Tag: Stories

All I Really Need to Know, I Learned From…

Published on by Pilgrim with a PenLeave a comment

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)

***********************************************

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

This too shall pass…

Published on by Pilgrim with a PenLeave a comment

“This too shall pass”…nobody really quite knows where that famous colloquial phrase originated…but credit has been assigned to many different possible origins…including ancient Persian, Buddhist, and Jewish sources. It’s also one of those phrases that people even sometimes mistake for a Bible verse (right up there with “God works in mysterious ways”). But alas, it’s not.

While we may never know the exact origins of the phrase, consensus is that it’s been around for a while — and from what I hear, it was even one of Abraham Lincoln’s favorite sayings.

As I was driving to pick the kids up from school today, the phrase popped into my head.

I was just driving down a two-lane road minding my own business, going the speed limit (maybe even 5 over 🤭), when all of the sudden, a big Dodge pickup that was all jacked-up on monster truck tires came up behind me loud and fast in my rear-view mirror.

He quickly gained on me until he couldn’t gain anymore. Something about the way his headlights were blaring in my rear view mirror even at midday, made me feel like he was metaphorically breathing down my neck…pressuring me to go faster or move out of the way.

But I know that road. And I know the speed limit. And I also know there’s a state trooper who likes to create a speed trap for unsuspecting drivers a few times a month, so no way was I going to let this guy pressure me into speeding up.

After a minute or so, he finally got the gist, and swerved into to the left lane, putting the pedal to the metal and leaving me to eat his dust.

But honestly, I was glad he passed me — it was a relief.

As I watched him speed down the road until his taillights disappeared completely, the phrase “this too shall pass” came to mind.

When we’re traveling the road of life, minding the speed limit (and our own business), there’s often times the enemy comes up and presses in hard on us as we are trying to stay within God’s limits.

Just like one of those aggressive drivers, he’ll come in looking all big, bad and intimidating…trying to pressure us to violate God’s laws.

“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

The things of this earth are transient, fleeting, passing away — and that includes the temptations, persecutions, and other “light momentary afflictions” that the devil tries to bring about in our lives, provoking us with his own brand of “road rage.”

So…keep your eyes on the road. Keep those hands at 10 and 2— or better yet, let Jesus take the wheel — and just let the devil pass.

Because it will pass…it may pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass. 😉

Until next time…

-PWAP

The “Keep the Van Clean” Contract

Published on by Pilgrim with a PenLeave a comment

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. 🤣

**********************************

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

Published on by Pilgrim with a PenLeave a comment

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

50 Shades of White

Published on by Pilgrim with a PenLeave a comment

My parents are literally DAYS away from closing on their new home. There’s LOTS of last minute detail work going on to prepare for the final inspection.

To help speed things along, the other day my dad offered to help the painters do some touch-up work. So with a can of paint and a brush in hand, he went to work, dabbing away at any little nicks and smudges that needed retouching.

Ironically, most of the paint colors my parents chose for their house are all variations of the color white — Jasper White for the exterior, Origami White for the interior, and Pure White for all of the the baseboards and trim.

Now, if you haven’t been to the paint section at Lowe’s in a while, you’re probably scratching your head right now thinking “a white’s a white, isn’t it????”— and to that, all I can say is…bless your heart. 😂😂😂

Actually, there are SO many “different” whites to choose from nowadays…that after a while, it sort of makes your head spin. 😵‍💫

It’s like one minute you’re standing in a home improvement store looking through paint swatches and the next you’re suddenly sucked into a “white hole” of endless options.

And the longer you stare at the paint chips, the more they begin blurring together like the vast white sands of a New Mexico desert, until everything around you seems like nothing short of a distant mirage.

That is, until a sales associate wearing a blue vest taps you on the shoulder and says, “Ma’am, is there anything I can help you with?” 😂

**********************************

With sooooo many different whites to choose from, how DO you tell them apart?!?

The trouble is, when viewed individually, each white looks…well, white.

But according to today’s top designers, each shade of white has what they call an undertone.

An undertone is the hint of color that lurks just beneath the surface and ultimately affects your overall hue — causing it to look either cool, warm, or neutral. A cool undertone is generally associated with blues, pinks, or reds. A warm undertone is generally more peachy, golden, or yellow.

The trick to determining the undertone? Hold your swatch up to a “pure white.” Designers suggest using a plain white sheet of basic copy paper…and voila! The undertones jump right out.

This advice never rang truer than it did after my dad finally finished touching up those walls and texting pics of the progress to my mom…it was at that point we realized something had gone terribly wrong…😂.

Due to a mix up in paint lids, my dad (who is legally colorblind and can’t tell the difference between red and green let alone between two slightly different shades of white) had inadvertently been touching up the Origami White walls with PURE WHITE PAINT! 😱😂🥴😳😭🤯😵🤭

I think my mom was half tempted to flip her proverbial paint-lid over the whole debacle…but you know what they say…

…2 wrongs don’t make a WHITE. 😂😂😂🤭

**************************************

And that’s when I started thinking…

Just like all the various shades white out there, there are seemingly infinite shades of “truth” to choose from nowadays, too…and after a while, it all sort of makes your head spin. 😵‍💫

In our current culture, we’re led to believe that there is no such thing as absolute truth, but rather that truth is relative and that everyone has their own “personal truth,” if you will.

These “personal truths” seem to hold their own when held to nothing but their own standards; just as the white swatches all appear to be a true white when viewed individually.

But when held to a piece of copy paper, the difference is apparent. And in spiritual terms, that plain piece of white copy paper is none other than the Bible.

Next to the Truth of God’s Word, any man-made truths only pale in comparison. God’s Word alone is the true litmus test.

Why? Because the scriptures are from God Himself (II Timothy 3:16-17), and He alone is the most Pure (Psalm 12:6), the most Holy (I Samuel 2:2), the most High (Psalm 46:2), and the most Righteous (Psalm 119:142).

By our own standards, we may walk around looking like “good” people — but make no mistake, God is not colorblind. And when judged by His holiness, we ALLLLL have undertones.

“As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one;” – Romans 3:10

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” – Romans 3:23

Thankfully, God knows we have undertones, and He’s provided a way to cover those impurities with “…the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” I Peter 1:19

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” -Isaiah 1:18

It is only when we are spiritually washed in the blood of Jesus through baptism that our souls — whether red, yellow, black, or “white” — can become as white as snow (Romans 6:3).

Praise God.

Until next time…

-PWAP

Random Acts of Kindness

Published on by Pilgrim with a PenLeave a comment

When I found out that today is National Random Acts of Kindness Day, I couldn’t help but write a post. ❤️

As I was driving home this morning, I looked through the drizzle that was slowly collecting on my windshield and saw a rainbow starting to form in the sky.

I followed it all the way to the end of my street, where I was surprised at what was waiting for me at the end — It was definitely NOT you’re typical pot of gold…but rather (as you can see from the picture) it was a “pot” of a completely DIFFERENT kind. 😂 💩🚽😂

I pulled into my driveway as the rainbow began to fade, but I couldn’t miss such a Kodak moment, so I hurriedly snapped this picture of my neighbor’s port-a-potty at the end of the rainbow.

In a strange sort of way, I thought it was a PERFECT representation of what “Random Acts of Kindness” day is supposed to be — trying to be a rainbow in someone else’s otherwise “crappy” day. 🥰💩🚽🌈😂

But we all know we don’t have to wait for February 17th to do this kind of stuff…

The Bible has so many admonitions for us to be kind each and every day!

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:32

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12

“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” – Luke 6:35

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” – Galatians 6:10

So, look for someone today…and tomorrow…and the next day, who you can be a blessing to. It could be someone you live or work with — or someone out of the ordinary! I guarantee it will make your day as much as it makes theirs.

Mahatma Ghandi is often credited with the idea that, “We have to be the change we want to see in the world.”

The Bible, it seems, is leading us to a similar conclusion — We have to be the good we want to see in the world.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

We do good to spread good, but it’s not because WE are good — it’s because GOD is Good! Give Him the glory.

Maybe your random act of kindness today will be no more than a simple prayer for someone. Really, that’s the best place to start. (James 5:16)

And speaking of prayer…if you happen to be the recipient of an act of kindness today, don’t forget to thank God. 🙏🙏🙏 All good things ultimately come from Him and through Him. ❤️

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” – James 1:21

If something kind or good happens to you today, you can be sure it’s ultimately from God. The moments of goodness and mercy we get to experience in this life are just one of the ways we know He loves us, that He wants to call us His children, and that He longs to have a relationship with you and me.

He proved that to us in the ultimate act of kindness — Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. (John 3:16)

How do we receive that love? Through belief and baptism. (Mark 16:16)

How do we love Him back? Keep His commandments. (John 14:15)

Until next time…

-PWAP

P.S. If you have any personal Random Acts of Kindness stories you would like to share, please comment! I would love to hear them! ❤️

Snack Attack

Published on by Pilgrim with a PenLeave a comment

Our family is in a season of “hurry up and wait” right now.

We’ve done our part. We’ve put the leg work in. We’ve prayed about it. Now we’re just waiting…waiting on a big break…waiting on prayers to be answered.

And the longer we wait…the more doubt and fear creep in…trying to fill in the spaces where faith and trust belong.

Whenever we’re in a season like this, I always find myself questioning. I know God hears our prayers, but will He answer them the way we hope?

I think that little voice of doubt comes from the fact that I know God has NOT always answered my prayers the way I’ve wanted Him to in the past.

But the thing is…that’s not the way God works.

God is not some spiritual vending machine in the sky that we just drop a quarter into and out pop blessings like a bag of Fritos.

Yet, how many times do I treat Him that way?

How many times do I find myself standing there in front of that proverbial snack machine, down to my last quarter, pressing “A7” over and over again…only to watch that spiritual “bag of Fritos” get stuck?

And how many times do I resort to kicking and shaking the machine — trying to FORCE it to come out on my own terms??

Kind of reminds me of all those times back in middle school, when we’d stay after school for practice and then head to the vending machines for sustenance.

Some days my chips did get stuck. And though my hunger was real and it was warranted, I would have no other choice but to wait ‘til I got home to eat something.

But you know what?? When I finally did get home, 9 times out of 10, my mother would already be in the kitchen fixing my dinner before I even had a chance to ask — and a bag of Fritos ain’t got nothin’ on a home-cooked meal. ❤️

Our Heavenly Father is a lot like that too.

Blessings may not always pop out left and right like vending machine treats (even when we’ve honestly put in the time, money, and effort to receive them) — but keep the faith, because He’s already promised that He’s got something much better waiting for us at “Home.” ❤️

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” – John 14:3

While we’re busy focusing on a lousy bag of Fritos — He’s already whipped up a four course meal and saved a place for us at His table:

“…Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 14:15)

Trust God to answer your prayers in His way, and in His time — Because if we’re being honest…those vending machine snacks don’t hold any nutritional value anyway.

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Until next time…

-PWAP

Free Breakfast Sandwich

Published on by Pilgrim with a PenLeave a comment

Recently, we went through the drive thru at McDonald’s at breakfast time. The kids were fussing in the backseat while I was at the speaker trying to place our order.

When we pulled up to the window, I paid and the lady handed me the bag full of what I assumed was the correct order and I hurriedly drove away. We parked in a nearby parking spot and I opened the bag to divvy up everyone’s orders. That’s when I noticed there was an extra breakfast sandwich.

Great. With all the chaos going on in our van at the time I ordered, did I accidentally order an extra sandwich? I checked my receipt. Nope, not on there.

So, they gave us this extra breakfast sandwich for free.

I thought, should I go back around and try to return it to the restaurant? No…they would probably consider it contaminated and have to throw it away.

If my hubby had been with us at the time, he would have known just what to do with it — thank God for the extra entree and add it to his plate. 😂

But he wasn’t with us that day and none of us were hungry enough to finish off our own orders plus an extra sandwich…but it just seemed like it would be a shame to let it go to waste.

Just then, I looked over and saw a man and a woman standing next to the side of the road with a sign that said “Homeless, need help.”

That’s when it hit me, we’ll offer it to this homeless couple.

As I drove up to them, I rolled down my window and explained that we had been given an extra sandwich with our meal and were wonder if they would be interested in taking it off our hands.

They gladly accepted and said it must have been meant to be.

The whole thing brightened our day and theirs and it really cost me nothing. It was out of my abundance that I gave, so it was really no credit to me…I wasn’t the one who created the blessing, I was just a vessel for delivering it.

As I drove away, I couldn’t help but think of the spiritual implications of our encounter…

God has blessed each one of us so richly…especially those of us who have been saved by his grace through belief and baptism.

The salvation He offers each one of us through the death of His Son Jesus is free…just like that breakfast sandwich.

He just asks that each one of us who’ve already been blessed by the gift of salvation to share it with others, just like we did with that breakfast sandwich.

Isn’t it stingy not to share the good news of salvation with others when you already have what you need and Jesus has already paid the price?

We live in a world where so many are spiritually homeless and carry around an invisible sign that says, “Need help.”

Won’t you share the Gospel of Jesus today?

Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16)

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