Pill

Sitting in the middle of the couch last night.  One child laying to either side.  Heads toward the ends.  Feet toward Daddy.  Mary Elizabeth on my right.  John Mark on my left.  Before I could even start a mental countdown for the expected question, Mary Elizabeth stated it instead, "Scratch my back, Daddy."

John Mark, little brother never to be left out, quickly & with greater emphasis added, "and my back too-ooooo," as he rolled over back up.

Right hand for the right hand child.  Left hand for the left hand child.  Yet the back were too close & angles to awkward.  Hurt my carpal tunnel inflicted right wrist.

How about a crossover switheroo then?  Right hand for the left hand child.  Left hand for the right hand child.  Arms too short for that approach.

What's a Daddy to do?

"Kids, Daddy's arms don't work when you are this close," I said.  "But Daddy, your hand was in the right place the first time," replied ME.  "You do it, Daddy," added JM.  "Mary, honey, I'm sorry, but that way hurt Daddy's wrist too much.  I'm getting old & wearing out some, you know," I answered.

John Mark sits up.  Animated now.  And says, "Take a pill to fix it, Daddy."  (Spoken in two syllables as "PEE-uhl."  He's got a sweet southern Mama, ya know.)

He continues, his eyes searching his memory as his words spill out with conviction, "Pappy has a pill to fix it.  You get a pill from Pappy & you’ll be all better.  Then you can scratch Mary’s back.  And my back too."

I wish I could.

You wish you could.

All the problems of our adult lives.  The one's our kids don't yet understand.  The one's we know they'll learn.  But not just yet.

Health problem.  Yes, there is a pill to fix that as the scenes of lovely people doing lovely things depict.  Don't mind all the possible side-effects throughout the latter half of the commercial.

Work problem.  Yes, I'd like a pill to fix that.

Relationship problem.  I'd like a few of those pills too.  Make sure the prescription is for the other person though.  The problem is all theirs.  It's not me.  No, never me.

What John Mark, at three, has yet to learn is that pills do not fix everything.

People fix things.

God fixes things.

People committed to God, one another, & finding solutions.

Think about the one anothers of the Bible.  Love one another.  Honor one another.  Serve one another.

Hard pill to swallow at times.  Yet, just the right solution.

Humility Welcome

A dear Friend just delivered a great line that I must share.

"We welcome humility."

Let that marinate on your mind.

Profound.

We welcome humility because Jesus lived it & calls us to live it as well. Love one another. Honor one another. Serve one another. Lay down your life. Be honest. Confess your sin. Share your life. And you can think of many more.

God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the...

Did you guess, the humble?

Yes, God gives grace to the humble.

How Far?

Lo, those years ago prekids Melanie & I took a memorable October trip. Flew into Montreal. Enjoyed the old world feel even with the we're French go home vibe. Spent time with church planter friends in Burlington, Vermont.

Had the single most amazing, utterly gorgeous, day long drive of our lives across upstate New York. Crossed Lake Champlain by ferry through the early morning fog like a century's past military expedition. Drove the winding roads autumn ablaze in yellows, oranges, reds & greens. Through picture postcard towns like Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Cranberry Lake, & Star Lake. A lakey place Upstate is.

Day's end found us in Niagara Falls, New York at a bed & breakfast that was not quite so picture postcard. The folks running it, well... hospitality was not their gift. We asked, & received with a why are you troubling us look, directions to a local eatery. Enjoyed the food. Set out to find coffee & dessert in Niagara Falls, New York.

Really? Why? Folks were puzzled we'd asked. Writing us off. Tourists.

"Let's go over to Canada & see what they've got. It's right there." And, think then, we'd be all expeditionary again. Crossing international borders at will. And for what? Coffee & dessert & because we can.

"Ever been to Tim Horton's?," asks the Canadian border dude.

Directions given. Few blocks. One turn. Few more blocks. Tim's. Good coffee. Donuts. Of course. Rambling conversation with a half-crazed Canadian. Didn't know he was dealing with a half-crazed Texan & his fully-sane Louisianan missus. Sated. Back into the US. Mission accomplished.

"Your purpose for going to Canada?," US border guy dude. I smiled & held up my cup-o-Tim's.

"You went all the way to Canada for a cup of coffee?," he queries.

"Yes. Yes we did." We're expeditionary, cosmopolitan adventurers that way, you know.

How far do you go to get what you want? 

How far did God go to redeem us? 

We went to Canada for a cup-o-Tim's.

Jesus left Heaven for all us Joes.

With Us

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times. Micah 5:2

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child & give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14

Words written. Words of prophesy. 700 years before. The birth. Of a baby boy. In a stable. In Bethlehem. To a virgin. A sign. Given us. Immanuel. God with us.

God with us.

God with you.

No matter. What. You go through.

Advent Attitude

My amazing wife, Melanie, writes...

Advent: Preparing one's heart to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Take time each day to contemplate what this glorious season means. I have tried to explain some of our Christmas traditions to our children in relation to their own birthdays, something they easily understand. We decorate one room for a day or two when we celebrate their special day. For Jesus' birthday, we decorate the whole house - inside and out - and leave the decorations up for over a month! On their birthday we have a few friends over to celebrate. For Jesus' birthday we get together with friends, church family, neighbors, co-workers - all kinds of people! On their birthday we make a cake and sing "Happy Birthday." For Jesus' birthday we sing all kinds of carols and eat a wide variety of special treats. On their birthday they receive presents from friends and family members. For Jesus' birthday we give gifts of love to friends, family, and even people we don't know - all because of the grace gift that God gave us in Jesus.

As you consider the task of decorating your house to prepare for the Christmas activities this week, remember to take time to prepare your heart as well. Try not to get frustrated with the lights that don't work, the ribbon that's starting to look a little faded, or the tree with a missing branch or two. Remember who's birthday party you are getting ready for, and smile because you have an opportunity to celebrate! We are celebrating the glorious birth of our Savior!

I'm getting excited just thinking about it all! Have a blessed Advent-ure this week, dear friends.

The proper Advent attitude is to humbly, thankfully remember the simple reason why we celebrate Christmas in the midst of all it has become. God loves us & sent His only Son to earth as a baby. A Son that would give his life to free us from sin, provide us abundant life now & eternal life in heaven. Thank you, Melanie, for allowing me to share this. Thank you, God, for loving us as you do.