Water

Have you ever watched water flow under a bridge? Standing on top of the bridge or on the shore just watching it flow by. . . Think about this with me for a little bit. All the water kind of looks the same after a while. We all know that it isn’t the same water because what we saw 5 seconds ago is now downstream. I tend to look at it more globally, all the water collectively.

However, every so often, a huge log or some other sort of debris comes flowing down the river. That debris makes it obvious that THIS patch of water is different. The debris gave the water some purpose. The water stands out. It helped lighten the load of the debris and helped it get from one spot to another. So, in this aspect the water is grateful to be able to help.

The problem with debris is that it tends to collect itself. One log snags onto another, now there are two. One random life jacket catches a twig. Sooner or later, there is so much debris in the way, that the water can no longer flow to it’s greatest capacity, or any capacity. The water has lost the ability to get down stream to bless the people/fish/life down there.

Somehow, someone, something must come in and remove the debris in order for the water to flow in the manner that God designed it to flow.

Hummm. . .you know, as the debris is lifted out of the water, some of the water is still on the debris. The water may be able to flow to a greater capacity, but it is still altered forever. It will never have ALL of itself because some of it was stripped away. So, God gets to restore those empty places. To fill in the gaps where part of the water is missing.

The beauty of God’s restoration is that He doesn’t restore to the original quality. He restores it better than it was. IF we allow it.

Have a blessed day!

The Story of Jami

Well, after I put the teaser up there about my 4th child, I figured I should probably give up the story. At least as I see it. . .

The Story of Jami

Long, long ago, in a far away land, there once was a scared, insecure, not quite sure which way was up young princess. As this young princess was stumbling, falling, and muddling her way though a handsome prince came along and swept her off of her feet. He offered companionship, direction, security, stability, and a 5 year old (Young, Fair Jami).

The three of them went along for a while. When life was good it was really good, when it wasn’t it wasn’t. Lots of ups and downs and roller coaster rides later, (I guess if this is a fairy tale it would be Jousting Competitions, oops.) the time came for our young princess to bid fairwell to the prince.

The princess didn’t know how to say goodbye to the prince but not Fair Jami, so she said goodbye to them both. Those of us that know the young princess, she has a hard time letting things go, so she looked back a time or two. . .along came Miss Alexis.

Time went on, our young princess grew into a beautiful queen of a new kingdom. The prince released Miss Alexis to the care of the king and queen of the new kingdom. Our queen had told Fair Jami that when she was 18 she could call upon Miss Alexis, but until that time she had to obey her parents. Our queen often wondered and prayed for our Fair Jami. Always wondering how she was doing and who she was growing up to become.

Thanks to Facebook, our Fair Jami found the queen and Miss Alexis again. Fair Jami is now becoming a queen of her own kingdom. Our queen gets the opportunity to love, listen, and participate in our Fair Jami’s life today. Fair Jami gets to be the big sister to Miss Alexis and Miss Amanda and Miss Ashley (our queen expanded her kingdom throughout the years). This is a gift that no one could ever have foretold to the queen. The queen is ever so grateful to God for the gifts that He has given!

And they all lived happily ever after. . . at least so far! (hee hee)

The Asterisk

The other day I was looking at my shampoo bottle. 80% stronger hair immediately it promised! 80% stronger, can you believe it? Can this be real? Wouldn’t it be great if we could pump some goop out of a bottle, add a little water, slather it on our hair, wait a couple of minutes, rinse it all off and pow! It’s stronger!! What if we could do that with our heart, emotions, muscles, anything?? Wouldn’t that be awesome?? I would LOVE to be able to slather some goop on my heart and it is stronger. 80% stronger! Wow, that’s a promise.

Well, as I was coming back from fantasyland . . . I saw it! Oh my goodness, I saw it! It was the dreaded Asterisk. The little star thing that says. . . “My marketing people totally lied to you and there is more information!” So, I start searching the bottle for the cross reference that the asterisk is referring to. I knew 80% immediate was too good to be true, but why, why does it have to be so misleading??? I found it. I found the disclaimer. It said IF you use with the special conditioner!! What?? Another step?? UGH! Why God, why?? Why must we take another step? Isn’t the slather enough?? I waited the recommended 1-2 minutes!! Have mercy on me! If I go to the store is the special conditioner going to have another little asterisk?? Am I going to be led to a whole family of special products?? Do you see them lined up on my bathroom counter? The shampoo, conditioner, gel, mouse, shiny spray, finishing spray, hold like cement spray, soft hold spray, the list could go on forever!! All these little black bottles lined up by the sink each promising if I just do ONE more step I will finally get to the coveted 80% stronger IMMEDIATELY! “One more, it chants, one more. You can do it. Buy another product.”

Darn that little asterisk. Why can’t we just say what we mean? “Buy all our products because we want you to!” No gimmicks, no promises, just plain old-fashioned honesty!! What a refreshing change that would be!