The Rabbit

John Mark sat beside me during Easter Pageant rehearsal today.  Well, that's not terribly accurate.

John Mark wiggled, hollered, jumped, coughed, danced, squealed, laid down, rolled around, questioned, snuggled, played, spun circles & watched - at least a bit - while beside me in the pew during Easter Pageant rehearsal today.

He listened too.  When the crowd repeatedly cried out, "Give us Barabbas!  Give us Barabbas!"  My four year old who looked to be in his own world, looked me in the eye, and succinctly stated, "Yeah, they want the rabbit cuz its Easter time," and just as quickly returned to his above mentioned activities.

The rabbit.

Give us the rabbit.

I didn't correct him.

How could I?

How many times have I - in my own world - heard something other than the actual statement?

How many times have I jumped - at risk of harming others & myself - to the wrong conclusions because I heard my own thoughts & not the correct statements?

Beware the rabbit, My Friends.

It might jump out.

And get you.

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak & slow to become angry.  James 1:19

No Regrets

We buried a friend yesterday.  A dear, godly man.  Like unto a saint.

Curious, inquisitive, life-long learner, gentlemanly, courteous, quick-witted, affable, gracious, congenial, patient, kind. Rich voice, gentle hands, hearty laugh.  Settled & secure in God's sovereign grace allowing him to be a portent for many.

"He didn't wear Christianity on his lapel, but on his life.  You just knew."

I'll miss Bill Long.  He blessed me.  More than words can say.

I love Bill Long.  A treasured friend.

I'll see him again.  Thanks be to God.

Hearing such rich remembrances of a gracious soul, I wish I'd have known him even better.  Spent more time. Asked more questions.  Sought greater depth.  A sapling sheltered by a giant.

Love well, Dear Friends.  Grow where you are planted.

Spend time.

Share life.

Listen.

Learn.

Laugh.

That you'd have no regrets.

Nestled

If you were a guest at the Householder house tonight, you'd see a scene similar to this.  We'll be snuggled up on the couch.  I'll have a kid under each arm.  The littler ones. The third one, big brother, within reach.  Of all things, we'll be watching WIPEOUT, but we'll be having a great time.  Who knew you could make falling down so much fun?  And we'll be laughing & talking & having fun. Together.

We're not a swan family, but I do love my chicks.  And I look forward to times when I know I'll have them nestled under my wings.  Me & mine.  Nothing better.

As I was thinking through my day early this morning, I got these two pictures in my head.  The one I just described about my family.  The one you see here with the swan family.  And that word the word "nestle" came to mind.  It means "to lie close & snug, like a bird in a nest; snuggle or cuddle."  It comes from a Middle English word, first recorded in 1547 in reference to person settling or snuggling.  Just like a bird in it's nest. It's an intimate word.  A close word.  A comfortable word.

The Holy Spirit got my attention next.  There are word pictures in Scripture.  Particularly in Psalms.  Speaking of our Heavenly Father tenderly covering us, His chicks, beneath his sheltering wings nestled therein.

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield & rampart. Psalm 91:4

How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high & low men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.  Psalm 36:7

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster is passed.  Psalm 57:1

I do not know what wipe out or disaster you may be facing, Dear Reader, but I do know.  With certainty.  That our Faithful Father will be your rampart.  Your shield.  Your refuge.

Find yourself nestled into His wings.  And find yourself secure.

Would you consider sharing a note of praise or a request for prayer in the comments? 

Root Beer Float

JM, my four year old with a sometimes teenage appetite, says to me tonight:

Daddy, I wanna root beer float.

That'd be good JM, but we don't have any root beer or ice cream.

Can I have an orange float then?

That'd be good too, but we don't have any orange soda & we still don't have any ice cream.

Can I just have some ice cream?

JM, we didn't have any ice cream before & we still don't have any.  How 'bout a banana or an apple?  We have those.

How many times have I asked God for something and he's going:

Dude.  

It's not a possibility.

The ingredients aren't available for you right now.

And, even if they were, that item is not on your menu.

God delights in giving good gifts to his children.  He is sovereign.  He wants us to ask Him all things in prayer. All things.  So much more than we self sufficient, pride drunk people usually do.

Yet.  Next time I ask God for something.

I'll remember a root beer float.

Leave a comment of when you asked God for one thing & got something different, & better, in your life.

Silly Band

 

A single silly band.

Generally observed on the forearms of children as clingy colorful incongruous groups.

Yet this is MY silly band.  And I am an adult.  Most of the time.

Furthermore, this is a special silly band.  Shaped like Cowboy Woody.  The pull-string hero from the Toy Story trilogy.  A “gift” from my youngest.  Fun loving four year old.  JM the rough houser.  He got it at Christmas in a 20 pack.

Cousins Christmas crazy.  Aunts & Uncles laughing.  This special silly band fell at my feet as the rough houser ripped into the package.

“JM, can I have this one?”

“No, it’s mine.”

“But, buddy, you’ve got 19 more.  Right there.  This one is Woody.  I like Woody.”

“It’s my Woody.  Give it to me.”

“JM, Daddy can have just this one.  You can share.”

Before we could further debate, my sharp Bride, his sweet Mama, saved me by giving him another present.

You’re thinking: You kept it?  You wear it?

You’re right.  I kept it.  Wear it every day. 

Why?

In the late Christmas night quiet, readying for bed, I discovered it still on my arm.  And the Holy Spirit spoke. It was as if God said to me...

Now you know how I feel.

You gave your son 20 silly bands & he wouldn't give you just one back.

Everything that you call yours is a gift from me.

Yet you live in pride as if it's all your own creation.  You say you know me, follow me, & trust me, yet you deny me by your actions & attitudes.

When I ask for a tithe.  A tenth.  A tenth of your time, talents, & treasures.  Remember the silly band.

You love your son.  You gave him silly bands.  

I love you.  I give you everything.