enslaved to events that we may have had little if any control over.  Instead, we are more than conquerors, pressing ahead, reaching for the goal as we strive to be better day by day.  We don't have to walk around with our heads bowed low in shame.  Instead, we have been raised up, tried like gold, and are being refined in the image of Christ.  We are being made new daily, friends.  I don't know about you, but that gives me quite the sense of hope.

"...the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  My journaling last night consisted of how I love getting gifts, surprises, and accolades for a job well done.  If I stayed in the past, I would see and believe that I am not worthy of any praise, of any acknowledgments, nor any tributes.  But through the blood of Jesus, through His example of how to live and love, and through the grace of God, one day in the future I will cross that finish line and be rewarded for the good I have done.  My past won't be held against me.  Those deeds done in the flesh won't even be counted but what I did--what I do each day for Christ?  Ahh, that's where the treasure is!  I can't change the yuck I did yesterday but today is a new opportunity to shine for Jesus.  May I be one of His brightest stars today is my hope.

Let's pray!

Dear Lord, there are so many Thursdays and Mondays (oh those Mondays) and other days of the week, God, that I wish I could forget and not have to live with the consequences of.  Foolish behaviours and silly, childlike actions that separated me from You are a blight on my record.  But Lord, now that I am an adult and have put away childish things, I can grow to be more like You.  I can see clearly how effective my actions are and thus I can be more careful in my dealings, knowing that they may have lifelong implications on others.

For all the times I failed You, Lord God, I apologize.  For all the times I wasted by looking back instead of pressing forward, I sincerely regret.  Lord, my life is but a vapor.  May it be a sweet one, I pray, and not one of stench.  May the good I do linger in the air as a sweet aroma, leaving those around wondering how this small piece of heaven was revealed to them for just a moment in time is my prayer.  I ask these things in the name of my precious Jesus.  Amen.