The Day the Big Guy Came Down

By Hally Franz –

In recent months, the Midwest has been pummeled by strong storms, heavy rains, hail and high winds. Obviously, Joplin, Missouri has experienced the worst of these, but many neighborhoods have gotten a taste of what they endured earlier in the summer.

I’ve referenced a large oak tree in my front yard in at least two prior articles. The context may have been related to its victimization by cicadas or the fact that it provided a wonderful resting spot for an old wagon wheel. Perhaps I mentioned the oak lived nearly 100 years, and it was a key determinant in placing the house when built 30 years ago. It was a dandy!

After one recent day of storms, we lost the big guy. That’s right. The tree split into two trunks years ago, and both stood full and lush with changing leaves for the better part of three seasons, a beautiful baron image of winter for the remainder of the year.

Winds nearing 100 miles per hour tore through the middle of one trunk, sending a quarter of the giant tree and many large limbs thundering to the ground. The cable that once securely braced the twin trunks now snapped, the entire tree had to be removed for the safety of our home. Our natural shade, and the key landmark for driving directions given visitors, now presented a risk and could stand no longer.

My husband mourned for several days, placing a large wooden cross at the open, sunny spot it left behind. A bit dramatic, I think, but for him genuine sadness mixed with male, cul-de-sac humor. Male neighbors commiserated with him after the loss. Personally, I found the $2,000 expense of removing the oak even more distressing.

Aside from the fact that burials are expensive, what lessons can be gleaned from that fateful day?

Saplings and old oak trees are lost. Young and old, weak and strong all will perish one day. Will your legacy be one of stories told and kind words written about you? Will folks speak of you with bitter-sweet smiles? Will our absences be noticed and mourned?

As Christians , we will one day unite in our eternal home above. Until then, it is important to live with compassion and humor, contributing to our earthly homes and the kingdom of heaven daily.

PRAYER: Mighty and merciful Father, heal and encourage ourJoplinbrothers and sisters, as well as others impacted by storms and fires this year. Bless them with assurances of a heavenly home when earthy trials are complete. Until then, guide us as we seek to serve and live for You.

BIBLE VERSE: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7).

Good Mood Food

By Elaine James –

“You’re right.” This was my daughter’s quick response when I asked, “I guess you don’t want to be in a good mood, then?”

My 17-year-old daughter had just gotten home from school when this conversation took place.  Prior to her coming home, I happened to drive by an Arby’s and its sign out front said “Try our new cinnamon bites, The Good Mood Food.” I found out that in February, Arby’s launched a Good Mood Food advertisement. The new Outside-in Cinnamon Bites; try them for $1.00. My mind created its own sing-a-long jingle to help decide if I should indeed “try them.”

It is three o’clock
I can’t block
the monster in my brain
I feel insane
cause my tummy
is a bit rumbly
I am falling
For this calling
I have to have a bite
of that sugary delight.
It was a sign
I will be fine
I won’t whine
Isn’t this worth the fight
For the Good Food Mood, right?
THE END

Then, I attempted to bring my daughter down with me by asking the question, “Don’t you want to try some Good Mood Food?”

“It looks like a Totino Pizza Roll,” she said.

The ad says “Light and flaky bite size pastry with warm cinnamon cream cheese filling all on the inside,” I replied.

All she could say was, “Gross!”

After laughing together, I tasted it and decided that I did not like the cinnamon bite.

I heard a whisper inside me saying, “God is the true good mood food.”

Americans can get caught up thinking about food too much. Marketing campaigns like this one know this all to well. They market the food at a great price, with the most desirable ingredients, using fancy playful words all with the intent of making money, not really concerned about you and your health.

Little did Arby’s know that the Good Mood Food marketing ploy would prompt me to write a jingle at the 3 o’clock hunger hour and then be reminded of what truly satisfies me—God.

PRAYER: Father in heaven, so many choices today; help me to put You first. You alone can give me a good mood. Thank you, Father, for providing and help with daily needs.

“I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you” (Psalm 63:5 NIV).

God’s Batteries

By Jarrod Spencer –

Each parent knows that many of children’s toys need batteries. They are required so the toy can operate, which translates into loud noises, lighting up, or constant movement. A friend of ours gave my son a ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ toy that only used one battery to run. That battery  lasted well over a year. To be honest, my wife and I were very thankful the day that battery was finally used up.

If you’re like me, it can be annoying to hear those toys keep going and going. You look forward to the day that the batteries are drained of their power.

But what happens when God’s batteries run out?

Last month, my family was coming home from attending my niece’s dance recital. It was dark, and there was a storm off in the distance on the right side of the road.

My three-year old son was intrigued by all the lightning that flashed in the dark sky. As his head turned toward the lightning, to our right, he noticed something peculiar off to the left – no lightning.

He watched the left for a few moments with this new found knowledge of no lightning and then said, “There isn’t any lightning on this side. I think the lightning ran out of batteries.”

His mother and I laughed for a while over his simple observance and interpretation.

I love to hear his innocence in these kinds of statements and trust that God must get a great deal of enjoyment out of them also. As adults, but still children of God, I wonder how often we make Him laugh over what we say at various times.

PRAYER: Father, I love being a father and I thank You for the opportunity to have these kinds of moments in my children’s lives. Thank You for my family. Thank You for creating this memory for our family.

“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18: 4 NIV).

When Life Throws a Curve Ball

By Carin LeRoy –

Ten months ago, my husband and son picked out a rescue puppy. When they brought him home, he was cute, tiny and covered with interesting little markings. At nine weeks, he only weighed nine pounds.

I asked my husband, “What is he? How big is he going to get?”

“They said he’ll be a medium-sized dog and won’t get too big. He’s part Australian Shepherd,” my husband said.

“Well, I hope not,” I said, “I don’t want a huge dog running around the house.”

“Naww,” he said.

The dog soon began to gain weight and grow like a weed.  I knew we were in trouble when the exterminator came to our house said, “Oh, he looks like he’ll be about 70 pounds.”

I worried even more when my son’s friend came in the house and said, “He looks like he’s part Saint Bernard.”  By six months, he weighed 50 pounds. Now, at ten months, he’s 78 pounds and still growing—not exactly what we thought we were getting.

We now have a small pony that runs around the house! When he is excited, his tail can swipe items off the coffee table, whack a grand baby in the face, or knock the paper you’re reading from your hand. His favorite pastimes are to lick toes and loyally follow your every step. He likes to dig holes, eat my flowers and leave his muddy footprints on my hardwood floor.

But I choose to look at the bright side: He’s very friendly; he loves the yard, and he never barks. We can leave him in the yard for hours and he won’t bother the neighbors.

Life will always contain the annoying and the unexpected. So when life throws you a curve ball, look at the bright side!

“So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of his life God has given him under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 8:15 NIV).

Peg Leg Spencer

By Aubrey Spencer –

Our nine-month-old daughter started crawling recently. We were beginning to wonder if that was ever going to happen. It’s not that she wasn’t mobile the last few months. In fact, she’s been getting around quite well using her unique method of movement, the “sit, lean, and scoot.” Needless to say, it’s been amusing. As I’ve watched her scoot and crawl about, I can’t help but to reminisce about the crazy crawl our son had when he was a baby.

Oliver was on the move right from the start. He had places to explore and things to get in to. He was busy. (He’s now three and a half and hasn’t slowed down one bit.) He had the ability to crawl normally, but he seemed to prefer the “peg leg method.” Picture it – crawling around in typical form except for one crazy, stiff, straight-as-a-board, left leg. It was quite amusing to watch that little crawler we nicknamed “Peg Leg Spencer.” And just like it is now with our daughter, Ava, it was fulfilling for us to watch him as he figured out the world around him. He was inquisitive, excited, and very busy. He literally never sat still.

Thinking back to him as a crawler makes me wonder, shouldn’t our lives be like that as Christians? On the move, with a world to explore and a difference to make? We should be busy and excited and desperate to share Jesus with the world around us. It doesn’t matter if we have limitations; we can still accomplish great things for Him.

Doubt that thought? Just remember “Peg Leg Spencer.” All we need is one good “leg” to stand on. One “dream,” one “talent,” one “desire,” one “purpose,” one ” ___”(you fill in the blank). Just imagine what would happen if we, as Christians, couldn’t sit still any longer.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to remember that You can do so much with so little. Help me to be active for You, using whatever abilities You’ve given me in order to glorify You and to share Your good news with the world around me.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…”(Colossians 3:23 NIV).

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