Tag: Family

All I Really Need to Know, I Learned From…

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Isn’t it ironic how some of life’s most important lessons aren’t learned in the classroom at all?

My high school English teacher, Mrs. Kotyuk, had a poster on her wall that humorously testified to this very fact.

It was one of those “All I Really Need to Know in Life, I learned from ________” posters.

I’m sure you’ve seen one before — and chances are, your teacher had one, too! 🤓

The concept for the posters came from a book written in 1986 titled, “All I Really Need to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten.”

And since then, there’s been no shortage of spin-off themes, ranging anywhere from Star Trek to Mexican hat-dancing 🤣 — each showcasing it’s own unique list of witty little tongue-in-cheek adages that apply to life.

The idea of life lessons learned outside the classroom never rang truer than it did last week when the kids were out of school for spring break, and we decided to take them to the local theme park.

I’ll tell you what, school may have been out, but visiting a theme park in peak season is an education all its own. 😳

And now I somehow feel strangely qualified 🤔 to write an “All I Really Need to Know” list of my very own 😳🤣😜😬.…

ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW, I LEARNED FROM A DAY AT THE THEME PARK:

1. Good things come to those who wait.

— that is, as long as the ride doesn’t experience technical difficulties and have to shut down after you’ve waited 2 hours in line. 🙄🙄🙄 (Not that I would know from experience or anything…🤣).

I guess we could’ve bought the “fast passes” that let you skip the line, but we’re a little too budget conscious (aka cheap) for that…

So, as I stood in the lines for hours on end, one of the thoughts that crossed my mind was: Why are there so many people willing to wait in a 2 hour line for a 3 minute ride — but won’t attend a 2 hour worship service that has eternal impact on their souls? 😔

Maybe it’s because it’s because in Christ’s kingdom, there are no fast passes. You can’t just buy your way out of line. In fact, He promises that “the last shall be first, and the first last.” (Matthew 20:16)

What that really means is that those who cut ahead in this life for their own personal gain, won’t be rewarded by God in eternity. But it’s those who wait patiently, putting the commands of God before their own desires, and the needs of others before their own needs, who will be rewarded in the final judgment.

2. Just enjoy the ride.

The lines may have been long, but the rides were still short — as is this life.

In fact, sometimes this life feels like a roller coaster itself! We’re buckled in to the very end and in some ways all we can do is hang on and try to enjoy the ride.

Though we are ultimately fixing our eyes on Jesus and looking forward to Heaven, through the ups and downs, twists and turns, God does wants us to find some joy in this short life —

“Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot.” – Ecclesiastes 5:18

3. The best things in life are free.

They say you get what you pay for…well, except at theme parks, where you end up paying $75 dollars for a couple of chicken tenders and a non-refillable coke. 🤣

(My husband learned this the hard way …turns out the $5 one-use paper cups now have little sensors on the bottom that detect if you try to fill your drink more than once. 🙄)

But, wait! The good news is, for the low, low price of only $18, you can buy a reusable plastic cup that is good for unlimited fountain drink refills throughout the park.

Sound like a steal? Sure, compared to the paper cups…but the only catch is it’s only good for one day…if you bring the cup back to the park with you the next day, you have to pay an additional $11 to reactivate it. 😳

Listen, I may be thirsty, but I ain’t that thirsty. I’ll take my chances on an ambulance and a saline drip before I consent to that kind of highway robbery. 😂

And in comparison, Jesus’ offer has never sounded sweeter.

His water is free: “…I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts’” (Revelation 21:6) and “…whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)

4. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

It’s not just the crowds, costs, and coasters that are hard on you at the theme park, but sometimes it’s the elements themselves. Weather-wise, you never know what a day at the park is going to throw your way.

Cold and rain? Heat and sun? Either way, it pays to plan ahead and come prepared.

And it starts with listening to the forecast and heeding it’s warnings.

If there’s a chance of rain, bring your umbrella…or you’ll end up soaked and miserable…(or out $20 bucks for an oversized plastic trash bag, otherwise known as a poncho 😂).

If the forecast calls for sunny skies, you’ll definitely need plenty of sunscreen —- either that or plenty of aloe after it’s all said and done. 😂

God says we should heed the warnings in our spiritual lives as well…he wants us to be conscientious and prudent in our spiritual actions…not just “learning the hard way” and then asking for forgiveness all the time —

“And Samuel said, ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.’” – I Samuel 15:22

5. Never judge a book by its cover.

Our sons have recently taken an interest in the Harry Potter books, which is why we chose to visit Universal over Disney this time — so they could check out the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. 😊

But it didn’t take long to realize that we weren’t the only ones there for that reason. The Harry Potter section was easily the most popular part of the park.

People were not only flocking to the rides there, but to the shops as well. They came out carrying interactive wands, drinking butter beers, and wearing the classic Hogwarts’ robes all around the park.

Honestly, it was neat to see such enthusiasm…but there were some people wearing robes that I would have otherwise never pegged as Harry Potter fans.

I witnessed people of all races, ages, and sexes traipsing about the park, much as if they were at Hogwarts itself.

And that’s what really got me thinking…how often are we guilty of pegging people as not likely to receive the gospel? When in reality, they could be the very ones who need to hear it most!

How can we deny any individual the opportunity to one day wear a robe…and a crown? (Mark 16:15)

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Despite the crowds and the costs, at the end of the day, the kids said they had the best day ever, they both got to ride their first big roller coaster (and I had personally learned a lot more than I bargained for)…so I’d call it a success.

But our “dogs were barking” so-to-speak, we were tired, and just ready to go home!

How about you? Have you ever felt that way?

Spiritually speaking, this life has its wonderful moments, but it can also wear you down worse than a day at the theme park! But the reality is, we won’t be here forever. Our admission is limited and our passes will eventually expire.

When they do, will you be ready to go home?

The only way to know for sure is by obeying God’s Word…after all, when it really comes down to it…

All You Really Need to Know, You Can Learn From the Bible. ❤️

Until next time…

-PWAP

The “Keep the Van Clean” Contract

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Well, here I am again…another weekday afternoon spent just waiting in the school car rider line. It’s a 30 minute drive here, and at least a 30 minute wait once I’m parked.

With gas prices at $4.00 per gallon right now, my wallet doesn’t like that very much…but that’s ok — I also do some of my best thinking during this quiet ride.

Sometimes my husband comes with. On those days, we do more talking than thinking.

And then there’s those times when my husband drives himself — and on those days, he’s got one thing and one thing only on his mind:

Beat 👏 The 👏 Odysseys. 😂

— The Honda Odysseys, to be exact.

I don’t know whether it’s his competitive spirit or just that he wants to be the first to nab the super shady parking spot on 90 degree days 🥵 — but let me tell you, that man is on a mission. 🤣

Part of me can understand why he’d want to upstage the Odysseys though.

I mean, they do give off a slightly condescending vibe 😒 — what with their automatic doors, fresh wax jobs, and…ALL THOSE Disney passholder decals. 🤭🙄🙄🙄🤣

I kid.

But they certainly are a far cry from our dusty Kia van…whose only embellishment is a “custom pinstripe” down one side, courtesy of the sand hill cranes in our neighborhood, who viciously attacked it with their beaks during last year’s mating season. 🤦‍♀️

And don’t even get me started on the interior, which right now straight up looks like an episode of hoarders.

Literally every time those van doors open, I’m silently praying that one of our McDonald’s wrappers doesn’t go flying out the door like that feather from Forrest Gump.

But honestly people, it wasn’t always like this.

Believe it or not, our van was once in mint condition…even had that “new car smell” for at least a month after we drove it off the lot.

Ahhh, I still remember signing those purchase agreement papers like it was yesterday. 🥰

Our oldest son, who was about six at the time, was with us that day…he was busy playing a game on the iPad while we haggled with the salesman.

And that’s when my husband came up with the brilliant idea to quietly pull the salesman aside and ask if he would draw up a little “contract” for our son to sign as well — a “Keep the Van Clean” contract. 🤣

Thankfully, the salesman was eager to play along. And the hilarity that ensued was almost too much to bear with a straight face…

My husband vacated the seat nearest to the sales desk and motioned for my son to take his place…without missing a beat, the salesman began to explain to my son that indeed he too had a part to play in this whole purchase process.

We watched and listened as the salesman in his most professional composure walked my son through all the details of the “Keep the Van Clean” contract…🤣

My son looked at me in disbelief…would the van really be repossessed if we didn’t keep it clean?!?! 😳😳😳😳😳😱🤯

I bit my lip to keep from bursting out in laughter and somehow managed to nod soberly — but then immediately looked away as tears of laughter began rolling down my cheeks. 😂

We still have a carbon copy of that “contract” tucked away in our glove box for safe-keeping. 🤣

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Fast forward to today and despite the best of intentions, we obviously did not in fact end up keeping the van clean. 😩

Don’t get me wrong, we do take it through the car wash every now and again…always vowing afterward to “never eat fast food in here again.” But it’s never long before we’ve messed things up once more.

Good thing our local car wash has an option for an unlimited pass — for a monthly fee, you can drive through the wash and use the vacuums as many times as you need.

And that’s when I got to thinking…when it comes down to it, we’re all just like those minivans. And no matter how nice looking our “van” is on the outside, we all get all messy on the inside sometimes.

And God knows that.

He knows we’re messy…he knows life is rough and we tend to go off road sometimes…and get a little mud on our tires…we get busy and instead of consuming the bread of life from his Word, we’re stopping at a drive thru and keeping the evidence in a pile on our floorboards.

He also knows that just like my dirty old van, we as sinners are in desperate need of washing too — in need of cleansing from all our sins.

So through the blood of Christ the Lamb, He offers unlimited washes to us, too.

And best yet, God’s wash is free. Praise God the price has already been paid for you and me through Jesus’ sacrifice. 🙏❤️🙏

There is one stipulation though…

Our local car wash is open from dawn to dusk — daylight hours only. As convenient as it would be sometimes to we can’t expect to run through the carwash after business hours (when it’s dark), it’s closed. The washers aren’t working.

And just as we can’t run our van through the carwash in the middle of the night, we also cannot expect God to cleanse us when we are willfully walking in darkness. (Hebrew 10:26-29; Romans 6:1)

We must continue to walk in the light in order to receive that continual forgiveness and cleansing — to receive the blessing and privilege of unlimited washes. (I John 1:5-10) That means, following the example and teachings of Jesus in out everyday lives.

The “Keep the Van Clean” contract is a lot like God’s law for us. We should aim to be holy as He is holy — to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. But alas, we are human and we fail — the car wash is His grace for us through Jesus.

Take advantage of that wonderful grace today by acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God and your Savior, repenting of your sins, and being baptized for the remission of your sins. It’s a limited time offer too good to pass up! ❤️

Until next time…

-PWAP

Forgive and Forget

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The other day, my six-year-old son came running to me from the playroom with a flushed face and big crocodile tears in his eyes.

Assuming he had been wrestling around with his big brother again, I braced myself for impact as I anxiously asked, “Buddy — what’s wrong?!??”

He buried his head in the arm of my chair as he broke down into full-on sobs. I stroked and patted his little back, waiting to hear what had happened.

Eventually, through his tears he got a few words out a a time: “Mom…I’m…so…sorry!!!”

“For what?!?” I said.

“Remember that time…I broke the…the…the pirate flashlight? I’m sorry!!!”

Despite his conviction, I honestly couldn’t remember the incident at all …but I knew what he was referring to because he’s told me this story before at random intervals. Always with tears in his eyes. 😔🥺 He’s my youngest and my most sensitive child.

The supposed transgression apparently happened a few years ago when we were living in our previous house. From what I’m told, I bought each of the boys a new toy, but because my younger son liked his older brother’s toy better, he immediately threw his own flashlight to the ground, causing it to break. He couldn’t have been more than 3 or 4 years old at the time.

I said, “Buddy, you were so small…you didn’t even know any better.”

He began to cry again.

“Yes, Mom…I did know that it was wrong — but I did it anyway.”

I hugged him tightly…it was obvious his heart was breaking and mine was breaking for him! I looked at his quivering lip and tear-stained cheeks, and said, “Buddy, don’t worry — I forgive you…I forgave you a long time ago for that…and I don’t even remember it anymore!”

The next morning, I got up and as I was brushing my teeth, a thought hit me. It’s not a new thought by any means, but it nonetheless hit me in a very new, very freeing way…

God forgives me.

There’s been so many days that I’ve come to God in prayer, still riddled with guilt and shame over past sins.

He doesn’t literally speak back to me in prayer, but through His Word the Bible, it’s as if God is saying: I forgive you…I forgave you for that a long time ago…and I don’t even remember it!

“For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.” – Hebrews 8:12

“The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. He will not always accuse us, nor harbor His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.” -Psalm 103: 8-13

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” – Romans 8:1-4

But there is only one way to take part in the forgiveness of God — by becoming His child.

Just like my son came to me for forgiveness…if we are children of God, we can come to our Father in the same way, also!

Because “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.” -Psalm 103:13

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9.

If you are already a child of God and struggle with believing that God forgives you, I would suggest listening to a sermon called “Saved Without a Doubt” by Don Blackwell . All you have to do is click on the underlined words and it will take you straight to the video on YouTube. His message was a blessing to me and I hope will be to you as well.

Until next time…

-PWAP

Based on the Book

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Last month, our family went to the movies to see the film The Tiger Rising.

Based on the award winning book by author Kate DiCamillo, the movie tells the story of a young boy whose family has hit hard times following the untimely death of his mother. The boy strikes up an unlikely friendship with a fellow classmate — and their bond deepens when they stumble across a caged tiger in the woods. The book explores themes of life, loss, pain, and friendship.

My son’s fourth grade class had just finished the book as a part of their language arts curriculum, so his teachers invited each of their pupils (and their families) to attend the Saturday matinee together at our local theater.

Shortly after we took our seats for the showing, the lights in the auditorium began to dim and a hush fell over the crowd in anticipation of the book’s big-screen debut. We laughed. We cried. We ate our weight in popcorn 😜…and at the end, everyone applauded in hearty approval of the cinematic experience.

On our way out of the theater, my husband asked our son what he thought of the movie, “Was it just like the book??” To which, our son replied by giving it the good-ole’ Siskel and Ebert two thumbs up. 👍 👍 😉

That’s when I started thinking…as an audience, when the books we love come to the big screen, we want the story to be told as true to the original script as possible. I don’t care if you’re Steven Spielberg — it’s disappointing when film-makers take so many artistic liberties with the book that it becomes nearly unrecognizable.

And the more I thought about that, the more I realized…the same is true for the Bible.

Written by the best-selling author of all time, God Himself, the Bible should in theory be the biggest blockbuster hit of all time! Yet for various reasons, some still feel the need to edit the script.

According to Smithsonian Magazine, one of those people was Thomas Jefferson.

Jefferson literally cut out only the parts of the Bible that he agreed with, subsequently pasting them onto blank pieces of paper, and later compiling the verses into a book of his own, which he called The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth…hmmm, doesn’t quite have the same ring to it as The Holy Bible…does it?

Like Jefferson, some people even today will metaphorically cut out all sorts of scriptures they don’t like…scriptures about creation, Heaven, Hell, baptism, the resurrection and deity of Jesus, divorce, homosexuality, men and women’s roles…and now even the concept of absolute truth all together.

But God says we are foolish to make such changes. (I Corinthians 3:18-20)

Why? Because God’s ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts, (Isaiah 55:8-9). Any edits or ad libs done on our part will essentially only serve to turn God’s blockbuster hit into nothing more than a low-budget film that at best deserves to go straight to…well, let’s just say…straight to DVD. 😉🤣🤭

I’m sorry to sound harsh, but if the apostles didn’t stand for such an overhaul of the truth, neither should we:

“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.” (I Timothy 6:3-5)

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8-9)

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Revelation 22:18-19)

So, what about you? Have you read the book? (and, no…just like high school English Lit. class, Cliff’s notes don’t count! 😂🤣)

The first century Bereans read the book, and they were applauded for it:

“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11)

Reading the Bible (and applying it to our lives) is the only way we can truly know if what we are doing in our lives, hearing in our churches, and seeing in our society is pleasing to God or not.

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Our town actually has two different theaters — one on the north end, one on the south.

Had my son’s teachers invited the class to view The Tiger Rising at the south-side theater rather than the north, I’m fairly certain the theater would’ve looked a little different…with different staff members, different concession offerings, and different seats in the auditorium (e.g. they don’t have the “luxury loungers” that my husband likes so much😬🤣…first world problems, I know🤦‍♀️)…

But what I am 100% certain of is that the movie would have been the exact same.

Why? Because it was based on the book.

Until next time…

-PWAP

“Tastes So Good” Powder

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My oldest son was in third grade when his teacher assigned the class their very first BIG school project.

The premise for the assignment was based on the hit TV show “Shark Tank.”

Each student would be given one week to “invent” a product and create a poster depicting/describing its use and cost. It could be as practical or as fantastical as they wanted.

At the end of the week, the assignment would culminate in a presentation. One by one, each student would be given an opportunity to “pitch” their idea to their fellow classmates, who would then subsequently vote for their favorite.

My son’s invention was called the “Multi-Tool.” A 4-in-1 yard tool that was capable of digging, sawing, tilling, and raking ⚒🛠….a practical yet manly product that would undoubtedly strongly appeal to most middle-aged men with dad-bods who frequent Home Depot (aka my husband…😜).

However…sadly, I must report that the “Multi-Tool” didn’t gain quite as much traction amongst the 10-and-under crowd. 🤷‍♀️😂

It seems my son’s fellow third-graders were much more intrigued by another classmate’s unique product idea…an invention called “Tastes-So-Good Powder.”

“Tastes-So-Good Powder” is just as simple as it sounds…you sprinkle it on top of anything you want to (or have to) eat and it makes everything “Taste-So-Good” — especially all the “gross” foods that kids hate, like broccoli, brussel sprouts, and spinach.

What 8-year-old wouldn’t jump at the chance to make meatloaf taste like pizza or brussel spouts taste like candy? 😋😉

Let’s just say she won by a landslide. 😂😂😂

And honestly, I think her invention was brilliant. I’ve got to hand it to her — the kid certainly knew her market. She knew exactly how to pander to every eight-year-old’s deepest hopes, fears, and desires…and she used it to her advantage.

And so does Satan.

He knows our hopes, he knows our fears, he knows our desires…but he panders to them in a much more sinister way.

In fact, the devil has been using his own version of “Tastes-So-Good Powder” to cover up the bitter taste of sin ever since Eve and Adam first first took a bite of that forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.

Fast-forward to 2022…and now we’re living in a society where nearly everything is sprinkled with “Tastes-So-Good Powder” and sin is blatantly marketed as the cultural norm.

  • Street drugs legalized.
  • Abortion condoned.
  • Drunkenness socially accepted.
  • Divorce and broken homes rampant.
  • Depression and anxiety at an all-time high.
  • Leaders that are liars.
  • Shootings in our schools.
  • Human trafficking in our local neighborhoods.
  • Shows like “The Real Housewives” fill our TV line up.
  • Schools reading our children stories about homosexuality and transgenderism.
  • Social media streams filled with explicit images, profane language, haters, trolls, and slanderous memes.
  • The pornography industry delivering unsolicited messages straight to our inboxes.
  • Sins that used to be done in the dark, are now being broadcast in broad daylight.

But if we could only see sin for the ultimate death and destruction it brings in both this life and ultimately the afterlife — we would surely think long and hard before entangling ourselves in these foolish transgressions.

  • “For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23)
  • “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (I Corinthians 6:9-10)
  • “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”(Galatians 5:19-21)
  • “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)
  • “They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.” (Romans 1:29-31)
  • “…envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:21)

WOW.

Honestly, if these verses don’t scare you to death, I don’t know what will.

It doesn’t matter how much “Tastes-So-Good Powder” you sprinkle on it, sin will never be good for you. Satan may be able to change the taste, but he can’t change sin’s basic composition. This stuff comes straight out of the dumpster. It’s rotten. Spoiled. Disease-laden.

If you wouldn’t dumpster dive for your next meal, then it doesn’t make sense to feed yourself that way spiritually either.

Jesus is the bread of life (John 6:35) and the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)…they don’t need to be covered up with any “Tastes-So-Good Powder” to be enjoyed.

Feed on his Word today.

Until next time…

-PWAP

There’s Always Something to Look Forward To

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As a blogger, are you allowed to blog about other bloggers’ blogs?? (Asking for a friend…)

Okay, fine. I’m asking for myself. 😂

I hope I’m not breaking some sort of copyright rule by quoting another blogger, but I guess if it is some sort of infringement, then I’ll be asking for forgiveness not permission on this one. 😬

Last month I ran across a Facebook post from an awesome writer/blogger whose Facebook page is called “Whitney Fleming Writes.” Her primary audience is parents of older kids and teens. Since I’m on the cusp of being in that stage of life, I took a moment to look around her blog. And I’m glad I did, because I came across one of her recent posts that said something profound. It said, “There’s always something to look forward to when you have a family.”

The above excerpt is taken from a Facebook post written by Whitney Fleming on her Facebook page “Whitney Fleming Writes.” You can find the full article on her page.

Isn’t that a comforting thought? It’s a glass half-full way of looking at the many different seasons of parenting…which is by the way, is perfectly suited to the audience for whom she is writing.

But when I stepped back and took a look at the bigger picture, and thought about the audience for whom I am writing my own blog, it seemed that the sentiment fell a little short.

For example, there might be people reading my blog who are unmarried, completely childless or who have lost a child. And not only that…there may be readers who are young or old, in their happiest season of life or in their saddest season of life, in their business season of life or in their loneliest season of life.

This made me realize that a blanket statement such as, “There’s always something to look forward to when you have a family” might be comforting to some, but not all.

So then, I thought…hmmm 🤔, what could you end that sentence with that would universally relate to everyone? “There’s always something to look forward to when _________.” What would you fill in the blank with?

– When you have great friends?

– When you have a job you love?

– When you have time to engage in your hobbies?

– When you have an endless supply of money?

– When you have great health?

The list could go on and on…but then I thought…all of those things are great, but the only catch is that they are all very fragile and fickle states of life…they can be taken away or changed at a moments notice. They are like shifting sands that wash away with the tide.

As much as we love our family, they will be gone someday. As much as we love the comforts of peace, a nice home, food on our table, our physical health, our hobbies, there will likely come a time when one or more of these are no longer things that we can look forward to.

There may come a time in our lives when we become so old or sick that we literally have nothing else to look forward to at all in life. In fact, there are plenty of people all across the world in that very predicament right this very moment.

Sounds bleak, doesn’t it? 😔

Why would I even let my mind wander there? Well, as my husband would say, it’s because I’m a tortured soul. I don’t know, maybe he’s right. 🤷‍♀️

But then I remember…for Christians, even death’s doorstep has a bright side. Because of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, true followers of Christ will have an eternity in Heaven to look forward to when this life is over.

So that’s it, the best thing I can think of to fill in that blank is, “There’s always something to look forward to…when you’re a Christian.”

Putting your hope in anything else here on this earth without acknowledging it’s temporal nature, is like building a house upon the sand.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” -Matthew 7:24-27

It’s like the old song says…”Some build their hopes on the ever drifting sand; some on their fame, or their treasure of their land; mine’s on the rock that forever shall stand. Jesus the Rock of Ages.”

Take the moments of joy and happiness that can be found in this life and give thanks to God for them. But don’t let them become the end-all, be-all. They were never meant to be.

Don’t lose sight of the forest for the trees. This earth and everything in it is passing away (I John 2:17).

Remember to keep looking forward to something more…because there’s always something to look forward to when you’re a Christian.

Until next time…

-PWAP

Chicken Soup for the Soul

Published on by Pilgrim with a PenLeave a comment

I know a lot of you are used to seeing the stuff I post on Facebook and are probably reading this blog so far and thinking…will you please quit rambling on and just start sharing some more funny stuff about the kids already!?!! Lol! 😂Patience Iago, patience…🤣. Don’t worry, these kids are unfortunately supplying me with plenty of material on a daily — make that hourly basis over here, so don’t worry I’ll be writing about them again soon.

So as many of you know, recently I’ve shared some blog-type posts on my personal Facebook page. But if you’ve spent any amount of time on Facebook lately, you’ve probably come to the same conclusion I have — Facebook is like the fast food of the internet…it’s just scroll-thru instead of drive-thru 😂. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a Big Mac just as much as the next red-blooded American, but sometimes don’t you want something…more? Millions of us log into Facebook daily looking for a quick bite…a nugget of information if you will — a news headline, a funny meme, a pretty picture, an inspirational quote, etc. But it still seems like it’s never quite filling…and we end coming back for more.

Never being one to just “cut to the chase,” I realize some of my lengthier posts aren’t exactly bite-sized enough for Facebook anymore. Like my college composition professor once told me, “Your papers are too wordy…” His words rang shrilly in my ears as I faked a pleasant smile and nodded. On the outside I was calm and diplomatic, but on the inside I was Stephanie Judith Tanner in every episode of Full House— “How Rude!” 😤😂

His words may have been a hard pill to swallow for me at the time, but I’m at the point in my life now where I’m ready to actually own my quirks and my flaws: Hey, you may call it being “too wordy”…but I just call it having just a little more to chew on. So, take that, Professor. 🤭

About 20 years ago, you may remember there were a series of books called “Chicken Soup for the Soul” that were pretty popular. In fact, I think at the time, their cult following was rivaled only by that of Beanie Babies…😂. To be quite honest, I had quite a few of those books (and Beanies 🤣) myself. I’m guessing if you’re over the age of 35, you probably did too.

Each of the books in the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series contained a collection of heart warming stories that either made you laugh, made you cry, or made you think. Isn’t that the point of all good writing? 

Personally, I’ve always liked to share stories too…but my writing style is probably a little more… “Soup, Salad, and Breadsticks for the Soul” than just plain chicken soup 🤣— what can I say, I love my carbs!?! 🥖 And the best part is that, unlike Olive Garden, here the calories don’t count…and better yet, you don’t have to figure out how much to tip your waiter. 😊

As a Christian, one of the main ingredients of this blog will always be my faith in Jesus. So, I realize some of the posts I’m “cooking up” might not suit everyone’s taste buds, and that’s fine.

In contrast, if you are someone who is currently hungering and thirsting after righteousness, this blog is a great place to start, but it’s definitely not meant to be the sole source of anyone’s spiritual nutrition. If you’re looking for the “meat and potatoes” of the Word so-to-speak, I encourage you to open up your Bible or attend a local worship service. Dig into it a little bit for yourself. The book of Matthew is a great place to start. (And if you need suggestions for further study or places to meet with fellow Christians, always feel free to message me.)

I’m certainly no Bible scholar and I don’t have all the answers…but I can tell you that Jesus has prepared a place for you at his spiritual table, where a feast is waiting, one that can truly satisfy the craving of our souls. More than a Facebook post, more than a blog, and more than anything material we have on this earth. While I did nothing to help prepare the feast (kind of like my Dad at Thanksgiving 🤣), I’m thankful to freely share in the meal and invite others in as well.

Until next time…

-PWAP