Elijah And The Toothbrush

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My husband, Mark and I wanted our little boy, Elijah, to start brushing his teeth.  He didn’t like the idea.  He didn’t want to do it himself and he wouldn’t let me do it for him.  So his teeth were going un-brushed.  

Elijah’s Doctor said that he was getting some build up and that he needed to start brushing.  Mark and I decided to hold on to Elijah and brush them for him, big mistake.  After that there was no possible way he was going to brush his teeth by himself.  He ended up hating something that only would be good for him.  After a week of hearing Elijah scream every time we would show him a toothbrush, we gave up for a while.
     
Then, we tried something new.  Elijah loves juice.  First thing every morning, he wants his juice.  This particular morning, we said, “Sorry baby, no juice until you take the toothbrush and touch it to your teeth.”  

He took the toothbrush, and he threw the toothbrush.  I gave it to him again, and he threw it again.  I gave it back to him, and he took it and hid it.  He was so stubborn, he went most of the day, drinking only water.  He would ask for juice and I would say, “Yes, you can have juice, as soon as you touch the toothbrush to your teeth.”  And the last thing he did was, he cried for his juice.
     
Then it happened, having that juice meant more to Elijah than having his own way.  He found his toothbrush where he hid it earlier, in the living room.  He brought it to me, and he said, “Brush teeth?”  Then he did it, he touched that toothbrush to his teeth.  
I clapped and hugged him.  Then I gave Elijah the juice, that I had ready and waiting for him.  All he had to do was get what he wanted in line with what I wanted for him.  

The next morning he fought brushing his teeth again, but he did end up brushing his teeth, and getting his juice.  Every day it got a little easier, until one morning I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth, and he came in and asked if he could brush his teeth too.
     
This taught me something about prayer.  I used to think that I needed to talk God into things with my prayers.  I realized that I was wrong.  1 Samuel, is the story about Hanna.  She wanted a child.  The longer she prayed and didn’t get one, the more desperate she got for a child.  She finally got down and cried before God.  She said, “God if you just give me a son, I will give him to you.”  

That was it, that was what God wanted all along.  He was ready and waiting to give her that baby.  He just wanted Hanna to do one thing, promise that baby to Him.  She didn’t persuade God to do anything, God gently persuaded her to give Him something that they both wanted.  When her heart was ready, He gave her what He had planned for her from the beginning of time.  
     
I love Elijah.  I want the best for him, but forcing him to do what would be good for him, only made him hate it.  Bringing him to a place where he would change his feelings about something he didn’t want, so that he could have something he did want, worked.  Now on his own, Elijah brushes his teeth.
     
God sets it up so that we get to a place that we desire what He already wants for us.  Then we cry out to God, “Please give us what we desire.”  

And when our desires and our hearts are in line with his will and His desire for us, He says, “Yes.”
     
Psalm 145:19, “He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him, He also hears their cry and saves them.”

Easter

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I’ve always loved spending time coloring eggs during Easter with my family.  When I was ten years old, I went on a camping trip with Erin, a friend from Girl scouts, and her family.  We went to the Colorado River.  We were only going to stay a few days, but Erin’s parents decided that they wanted to stay until the day before Easter.  I was so homesick those last couple of days, each night I w2ould cry in my sleeping bag. To get through those last couple of days, I told myself that at least I would be home for Easter.
     
Well, we pulled up to my house just as my parents were leaving for Church on the Saturday night, before Easter Sunday.  I can still remember my Mom leaning down and saying, “We waited as long as we could, but we had to color the eggs without you.”  I was crushed; I cried and cried.  To me coloring those eggs was a special time our family spent together, and I missed out.
     
A few years ago I found some interesting information on Easter eggs.  This information said that, only within the last century were chocolate and candy eggs exchanged as Easter gifts.  Spring time exchanging of real eggs, is an ancient custom predating Easter by many centuries.  Most cultures believed that the egg signified birth, and resurrection (ex. The Greeks would place eggs on top of graves).  One Roman proverb read, “All life comes from an egg.”
     
I’m not ten years old anymore, and I have a bunch of kids of my own.  My family and I still get together and color eggs, and it’s a fun time for all of us.  But more than anything is the joy we feel knowing, that because Jesus died and was resurrected, we have re-birth, and joy in knowing because He lives, we have hope. 


In Luke 24:46, After rising from the grave, Jesus told the disciples, “The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations beginning at Jerusalem.”

The Blood

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In May of 1995, my husband, Mark went to see a doctor because he had swollen legs and headaches.  The doctor told him that his blood pressure was very high and after testing his blood, we were told that he had hepatitis C.  I was pregnant at the time, so my doctor told me to come in and have a blood test also.  All these blood tests got me thinking about how important the blood is, and about how there are so many scriptures that talk about the blood.  

There are approximately 363 verses that talk about blood in the bible: Blood of the lamb, take this blood, your brothers blood cries out to me, do not eat the fat or the blood.  Deuteronomy 12:23 and Leviticus 17:11 tells us that the life of a creature is in the blood.  Acts 3:25 tells us to have faith in His blood, and Acts 5:9 says that we are justified by the blood.
     
Blood is mans transport system of the body.  A blood test can be used to check on the health of the major organs as well as on the respiratory function, hormonal balance, the immune system and the metabolism.  Analysis of a sample of blood gives us information on its cells and proteins and if there are any chemicals or antibodies in your body.
     
DNA are the genetic instructions used in the development and function of all known living organism.  DNA is like a set of blue prints, a recipe or a code.  DNA is the principal carrier of genetic information in almost all organisms.
     
Chromosomes are an organized structure of DNA.  it’s a simple piece of DNA.  Chromosomes carry the inherited genetic information that directs the activities of cells and thus the growth of functioning of the entire body.  Chromosomes determine physical characteristics such as sex, hair color and texture.  Skin And eye color, nose shape, height and mental abilities.  Also the personality.
     
Immune serum globulin is a sterile solution of globulins derived from pooled human blood that contains antibodies that are normally present in the blood of adults.  Immune serum globulin is used to prevent and sometimes treat infections diseases,  it works by passing on antibodies to them.
     
Blood plasma is mainly water, 95%, with salt content very similar to sea water.  Also sugar, fats, vitamins and minerals.
     
Blood holds the keys to many mysteries in the body and in the bible.  We are learning new things every day.
     
Could communion just be symbolic?  The blood is important and real, and when you take the blood of Jesus into your body, remember this, Jesus was the only perfect man, that means his blood was and is perfect.  We are to take his blood in remembrance , but it is more than that.  Spiritually this is his blood and spiritually it is filled with everything that is Jesus.  All of his antibodies and every perfect thing.  
     
So when you take communion, take it to remember Jesus, and what he has done.  But also take it as you would take a vaccination, to keep you from getting sick or a shot to heal sickness that you may have.  Then thank Jesus for his perfect body and that he has shed His perfect healing blood for us. 

A Record Of Wrongs

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I am still learning to listen for Gods voice.  I am also learning to be obedient to God.  One thing that I have learned is, what might seem like foolishness to some, is not foolishness if God tells you to do it.     

My husband Mark, and I were arguing. I was growing tired of the argument so I prayed, “God, tell me how to end this argument.”

I got a strong feeling to just let it go.  So I went to Mark and said I was sorry.  He accepted my apology, but I just felt that things weren’t right.  We were still being cold to each other.  I didn’t know what to do, so again, I prayed for Gods help.  I got an answer that I wasn’t expecting, and I just didn’t see how it would change anything.     

I had been keeping a diary.  Actually it was more like a record of wrongs.  I told myself that I needed it to show Mark all the things that I felt he was doing wrong.  Then God spoke to me, “ Get rid of the diary.”

But stubborn me, I couldn’t see how that would change anything.  But the next morning, I tore up the diary, and threw it in the trash.

In Exodus the Israelites were arguing with Moses.  They accused Moses of leading them into the desert to die of thirst.  Moses called out to God.  God told Moses to take his staff and hit a large rock with it.  

In Exodus 17:6 God said, “I will stand there before you by the Rock of Horeb.  Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.”

Moses struck the rock and water flowed out.     

After disposing of the record of wrongs, it was barely a half an hour later when Mark came to me and asked sweetly, “Can we start over.”

Wow!  We forgave each other and decided to recommit and build a stronger relationship.  
Tearing up some papers didn’t seem like an answer to me. I’m sure that before Moses hit that rock, he wasn’t sure what to expect either.  I thought that I had to be in control. I had to show Mark, a thing or two. Being obedient to God was more important than being right.  And to my surprise, God worked fast and perfectly.  

  


      

Slumber Parties

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How many slumber parties does a young lady in junior high go to?  In those days, when mental and physical growth were so important, I went to as many parties as I had friends that were 13 and 14 years old.

Each party was a little different, as each girl was different.  At my party, my older sister, Carol, told us ghost stories by candle light in my darkened room.  At just the right moment, my little brother, Bob, jumped out of the closet with a sheet over his head.  He waved his arms and everyone in the room let out a scream of delight. 

I remember the presents the most, at my friend, Carol’s party.  Each present, though wrapped different was the exact same size.  Music albums were all the rage, and Carol got an album from each young lady at her party.  The Partridge Family, The Brady Bunch, (yes, they did sing) Nancy Sinatra, The Monkees, those were just some of the albums she got, I hope she kept the receipts.

At Jojan’s party, we danced in our pajamas.  And at Angie’s party, we had chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, delicious!

The party that I loved the most was Maria’s party.  No one slept that night.  We all sat up and talked and giggled and loved each others company.

Earlier in the evening at Maria’s party, we had a scavenger hunt.  I don’t think that game could be played these days because things have gotten out of control.  Back in the 70’s, things were more gentle, more mellow, more safe.  

It was so much fun going from door to door in our neighborhood.  One girl would ring the door bell, we would stand there trying not to giggle.  When the home owner would say, “Hello”  the bravest girl would hand him the list and ask if we could have anything that was on the list, that they might have.

Whether it be a roll of toilet paper, or a toothpick, a battery, or a stamp, we were thrilled if we got anything.  Then with our loot from the list in hand, we ran back to Maria’s house to see if we were the winners.

Not only did our group have to be first in this race, the girls that I ran around with also had to have every single thing on our list for the judges.  The winners all won a prize, what fun we had.

The race we as Christians are running today, isn’t a game, but there will be a prize at the end.  2 Timothy 4:7 and 8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.”

I think about Cheryl, Julie and the other girls I grew up with.  When they come to mind, I like to say a prayer for them.  I hope that when the race they are running comes to a finish, they will be together forever with Jesus Christ.     

Tantrum

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As I took a moment, to take a breath and look around my room, I saw scattered books and toys, dolls, socks and shoes.  Pile on top of pile on top of colorful pile of shirts, pants and dresses and me, on the tip top of all of the piles, screaming!

What was I screaming about?  Who knows, I used to throw a temper tantrum at the drop of a hat.  If I was getting ready for school, or bed or just about anything, and things weren’t to my liking, I would scream, throw things ,pull my clothes out of my closet and sit right in the middle of it all until I got my way, or gave up, and it was almost always the latter.

I wasn’t a spoiled kid, but I did suffer from anxiety and depression. At the time no one understood what was wrong with me, we just knew that I wasn‘t like all of the other kids, so I went untreated, for many more years.

My poor parents had to deal with me and I’m glad that they were the incredible people that they were, and that knew Jesus, or I don’t know where I would be today. 

Proverbs 13:24, “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.”   Some believe that this scripture gives license to spank or hurt their kids, but I don't believe that is what that scripture is saying!  What it does say is to discipline your children with a rod and if you look up rod in the dictionary, one meaning is a kind of a staff, used to steer the herds, not to beat them.

My parents guided me firmly, but lovingly, like a Sheppard guides his sheep.  In the Bible the rod became known as a sign of authority, Moses carried a rod when he returned to Egypt.   Sheppard’s would lead the way and count their valuable sheep with a rod.  It was even illegal to kill a servant with a rod.

I finally did get the help that I needed for my depression and anxiety, but not until I was an adult.  I don’t throw temper tantrums anymore either.  I do try to steer my kids with my imaginary rod and with help from God’s word and the Holy Spirit.

As David said in Psalm 23: “I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and staff they comport me.”  Let your rod guide and comfort your child.