Hot Cocoa and a Snickers Bar

Last evening I cooked dinner in a rush and ate it even faster. It was a whirlwind of activity as people had to come and go, be picked up and dropped off, and I was running late for a JV soccer game. Eric was doing the taxi driving. All I had to do was get to the next town and watch my son play, but by the time I left the house I was stressed out, and when I got out to the field it just turned to tired. I was a little intimidated by the football practice at the gate, I was confused by all the roped off areas inside the stadium, and I was having trouble finding my way into the stands. Just as I was about to give up or do something stupid I looked up and saw a familiar face. My confusion must have been evident. I did a scan of the area to see how my friend had gotten into the bleachers. I made my way up and we watched the game together. It was just nice to have company, I had rather expected to be alone. Not only did I have someone to watch the game with, but the person was concerned that I did not look like I was feeling well. I assured them that I was only tired, and after a short absence they returned with two hot drinks and two candy bars. I was offered one of each. It was an act of thoughtfulness and kindness that made my day. I tell you, that was the best Snickers bar ever!

I write this to encourage myself and my readers not to neglect the simple acts of kindness that could make the difference in a person's day. Whether it's a kind word to the clerk at the grocery store, a phone call to a friend, or hot cocoa and a Snickers bar: thoughtfulness makes a difference. We have an opportunity each day to reach out and make the world a better place. I thank God both for that opportunity and for the people who have made a positive difference in my life.

^{Ephesians 2:10} For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Traded Up

The day I trusted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior I traded up! I traded my unrighteousness for His righteousness. That means that all the nasty, mean, horrible, dishonest things I have ever done, said or thought have disappeared from my record. They were placed on Christ when he was crucified, and his perfect record was transferred to my account. 1 Peter 3:18 tells us "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit" I traded the old for the new like The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." I also traded death for life. Ephesians 2:4-5 explains "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."

I have had a yearning for the past couple of years to be in a Christian band that would take the hope of the gospel outside the walls of the church. I don't hardly know where to begin, but I trust the Lord will show me when it's time. He has inspired me with a few original songs, and today He gave me what could be the name of the band. I wait expectantly for Him to show me the next piece of the puzzle.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

Only Time Will Tell

The day I turned ten years old there was a bluegrass show at one of my favorite places, Sunset Park, in South Eastern Pennsylvania. It was such an exciting day as I entered the double digit years. As usual, my mom and her sisters had prepared a wonderful picnic lunch for all the family as well as for Jim and Jesse and the Virginia Boys. It was tradition for the band to come and share our feast and laugh and talk and enjoy a summer afternoon. To me this was incredible. These guys traveled all over the United States and sometime internationally to preform their music for vast audiences, and they cared enough to sit down and eat with us.

Throughout the years Virginia Boys would come and go, and at this particular time they had a very handsome young banjo player. Though he was young he was still twice my age. I had an almost immediate fondness for him. How thrilled I was when, upon discovering that it was my birthday, he bought me a snow cone and gave me one of his banjo picks. It's a day I'll not forget.

Almost 26 years later I still have that banjo pick, and it holds fond memories. I am now married to my high school sweetheart, Eric, and we have four children. This year, on Valentines day, my husband gave me a very special gift: a banjo. It was an amazing day! After all these years of saving that little memento from my tenth birthday, I have a banjo to play with it. A friend of mine is teaching me to play it. When we are on the worship team at our church together we both bring our banjos and try to squeeze in a little bluegrass practice before the rock and roll begins.

It's really awesome to me how things work out. I don't think I ever really would have guessed that I would be learning to play this instrument. As much as I always loved the sound of it, I didn't think I would really ever have one or what it takes to play a song. I believe with all my heart that long before my tenth birthday my Father in Heaven knew that I would. Little by little He put the pieces in place, and though I am only just getting started, I now believe with prayer, hard work, and the help of my friend I will be able to make it sing someday.

Psalm 139:13-16

13 For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place.

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me

were written in your book

before one of them came to be.