Changing perspective on the weather.....

We have had some wild weather here in Chicago.....it has not been the "warm April" that was predicted.  In fact it has been downright cold.  And snowy. And windy.  And rainy.  Well, you get the idea.  Just awful weather.  We had some really nice weather in March - including the day I took these four cuties to the park for some play time.  

Last Saturday it was snowing.  And I was remembering a long ago day - on the same date - in 1975.  We had a memorable snowstorm that day.  About 12 inches.  I got stuck about half way home and finally got out after about 3 hours.  My dad abandoned his car on the interstate and got a ride to a local hotel.  Ken picked him up around 11:00pm and took him home.  The next day we helped him retrieve his car that had been towed off of the interstate.  It was really warm the next day and the snow mostly melted quickly.  But from that day onward, I have never believed that winter in Chicago is over until the END of April!  Funny how one day's weather can change your perspective, isn't it?

Last Sunday (and it was still cold and VERY windy), we had a family celebration of Ellie's birthday.  Susie and Doug had told Ellie she could choose whatever activity that she wanted and this was her choice..........

She decided that all of us "big girls" (all except Anna) should have a pedicure together!  Doug decided that it would be a great time to take Zeke fishing and Tim and Anna tagged along.  Us girls had a wonderful time and so did the guys!

Zeke caught a fish which truly made his day!  He had the biggest smile when he told us that he had "casted" all by himself and "turned in" the fish (reeled it in)!  And he was also quite pleased that he saw the fish swim away when Uncle Doug put it back in the water.  We finished the day with a very windy and chilly trip to the local ice cream store (again, Ellie's choice).  Even though it was cold outside, it was a heart warming day, being together.  

This week has continued the cold and rainy weather.  Last night there was a very loud thunderstorm.  But in spite of this bad weather, Ken and I are feeling very "sunny" about the coming week.  We are heading out for a much anticipated vacation to a warm, palm tree filled, ocean front get away.  And the anticipation of this event has changed our perspective on the current weather.  Knowing what is right ahead on the horizon makes the dreadfulness of the past weeks weather much more bearable.  

The Bible reminds all of us who believe in Jesus, that there is a wonderful place for us, right ahead on the horizon.  That place is heaven.  All of the dreadfulness of this earthly world should be much more bearable when we remember what is ahead for us.  Jesus promised that there were many rooms in His Father's house and he was going there to prepare a place for us.  The book of Revelation contains a really clear description of heaven.  Unfortunately most of us don't spend much time reading that description because that book is somewhat difficult to understand.  But since I have experienced a change in my perspective on the weather while keeping in mind what is ahead, I think I will be spending time reading this book in the next week.  If all of the current "crud" that is flying around the internet has gotten you down..... if there is anything else that is troubling you and keeping your perspective in a not so good place, join me in reading about the most amazing place that is right on the horizon.  When you learn about the God who created the heavens and the earth, who is the Lord of Lord and the King of Kings, who rules and reigns from that amazing place, I guarantee that your perspective will change!  Happy reading!   

Jesus, thank you for the reminder that heaven is close at hand and it will change our perspective when we remember what is ahead!  Holy Spirit, thank you for helping us when we are feeling overwhelmed and depressed about our current situations by turning our eyes to THE TRUTH - Jesus.   And Jesus, thank you for family times that warm my heart. Amen

Glad I know THE ending!

Over the last several weeks, I have missed the ending of many movies.  You see, Friday afternoons are movie times at work but my schedule has me leaving before the movies are over!  So I have missed the end of Pinocchio, Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty, Winnie the Pooh and today's movie, Lady and the Tramp.  Now, granted, I have seen all of these movies at one time or the other. And in most cases, I have a general idea of how the story ends.  But I realized that I have forgotten some of the details of these stories.  I have been surprised at the kind of scary parts in these "G" rated movies.   And I can't believe some of the story lines that I have totally forgotten about.  So not actually seeing the end of these movies is a bit.......well BAD!

This has me thinking about the fact that I am so glad that I know THE ending.  You know, the ending that we all face.  And I am feeling so happy that I don't have to worry about how my own personal story is going to end.  I know that I will end up in a wonderful place in the presence of Jesus.  And there is really nothing else that matters.  I don't have to get into a discussion about the book of Revelation, or talk about how and/or when Jesus is going to return.  Because none of that stuff is important when it comes to the ending of MY story.  All I have to know is that I will be in the presence of God and I will be happy.  I think that all to often, this one very important thing - this ending of our story - is overlooked.  People get so caught up in the rapture question.  Others are thinking about the tribulation.  Are you "Pre trib" or "Post trib"?  I am so thankful for this reminder today that the end is really the only thing that matters.  As long as I know that Jesus is the ONLY way to get to heaven, and I know that Jesus is my savior and friend, then I will have that happy ending.  

So this has been a day of realizing that all I really need to focus on are those "happy endings"!  I don't have to worry about those little plot lines that I might have forgotten, or think about the plot twists.  I know that Lady and the Tramp do end up together and if I am recalling correctly, they have a large family. And a happy ending.   Just like my own story! 

Jesus, thank you for reminding me of that amazing ending to my own story.  Holy Spirit, I am so grateful that the ending is not hidden.  Thank you that you use the everyday things to point us to the greatest truths.  What an amazing and uplifting gift.  Thank you for this gift of KNOWING the end.   Amen.

A day in the life of a Grandma......being like a little child

Its been  a great day with my grandchildren!  Some how it is always good when I get to spend time with them.  Today was no exception.  First of all we went to a McDonalds playplace.  As they say, getting there was half the fun!  I haven't driven around very much since they moved to a new house.  I thought (thought is the operative word here) I knew where I was going, but low and behold we were lost!  Needless to say the kids thought this was very funny.  I just kept driving in what I thought was the right direction and prayed for a road that I knew!  I saw parts of this area that I had never been in.  Fortunately, we soon came to a familiar road and we proceeded to a different McDonalds (one very close to their OLD house) and eat and played.

After we got home it was time for Zeke to nap and Lia and Ellie got to paint some new piggybanks that they got from their Mom.  It was great to watch them paint!

 

This finished piggys are so cute.  Lia and I enjoyed many, many great games of Uno and the kids played all afternoon.  There was a brief thunderstorm, but Zeke was already asleep for his nap and Lia and Ellie were fine.  I got treated to a couple of really nice dress up fashion shows and dances and Zeke and I played trucks (of course). 

 

But the most amazing thing was the conversation in the car on the way back from the McDonalds.  We passed a cemetery and Ellie said "that's were Great Grandma Nona is!"  So that started a conversation and at one point after I said that Great Grandma Nona was in heaven, Lia said and that is a wonderful place.  So we talked about being with Jesus and being happy and being with everyone you love.  Then Lia asked a really good question.  She wanted to know if we have to "start over" as a baby when we get to heaven.  Isn't that interesting?  So we talked about the timelessness of heaven and how Jesus doesn't have "time or ages".  Then she asked me how the Bible got to earth if it came from Heaven!  Another great question!  This gave me a chance to talk about the Holy Spirit speaking to people.   Ellie asked if there was candy in heaven! I told her I bet there is because Jesus has promised us a banquet table of all good stuff!  Ellie asked "even ice cream?" (Can you tell that she loves ice cream?)  Then Lia talked about Jesus getting the bread from his body and the wine from his blood!  Clearly she is listening and beginning to understand Communion.  So we had a great conversation about that.  Oh how I love that these kids are growing up to know all about Jesus and heaven and prayer and the Bible!  What a blessing this is to me.  And what sweet, sweet prayers these little one prayed tonight.   

 

Tonight I am a very blessed Grandma.  I love thinking about Jesus like a child.  I love thinking about heaven and the Holy Spirit and the Bible like a kid again. And I love that I can have so much fun just doing nothing but sitting on the couch watching the kids play.  What a great day.

 

I encourage you now to stop and think about things like Heaven and the Holy Spirit and how the Bible came to be.  Take a moment and step out of your "head knowledge" and let Jesus show you, in a deeper way, what it means to have the faith of a child.  Step back from everything that you know and let the Holy Spirit bring you to a fresh place of childlike understanding.  I think we all need to do this from time to time.  Jesus said the only way we could enter the Kingdom was as a little child!

 

Jesus, bless us as we sleep tonight!  Be with Gwen and Tim and all of the youth that they are with right now.  Be very present to them over the next couple of days.  Keep everyone safe and in your arms.  Bless Ken and give him a restful night also.  Bless us all with more childlike faith and understanding.  Thank you for my precious little ones!   Amen