Holey Socks are Good for the Soul

By Hally Franz –

Crayons, colored pencils, erasers… Scissors, rulers, pencils… Backpacks, lunch boxes, and so on. Each year, I anxiously await the August school newsletter, which provides the year’s calendar and, more importantly, the school supply list. Since Missouri offers a tax-free weekend for school shopping, I eagerly listen for the announcement of that fabulously-fun weekend. Procuring the supply list and shopping on the tax-free weekend—it doesn’t get much better!

Not a shopper by nature, I shop primarily for two reasons: preparation for Christmas and formal events requiring something new to wear. Other than that, school shopping is the biggie of the year for the Franzes. It’s an event, involving adrenaline-charged supply searches, restorative lunches out, and nail-biting sizing challenges. In addition to the classroom supplies and requisite clothing, my custom has been to purchase new socks and underwear for both my children.

This year I broke tradition. Instead of robotically getting each supply item listed, we did something wacky. My daughter and I examined the list and began going through the numerous pencil boxes accumulated over the years. We explored desk drawers and pencil cups for supplies with lots of life left, soon finding perfectly good rulers, calculators, scissors, obviously, pencil boxes, and more that could be used. We greatly reduced our lists without suffering a bit.

While on a roll, I inventoried the kids’ socks and underwear needs, and found that those customary new whites weren’t really warranted this year. I recall how my sister and I sorted through my father’s clothes after his sudden passing in 2003. Dad’s drawers contained a fair number of socks, falling into one of two categories of condition. They were either well worn, nearly thread-bare with the occasional hole. Or, they had hardly been worn. In his closet, we found dozens of company-provided personalized work shirts still in packages, while he wore the same ten or so as long as possible. He was never cheap, but never wasteful.

Today’s economy requires that most of us be a bit more conscious of our spending. God approves when we wisely use the resources He generously provides. On those days when I’m not feeling as appreciative as I should be, perhaps God will lead me to a random pair of holey socks. And, perhaps a chilly and protruding little toe will remind me of my blessings and my responsibility to be a good steward.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for the abundant blessings You have given me. Remind me, when I fail to remember, to be appreciative of and conscientious in my use of those gifts.

“Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom the lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing” (Luke 12:41-43, KJV).

Today’s devotion is by Hally Franz. Hally is a former teacher and high school guidance counselor, turned homemaker. She enjoys volunteering at her childrens’ school, teaching Bible classes, leading 4-H projects, writing, reading, scrapbooking, and rousing (though, sometimes, not pretty) zumba classes.

Summer Squash Turned Orange

By Hally Franz –

The exhibit hall doors opened promptly at 5 p.m. on Day One of the county fair, and eager children scurried in to see what ribbons they’d earned on this year’s 4-H projects. Among my son’s were two posters (building a rabbit hutch and planting a garden), a wooden bookshelf and two plates of homegrown vegetables. While he’ll be sharing his rabbit-cage-building skills and garden-planting savvy with 4-Hers at the state level, his tomatoes and squash garnered only red ribbons. The judge’s note on the squash tag said simply, “Too far along.” Apparently, the bumpy surface and slightly orange shade indicated a squash past peak.

Because squash plants grow easily and abundantly, it seemed a good bet they’d be ready for the fair. Green promises sprouted quickly from the ground once the seeds were sown. Within weeks, squash plants were sprawling over into rows of onions and tomatoes. Then almost overnight, yellow produce materialized in the mounds beneath the stems, stretching in size, morphing in color and pimpling up before we finished one row of weeding.

Isn’t it interesting how our children sometimes mature in fits and starts too? Their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual growth isn’t always consistent. A quick scan of a middle school classroom proves that. Sometimes, there seems to be little happening in their development. Other times, we glance away and turn back to find they’ve stretched out and are sporting an unfortunate pimple or two.

While my son needs some coaching on writing proper thank-you notes to the buyers of his rabbit, he needs no help selecting and purchasing a cordless drill with his earnings. From the silliness and angst of a pre-teen, occasionally there springs forth a puzzling comment of real maturity, thoughtfulness and appreciation. And, on more Sundays lately, I see wheels turning behind his dark brown eyes as he listens to our minister and considers his next step in his walk with Jesus.

I might miss a moment or two looking away, but I’m assured that neither he nor I nor any of us will ever grow “too far along” in our spiritual development. Unlike our human bodies that begin to deteriorate in our twenties or something (clearly, not a statistic worth committing to memory), our souls, hearts and minds will always grow stronger and healthier during a life-long relationship with our Lord. That promise brings more joy than a few squash sprigs poking from the ground and comfort in knowing I’ll never look like I overdid the spray-on tan.

PRAYER: Lord, encourage me daily to develop a more complete understanding of You and Your Word and a more intimate relationship with You, maturing in faith now and throughout my life.

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18, KJV).

Hygiene Highway to Heaven

By Hally Franz –

“Ivan’s dental hygiene has reached a level of some concern…We may have to discontinue treatment in order to repair damage …Gums may have to be surgically …” After nearly completing the payments for my son’s orthodontic treatment and now only a few months from the anticipated braces removal date, these statements sent me into dental care overdrive and near death by embarrassment. The letter came from our town’s primary orthodontist, and a former schoolmate of mine. (Hence, the feelings of mortification.) Read more

The Battle for Peace

By Hally Franz –

As I observed my daughter and nephew molding the wet Atlantic sand of a Florida beach, I felt something rare and wonderful. These two sand-lovers dug holes that quickly collapsed when water broke through their gritty walls, and they erected castles that were as much fun to tear down as they were to create. Read more

Caught You Learning!

By Hally Franz –

My plan was straightforward, equitable and reasonable—I thought. My twelve-year-old would spend one-half hour each day practicing his trombone, and sixty minutes daily (Monday – Friday) reading a book of his choosing. His eight-year-old sister would dedicate one-half  hour each on multiplication tables, reading and writing a paragraph. The tracking chart was ready and start date scheduled for Tuesday, June first. Read more

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