Who Said I'm Not a Dog Lover?

Five years ago, Payton, my then 13-year-old grandson, was quite the entrepreneur repairing and selling cell phones. He earned enough money to purchase his Australian Shepherd pedigreed puppy that came with a pretty hefty price tag! They lived in the Seattle area and had to drive a couple of hours north to see and purchase him, but left him until he was old enough to be weaned from his mama. What a twosome they were!

I was a dog-liker, not a dog-lover. I lived in Tulsa and was visiting them. When I saw "Buddy" for the first time, Payton had sprayed his Papa’s (my husband’s) favorite cologne on him to be sure I was attracted to the little guy. I was. It probably didn’t take the cologne, but it sure made me want to cuddle him even more.

Fast forward five years this month, and these two “buddies” have grown up! And, so have I. Now, my visits to the Wallace’s include Buddy meeting me at the door with tail wagging and running to the back door – his indicator for me to pitch the tennis ball to him. He loves it. And, I love him! Did you catch that? I became a dog lover! What’s that about?

We are creatures of habits when we say “I’ll never have a dog or cat or we’ll remark “I’ll never eat that food or go to that place, or sit through that concert, etc., but then the habits get tossed out the window when a “shift” takes place in our thinking. Suddenly new likes and habits are acquired. Maybe you can think of something that you’d never do and you’re smiling as you read this post, because you did it and love it. The fact is life is about CHANGE.

Thank God. He never changes. He is the one constant we can assure ourselves of daily. "I am the Lord, and I do not change.” Malachi 3:6. “He’s the same yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13: 8.

I love hearing stories of people who said, “I’ll never be able to give up smoking” and with grit and determination, today, they are literally “smoke-free”! And stories of an abused woman who thought she would never have a new life, and through Christ’s mercy and her tenacity, is now an overcomer.

We may waiver in our “I will never……” but God won’t. Maybe today’s a good day to say “I’ll never say never and I’ll be open to any change that makes me love greater and open up myself to whatever possibilities that God has in store for me." May we awaken to the assurance that He KNOWS ALL and if we’ll adapt to His ways, we’ll come to appreciate what we didn’t like before and even fall in love with them. Maybe part of our future includes changes that will cause us to enjoy the ride a little more! I’m throwing in the towel and opening up my mind to possibilities! How about you?

Christmas is for Children -- of All Ages

Oh how the memories roll like a film during this time of year when we see a Christmas program, a play, light displays, hear a song or anything that creates a “blast from the past”. That happened for me on Sunday when my two youngest grandsons were in their church’s Children’s Christmas program -- singing about the birthday of Jesus.

That took me back 40+ years ago when I directed the Children’s Christmas programs for our church. Each child was responsible for learning a little Christmas piece. A 3-year old would say something like “I may be small and not very tall, but I know Jesus came to save us all”. And an 8-year old might have said, “Christmas time again, fills our hearts with joy. Love came down to bless every girl and boy. The greatest of stories ever to be told, is Jesus born a baby, what a wonder to behold!” Then we’d sing some Christmas songs that the kids would, with gestures and hand signs, sing with so much cuteness you could hardly stand it.

My Staci was one of those, who, at about age 3, was so shy that she’d pull her skirt over her head to hide. Who knew that little shy girl, would be so “out there” today, singing and speaking to massive audiences? Oh, God did.

My son would own the stage and holler out “Hi Mom! Hi Dad!” Who knew he would grow up to be an entrepreneur and speak to audiences like he did this last Sunday? Oh, God did.

Who knew that my two children, donned in their Christmas Children’s Choir outfits in this photo, two typical siblings who aggravated each other with such pointless matters more times than I could count, would come together and create businesses that would make life better for so many? Oh, God did.

And those children that I saw last Sunday at Expression Church, so adorable, in their Sunday best, singing the words to those songs that spoke about faith for today and hope for tomorrow all because of a newborn King. Because He lives, those kids have a future and a hope – no matter whether they were on the front row because they liked the limelight, or the back row, because they prefer to be in the background. God holds their tomorrows and don’t be surprised that right in the that group of kids are doctors, lawyers, politicians, moms, dads, entrepreneurs, pastors, teachers. Who knows where they’ll end up? Oh, God does.

Our Creator and He who is a KNOW IT ALL has the master plan for those kids’ lives and yours and mine – all because He loves us all so much. How do we know that? Christmas. The Creator of ALL, Master of ALL, God of ALL became flesh and gets us…..so much so that He sees us from our beginning to our ending. Who could love us so much and want the best for us like that? Oh, God does.

History Repeats Itself!

Don't you love it when history repeats itself -- especially the history that was so sweet at the time, the memories that lasted and now, 40 years later, it's coming around again? This post today was inspired by photos my son sent me with the caption, "Does this bring back memories?" Oh yes it did!

Our sweet Bryson, age 9, is starting his Cub Scout adventures. In 2015, Cub Scouting changed the advancement system to an "adventure" system. And, I love that my son, Ryan, has joined Bryson as an Assistant Webelos Troop Leader! I expect memorable days ahead for the two of them and if Bryson catches even a measure of what his Dad caught during his Cub Scouts season, his trajectory will be one where we "fasten our seatbelts and enjoy the ride!"

It was such a precious time when Ryan was a Cub Scout. I well remember watching him and his dad so on purpose with creating his Pinewood Derby car. And I also remember the Scout-a-Rama outdoor event where Scouting groups showcased their skills. It included all kinds of activities, but the one that began our son's entrepreneurial spirit was the competition to sell the most Scout-a-Rama tickets. He was relentless to win the big prize. We lived out in the country -- off the beaten path. So selling tickets had to be strategic. Yes, church and driving him to other communities to sell tickets were part of the game plan. But, Ryan, with his little sister in tow, took matters into his own hands when he would stop the cars coming down our country road and the two of them would use their cuteness appeal to sell lots of those tickets. I love to tell that story, because no doubt, that competitive spirit, quick thinking and realizing that sales can be very lucrative propelled that little guy to be the big guy today that is still relentless in his entrepreneurial endeavors. Stay tuned for the biggest one yet, soon to be launched!

No doubt Bryson will accomplish much in his future, but getting this little guy in organizations that promote leadership qualities that are so needed in our world today, is the most significant. Here's the Scout law -- a scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent -- all qualities that we certainly look for in our leaders. The three promises of the Scout Oath are duty to God and country, duty to other people, and duty to self. What if we assumed THOSE duties, also?

What I hope, more than anything, is that this is another important milestone that will help Bryson become the best version of himself that he could possibly be. When we provide sources of positivity and teach our children the value of honor, integrity and good character, we can expect their trajectory to be that of strong leaders and citizens that will lead by the examples they were taught. HISTORY is already in the making!

Silver, Gold, Diamonds -- Nothing Compares to Him

Last week I was with my grandson, Payton, who, at age 14, is quite the entrepreneur -- selling and repairing mobile phones. He's also a certified phone doctor. His interest of late is collecting coins, and already has quite the collection. I went with him to a gold and silver store. The reps are always impressed with his eagerness for knowledge and that just feeds their desire to take the time to help him. Payton gave me a schooling about how much better it is to have gold and silver than currency. He has learned that the only currency that grows in value with inflation is precious metals, gold and silver. To purchase gold and silver creates a wealth insurance policy that provides protection against volatility and wild swings in the economy.

I'll admit, that experience to the gold and silver store had me yawning, but I loved seeing Payton's hunger for knowledge. In fact, this summer, he has been to many, many stores, gaining more and more knowledge......and coins. He loves to hear the store reps talk about each coin -- why it's so valuable, where it came from, and why the cost of it.

This experience reminded me of this beautiful song. And when I think about precious metals and gems, I think that none can compare to the love and beauty of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Yes, our economy, our society, and our well-being can be in a volatile state......and we often experience swings in our emotions and our security......but if there is one constant, one stable, one unwavering and unshifting consolation...it is the everlasting, unchanging love of God. I think about Payton's quest for knowledge and how he is growing in his expertise and wisdom. I think if we all were on purpose to listen to God's "expert" voice with passion and determination to understand His ways, then, we, too, will be credible witnesses to others of the story of God's amazing grace -- not to mention the unquestionable insurance policy that protects and provides for us even in times of uncertainty! Yes, NOTHING compares to Him.