All Aboard!

Yesterday, my family and I enjoyed an afternoon of fun at Tweetsie Railroad.  It was our youngest grandson's first time and we were all excited to show him around and watch his face and hear his expressions of delight as this new world was opened up to him.

During a rare moment of having him to myself while the others rode the "big kid" rides, I scanned the crowd and saw this guy that made me think "Hey, that looks a lot like this fella I used to know.  Hmn."  About that time, my wandering eyes alighted upon this woman who was definitely his wife.  Delighted, I cried out her name and then...well, then it was kind of awkward.

Obviously, they were not there alone.  I mean, who goes to Tweetsie without kids, right?  Anyways, we did the usual "Hey, it's so good to see you" fluff and banter and then, did I mention it got awkward?  Sigh.  A while later, our paths crossed again but this time most of my family was with me.  We talked about our kids for a moment but as often happens at amusement parks, said kids want some quality time and attention with their caregivers so the conversation soon ended.

On the way home as Steve and I were alone once more, my great husband proved once again why he is my favorite and why I am not always as crazy as some one tries to whisper in my ear that I am.

"Uh, was the conversation strained or was it just my imagination" he asked of me.  Relieved that he too had noticed, we discussed our "reunion" with this couple and tried to decipher when the exact moment was that we had gone from being great friends who depended on one another for most things to these near strangers who really didn't seem to wish to be in the other couple's orbit.  "What happened anyways" Steve asked me?

Now, the old me would have immediately harped on things that were said, feelings that were deeply hurt, and betrayal that ran deep.  But you know what?  I couldn't find that old Stef!  As a matter of fact, I didn't want to.  Like in those movies you see sometimes where you are having a conversation with someone and the "heavenly you" observes from over your shoulder, I heard myself saying something to the effect of "I really don't remember.  Nor do I care to.  Those things were a while back and I have found when I dwell on my past, all too often it just hurts me.  And I'm tired of the devil constantly trying to steal my joy.  So, instead, Lover, it's buried somewhere deep inside and to be honest, I am not interested in trying to dig it up."

Like God promised His children in the book of Isaiah:

"Do not remember the former things,
Nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing..."

How wonderful He is to take those negative events and replace them with new:  new opportunities to build friendships that are sustainable; new folks who are mature enough to handle difficulties when they arise; and new...things!  He ends this verse with "Shall you not know it?"

Well, yes, Lord, I believe I shall!  There's a reason my past is behind me and the times I waste going back there are most often non-productive.  So, yes, Father, I want to know these new things, want to know You better, and want to know what real love is!  Thank You once again for fresh mercies each day.  You are the best!

I want to see the world with new eyes and enjoy experiences with fresh thoughts, much as my sweet gson did yesterday.  And while I will rely on my big brothers to sometimes show me the best things to look at, to ride, and of course to eat, I will mostly appreciate that I get to do so each time I make the oh-so-wise choice to press forward and strain toward the prize ahead and forget what is behind.  After all, who runs a race backwards?  I might not have started so well but let me tell you this, friends:  I intend to finish well!  

This Is Not A Drill

Have you seen and heard the reports coming out of Canada about the massive wildfires burning up the land?  The news is full of them, full of stories of folks being told to get out, immediately, taking nothing with them, as the endeavor to keep them alive reaches fever pitch.  Then, to prove that what they warned of was true, the viewers are privy to pictures of towns decimated by the fires, no buildings left standing, no possessions left to claim.  It's a terrifying situation that sadly has no end in sight.

Sigh.

Kind of reminds me of another warning.  Have you heard it, friends?  It's from the book of Hebrews and goes like this (I emphasized a few words): 

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.

I'll leave you to draw your own correlations between the need for survival eternally as well as the need to escape the fires that threaten to consume the things in your life.  Please don't ignore the flames that right now may just be smoldering, friends.  Make your escape plan sure.  

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.