Straight Talk

By Hally Franz –

As the mother of a teenage son, the mention of staphylococcus brings to mind unfortunate scenarios, potentially caused by sweaty, unwashed boy germiness, sports and open wounds. I’ve not personally faced that situation, but I know it is out there. So, when our minister began to speak one day about David, his “staff,” and its various uses in Bible times, I had to make the mental switch for the context.

As my 11-year-old daughter read from a “Little House on the Prairie” book one day, she asked me about the word “gay” that was used in the text. As a child, I understood that word to mean “happy” or “light in mood.” However, her experience has taught her something completely different, which didn’t seem to connect with the story she was reading. I provided an explanation about the meaning of the word “gay,” and how it has changed over time.

So much of the information we receive is subject to interpretation, context and culture. Messages that should be crystal clear are often made murky when presented in a certain way, or in another voice. One’s motive and mission can cloud and entirely change a communication in one direction or another. We often see this in politics and the media, where it sometimes seems impossible to get the real story.

As parents, we have a responsibility to be agents of truth for our children. And, our resource should be the ultimate book of truth. Just as our Father has given all of His children instructions on how to live, we should convey those to our children as simply and clearly. We ought to teach our young people the eternal meanings of words like: salvation, commands, baptism, sin and love, and the everlasting importance of people like Joseph, Moses, Ruth, Jonah and Dorcas.

In a time when it is so difficult to know what and who to believe, let’s equip our children with the one constant, unchanging message of truth – His word.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, grant me the wisdom I need to teach Your truth and present a life of truth to my children, so that they are not confused or distracted by wrong messages in the world.

“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” (Psalm 25:5 NIV).

Hard Drive Down

By Hally Franz –

Unless you are a technology expert, there are few things that strike fear within a body more than a computer crash. In reality, the word “crash” may not invoke the feelings of chaos that the event generally does. Perhaps, “calamity” or “catastrophe” would be better descriptors.

My recent cataclysmic computer trial and the corresponding conversations with the computer support personnel brought to mind war movies I’d seen in which doctors urgently carry out triage on incoming wounded. “He’s hit in the chest.” The hard drive has been wiped out. “What’s this man’s blood type?” Did you have an anti-virus program? “Stay with me soldier!” Is it under warranty? “He won’t be returning to the field any time soon.” We’ll have to order parts, and it could take a week or so.

I absolutely understand that my temporary computer problems in NO WAY compare with the horrible life-changing events that occur during war, but in those moments, they can feel pretty serious. In our world, nearly all of us rely on our paper or electronic planners, laptops and desktop computers, phones and e-mail. Those are the keepers of our information, and without them, we feel vulnerable, disconnected and lost.

While the details of our personal and work life cannot be trusted entirely to our human minds, our Heavenly Father has the whole of the universe at His fingertips at all times. The tiniest details of prayer requests around the globe, and the major events taking place in our world daily, are all under His control at any given time.

That brings me lots of comfort, calm and confidence in the Creator!

PRAYER: Awesome God, keep me ever mindful of Your magnificence. Humble me daily with the knowledge that Your hand has made all things, and You are in control in all circumstances, great and small.

“All this also comes from the LORD Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent” (Isaiah 28:29 NIV).

Permit Believer

By Hally Franz –

As a natural rule-follower, I placed the black and orange cardstock sign in my van’s back window. The license bureau gave it to me, along with the instruction book pertaining to Missouri’s Graduated Driver’s License Program, so I was inclined to use it. In capital letters it says “PERMIT DRIVER,” much to the chagrin of my 15-year-old son.

My state allows individuals at least 15 years of age to drive with a learner’s permit under certain conditions for at least six months, and at least 40 hours of instruction with a parent. The program enables drivers to learn while under the cautious tutelage of an experienced driver before they are full-fledged drivers. Many states likely have similar laws.

Each day when I collect my son at school, he takes the wheel to make any errands and our drive home. I’ve observed the same switch routine in other cars on the lot, as well as the same bold-lettered sign in other car windows.

After my son has adjusted my seat ten different ways, the radio goes off, buckles go on, and hands meet the steering wheel in proper 10-2 position. I gesture slightly to let him know when he veers too far left or right, and he gets back on course. I calmly offer warnings as he approaches challenging driving maneuvers, like oncoming traffic, congested intersections or slick roads. He becomes aware of the hazards and takes caution. I correct him when he’s traveling too fast or seems distracted; he returns his attention to task.

It’s not a bad system, really. Though some may not appreciate this provisional and protective approach to becoming a licensed driver, it definitely has merit.

I wonder how this might work if we could provide the same protection to new Christians? While we know that the salvation of newly baptized believers isn’t provisional, it might be good for those new in their faith to have a safety net as they enter the world anew.

Gentle reminders that faith and a relationship with Christ grow slowly over time may encourage. Focus is required along the journey. Guidance about dealing with sin and faith challenges would likely be of help. Warnings when brothers and sisters seem to stray from their walk may bring them back on track.

There is no “PERMIT BELIEVER” sign, but there is a supportive body of Christians and the guidance of our Savior along for the ride.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, as we walk or drive through life, keep our eyes fixed and focused on You, and help us to be encouragers to others as they proceed in their faith journeys as well.

“And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25 NRSV).

Spiritual Lessons from Gallon Man

By Hally Franz –

“Gallon Man” reminds me a bit of the old character, Pacman. His head is formed from the letter G, and the opening appears to be Gallon Man’s mouth. If my interpretation is correct, he is viewed from a side profile, and is outfitted with four spots or eyes that are also visible from the side shot. Those are formed by evenly spaced Q’s, which of course have two P’s in each of them. His detailed and symmetrical design is completed with two little C’s that exist inside each of the P’s, inside each of the Q spots (or eyes). We know there are 16 cups in a gallon, 8 pints in a gallon, and 4 quarts in a gallon. Try drawing one for yourself.

When I arrived to pick up my daughter from a recent after-school tutoring session, this was the explanation I observed in the final minutes. This British-born teacher was working with my girl on American “standard” units of measurement. She had been through yards, feet and inches as well that day. And, as she wrapped up her lessons, she made a very simple, but profound comment in her wonderful English accent, which her students adore.

She said that “Heavenly Father is a God of order.”

My daughter attends a Christian school, so comments regarding faith are made often throughout the day’s activities. However, as I heard that simple proclamation, I was moved by its complete and utter truth.

There is order in His creation, perfection in His plans. In the workings of our human bodies, and in the functioning of plants and animals in our environment, we see innumerable examples of His precision. There is nothing random or left to chance, for He is in charge.

So, when we find ourselves in chaos or turmoil, whose counsel ought we seek to return order to our lives? Who provides the listening ear and the wisdom to make right a life that’s off track and out-of-whack? No, it’s not the master of measurement, Mr. Gallon Man. It’s another big “G” – the originator of all and author of order.

PRAYER: Most gracious Heavenly Father, thank You for the examples of precision, perfection and order in all You have created. May those wonders always serve to remind me to seek You at times when my life is anything but orderly.

“To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One. “ Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.” (Isaiah 40:25-26 NLT).

The Wisdom of Benches and Balls

By Hally Franz –

There are lots of lessons that become regular sound-bites in the rearing of children. We encourage them to “treat others as you’d like to be treated”, “always do your best”, and “learn from your mistakes.” I believe few things in life are due to chance. So, with those thoughts in mind, I tried to make sense of my recent bare, right-foot collision with the unyielding incline bench in our basement.

It occurred as I packed away holiday decorations, and the encounter left me with three very sore middle toes and bruising from those toes to my instep. I watched the bruising evolve through black, blue, purple and yellow tones, reminding my family that I never bruise easily. The wound, while apparently without fractures, was worthy.

Here’s my list of possible insights to be gained by my foot-versus-bench battle:

• I am clumsy. Redundant. I’ve been made painfully aware of that truth on many prior occasions.
• I should slow down. Not likely; that was a lazy January day, and I was completing this task with ease.
• I should look where I am going. Possibly valid, if taken in a broader, less literal sense.
• I need to get rid of some clutter. I agree and am working on it!
• I need to exercise. I’d love to, if I didn’t have an injured foot!
• I should wear shoes around the house. Perhaps, my old-souled son is wise traipsing around the house interminably in steel-toed boots. My grandfather always thought it horrible to walk around shoeless in the winter.
• I need a bigger house. Useless information. My husband swears he’ll die in this house.

In the final days before Christmas 2012, my old-souled son added a couple of items to his Christmas list. He wanted a Magic 8-Ball and a metal slinky. When questioned about the ball, he told me he might use it for making decisions. I “encouraged” him that God would greatly prefer He be consulted on any important choices he faces. Ivan assured me he’d apply this method only to small, insignificant quandaries.

In reality, I can’t glean much meaning from my injury. Nor, will my son ever get worthwhile advice from his vintage toy. We can, however, seek and expect real answers regarding routine and life-changing questions. Our Heavenly Father is there to listen and counsel us when we pray and study His word, without mysteries to solve or magic to work.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, remind me always to bring my concerns and questions to You. Help me to remember that the world holds no inspired answers, and I am too simple to make decisions without the wisdom that You alone provide.

“I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness” (Ecclesiastes 7:25 KJV).

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