Treats and Tricks

“The Lord is a powerful warrior; He will energize your life.” ~ Zephaniah 3:17

Joey was having a bad day.  When he got out of bed, he stepped on his favorite toy truck and broke the wheel off.  At breakfast, he dropped his plate on the floor.  The scrambled eggs splattered all over the cabinet and one of his pancakes stuck to the refrigerator, its sticky syrup dripping onto the floor.  Joey broke his choice crayon right in the middle of art class.  During recess, he tripped and skinned his knee.  Meagan McKeon laughed at his torn trousers which hurt his feelings.

It’s so hard to be a kid, he thought!  Preschool has so many rules – so many things he can’t have and can’t do; so many things that don't turn out the way he imagined.  Some days he drifts from winning to whining, from tears to time-outs.

Even Comet couldn’t make things better today.  They’d gone for a walk after school and his trusty pup had done his business on old man Clark’s lawn.  Joey had forgotten a ‘Poopbag.’  When he saw a brown squirrel, Comet nearly choked himself to death on his leash.

He returned home and threw himself on his bed sobbing.  Mom appeared at his bedroom door.  "What’s the matter, buddy?  Did something bad happen at school today?"

Joey couldn’t stop crying long enough to respond.

"I know what’ll make you happy.  Come with me," she said.  He sat up and followed her to the kitchen. 

“How about a snack?” she asked, pulling various cooking supplies from the cabinets. 

Cool!  Cold milk and some homemade cookies couldn’t hurt he thought to himself, especially if he could eat the chocolate chip cookie dough!

"Here, have some cooking oil,” she offered.  "How about a couple of raw eggs?"

"Gross, Mom!"

"Well then, how ‘bout some flour? Or maybe baking soda?"

"Mom,” Joey complained.  Those things are yucky!"

To which his Mom replied: "Yes, all those things seem bad by themselves.  But when their put together in the right way, they make wonderfully delicious cookies!  God works the same way!  We wonder sometimes, why He lets us go through such bad days.  But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always make us better.  We just have to trust Him!”

She continued.  “God’s crazy about YOU!  He sends you flowers every Spring and a sunrise every morning.  Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen.  He can live anywhere in the universe, yet He chose your heart, Joey.” 

And with those loving words, she pulled a fresh batch of homemade cookies from the oven – treats that smelled like happiness and love and tenderness  . . . and chocolate chips.

Jesus, we know that happiness doesn’t simply come from getting what we want, but from hard work, learning from our mistakes and living your will.  So, thank you for all the bad days that tried to defeat me.  They make the good days with You even more special.  Amen

If Everyone Cared

“More blessings come from giving than receiving.”  ~ Acts 20:35

Walking briskly down the busy sidewalk, Cynthia spotted a beggar squatting on the corner.  Other pedestrians gave his dirty, unshaven looks an unsympathetic glance before moving on.  She however, was moved by compassion and hesitated before looking down. "Sir, are you all right?"

He looked up cautiously.  This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life.  Perfect hair, expensive leather – she’d probably never missed a meal.  "Leave me alone," he growled.

 

Unfazed by his insolence, she remained frozen in place.  "Are you hungry?" she asked.

"No, I just finished dining with Madonna,” he offered sarcastically.  “Go away!!"

The woman's face brightened.  A genuine, infectious smile spread across her – the kind that helps make friends wherever you go.  “You don’t remember me - do you Jack?”

The old man searched her face with his moist, red eyes.   "I’m not sure . . . you do look familiar."

Much older, a little heavier then when she’d wandered these same streets years before.  "I came to the city many winters ago looking for work,” Cynthia began, “but couldn't find anything.  I’d been kicked out of my apartment when I ran out of money.  The street became my home."

Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said. "You were scared to death; cold and nearly starving.  I could see death behind your tired eyes."

"I know," Cynthia continued.  "You gave me a roast beef sandwich and a cup of coffee.  Then you handed me some bills and told me to get a room for a shower and a good night’s rest.  I’ve never been so grateful!  But when I looked for you the following day, you’d vanished."

"So I resumed my job search . . . with confidence.  I got a job that very afternoon.  It wasn’t much, but I worked my way up.  Eventually I started my own business that, with God’s grace, prospered."

She opened her purse and pulled out a business card.  "When you’re finished here, go see Ms. Byrons, my company’s Human Resources Manager.  I'll make sure she finds something for you to do around the office."  She grinned.  "I think she might even give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet.  And if you ever need anything, my door’s always open."

Jack couldn’t remember the last time that tears washed over his leathered cheeks.  "How can I ever thank you?

"No need, Cynthia answered.  "To God goes the glory - He led me to you!"  As I look back on my life, the moments when I have truly lived are those done in the shadow of HIs love. 

Lord Jesus, “if everyone cared and nobody cried, if everyone loved and nobody lied, if everyone shared and swallowed their pride, then we’d see the day when nobody died.”  Amen (from Nickelback’s “If Everyone Cared”) 

The $1.17 Miracle

“Carry each other’s burdens and you will please God." ~ Galatians 6:2

Shanice pulled a pink piggy bank from its hiding place in her closet.  She dumped its contents onto the floor and counted it methodically.   Placing the coins back in the bank, she slipped out the back door and skipped decisively to Walgreen’s Drug Store.

She waited patiently for the pharmacist to acknowledge her.   Shanice stomped her little feet and repulsively cleared her throat to get his attention.  No luck!  Finally she took a quarter from her bank and slapped it on the counter.  That did it!

"What do you want?  Can’t you see I’m busy?" he said in an annoyed tone without waiting for her reply.

"Well,” she answered back, hands on hips and in the same annoyed tone.  “I need to talk to you about my brother!   "He's really, really sick . . . and I’ve got money to buy a miracle."  If it isn't enough, I’ll get the rest.  Just tell me how much!"

"Come again," said the skeptical pharmacist.

"His name is Terrell and he has something bad growing inside his head.  Daddy says only a miracle can save him now.  So how much does a miracle cost?"

"Honey,” the pharmacist said with newfound tenderness.  “We don't sell miracles here.  I’m afraid I can't help you." 

A well dressed man waiting for his prescription overheard the conversation and couldn’t help but ask: "What kind of a miracle does your brother need?"

I don't know," Shanice replied, eyes welling up.  "I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation that Daddy can't afford, so I want to use my money, all $1.17 of it."

"Well, what a coincidence," smiled the man, "Miracles for little brothers happen to be on sale today for $1.17.  You’re in luck!"

Taking her money in one hand, he grasped her mitten and said, "Take me to home to meet your family.  Let's see if I have the miracle you need."

That smartly dressed man turned out to be a neurosurgeon.  The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn't long until Terrell was home again and doing well.  Shanice overheard Mom and Daddy talking about the miraculous chain of events.  "I wonder how much that surgery cost?" her mom questioned.  Shanice smiled.  She knew exactly how much - $1.17, plus the love of a faithful child.

Things happen to us that at the time seem horrible, painful and unfair.  Upon reflection, we realize that without overcoming those obstacles, we never would have recognized our strength, courage or potential.

Everything happens for a reason.  Nothing occurs by chance or by luck.  Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of our souls.

Lord Jesus, I am my brother’s keeper!  Help us who have received so freely from You, give as freely in return, in order to enjoy both the pleasure of giving and the happiness of receiving.  Amen

 

Heaven's Seven

“Earn respect by doing your best to live at peace with everyone." ~ Romans 12: 17-18

For the second time this month, her daughter came home from school in tears and Carolyn seemed helpless to stop it.  She’d been so happy in middle school.  But that had all changed.  Something about this seemed frighteningly familiar as her thoughts drifted back to own childhood experience.

Carolyn’s story began in elementary school where she made friends with six little girls. The seven soon became a clique.  By middle school, the clique had become more like a pack.  They only dressed name-brand clothing and wore their hair exactly the same way (long and straight).  They called themselves Heaven’s Seven and scoffed at other girls who couldn't (or wouldn't) act like them. 

Heaven’s Seven became experts at exclusion and cruelty, terrorizing both kids and adults.  Teachers and administrators were aware of their intimidation but were powerless to stop it.

Parents were thrilled by their daughters’ popularity.   Carolyn’s mom even had Heaven’s Seven T-shirts printed for the girls to wear at their eighth grade graduation.

Though she belonged to Heaven’s Seven, Carolyn felt trapped.  She knew it was wrong, but didn’t have the courage to confront her friends about their bullying or to leave the security of the group. 

Carolyn begged her parents to let her switch schools, but they refused.  The family had a long-standing connection to the school; three of Carolyn’s siblings were still enrolled there.  Her dad pitched a fit at the cost of her attending a private school.

The effect of her complacency bothers her to this day.  She paid a heavy price; one of guilt and fear.  She’s not the same person; she’d never treat anyone that way now.  But while these experiences lay in her past, she’s the mother of three young daughters.  That plants her right back in that circle; learning how to maneuver girls and friendships and personalities.

As she trudges up the stairs now to comfort her sobbing tween, her heart aches.  She knows from past experience that people can be thoughtless, cruel, and . . . even mean.  But her children are so very lucky.  Her past is their prologue. 

Her kids enter new situations assuming only one outcome – wide smiles and ample hugs.  They’re blessed with a Mom that understands the meaning of integrity, the value of compassion, and the courage to help them through it - lessons learned the hard way.  So help her God!

The start of a new school year is, for most, a time of excitement at seeing old friends and making new ones.  However, there are some kids who see the first day of school as a day of execution . . . victims of bullying because they’re different. 

Lord, protect those who are teased physically, verbally and online as well as those whose self-worth seems tied to making others hurt.  We pray for those who think they’re alone; those whose hope is disappeared.  Help them Jesus. Strengthen them.  Show them your love.  Amen

Txt BFFs 4evr

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart!" ~ Proverbs 3:5

Walker gazed into the open casket and brushed the hair away from her pale forehead.  He tried to memorize every contour of the beautiful face he wouldn’t forget.  He stared at her empty eyes, her closed mouth, her frozen heart.  Michaela couldn’t feel the love that surrounded her now; she could no longer speak or see the agony in his expression.

An unfamiliar man approached and touched him lightly on the back. “We’re so glad you came,” whispered Michaela’s father. “She talked about you all the time.  She even asked that her cell phone be buried with her so that you could still send her messages!”

He muttered “I can’t believe . . .” as sadness erased his remaining thought.

“Michaela passed away three days ago.  She suffered from heart disease since childhood,” her father said.  “We kept it a family secret - she loved being treated normally.”  Eyes now moist with grief, her father added, “She knew you’d come!”  And with that, he gently positioned her cell phone into Michaela’s palm and walked away.

Later as Walker sat alone in the chapel, he cried out to God: “Why her?  She didn’t deserve to die.  And dammit, I don’t deserve to suffer either!”

He got no answer – he really didn’t expect one from God.  He held his phone and typed, “u taught me how 2 care; u shwd me how 2 luv u.  but u forgot to teach me how 2 let u go! I <3 u!”

He sent the message knowing full well that she’d never respond.  But sending it cleansed his soul – it made him feel loved again.

Seconds later his phone beeped sending a cold shiver down his spine.  The sender’s number didn’t appear on the screen but tears rolled down Walker’s cheeks as he read the message.

“Let go of my hand, but dont ever let go of gods hand.  hell b holding my hand 2!”

A warm, pleasant glow replaced the spiny chill – the rush from a mountain of joyful memories remembered as if they happened yesterday.  Instantly he sensed God's grace to discover what he needed to move on.

Four of the most powerful words in the universe are “let go, let God.”  No matter what’s missing from your life – the love of someone special, an activity of great value, or a feeling of well-being - know that God is filling your need right now.

Take a deep breath.  Release it slowly; accepting the reality that God's wisdom is ever present, ready to fill you with new understanding, energy, and life.  Let Him fill every void, every emptiness that seems to separate you from the desires of your heart.  Let go! Let God!

I often forget to let go and give your control, Lord.  Help me realize that when You close one door, You open the one You want me to walk through.  I want to follow You.  I want what You desire for me.  Amen