Gifts

Yesterday, I happened to catch Elianna with something in her hand that she was chewing on. I quickly said, "No, no! Don't eat it! Can Mama have it?" I held out my hand and she got up and came over with a big smile on her face and put it very willingly in my hand. At that moment, I screamed and made her cry. Why did I scream, you ask? Well, it just so happened that Elianna had put a .....











wait for it ......















this is good ..................

















put your food down if you are eating ......................



















ready? ............................






are you sure you're really ready? ......................





I warn you, you aren't going to like this! .....................................









It's pretty gross ................................









OK, here goes.......................













She put a DEAD ROACH in my hand!!!!!!!!









Oh. My. Goodness.



But she was so willing to give me that roach. I chuckled about it all day. Well, I chuckled when I wasn't gagging about it. I mean, a dead roach! And she had been crunching away on it! YUCK!!!
Later, I got to thinking about it and thought about how it sort of related to life and the gifts God has given me. I know, how can I compare a dead roach to a gift from God? But bear with me for few minutes and I think I'll get there...

There are times in my life that I'm given a gift, something that I asked for and really wanted, but then later I scream about it. Well, maybe not scream, but I certainly complain. Everyday, as I go about doing all the housework that piles up around here, (or trying to avoid doing all the housework that piles up around here!) I complain. The dishes are neverending, the laundry is overflowing the baskets, the toys are all over the living room, the dining room floor is covered in last night's supper (and maybe the night before that), ... the list goes on and on. But why do I have all those chores? Because I have a family. I have these precious little girls that I asked God for. These girls are such amazing gifts from God and I daily thank Him for them. But then I turn around and complain about all that it takes to care for them. How must that sound to God? He has willingly and with a smile placed these sweet babies into my hands and I constantly "scream" about all I have to do for them. I want to change that. I'm not sure if I'll ever get to the place that I'll look forward to doing the laundry and dishes, but I can at least try to do those things with a grateful heart. Everytime I put a plastic cup in the dishwasher, fold a tiny shirt, pick 1,000 grains of dried up rice off the floor, or wince from stepping on a Barbie shoe, I can thank God for the amazing little beings that have made that possible. I wouldn't trade them for a clean house for anything else in the world. Thank you, Lord, for my children! Help me to show that thankfulness in all that I do. In ALL that I do! Amen.

And now, I'm off to load the dishwasher. Thank you, Lord, for the little girls who ate off of those dishes tonight and for the food you provided for us that was on those dishes!

God's Imagination...

I frequently think about how God must have such a wonderful imagination. I remember when we took a trip to the mountains a couple years ago and I first really thought about this. I was completely mezmerized by the splendor of the mountains. They are so huge and magnificient and totally wowed me in a way they never have before. I couldn't get the image of God sculpting those mountains like my girls make things out of play doh. Just think how much fun it must have been for God to mold the mountains, knowing how much some of His children would love to climb them and explore! And then to think about how to make snow to decorate them! I mean, don't you think He had kind of an "ah ha" moment when he thought to make snow? It's not ice, it's not water, it's something in between and there's just something magical about it. I can just hear Him saying, "Oh wait! I know something they'll really love!" And He would have known all about how much we would love to have snowball fights and make snow angels and do all the incredible winter sports that those olympians can do.
As I'm sitting outside with Maryella today and enjoying this fabulous weather we've been having, I am reminded of those thoughts I had. I've never been able to say which season is my favorite because I love them all for different reasons, but the Spring is definitely special. I love the feeling that you have when the winter is behind you and you can get out and enjoy the outdoors again. You feel refreshed on the inside! The weather has been particularly gorgeous these last couple weeks and I love driving around and seeing all the flowers blooming. I quite often think to myself that God must have so much fun creating this world. I can just see God experimenting with all the colors of the rainbow as he makes flowers. When I see Kaylin enjoying her art easel and making new colors with her paints, I can see a little of what God must feel as He brings forth all the new flowers every Spring.
And then all the other plants! Imagine His "test kitchen" as he sampled all the fruits and vegetables He created. I wonder if He made watermelon and thought, "Wouldn't this be perfect to eat on a hot summer day!" or if He tasted a brussel sprout and thought, "Well, maybe someone will enjoy it. I'll go ahead and plant it too."
And the animals! Again I just have to marvel at how incredibly imaginative God is! How He must have laughed at Himself as He created countless animals, all different and unique. Can't you just hear Him saying, "What if I stretch out this one's nose or this one's neck? Maybe this one could be able to laugh and I'll make this one sing. I'll give this one speed and make this one oh so slow." I love thinking about it! Maryella was just talking about a bird that was in a tree nearby and wanting her banana. It really sounded as if it was fussing at her and wanting to share her snack. And God gave that bird the ability to make that sound and even to be able to fly! Incredible!
How he must have smiled as He dug out the oceans and lakes and rivers and filled them with water and all sorts of creatures. What made Him think to make some water salty and some fresh? And to make fish who can live only in the water and some things like turtles and frogs that can be either in the water or on land? Don't you think He knew that we would enjoy spending time watching the ocean waves lap the shore and building sand castles and feeling that sand squish between our toes. I'm sure He tried it out a few times himself as He was enjoying that salty ocean breeze.
And He thought to create the seasons! Just watching the earth go through the cycle of death and renewal every year reminds us about Jesus' resurrection and about our own rebirth in Christ. Only God could have thought to mirror those things in nature!
And to think - God created all of these things out of His imagination for us to enjoy! Why? Because He loves us and wants to make us happy! And He gave us our own imaginations so we can continue to create all sorts of wonderful things out of the resources He gave us. Isn't God good! He's amazing!