Everybody Gets a Gift

A stack of wrapped Christmas packages sat on the kitchen table amongst scraps of brightly colored paper and snips of gold ribbon.

Baby Girl smiled. Her tone had a certain air of satisfaction when she said, "I like Christmas better than my birthday because everyone gets a present."

How wonderfully true that is. All we have to do is claim it.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 KJV

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8 KJV

Beauty Tip

I waited for my turn in the bathroom. A young lady, not quite old enough for make-up yet, gazed into the mirror and patted her blonde coif. After she dug a tube of glitter gloss out of a darling little Hello Kitty purse, she proceeded to apply a shine to her mouth. She smacked her lips together a few times and said, "Always use a mirror when you put on lip gloss." Her reflected image arched a brow at me, "Or people might ask you why your chin is greasy."

The sweet smell of perfume and oils is pleasant,
and so is good advice from a friend.
Proverbs 27:9 NCV

Full Plate

Spaghetti is favorite at our house. I ladled up a generous plateful, added plenty of vegetables, then passed it to my teen cub.

"I think I put too much on your plate, son," I said.

He shook his head. "Nah," he said, eyeing the mound of food, "You can never put too much on my plate!"

He did manage to tuck in the entire meal with no problem. No way would I have been able to tackle that amount of food. In fact, I was not able to finish the smaller portions on my own plate.

Even when I reduce, I sometimes tend to over estimate the amount I can handle.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:38-42 NIV

I Learned A Lot Today

This afternoon Baby Girl came in all smiles.

"I learned a lot today!" she announced, as her right index finger tapped her temple.

"You did?" I asked.

She nodded.

"Will you remember it all?"

She squinted a little. "I think so." Mouth puckered, she paused for a moment. Then she said, "Well, anyway, I wrote it all down."

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

Cute Will Get You Places

"How come she always gets away with stuff?" Baby Girl's sometimes-grown-up brother asked as he put our tray on the table.

Baby Girl batted her eyelashes at him and plucked a chicken nugget out of the wrapper. We all laughed.

"Because she's so sweet," I said, and placed a burger in front of him. "Being cute doesn't hurt, either."

He chewed a fry, then responded, "I guess cute will get you places."

Baby Girl muttered, "That won't last forever."

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Proverbs 31:30

If You're Going Bowling Wear Socks

I recently attended a meeting for moms and dads. We visited and talked about child related issues, then discussed various events planned by this particular organization. There was a summer camp, fall skating party, and, this month, bowling. In parting, it was one of the 'older' kids who gave me this wise advise, "If you're going bowling, wear socks."

The comment stuck in my head. It reminded me of how often I have arrived at a destination only to realize, too late, my preparations were not complete.

If I want to participate, correct attire is necessary. You can't go bowling unless you wear socks.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:13-17 NIV

Girls Are So Dramatic

Baby girl came home from a sleep over. She flung open the door, strode into the kitchen, and dropped her backpack onto the floor with a thud. Her hands were planted on her little hips. She stood frozen for a moment to make sure she had my undivided attention before announcing, "Those girls are soooo . . . . DRAMATIC!"

Um, uh-huh.



Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:13 NIV

Everybody is Stupid Sometimes

Mid-July boredom had set in. I sat in my rocker and sipped my tea, determined to enjoy it to the last drop. I tried not to hear but every once in a while the phrases would break through.

"Don't speak stupid."

"That's stupid."

"You SOUND stupid."

The verbal ping-pong bounced back and forth. Then Baby Girl brought the game to an abrupt halt by saying, with a shrug of her shoulders, "Everybody is stupid sometimes."


God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9 NTL

Put Yourself in Their Shoes

"I have a little trouble with that saying, 'Put Yourself in Their Shoes'," my son said.

I frowned. "You understand the saying, right?"

He nodded and said, "Yes."

I tipped my head to the side and waited. He sighed and said, "It's kind of hard to do when I'm busy trying to concentrate on walking in my own shoes."


Strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Hebrews 12:12-13 NIV