Proverbs 3:3

 

Tablets. Many of us have one. Or two. Or some other type of electronic device that we access...hourly, dare I say, or every time it beeps at us? No longer are we bound to books, cds, Sunday morning services. We have instant access to whatever it is that our minds are thinking of. And, if you are like me, my mind thinks of more than one thing at a time. Fortunately, thanks again to our modern cyber world, our tablets, computers, phones, and so on can handle this. Too well, sometimes. I make digs at my daughter for always having her "appendage" at her fingertips. My son-in-love can hear of something he actually doesn't have all the answers to and before I know it, he has either googled it or found some app for all one could care to know about the subject.

 

The tablet of your heart is mentioned in this verse. A heart is always with you. Full of memories, full of instructions and admonitions, full of life. Reminders are there and come from any and everything. I notice almost every time I smell diesel gas how it takes me make to my farming days and riding behind the tractor, setting tobacco. When I would take my grandsons to preschool, the smell of the hallways of the concrete portion of the church always took me back to my days at Mars Hill College. I have a platter or two in my cabinet and each time, no matter how hard I fight the memories, the sight of them always makes me think of fudge and how my mother would make it for my siblings and me. There's a song, "There is Always Something There to Remind Me." Do you know it?

 

I walk along the city streets you used to walk along with me
And every step I take reminds me of just how we used to be
Well, how can I forget you, girl?
When there is always something there to remind me
Always something there to remind me

As shadows fall, I pass a small cafe where we would dance at night
And I can't help recalling how it felt to kiss and hold you tight
Well, how can I forget you, girl?
When there is always something there to remind me
Always something there to remind me

I was born to love her, and I will never be free
You'll always be a part of me

If you should find you miss the sweet and tender love we used to share
Just go back to the places where we used to go, and I'll be there
Well, how can I forget you, girl?
When there is always something there to remind me
Always something there to remind me

I was born to love her, and I will never be free
You'll always be a part of me

'Cause there is always something there to remind me
Always something there to remind me
Always something there to remind me

 

 

Memories. Visual images. Smells. Sounds. Ahh the sounds. Songs can take me back to so many places.

 

We all have the things that attract us to remembering things. Whatever they may be, they should all in some way point us back to the statutes, the truths, the love that God has shown to us. "Let love and faithfulness never leave you: bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." Do we really need to be reminded to love, to be faithful? Well, yeah. How great would it be when we mess up or start to cross a line for our tablets/electronic devices/phones to beep at us, to warn us that a storm is coming, like our weather apps do? What if we had a special ringtone for an upcoming event that alerted us of an upcoming opportunity to serve, to be faithful to the things of our God? My SIL is a paramedic and the 911 system is what leads him to each call. What if we had a 911 system on our heart tablets, telling us we were needed? Many of the calls he answers are actually ones where the "patient" just needs some attention, some assistance. He doesn't know this when he sets out; he just responds. As Christians, isn't that supposed to be our reaction too: to just respond? Whether by listening, offering a helping hand, or just sharing life with someone, it is our duty to be faithful, to love.

 

So, the next time you are near your own personal appendage, give it a closer look. Check out its many apps. Which ones do you use the most? Which are most helpful? Which are most likely to distract you from the things around you rather than reminding you that these things are in need of love, of attention? Use your tablets for good, won't you? Oh sure, mine has the Bible things on it too. We can justify anything, if we try hard enough. However, let's use our tablets for their purpose and not let them bind us to them. Let's pray:

 

Dear God, I confess to You right now that I am too often a slave to technology. I spend more time on this thing that is supposed to make my life easier, to make me more knowledgeable, to direct me to the hot and happening places, but in truth keeps me more impersonal and less likely to see what is going on around me in my own little world while I am surfing the World Wide Web for things to amuse me. Help me, God, to use my tablet wisely. And the next time I get a ping, or a whistle, or some other sound to alert me to something, may I instead pretend that that is a personal message from You, reminding me to be loving, to be faithful, to be aware of situations that are in need of one of Your kids' help.

 

Thank You for the advances in life that I appreciate and that indeed do make my life simpler. May I use the Bible apps to study Your Word more. May I use the music features to hear songs that edify You. May the photos and videos I post be ones that make You smile and not be ones that might offend others. When I tweet, may I—like a bird—tweet things that are honorable, admirable, true, right, and honest. Help me, please, Father, to bind Your words and truths in my heart and then to apply them to my life. In Jesus' Name I pray, amen.

John 14:2

Wandering Through the Bible

July 5

 

In My Father's house are many rooms, if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. John 14:2

On Wednesday night, I was researching some houses to rent while we go on vacation. Imagine my delight when I found one and it featured a purple room. Not as homey as my Pretty Purple Room, but I went ahead and placed dibs on it. By grabs, I saw it first and I wanted it for myself! Plus, we were sponsoring the trip so it was only fair that I should get the prettiest (in my opinion) dwelling place. Besides, other than Walker, no one else really likes purple so I felt safe in this room being mine should we choose to stay at this rental property.

Fast forward to eternity. We are on the other side and Jesus is showing us around His house. Imagine my extreme pleasure when He opens up a door and says, "Stefanie, My child, this is the room I made for you. It's purple, just as I knew you loved. I've been working on it for quite some time now. Do you like it? I've got you some scrapbooking things here and over there in that corner are some books for you. And of course, knowing how you love music, I've assembled some of the most heavenly tunes you could imagine! Naturally there is a blanket or two for you, seeing as how I know you like to snuggle. I even hid some York Peppermint Patties in a secret place for you. I'm so glad you are here, Stefanie, and I have worked hard on making this room to your liking. What do you think?"

Far fetched? Nah, I don't think so. Jesus knows me, knows what I like, knows what pleases me. Just as you and I prepare for guests and try to have the little things to make their stay pleasurable and comfortable, He too is making our new homes ones that we will love and ones that show His love for us. He told us this and I am very excited about it. Growing up, I always had to share a room. When I went to college, I had to share that room too. Then I got married and, believe it or not, had to share that room. It was only recently, in the past 8 years or so, that I finally got to have my own room. And it is great! It has my favorite things in it: photographs are all over the walls, Walker and Connor's artwork decorate in various places, my closet is a scrapbooking collection of supplies, I have a tv on my boudoir so I can watch General Hospital. There is an electric fireplace for those cold fall and winter days. I have a huge desk just made for scrapping. A comfy chair is in one corner for me to pile up in and read and write to my heart's content. A file cabinet holds my personal papers and collections. And yes, there is a cute little box Walker and I made together that holds my special mints.

Will my room in heaven be pretty and purple? I hope so! But the truth is, I'd settle for just a hole in the wall as long as Jesus is there. Can you imagine having Him for a roommate?! The late night talks (yeah, I know there is no night but just go with me here), the discussions over the novels we've read, the laughter over the pictures and videos of times past, the sweet discussions as He explains to me why such and such happened and how He used that to make me a better person? Ahh, it's going to be so great! I just hope He finishes up soon so we can all be up there together and start the celebration! Let's pray!

Dear God, how very wonderful it is that Your Son is preparing my new home. To be invited to live with You all is such an honor! I look forward to it and am anticipating many wonderful times together, just sitting around and talking it all over with You. I have so many questions, so many thoughts, so many things I need explained and I am looking forward to the day when You call me home. Home. What a wonderful word! Thank You for preparing this for me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen!

Proverbs 3:5

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Wandering Through the Bible

July 3

 

"You don't know" are probably three of the most-heard words at my house. It all started years ago, when I tried to get my oldest grandson to say these words to Steve: PawPaw, you don't know. What fun we have had (yes, often at Steve's expense) when Walker would utter these words when he'd ask Steve something and the response wasn't what he wanted to hear. Granny was exalted because the next words were "Granny knows! Granny knows everything!"

Fast-forward two or so years, when my youngest grandson began to really converse. Oh how he loves music! And, who knew one could glean so much biblical knowledge from The Beatles? For instance, "All You Need is Love," "Help," and "The Long and Winding Road" are examples of how you can find Christ in any song, in any situation as long as you are looking for Him. Do you know the song "Hello Goodbye" by The Beatles? The chorus goes like this:
You say yes, I say no
You say stop and I say go, go, go
Oh, no You say goodbye and I say hello.

However, in Granny's version, the lyrics go like this:

You say yes, I say no
You say stop and PawPaw he don't know
Oh, he don't know
You say goodbye and PawPaw he don't know.

Ahh yes, we have gotten lots of mileage out of this song. Connor just hears PawPaw's name and instantly says, "PawPaw, you don't know. I know. Granny knows. But you don't know." Often Walker will pipe up and say, "Yes he does. PawPaw knows. A little."

Today's verse deals with understanding and if the truth be told, I don't know. I know so little. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5. So much I don't understand. External things like solar systems and dinosaurs my sweet little five-year-old grandson can explain in ways that are far beyond me. Emotional things like how I can weasel some extra hugs and kisses from Connor when I tell him as he passes by that I need a hug and a smooch. He runs over, piles up in my lap, and gives me both, then asks if that is better. I tell him, "Not quite. Can I have another?" He acquiesces and asks again,"Is that enough" "Um, not quite. Can I have one more?" I'll say. For the life of me, I don't know where he gets his sweetness and patience for Granny from.

The things of God I also don't often understand. So many tragedies have been brought to our attention lately: bombs at marathons, school shootings, firemen killed while trying to save the lives and homes of strangers, tornadoes ripping through and destroying neighborhoods, destroying lives. Friends and neighbors losing their homes due to the economy. When tragedies strike, folks tend to come together and I am constantly surprised when I hear of the amount of money that comes in instantly. When "Hollywood" becomes involved, the world seems to pay more attention. And how many times have you heard the expression "Our thoughts and prayers are with you?" I wonder: seriously? Seriously those media personalities are praying for the victims of these acts? Does God really hear them? Does He really hear me?

Yes, He does. He is listening, waiting for me to come to Him, to cast my cares upon Him, for Him to enlighten me and draw from His wisdom. As mentioned before, I don't know. I don't have all of the answers, contrary to my grandsons unwavering belief that I do. Oh my, can you imagine if I leaned on God and His power the way that these boys do me?! If I just went to Him with blind faith, knowing He would take care of whatever it is that is troubling me or that I need taken care of? And then, if I accepted His answers, His responses and went on about my own business like these cuties do, how much peace I could have?

"With all your heart." My grandsons trust me with theirs. I don't let them down if at all possible and I tell you what: I do all I can to make them happy. I know what they need and if they haven't asked for it in the right way, I do what I can to take care of their needs. Fruit instead of cookies? Milk instead of soda? Books instead of tv? Their needs are being met, perhaps a little differently than their wants. But at the end of the day, guess what? It's still Granny's House they want to come to. It's Granny's House that they want to spend their time at. They'd rather eat here then to go out. It's Granny who they say is the best. Their love for me is pure and even though I occasionally discipline them when they act up, they know it is with love. They know they are loved, cherished, and valued.


They know they can trust me. They know with me they are safe, taken care of, secure. Now, Father God, give me their eyes, their hearts, their faith and let me turn to You like they turn to me. You know. You understand. Help me, God, to lean on You is my prayer.

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