Gifts

The year that I was in the first grade, Mama decided that we needed bicycles for Christmas and Daddy agreed. I already knew how to ride a bicycle. The one I used was a small hand-me-down from my brother. It was old and pretty much worn out because it was a hand-me-down when he got it, too. The handlebars kept falling off at the worst times. Not that there is ever a good time for that to happen. Daddy kept getting them welded back on. Anyway, I developed a bike riding style where I rode slowly and jumped off at the first sign of trouble. Like when the handlebars fell off or the pedals got stuck. That kind of trouble.

Mama was so excited about our Christmas bicycles that she bought them in October. And then she was so excited about having them that she convinced Daddy to give them to us right then. So, unbeknownst to us, we had Christmas in October. We were thrilled. My bicycle was shiny blue and silver. My brother’s was red and silver. I thought they were the most beautiful bikes on the planet. And they were big. These were 26” bicycles. A little too big, but Mama was sure we would grow into them. We did. Eventually. 

Daddy had to modify the pedals so I could reach them. He always said I got my long legs from working so hard to reach the pedals.I could not wait to hop on and ride. There was one other little problem. I didn’t know how the brakes worked, so I wasn’t too good at stopping. That had never been an issue when I rode the small bike – the one with delicate handlebars. When I was at the end of my ride, I just jumped off. Problem solved. But this new bicycle was a different matter entirely. I could not just jump off. I tried that and found out immediately that it didn’t work. Cuts and bruises are good reminders. I needed a new method in a hurry. And I found it. Sort of.

Here’s what I did. Our yard had a chain link fence, so I used it to my advantage. When I was ready to dismount, I would stop pedaling and start coasting. Then I would try to time it just right and stop by ramming into the chain link fence. Not an ideal solution, but it mostly worked for me until I learned how to use the brakes. It was kind of hard on the fence, though. Nonetheless, a lack of braking know-how did not dampen my bike riding joy.

Well, here I am again at the Cancer Center for my LAST chemo treatment. Woohoo!! This journey has often felt like riding that bicycle without knowing how to operate the brakes. I just have to keep going until I run into a fence somewhere. And God has been with me every step of the way. This would have been impossible without Him. Sometimes I think that God must love me in a way similar to Mama. He has something good for me and just can’t wait to give it to me. He feels that way about you, too.  God has many, many gifts for each of us.  Sometimes they just aren't wrapped in something you recognize as being good.  But I know - every experience is truly a gift that God can help you use.

For God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. Romans 11:29

Snoring

Have you ever tried to fall asleep with a bunch of snoring going on in the same room?   Actually, in the same bed.  I have.  And it is not easy.

 I love my husband.  And, he snores.  Thank goodness the two are not mutually exclusive or we would long ago have been a statistic. I don’t take it personally that he snores.  It is not something he does to irritate me and I know it.  And, he doesn’t deny that he snores, so we don’t even argue about it.

Once the snoring begins in earnest, it is all but impossible for me to fall asleep.  At one time, the problem was compounded by Jefferson – a cocker spaniel and the very first dog we ever owned together.  Jefferson was a great dog and we loved him beyond reason.  I bought him a wicker dog bed when we got him as a puppy.   While he was growing up, he ate it.  So, he slept at the foot of our bed.  He was a puppy for about two years – it is not easy having a grown up dog powered by a puppy brain.  But, after he grew up, he was close to being a perfect dog.  He had one major flaw.  He snored.  You know how people in the old cartoons snore?   Pretend those people are dogs and you will have a good idea of Jefferson’s snoring.

So . . . here’s what happened late one night.  I am trying to fall asleep. My husband is snoring.  Loudly.  My dog is snoring.  Loudly.  I cannot fall asleep.  I keep looking at the clock and calculating how much sleep I would get if I fell asleep that very second.  It is not good.  I am destined for sleep deprivation.  There is a desperation that overwhelms me – it causes me to try something – anything – to get the snoring to cease.  But, what can I do?  I have tried poking Husband in the arm and back.  Nothing changes.  I have tried pushing Jefferson with my foot.  Nothing changes.  I have resorted to shoving Husband and Jefferson – none too gently, either.  Nothing changes. They snore on.

And then, I hit on something. I was mad, so I started shaking the bed with my foot.  And Husband stopped snoring!!  A miracle. Sort of.   Jefferson is still snoring.  What can I do?  I just need one thing that works for Jefferson and I can fall asleep! I have no idea where the thought came from, but I decided to see what would happen if I meowed like a cat.  I’ve already said I was desperate.  So, I meowed.  I had nothing to lose.  And Jefferson stopped snoring!!  Success!  I am now shaking the bed with my foot and meowing like a cat at the same time.  There is one small problem.  Exactly how am I going to fall asleep and keep up my newfound snoring stoppers?  While I am contemplating this, a voice comes from the other side of the bed.  It says, “What in the world is wrong with you?!  Why are you meowing and shaking the bed?”  What could I say?  I told the truth.  And we still laugh about it all these years later.

The solutions that I come up with for my problems are far from elegant.  Or effective, many times.  It doesn’t stop me from trying; it just keeps me busy.  But, depending on God for help – well, that brings different results.  No matter how it may appear, God always has our ultimate good in mind.  He loves us completely and with an everlasting love.  And, for that reason if no other, we need to get to know Him better!  We need to know what His Word has to say to us.  To do that, we need to study the Bible.  Check out the upcoming events to the right of this post – you will see some opportunities coming up this month and next for you to participate in Bible study with other ladies who want to get to know Him better.  Take advantage of these opportunities.  Do not worry about homework!  Just come, participate, and see what God has to say to YOU!  He is the ultimate problem solver – and His solutions will probably not involve meowing.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.   2 Timothy 3:16-17