The WHYs of childhood

I’m sure anyone who has or has ever had or has ever been exposed to a 2-3 year old child has been asked “why?” several times. Why is the sky blue? God made it that way. Why? Because He thought it would be pretty. Why? Because blue is your Daddy’s favorite color. Oh. My strategy in these little discussions was to finally get to an ending point. Sure, she had the last word, (Oh) but I won because she didn’t ask why? again. I handled the whys one at a time and sometimes I even miss that stage. Until last night …

Chelsea asked me “Why wouldn’t you want to be baptized?” OK – now, think about this. I had to think about it for a few seconds. And I finally answered her with her own question, “I don’t know, why wouldn’t you?”
SHE: Well, is there a wrong reason to be baptized?
ME: It would be wrong to do it just to get your name in the bulletin.
SHE: Mom!
ME: Well!
This conversation went on for about an hour or so total. What it boiled down to was:
SHE: Well, I don’t want to go to Hell
ME: Well, me either. But that is not the only reason to do it.
SHE: I know.
ME: What do you know?
SHE: I know Jesus died, I know he rose again. I know there will be a time when all of the Christians get to go to Heaven.
ME: All true.

This was followed by a discussion of repentance, being buried with Christ in baptism, etc. You know the drill. The thing is, this was more than a drill for me. This was not some kid at church camp or some kid from the youth group who had parents to go home to and check my “facts”. This is my girl. My precious girl making a HUGE decision. I have had this conversation with several kids. Scotty and I worked with the youth group for about 8 years before Chelsea came along. I have been at church camp for about 22 summers. Still, my head was spinning the entire time.

SHE: I want to know God better.
ME: Me too.
SHE: Mom!

Anyway, you get the picture. I asked her some questions and tried not to lead the answers. After the discussion ended, I prayed for her heart. She is really a sweet girl. Truly a gift from God. Pray for my girl and for me too. I don’t want to screw this up!

Part of a Family – In Loving Memory of Lee B

fam·i·ly
- A fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and their children.
- Two or more people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another, and reside usually in the same dwelling place.
- All the members of a household under one roof.
- A group of persons sharing common ancestry.
- A locally independent organized crime unit.

I have been composing this blog about family in my mind since Thursday morning when Lee B passed away. I immediately knew I was going to miss him terribly. He was like a father-in-law to me, just as Rose is like a mother-in-law to me. I know some people might have a hard time understanding why my sense of sadnessss and loss was so overwhelming. He was my uncle by marriage, after all. I looked up the word “family” and none of the definitionsns seemed to fit. I read them again, and even though the last one struck me as comical, not one of them seemed to describe “family” for me. None of them seem heartfelt or loving enough. I started to break down the families I feel I am a part of. Obviously, Scotty and Chelsea and I are a family and we live under one roof. But our family (the three of us) is so much more. It’s love and laughter (*smiles to “FM” here) and it’s sadness and joy and pride and fulfillment and sharing and sometimes just being. Then of course, I have my “blood related” family. I love them all. Each member brings something different to my life. I think of my friends as extended family and I cannot say enough about what it is like to have a church family and be a part of the family of God.

My family included Lee B and I was so blessed by him and his example. I was touched by the tribute to Lee B’s life. The people who came, the flowers that were sent, the eulogies delivered by his nephews and his children were all signs of family. Sherrill and her children drove 18 hours straight to make it here on time for the visitation on Friday night and turned around and drove 18 hours home after the funeral on Saturday. My sister and her husband spent the better part of their Saturday to come and be with me. My Mother drove in Friday night after working a full 14 hour day. Some of the members of our church came to be with Scotty and many of Lee B’s children’s friends drove a great distance too. All of these people did this for “family” reasons. It was good to see so many members of both the Kentwood and Amite church families. The men from the Kentwood Fire Dept who came also represented a family, as did the faculty of Southeastern.

Maybe my definition of family will never make it into any dictionary – but I don’t care. I know what family is to me and I am glad to be a part of all of my families.

I would like to close by saying “Thanks” to BeBong (or L’Bangs or Lee B or Lee Bangs) for being a special family member. I will miss your humor, your songs and your emails proclaiming your greatness on the golf course. I will miss my birthday call in perfect harmony. I will miss your hugs and I will miss your smile. I will think of you often and I will love you always. OKBLYB

The Nice Gift

A friend of mine sent me a gift in the mail this week. It was the perfect thing to kind of give me a lift and she knew it. I am sure no one else would have had any idea that this gift would cheer me up. It was a cd that she knew I would love; and she was right! We used to listen to the same music on cassette tape **gasp** when we were in high school. That brings me to my next question. Does the sticker on the front of the cd that says “The Nice Price” mean that I am old? I thought they only gave old people The Nice Price. I remember when my Dad would look through the “cheap cassette bins” at the front of the store and actually buy music from them. Now, here I am, reminded of what a good friend I have and cherishing my new-old music. She was right. It did cheer me up and I do intend to turn it up and sing along all the way to work. What a nice gift.

God is the Glue

I know that scripture says the Lord is my light and my salvation and I believe that. But if I break it all down for myself, I have to say that God is the glue that holds everything together in my life. I am so thankful that I was raised the way that I was and I learned to trust Him. In good times and bad, I learned to praise Him and turn to Him. God is not *elementary school paste; He’s super glue. In other words, sometimes I really think I’m going to fall apart! But I never do. When I get right down to it, I am a child of God and Christ paid a price for me. For me. I know He paid the price for all, and I do not mean to make light of that. I just want to communicate that the foundation I stand on that allows me to have the joy that I have in my marriage, my child and my life in general, all starts with God helping me hold it together. God is the glue. How can I not praise Him for everything in everyday? He paid the price for me. This has been on my mind because I pass a church every morning on my way to work and their sign says “Free ticket to Heaven. Come inside.” I really want to scream at that sign every morning – It’s not FREE!. I get the point but there is so much more to it. My ticket to heaven was purchased at a high price and the word “free” hits me the wrong way. I understand that through God’s mercy and grace I am allowed the opportunity to follow Him and I am not paying the ultimate price, so it might be “free”; but I still have issues with the sign. I am thankful for my relationship with God. He is my light and my foundation (and my glue).

* for those of you who never used elementary school paste, after about a week it completely dries and anything you glue with it comes apart! I also remember that some of my class mates in first grade used to eat it, but that’s another post. *

God Is Talking To Me

Yes. I believe it. God is talking to me. Not in a strange voice from the sky or anything like that. He is speaking to me and guiding me . Have I heard Him before? Sometimes. I believe that is my fault. He has been trying to speak to me all along and I have been deaf to it. I have been amazed over the past 5 months at how often I feel like I have had an “encounter” with God. I do not believe in coincidence and I am recognizing God’s hand in the smallest of things. I have been trying to pay attention more and have been blessed by counting my blessings. This is the key I think. I am actively searching and “listening”. I am seeking Him and His will for my life. The people in my life that I cherish and the relationships I have with them are a direct result of God’s love for me. I know this and I believe I have known it. I have just failed to acknowledge it properly. I was talking with someone the other day about things coming “full circle” for me in some areas. I am now praying that I do not miss these full circle moments or implications and I do not let opportunities to speak about or acknowledge them pass me by.