Push Present, Really?

By Hally Franz –

There is a new trend in gift-giving I recently learned about. Or, maybe it’s not so recent, but I’m just behind the trends. It is called the “push present.”

The push present is a gift given by a husband (or significant other) to the mother of his child upon the birth of said child. It is a basically a prize or reward for the mother’s completion of the birthing task. Typically, it is a piece of jewelry, perhaps a ring or diamond bracelet. I’m not sure if the difficulty of the process determines the expense of the gift. It may be that a 5-hour labor merits a moderately-priced bobble, while a 20-hour labor dictates a gift of significant bling. As I said, this is new to me.

No doubt, I will really come across as an old fuddy-duddy because of my position on this particular new custom—and, of course, my use of the expression “fuddy-duddy.” However, I have to say that I find the push present a bit much.

I did not give birth at home, nor did I return to the field for planting the following day. I had four full days in the hospital after the birth of our son via caesarean, and my husband did bring me a modest necklace after Ivan’s arrival. It was a thin gold chain with a heart charm encircling a mother and child. Tim’s gift was unsolicited, unexpected, romantic and meaningful.

Isn’t the journey of making, caring for and raising a child a shared effort? Parenting works best when both mother and father are present and participating, and children benefit when parents share in the process. That doesn’t mean we track and itemize each discussion, act of discipline, and school-related commute on a daily basis to ensure equal work along the way.

Perhaps new mothers should buy new fathers a “tolerated-hormonal-moods token” or a “ran-out-for-cravings reward” to show their gratitude for support offered during pregnancy. I’ve always believed the birth of a beautiful, healthy child is plenty reward for any father or mother.

Parenting is about giving without expecting anything in return, loving unconditionally. While the push present is not wrong, it does seem to imply that every part of life needs to be rewarded, even the most natural and blessed of events.

PRAYER: Father God, bless the new parents of the world. Guide and direct them through this precious and sometimes exhausting journey. Uplift and encourage them, and help them to raise Christian men and women who seek to serve You. 

BIBLE VERSE: “For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him” (Genesis 18:19 NIV).

Experience

By Donna McCrary –

“One. Two. Three.”

“Shhhh! Don’t talk to me!”

“One. Two. Three.”

“Ouch!”

“One. Two. Three.”

These words dominated the conversation on my last date with my husband. Not our typical conversation to say the least. The awkward tension radiating through our limbs was not typical of our dates either. On this particular date night, we agreed to go ball room dancing with some friends.

This is so not like us! To bluntly clarify the drastic difference in our dance abilities, our friends  share talent, training, and time. We share four left feet, no rhythm, and trained only in ‘college day’ party moves.

In between songs, our friends would graciously stop and teach us the basic dance steps called out by the DJ. By the end of the night we could add the Waltz and Swing to our “party moves”. Well, that may be an overstatement. We could complete the steps as long as we continually counted them out and limited all other movement in our bodies to allow our brain to be fully focused on our left feet.

Throughout the night, I watched our friends effortlessly float across the dance floor. They would talk, laugh, and joke with each other as they transitioned from the Swing to the Cha-Cha to the Foxtrot like pros. My husband jokingly said, “We could do that if we shared twenty plus years of experience.” They didn’t have to count their steps. They didn’t have to slow down or check their dance posture. They didn’t have to follow the “rules.” They just danced!

Our friends at one point in time were the awkward couple on the dance floor. They both had a moment, however brief, when they had to count their steps, twirl awkwardly, and follow the “rules”. Their dancing abilities stemmed from commitment, time, practice, and even a few falls once in a while.

Experience, commitment, time, practice, and even a few falls once in a while is the distinctive difference in those who effortlessly spin, twirl, laugh, and immensely enjoy their relationship with Jesus. Most of us start out awkward, rigid, and counting steps when we first declare Jesus as our Lord and Savior. However, if we make the commitment, take the time, practice, and get back up when we fall, our relationship will start to flow effortlessly with experience.

Are you dancing or counting steps in your relationship? Does your experience set you apart?

PRAYER: Father, give me a burning desire to spend time with You. Help me learn how to dance daily in Your presence.

BIBLE VERSE:  “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:13-14 NIV).

Steppin’ Out

By Hally Franz –

Several times each summer, my sister and I, along with our four children, and a few friends as well, invade the home of my mother and stepfather. They purchased an above-ground pool some years ago primarily for the grandkids, and we have enjoyed it immensely. The kids, who have all had swimming lessons, thrash and play, eat copious amounts of hot dogs and frozen pizza, and leave tired and satisfied.

My mother, on the other hand, does not swim. Recently, she commented that perhaps she could take swimming lessons. She’s watched the grandchildren complete summer lessons for years with the same outstanding teacher, and Marilu is willing to take her on as a student.

This is not to be taken lightly. Back in 2009, my sister and I attempted to teach Mom to float.  We stood on either side of her, encouraging her to lift her legs and lean back, all the while with our hands securely behind her. She nearly orphaned all four of our children. By the time the ambulance arrived, Ellen and I had regained consciousness. Though initially traumatized, the kids were better after a bit of therapy, and we’ve since moved beyond it.

Okay, I’m exaggerating – a little!

Mom will turn 68 this year. It remains to be seen if she’ll learn to swim, but it wouldn’t surprise me a bit. She’s terrified of water, but willing to step outside her comfort zone. She did so when she began college after my parents’ 22-year marriage ended; we then received our degrees the same year. She did so when she went on her first date in 25 years with a bachelor nine years her junior. After they married, Mom became a mother again as I turned 24. She has moved from her comfort zone repeatedly, and been blessed because of it.

Our Heavenly Father has often asked His people to step out of familiar places into areas of uncertainty. When God called Esther to become a queen to save the Jewish people, she was certainly young and nervous. When Noah was asked to build an ark at his advanced age, he probably felt ill-equipped for the task.

Students will soon start in new schools and make big grade-level changes. New believers will rise from their pews to approach the baptistery this week. Blessed be those who are willing to walk with God, even when it means moving into strange and unknown places.

PRAYER: Almighty God, be with Your people as we take on new challenges, begin new adventures, and take leaps of faith in our daily lives. Grant us courage and guidance as we walk into unknown realms in our efforts to serve You.

BIBLE VERSE: “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV).

Horse Manure or Miracle Grow

By Donna McCrary –

“Miracle grow that is a fabulous name for it… we just called it horse manure!”

Edna was one of my favorite patients, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. During our horticulture therapy session, we were diligently planting spring flowers in the open courtyard. I was reminiscing with Edna about her childhood growing up on a farm. We were chatting about chickens, planting corn, and growing green beans and squash. Edna was deep in conversation describing silly stories of her childhood days. Not all the stories made logical sense, because her concept of time was distorted by the disease. But on that day, time was of little concern to Edna. Excitement beamed from her face as she mindlessly fumbled with the soil in the oversized container. She “ooohed “ and “ahhhed” at each colorful flower as if experiencing it for the first time.

As our gardening session ended, I casually reminded my assistant to add the Miracle Grow fertilizer to each pot. Edna overheard this simple request and in an instant her face lit up with the most astonishing expression. She grabbed my arm and exclaimed in childlike amazement, “Miracle Grow! Ohh, Miracle Grow! That is the best name ever! We just called it horse manure when I was growing up!” Laughter exploded from our group as Edna proudly wheeled herself back inside, amazed at this newfound revelation. Miracle Grow or horse manure – it was the same to Edna!

Edna was a precious soul. She struggled daily to remember her name. She would often be found wandering the halls searching for her “home.” More than once, I was a long lost sister playing outside in the garden with her. But on this particular day, Edna, in her weakest mind, had a very wise and profound revelation. Sometimes what we see as stinky horse manure God uses to make miracles grow!

It is the stinky messes that refine us into the image of Christ. It is the stinky messes that God uses to fertilize our relationship with Him. It is the stinky messes that bring us to our knees in utter desperation. It is the stinky messes that cultivate in us a beautiful image of Christ! My challenge to you today is to chuckle like Edna at this new and most amazing name for all your stinky “horse manure” messes: Miracle Grow.

PRAYER: Father, today help me be thankful for all the “stinky messes” that are a part of my life.  God, please continue to refine me into the image of Your Son. Draw me closer through a deeper understanding of Your love, grace, and mercy in middle of my mess.

BIBLE VERSE: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:7 NIV).

Ready, Aim, Shoot

By Aubrey Spencer –

Paper plates are no longer safe with me around. Targets shudder. Even bowling pins are a bit afraid.

It’s true. You see – I’ve recently been to the gun range. For one afternoon, I was the star actress in “Wild Wild West, Aubrey Get Your Gun.” It all happened when we were in Kansas visiting my parents. My dad offered to take my brother-in-law and me to the gun range for an afternoon of target practice. What an experience! A hands shaking, palms sweating, heart racing, experience. It was my first time at the gun range. Any gun range for that matter. In fact it was my first time holding a gun, shooting a gun, basically anything with a gun. Now that I think about it, my dad and brother-in-law were awfully brave! It was a lot of fun. Scary. But, fun. I was a pretty decent shot for a first-timer. I came home that afternoon and told my husband and my mom that I felt like Angelina Jolie in an action flick. (So my imagination is grand – let a girl dream, will you?!) Who knew that “gun slinging” would end up being one of my favorite things I got to do on our vacation? It might have been scary, but I learned something new and had a great time doing it.

Of course, my ‘wild west experience’ got me thinking. Sometimes, we need to try new and scary things for God. The kind of things that make our world’s race and our comfort zones shake. We have to fill ourselves with bullets of bravery, imagination, passion, and willingness and take aim at the opportunities before us. Otherwise, we may never hit the target of what we’re meant to do, or be, for God. So, what do you think? Ready. . . aim. . . . . . . . .

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to be brave for You. Allow me opportunities to be bold for You and to try new things for You. But then grant me the courage to take hold of those opportunities. Help me to not give way to fear, but to be strong and courageous.

BIBLE VERSE: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord you God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NIV).

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