The Myth....
Thanks to the movies, the myth of the knight in shining armor, riding in on a white horse to save the damsel in distress has, for many become the dream of this generations newlyweds. However, in most cases it still just a lovely myth.
When I hear the words to this song, (Broken Together by Casting Crowns,) I think about the ups and downs of the 40 year struggle my husband and I had. I will have been widowed 10 years this November. Remembering the highs and lows of our marriage is kind of like reading a novel about two lovers who had stars in their eyes but never gave up when the glitter became tarnished.
Our mutual trust in our Savior, Jesus Christ, is what kept us together.... not the romance or the children or even our ultimate unconditional love for each.
As my own grandchildren are just beginning to step into this season of life, I would pray that they look a little deeper than the fairy tale wedding and ask themselves if this is the man/woman, that I can lean on if the going gets rough ????
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Monday, March 19, 2018
Say Something
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING (positive) SAY SOMETHING 👠👠ðŸ‘
Yesterday after church, I ran into Walmart to pick up a few things. As usual the place was filled with the after church families doing the same thing. But in and amongst the crowd, there were those families just trying to get through the isle without a melt down of their small children.
I feel for these families. Most have not had the discipline and training themselves...yet alone the ability to pass along positive corrective behavior. However, I got a real surprise and a spiritual "jab" at my jaded perspective of this generation.
Standing in the freezer food isle, I heard a commotion up ahead of me. A child of about 2 1/2 was screaming, as only a small child can do.. lol. I really didn't know exactly what was going on but something in me knew I needed to pay attention.
The child, with lifted hands over head kept screaming.."hold me ... hold me..."
The young father was about 25-28, scruffy looking, unshaven and appeared to be very tired. He had a list in his hand and was going over it with the wife. The basket was partially filled. Not sure what the background story on this was, but she was either sick or overwhelmed..at any rate the father seemed intent on helping her make some decisions...all the while, this child was screaming and causing those of us in the isle to be a little uneasy.
All of a sudden, this man turned to this child and calmly said, " I told you when you wanted to get out of the basket that you would have to walk. I could not carry you." The child continued to scream.."hold me." I expected to see him pick her up and carry her...giving in to the demands of the child....as I see so often in young parents.
But then I saw him do something I rarely see in public. Ignoring the frustration of the other shoppers around him, he bent down and said..."walking or back in the cart...which will it be..." she said "hold me"...again, I expected him to pick her up and start carrying her just to alleviate the screaming.
But, he didn't. He just picked her up and put her in the basket. ..no easy task for trying to get a mad, screaming child with legs flailing into the leg holes of the basket. But he did this calmly...without talking to the child .. not reminding her that she had made her decision..just being consistent to the consequences of what he had told the child. Then he went back to helping his wife.
I know I was standing there with my mouth open. The child quickly quit crying, knowing...even at her young age that she had made her decision. I don't know where this young man was taught these skills , but being early childhood specialist, I was very impressed.
The isle quickly cleared out and we all went about our business. As I continued on my way, I had a spiritual nudge to compliment this young father on how he handled this frustrating situation in front of the audience of shoppers.
So I turned around and located him. I told him I was proud of the way he had handled the situation and to have a blessed day. By the way, the little girl still had tears in her eyes, but she was sitting quietly...lesson learned.
As an older adult, I sometimes cringe at the inconsistency of the parenting skills of this generation.. but I would challenge you that if you see a young parent "doing it right," to say something. Many have no model to pull from and are just doing the best they can.
Have a great day.. !!!!
Yesterday after church, I ran into Walmart to pick up a few things. As usual the place was filled with the after church families doing the same thing. But in and amongst the crowd, there were those families just trying to get through the isle without a melt down of their small children.
I feel for these families. Most have not had the discipline and training themselves...yet alone the ability to pass along positive corrective behavior. However, I got a real surprise and a spiritual "jab" at my jaded perspective of this generation.
Standing in the freezer food isle, I heard a commotion up ahead of me. A child of about 2 1/2 was screaming, as only a small child can do.. lol. I really didn't know exactly what was going on but something in me knew I needed to pay attention.
The child, with lifted hands over head kept screaming.."hold me ... hold me..."
The young father was about 25-28, scruffy looking, unshaven and appeared to be very tired. He had a list in his hand and was going over it with the wife. The basket was partially filled. Not sure what the background story on this was, but she was either sick or overwhelmed..at any rate the father seemed intent on helping her make some decisions...all the while, this child was screaming and causing those of us in the isle to be a little uneasy.
All of a sudden, this man turned to this child and calmly said, " I told you when you wanted to get out of the basket that you would have to walk. I could not carry you." The child continued to scream.."hold me." I expected to see him pick her up and carry her...giving in to the demands of the child....as I see so often in young parents.
But then I saw him do something I rarely see in public. Ignoring the frustration of the other shoppers around him, he bent down and said..."walking or back in the cart...which will it be..." she said "hold me"...again, I expected him to pick her up and start carrying her just to alleviate the screaming.
But, he didn't. He just picked her up and put her in the basket. ..no easy task for trying to get a mad, screaming child with legs flailing into the leg holes of the basket. But he did this calmly...without talking to the child .. not reminding her that she had made her decision..just being consistent to the consequences of what he had told the child. Then he went back to helping his wife.
I know I was standing there with my mouth open. The child quickly quit crying, knowing...even at her young age that she had made her decision. I don't know where this young man was taught these skills , but being early childhood specialist, I was very impressed.
The isle quickly cleared out and we all went about our business. As I continued on my way, I had a spiritual nudge to compliment this young father on how he handled this frustrating situation in front of the audience of shoppers.
So I turned around and located him. I told him I was proud of the way he had handled the situation and to have a blessed day. By the way, the little girl still had tears in her eyes, but she was sitting quietly...lesson learned.
As an older adult, I sometimes cringe at the inconsistency of the parenting skills of this generation.. but I would challenge you that if you see a young parent "doing it right," to say something. Many have no model to pull from and are just doing the best they can.
Have a great day.. !!!!
Monday, March 5, 2018
Testimony Time
TESTIMONY TIME...
In biblical times people heard about the the power and mercy and faithfulness of God through stories handed down trough the generations...the flood..the dividing of the Red Sea...the Manna for food...the raising of the dead etc..etc. when I was growing up, I remember times set apart on Wednesday nights for personal testimony.
As a young child, I remember loving the retelling of these personal testimonies and took them to heart as a contemporary foundation that God Is Alive. Jesus Christ did die but rose...he doesn't just live in my heart in some dark, unknown space where I can't see him. He is Spirit and Truth...and I can depend on him in my personal life, because I saw him come alive in the personal testaments of my elders.
Having seen this once common part of the "church" experience be extinguished because of a variety of reasons ...but mostly because the pastors could not control the exuberance and length of their flocks personal experiences... (another nail in the box God has been put in.)
Is it any wonder that the youth of today have decided that God is dead...they have never seen him live 😫😩
I have experienced many, many personal testimonies and try to pass them on to my children and grandchildren as truth that the spirit of God lives ...today , just as it did yesterday and we can count on it for tomorrow.
That said, I would like to hear from other Facebook Friends in the retelling of what God has saved you from, directed you in a miraculous way or otherwise reminded you ...He Is Alive. I will start you off ...
Somewhere around the year of 1985, my husband and I, along with my daughters Rachel Holloway Moore and Maegan Combs were returning from a visit with family in West Virginia. We left early in the morning because we had to be back at our job as houseparents at the Boys Ranch in Batesville, Ark. that evening.
Coming down from the mountains at that time in the morning, the fog was so think, we could not see very far ahead of us.
All of a sudden, like a horrible nightmare. We saw standing the road before us, a small child. His clothing was torn, bloody and he he stood perfectly still in the middle of the road in front of us...on the highway. Too this day, I still remember his face, surrounded by the thick fog. My husband Dan, was an excellent driver, but there is no way, he kept from hitting that child, except by the protection of the hand of God. There was no car that we could see by the side of the road...where had this child come from????
He was obviously in shock and kept on saying, "am I going to die?" Finally, I was able to calm him down enough to find out that the car he was in, had gone off the road and down a ravine. Mind you, this was before cell phones.
We seemed to be the only ones on the road at the time. So, we put this small boy in the car with my daughters and Dan and I started looking in this thick fog..as best we could for w where the car went over. Finally we found it. We made it down the small ravine and found the car. It had obviously turned over several times. The mother was alive but pinned. We told her that her little boy was safe and that we would try to go for help. She thanked us but then said " could you see about my twin girls. They were in the back seat, and I can't hear them." I about fainted...there was alkinds of luggage and household goods in the back seat...but I didn't readily see or hear any baby.
So, I started slowly pulling what "stuff" I could reach out of the car....All the while trying to keep the mother calm . Then I saw the first one. Remember. This was before mandatory car seats.) She was laying calmly...eyes wide open...on top of a fluffy pile of blankets..I prefer to think she had been held by angels wings until the car stopped rolling.
I carefully pulled her out and climbed with her up the ravine and put her in a very surprised Rachel's' lap.( Rachel was about 12 at the time.) Then I turned around and went back for the 2nd baby. Meanwhile, my husband Dan, was trying to stop someone to find a phone and alert the police of the situation.
Back at the wreck site, I continued to carefully sift through the car stuff to locate another 6wk old baby...praying all the time that she would not be in pieces. Finally, I heard a very weak cry. Again, I found a best,tiny little girl tucked within some padding of laundry. There appeared to be some blood on the clothing and she was asleep or unconscious...I didn't know. As careful as I could, I took her out from her little "safe place.
Just as I placed the 2nd twin in Maegans lap, I could hear sirens in the distance. To make a Long, long story short, the medical people came, got the mom out of the car and put her and the children in the same ambulance. According to the paramedics, it appeared they all were going to be ok. Turns out, this family was moving to another state. The dad was already there.
There were so many things that could have gone wrong in this situation. But God directed our every move. The Angels of protection were in place for all of us.
This is just one of many times where I was convinced that God is real...he is alive and will direct us while protecting us.
Now it is your turn...tell us all one of your testimonies of who God is.
The world wants to be reminded that God Is Not Dead !!!!!
In biblical times people heard about the the power and mercy and faithfulness of God through stories handed down trough the generations...the flood..the dividing of the Red Sea...the Manna for food...the raising of the dead etc..etc. when I was growing up, I remember times set apart on Wednesday nights for personal testimony.
As a young child, I remember loving the retelling of these personal testimonies and took them to heart as a contemporary foundation that God Is Alive. Jesus Christ did die but rose...he doesn't just live in my heart in some dark, unknown space where I can't see him. He is Spirit and Truth...and I can depend on him in my personal life, because I saw him come alive in the personal testaments of my elders.
Having seen this once common part of the "church" experience be extinguished because of a variety of reasons ...but mostly because the pastors could not control the exuberance and length of their flocks personal experiences... (another nail in the box God has been put in.)
Is it any wonder that the youth of today have decided that God is dead...they have never seen him live 😫😩
I have experienced many, many personal testimonies and try to pass them on to my children and grandchildren as truth that the spirit of God lives ...today , just as it did yesterday and we can count on it for tomorrow.
That said, I would like to hear from other Facebook Friends in the retelling of what God has saved you from, directed you in a miraculous way or otherwise reminded you ...He Is Alive. I will start you off ...
Somewhere around the year of 1985, my husband and I, along with my daughters Rachel Holloway Moore and Maegan Combs were returning from a visit with family in West Virginia. We left early in the morning because we had to be back at our job as houseparents at the Boys Ranch in Batesville, Ark. that evening.
Coming down from the mountains at that time in the morning, the fog was so think, we could not see very far ahead of us.
All of a sudden, like a horrible nightmare. We saw standing the road before us, a small child. His clothing was torn, bloody and he he stood perfectly still in the middle of the road in front of us...on the highway. Too this day, I still remember his face, surrounded by the thick fog. My husband Dan, was an excellent driver, but there is no way, he kept from hitting that child, except by the protection of the hand of God. There was no car that we could see by the side of the road...where had this child come from????
He was obviously in shock and kept on saying, "am I going to die?" Finally, I was able to calm him down enough to find out that the car he was in, had gone off the road and down a ravine. Mind you, this was before cell phones.
We seemed to be the only ones on the road at the time. So, we put this small boy in the car with my daughters and Dan and I started looking in this thick fog..as best we could for w where the car went over. Finally we found it. We made it down the small ravine and found the car. It had obviously turned over several times. The mother was alive but pinned. We told her that her little boy was safe and that we would try to go for help. She thanked us but then said " could you see about my twin girls. They were in the back seat, and I can't hear them." I about fainted...there was alkinds of luggage and household goods in the back seat...but I didn't readily see or hear any baby.
So, I started slowly pulling what "stuff" I could reach out of the car....All the while trying to keep the mother calm . Then I saw the first one. Remember. This was before mandatory car seats.) She was laying calmly...eyes wide open...on top of a fluffy pile of blankets..I prefer to think she had been held by angels wings until the car stopped rolling.
I carefully pulled her out and climbed with her up the ravine and put her in a very surprised Rachel's' lap.( Rachel was about 12 at the time.) Then I turned around and went back for the 2nd baby. Meanwhile, my husband Dan, was trying to stop someone to find a phone and alert the police of the situation.
Back at the wreck site, I continued to carefully sift through the car stuff to locate another 6wk old baby...praying all the time that she would not be in pieces. Finally, I heard a very weak cry. Again, I found a best,tiny little girl tucked within some padding of laundry. There appeared to be some blood on the clothing and she was asleep or unconscious...I didn't know. As careful as I could, I took her out from her little "safe place.
Just as I placed the 2nd twin in Maegans lap, I could hear sirens in the distance. To make a Long, long story short, the medical people came, got the mom out of the car and put her and the children in the same ambulance. According to the paramedics, it appeared they all were going to be ok. Turns out, this family was moving to another state. The dad was already there.
There were so many things that could have gone wrong in this situation. But God directed our every move. The Angels of protection were in place for all of us.
This is just one of many times where I was convinced that God is real...he is alive and will direct us while protecting us.
Now it is your turn...tell us all one of your testimonies of who God is.
The world wants to be reminded that God Is Not Dead !!!!!
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