Creating Memories

"Grandparents are proud of their grandchildren, just as children are proud of their parents." -- Proverbs 17:6, GNT

I was watching a Suze Orman podcast the other day and she was giving out some advice prior to Christmas. She said rather than give your children so many gifts, give them experiences and memories. Thinking back to my own childhood my greatest memories are not in the toys I owned but in the memories of my mother sitting on the floor with us making memories through playtime. She would play games and encourage our imaginations to soar through make believe. She was always a full participant and never just a spectator.

My children have fond memories of their two grandmothers doing the same with them. My mother has carried on the merrymaking with her grandchildren and now with her great grandchildren. My spouse's mom saved the toys from her children's childhood and brought them out for the grandchildren -- such a treat to explore the toys from days of old -- most of them battery free! My girls still talk about these memories.

I have learned from both grandmothers and for that I am grateful. I think my grandparenting is a little bit of both of them. I too saved my girls toys and my grandchildren are delighted when I dig out some old toy from the basement to delight them. I've brought these toys out little by little to keep the excitement going -- we're going on 6 years now! And I've also taken on the role my mom used to take with us. At times I even amaze myself with the different hats of imaginary play I am able to wear with my grandsons.

Here's to creating memories!

Prayer Delay

"But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John." -- Luke 1:13, KJV

I love this verse. The phrase "for thy prayer is heard" should be reassuring to us all. We must not miss the meaning here. The prayer that Zechariah prayed was prayed many years earlier, and having reached an advanced age, his petition had ceased. Our prayers are ever before the Lord. They do not expire. Prayer is sometimes immediately heard and answered; and sometimes an answer is deferred a long time. Our prayers are prayed from the earth which has time, but they reach God in heaven where time does not exist. Ponder the deep things of God today.

Love Languages

"Love will last forever ..."

1 Corinthians 13:8

Many years ago I purchased Gary Chapman's book, "The Five Love Languages" and since that day I've discussed the contents with my spouse, my children, and my closest friends. I've recommended this book to others when they've asked my opinions on navigating their own relationships. But what I love the most is that my spouse and my children get it -- they understand my love language(s).

Most people have a primary and secondary way in which they prefer to have love expressed to them. For example, mine are "acts of service" and "quality time." I've used this book to discover the love languages of my spouse, my children, and my close friends. Oftentimes we try to love others in our "own" love language and don't understand why we don't get the results we were hoping for. For example, if my love language is "acts of service" it means that I feel really loved when you take care of things for me (e.g. clean the house or wash the car). I don't get as jazzed about gifts (I've been told I'm too particular and that I buy what I want myself -- so very true!). 

When it comes to birthdays and Christmas my spouse and children set themselves to the task of taking care of some "chore" they've heard me say I want done. This Christmas is no different. I'm very blessed to be able to love and be loved by those who speak my language, so here's a shout out to my spouse and children for all the acts of service you've undertaken this year!

The five love languages are:

1. Words of Affirmation - (speak loving and true words to build the other person's self image and confidence)

2. Quality Time - (put down the remote and give one another some undivided attention)

3. Gifts - (be sure to remember birthdays and special days with a gift of appreciation)

4. Acts of Service - (take care of chores and that "to do" list with joy)

5. Physical Touch - (hold hands, give hugs, etc. to show your love)

Withdraw

"But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.." -- Luke 5:16

I like to withdraw, especially when I'm hurt or stressed. I was talking this over with my accountability partner the other day and she said, "that's actually Biblical. Jesus often withdrew from the crowds and went off alone to pray. Sometimes you have to come apart from the world ... so you don't come apart."

A good and timely word of wisdom.

Receipts

"For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." -- Romans 11:29

Saw this tweet yesterday from GetUpWithGod and it ties in perfectly with the holiday season: "Don't bother keeping the receipt: God's gifts & his call are irrevocable."

Seems like with every purchase made this season comes the resounding question, "Do you need a gift receipt?" And most times the answer is probably yes. According to a study done by Kohl's, gift recipients are most likely to return clothing (74 percent), followed by items for the home (11 percent), beauty or fragrance products (8 percent), electronics (5 percent) and jewelry or watches (2 percent)." That's a lot of gift returning going on! But I'm thrilled to know that God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. No gift receipt needed!

Before The Morning

Do you wonder why you have to,
feel the things that hurt you,
if there's a God who loves you,
where is He now?

Maybe, there are things you can't see
and all those things are happening
to bring a better ending
some day, some how, you'll see, you'll see

Chorus:
Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
that you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
can't compare to the joy that's coming

so hold on, you got to wait for the light
press on, just fight the good fight
because the pain you've been feeling,
it's just the dark before the morning

My friend, you know how this all ends
and you know where you're going,
you just don't know how you get there
so just say a prayer.
and hold on, cause there's good who love God,
life is not a snapshot, it might take a little time,
but you'll see the bigger picture

Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
that you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
can't compare to the joy that's coming

so hold on, you got to wait for the light
press on, just fight the good fight
because the pain you've been feeling,
it's just the dark before the morning
yeah, yeah,
before the morning,
yeah, yeah

Once you feel the way of glory,
all your pain will fade to memory
once you feel the way of glory,
all your pain will fade to memory
memory, memory, yeah

Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
that you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
can't compare to the joy that's coming

Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
that you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
can't compare to the joy that's coming

com'n, you got to wait for the light
press on, just fight the good fight
because the pain you've been feeling,
it's just the hurt before the healing
the pain you've been feeling,
just the dark before the morning
before the morning, yeah, yeah
before the morning

BEFORE THE MORNING LYRICS - JOSH WILSON

Longsuffering

"But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and plenteous in mercy and truth." -- Psalm 86:15

Kris Vallotton wrote an excellent blog on suffering long. He told a story of being in the midst of a dark time in his life due to a family situation and because of that he sought out a professional counselor (see excerpt below). This blog gave me a fresh perspective on longsuffering.

"In the midst of the darkest time of my life, I went to see a professional counselor. Of course, the first question he asked was, "Why have you come to see me?" I told him how discouraged and depressed I was over a family situation. He asked me again, "So, why have you come to see me?" "I told you," I snapped back, "I'm discouraged and depressed." He proceeded to ask me the same question again. Finally, I asked in a very frustrated voice, "What's your point?" "Well, the Bible says that love suffers long," he answered. "You are suffering because people that you love are suffering. Jesus said that we are to mourn with those who mourn. You're in mourning because your family is suffering. You're responding the way that Jesus taught us to respond. When this is over, you will get to rejoice with those who rejoice! Until then, trust God with your family, and know that this season will end in time."