His Child

The Bible tells us in Mark 10:14 "...Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them..." I learned this verse very early. I colored several pictures throughout my early years that showed Jesus with his arms outstretched and children running to Him. I grew in faith with that verse in the back of my mind.

As an adult I see other things in that verse that bring me comfort.

The children wanted to come to Jesus. It was the adults that were standing in their way. The children wanted Jesus. They wanted Jesus to know them. But the adults discouraged them. Oh, I know they had their reasons. But they missed a major point in Jesus' teaching--the gospel is for all. Jesus came to earth for everyone--man, woman and child.

I find enormous comfort in the fact that no matter what anyone else wanted, Jesus wanted the children to come to Him.

The Bible tells us in John 3:17 that Jesus wants us to be saved. He didn't come to the world to exclude but to include. He wants everyone. I draw much comfort in knowing that however messed up I am and whatever I do that Jesus wants me to come to Him no matter who or what is in the way. He wants me to draw closer to Him.

Finally, Jesus, my Lord and Savior, has more than enough love to reach everyone. He shows no preference but calls us all. His example of perfect love shows me that when it comes to His love, it is never divided between His people, but multiplied for them.

I thank God that in reaching out for the children that He wants me no matter what and that I can still get to him no matter what the obstacle. I pray that I do not stand in the way of any child of any age that wants to come to Jesus, but will do what I can to help them get to Him.

And I thank God that He calls me His child!

Ideas Flowing for the Flu?

The flu struck our house like dust bunnies under the bed. The hardest part is knowing what to do once you feel better yet still "quarantined." You may not feel like reading or writing. Television becomes boring after a while. You really want to be productive, and you want to be with your family. You walk the floors. You eat because that's all you feel like doing.

So what do we do to keep the flu from flowing and ourselves from going crazy.

Below are just a few ideas--some especially for children.

• Paint your fingernails and toenails a wild and crazy color. Mine are teal at the moment. My husband says that it is a good thing we are stuck in the house and no one can see them. But I kind of like them. So don't be surprised if you see me next time with orange or teal or purple polish or a combination of them all.
• Fix your hair in a different way. Parting it on the other side is a start. Remember it is only temporary. Of course, you have to feel well enough to wash any goo or "purple" from your hair once you have experimented.
• Stack the antibacterial gel bottles in a design or like building blocks. This works good with engineers who are sick.
• Text your kids/parents funny messages to cheer them and you.
• Make up limericks about the flu and you. You can even set them to music.
• Carry a pocket size recorder around with you to tape thoughts, reminders, and messages to friends and family.
• While laying in bed, think of the funniest thing that ever happened to you. Write it down, record it or tell a loved one. It will cheer you. And you never know, it could be the idea that sparks the next best seller.
• Play soothing music..
• Bark or imitate an animal singing your favorite song (This comes after the sore throat has left).

I hope these tips will prove helpful to you and help you conquer whatever ails you.

Paula

P.S. I might look a little different next time you see me. How long does it take purple to come out of your hair?

Seth - Who?

He was Adam and Eve's other son. After the "fight" with Cain and Abel, Eve bore another son. You might be thinking, "Seth, what did he do?"

It was the story of his brothers that is taught to our children at a very early age.

But Seth...Seth who?

There are two memorable things about the story of Seth. The Bible tells us that after Seth was born, people began to call on the Lord. The neatest thing about Seth is that it is through his seed that Jesus is born--not his other brothers.

So what does this tell me about my children? People--teachers, parents and friends--sometimes give the gifted or the problem child more attention. If the child is no problem, if the child is just ordinary, he can be neglected or ignored.

But big things come from the child that is just ordinary.

Children may not have a behavior problem. They may not be gifted. But they are children. We may not see their name in the paper. They may not be the greatest athlete. They may be quiet. They may be the last one picked for the team. They may sit on the back row. But they still need a front place in our hearts.

Their minds can be shaped. They can make a difference.

Just look at Seth-God had a purpose for him.

Back to School

It's that time again. Time for back packs, composition books and two-pocket folders. For parents it's a time for fear and that sense of not being able to protect our children from the dangers lurking.

In celebration of back to school and as an encouragement I will be studying children in the Bible gaining insight and inspiration from their lives.

JOSEPH

Joseph is one of my favorite stories in the Old Testament. Here was a boy hated by his brothers, sold and taken to another place having no contact with his family. For all practical purposes he had no family.

But that didn't stop him. He made something of himself.

The story doesn't end there. Because of the lies of others he was put in prison. You know the story.

Why does the story of Joseph mean so much to me?

Here was a misfit that was "victimized" who rose above his misfortunes. He couldn't change his past. But he could change his future. It didn't just happen. Joseph had patience. Joseph had determination. What Joseph didn't have was hate in his heart. It would have been so easy to want revenge.

I want my children to rise above the disappointments and failures. I want them to gain strength and wisdom from the events in their lives. I want them to have patience and determination. I want them to have love in their hearts and not hate. I don't want them to want revenge.

Yes, reading and writing are important. But along with that too heavy back pack I pray that they will carry these traits with them as they face whatever is in front of them.

I pray that they remember that Joseph overcame many obstacles and that they can, too.

I pray that they remember that they carry their mom's love and the unmeasurable love of our God.

Next time - Seth

Many People Don't Wear Hats

The westerns from many years ago depicted cowboys who were good and bad. The good cowboys wore the white or light-colored hats. The bad guys had the dark hats. As soon as you saw them on the screen, you knew which ones were good and which ones were bad. The problem is now the good guys no longer wear the white hats and the bad guys don't necessarily wear the dark hats. These days most people don't wear hats. It's hard to know the good guys from the bad ones.

How does this affect writing?

If as a writer, I can influence a child, I want the child to know good from bad. I want him or her to know the good guys from the bad guys. I want them to read about a character not that they can just identify with, but someone they can aspire to be.

Thinking Thursday - The Normal Child

Many years ago we had a saying that, “Oh that child is not normal.” I also heard people say, “Oh, they don’t come from a normal family.” Writers wrote “normal” books, and people lived normal lives.

Somewhere along the road things began to change. The normal “gauge” changed norms. A series of not-normal activities brought a lack of trust in what was always considered normal. In the case of writing that was good. There were more ideas, exposures and situations.

I am not so sure about our families. What changed the gauge on the normal children and normal family? I think we have to look at the definition of a normal family before answering, and there lies the problem. Many years ago a normal child—one with normal behavior, habits and questions for someone of the same age—came from a normal family—two parents, neighbors who took care of each other, a ritualistic bedtime for the children and a time for creating happy memories together.

Now, a normal family cannot be defined in those terms. There are two many one parent households, next door neighbors whose names we do not know, bed times whenever and very little time together. All of this not only redefines normal, but takes a toll on our precious children.

We still stay, “I did not have a normal childhood.” Now we don’t know what that means.
We need to be able to define a normal childhood and address the issues that will help make our families “normal.”

What do you think?

Thinking Thursday - People Skills versus Computer Relationships

I wonder sometimes with the onset of technology that my people skills will diminish. I am talking about the day to day, one on one contact we have in person—the confrontations, the companionships and the friendships-- versus the relationships that rely on technology.

I will admit that e-mailing people at midnight appeals to me as a convenience. I also like being able to delete those messages from certain people. I learn about others over the internet. I can see that from the popularity of internet dating.

But I also understand the joys of having a "live" friend at my side, the smiles and the touch.

One of the joys of writing is to observe. I observe body movements, voice inflections and eyes. I revel in seeing the excitement on children’s faces. I want the picture in my mind and the memory in my heart. I want to witness it.

I learn from confrontation. I grow from confrontation. It gives me plots in my writing.

Will friendships be only on the computer in the future? Where will I find my plots? Will I have to rely on the two-dimensional relationships (computer or texting)?

“Oh, you’re exaggerating,” some people have said. They tell me it will never happen. Some accuse me of momentary lapses of sanity and exhaustion.

Maybe I am exaggerating—and maybe not. Do you think technology will cause our relationships to become two-dimensional?

Do you think this shortage of "in person" interaction will affect writing in the future?