Category Archives: Faith

Maturing Faith: Microwave Society -By Karla

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As a toddler, my oldest loved trying out new words. I remember her sitting at the table, eating her breakfast. The microwave buzzer signaled; my hot tea was ready for its daily job, to wake me. She tried to pronounce the word, and while I do not remember her exact attempt, I vividly remember the next few seconds. 

“Honey, the word is microwave. Say micro.”
She repeated successfully.
Then I added the word, “wave”.
She smiled so big, picked up her little arm and waved with great vigor!

That memory has been precious to me for almost 30 years! I can still see her little expression of triumph. 

Microwaving Our Faith

Living in a remote-controlled world, we can easily be influenced, thinking that we can push a button. Zap our trials will be done.  In addition, our mindset is often that we can microwave our faith, warming it up when hard times are upon us.

When storms come crashing in, we wish we had a “faith like Daniel”. A faith that knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that God has our back. We desire assurance that God will tame our lions in the dark dens or stand in the fires like He did with Shadrack, Meshack, and Abendnego. 

Misconceptions

Perhaps, our faith has not developed like Daniel and his friends for a couple of reasons. 

  • Are we expecting a Daniel-like faith without even being plugged into God’s word, as if the microwave would even work without its source of energy?
  • Are we living a lukewarm life as a Christian while we are trying to grow our faith? Even while being held captive in a foreign land without others who believed in God, Daniel and his friends were living for God. 
    • Are we living for God in our ungodly world?
    • Are we just luke-warm Christians, who walk in the doors of the church sporadically?
    • Are we desiring to walk in God’s daily presence on Sundays during worship, but setting Him aside Monday through Saturday?
    • Are we guilty of expecting God to be there for us as on demand when life gets tough?

We all know the slow-cooker would be the best means for cooking a roast, not by zapping it for a few minutes. Are we believing that God can carry us through the torrential trials, with microwave faith? 

The Ah-Ha Bell Should Be Dinging

God allows trials for our dependence on Him to bloom and flourish. If the trial is over quickly, that dependency will not have time to marinate. 

Faith Like Daniel’s

A Daniel-like faith takes time to develop. This faith boils when we study God’s word. Our trust in God’s abilities simmers when the difficulties in our lives do not resolve themselves by the push of a button. As we continue through the trial, our matured faith will sustain us, providing the needed courage, strength, and hope to continue

And we know that all things God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.

-Romans 8:28 

Even though microwaving is a quick fix, we must still complete steps to be successful  in getting that warm dish. Developing a stronger faith through trials requires taking those steps that bring us closer to God: confession, daily time in God’s word, attending church, encouraged by fellow Christians. With these strides, we can begin to develop a Daniel-like faith. 

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Time After Time -By Karla

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Jimmy, the only boy cousin among seven girls, lay on his new weight bench, pumping iron. In 1980, the apparatus was simple in style, but that fact did not diminish the excitement we both had for his new toy. The two of us are the same age and are always messing with each other. Cheetos were used as his favorite tool of torture in our youth. Time after time, he would sneak those gross fake-cheese crunches or putrid puffs in my spaghetti, beef stew, or sandwich every chance he could get.

I Can Do Anything You Can Do Better

That day, while Jimmy imagined building his muscles, I started mouthing how I could do anything he could do. Almost scoffing at me, he raised his arms up and down. “You can’t do this. It is too heavy for you.” He continued pumping as I schemed about how to get my fair turn. 

Way more of the strain than the gain!

Finally, he tried and left his room. Sitting on the bed, I stared at the weights. If I thought of removing some of the heavy discs to make the load lighter, I do not remember. It is more probable that I was still insistent that I could do anything Jimmy could. So, I bounded from the bed onto the bench. I closed my eyes, imagining where he placed his hands on the bar. Taking in a deep breath, with serious determination, I strained to lift the bar. 

Or At Least Die Trying

I rolled the bar off the Y-shaped stand. It plummeted onto my neck. And it was stuck there.

Right! He was right. I cannot lift this! 

Panic set in as the weights were constricting my air passage. I thought I should yell, but I couldn’t since my voice box was smashed as well! Think. Sit up. Of course, that was not so easy. Slowly, I rolled upward. The clunky bar began sliding from my neck to my chest. Thankfully, I could breath, though labored.

I should not have done this! 

At what seemed like an hour, I had managed to roll the weights onto my lap. From there, I struggled to stand as the bar and weights fell to the floor with a big thump. Dashing out of his room, I prayed he would think he just left them on the floor and I would not have to face the humiliation of the fact that I was so weak!

Still Trying To Prove

Years later, I wonder how many times I have ignored or scoffed off God’s instructions to me. Too many and too embarrassing to reflect. 

Jimmy really was trying to protect me, but would I listen. Nope! Time after time I think I know best for the whos, whats, whens, wheres, hows, and whys! The whens and hows are my weakest links. I seem to want it done my way and when I want it! 

Time After Time

And so, just like that day back in the early 80s, I take things in my own hands. I will give myself a little credit. I do not consciously think I am trying to show God that I can do it myself, without Him. However, I am attempting on my own! Even worse, are the times I pray, asking God for something, and then I pitifully make efforts to do it better! 

Ummm, let’s think about this. 

“Every action has a consequence. Some consequences are good, but some are bad.” -Mom

Jonah thought his way was better, but he ended up inside a whale! Sarah thought her way was better and encouraged her husband to sleep with her nursemaid! 

Today’s Conclusion

Lord, help me! Protect me from myself: my thoughts, my want-it-now timeline, and my impetus actions.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” -Isaiah 55:9

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Trust: Even When God Seems Silent —by Donna

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On the morning of New Year’s Eve, I sat, drinking my coffee and reflecting on the past year. So many changes have occurred in my life. Many changes were small, like getting a cat, while others were huge, liking getting a husband. As always, some were wanted, like a new house, and some less desirable, like my best friend moving further away. Many blessings were a surprise, while others were answered prayers. 

God Answers Prayers

God answers all prayers. He may not give the answer we wanted or He might take a while. Of all my prayers answered in 2022, two really stood out to me. One being my quest for a house.

About five years ago, after unfortunate circumstances, my credit score was bottomed out. Barely surviving financially, I rented a small house, in which at times, four of us lived. My goal was to become a homeowner again. I worked diligently to raise my credit score and save for a down payment. About three years ago I reached the desired goal, and the search began.

I prayed that God would help me find the perfect house. First, I located a real estate agent, and found a loan officer that would give me the benefit of the doubt. Spending hours on the internet, I looked at houses and made lists of possibilities. Then I began viewing houses with the agent. It was so exciting to see all the potential homes. 

However, each time I found one, and put in a bid, someone outbid me. House after house, after house. Then the loan officer helping me, left the bank. The replacement told me I was no longer eligible for a loan. This went on for two years. I could not understand why God was not answering my prayer. 

God’s Timing

Well, here I sit, in my new home. My prayer went unanswered because it wasn’t to be MY new home, but OUR new home. God had the man, the gold band, and the home already planned.

Also this year God answered another prayer. This particular prayer had been going up for four years. At one point I remember sitting in my car, literally crying out to God with tears streaming down my face, begging for Him to help my loved one. Watching this person struggle was heart-wrenching at times. I think God was working it out slowly and finally my prayer was answered this year.

The Battle of Jericho

Sometimes God’s plan and timing don’t make sense to us. Imagine being an Israelite at the battle of Jericho. I might have said, “He wants us to do what? Walk around Jericho for six days? We can easily circle the city in one day! And we will be sitting ducks walking around and around out here in the open! God said he would make it collapse, why doesn’t he just do it the first time we circle?” 

 Sweet Publishing / FreeBibleimages.org.

Even though the Israelites did not understand the process, they trusted God. They endured six days of silence and circling, just as God instructed. We must pray with endurance and faith. Believe in God’s promises, even when it seems like nothing is happening. In the silence, God is at work.

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Receiving Is Better, Sometimes -By Karla

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Mom taught me that it is better to give than receive. Perhaps, when it comes to talking and listening, this is not so.

Giving Instructions to Others

When I was a mom of young children, they liked to tell me how to play and what to do. “Mommy, sit here and put this dress on my Barbie.” When I looked at them with my Mama face, they would add, “please”. Of course, I happily did as they asked. They enjoyed giving me instructions. But they did not always like receiving mine. 

Loosely Receiving Instructions from Others

“Girls, five more minutes and then we need to leave,” was not even heard at times. “Pick up your toys, please,” was weakly acknowledged with a weak okay. Then my words went out of their ears just like it did with my little ears when my mom spoke similar words. They much preferred giving the instructions rather than hearing them. Following my directives, that was an entirely different situation.

Loosely Receiving Instructions from God

Isn’t that the way we are with God’s instructions sometimes? We hear His word on Sunday mornings, but it often goes out the other ear on Monday through Saturday. Most of the time, we have good intentions, but our follow through is lacking. 

As my girls grew, I tried to encourage open communication between us. Some days they clammed up, but more often they were JabberJaw (the cartoon character from the 70’s), and I couldn’t get a word in edgewise.

When I reflect on my relationship with God, I realize that I am similar to my  girls and JabberJaw. I’d much rather talk to God than to listen to Him. I pray more often than I read His word, giving Him my list of wants and needs like He is a genie. 

To give myself a little credit, I will ask Him for guidance at times and ponder for a while. But time after time, I go on my merry little way, usually because I want a quick resolution. His instructions for a better life are found in His word, and He continues to wait. 

Probably, I am an eighty/twenty percent girl. I talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, and only listen, listen. How prideful am I that I could think God should listen to me more than I should be listening to Him.

I need a balance! 

That’s what I need to do. Find the time to be still and know that He is God. In His omniscience, He knows best for all my needs and for all my wants.  

spiral notebook and bible on white textile
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Yes, I believe there are many times when it is better to receive than to give. God cares for us so much that He desires for us to spend time with Him. So, let’s sit and rest in His love. Read His words. Listen, and receive His wisdom.

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Listen Closely: Misheard words -Karla

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Dick Clark’s American Bandstand aired Saturday afternoons after Tarzan swung from vine to vine. (Check out our Tarzan blog entitled Solid Rock.) We listened closely to the new songs that debuted.

Long before music videos or the commonality of people going to concerts, American Bandstand gave people a chance to watch musical groups perform. I chuckled when Dick Clark would gather a couple of dancers and ask them to rank a song and explain their thoughts.

Week after week songs received high marks. “It had a good beat. It was easy to dance to.” These words were repeated so often that my sisters and I often mocked the phrase as it rolled off the tongue of the various guests.

Bad Girls

Different hairbrushes; different ages; same crazy us!

One of the songs that had a great beat to dance to was Donna Summer’s “Bad Girls”. When that beat-bopping song was released in 1979, I was only 12 and Donna 13. When together, we sang along in hair brushes while dancing around. In those days, a person could not look up lyrics easily. In fact, like many others, we often made up our own lyrics that somewhat made sense. When we could not think of any words that fit, we just hummed or dropped out for a bit, dancing on.

Fast forwarding about 40 years later, Donna and I were indulging ourselves with Baskin Robbins ice creams, which is one of our favorite past times. We licked and laughed, listening to some oldies while in the car. Donna Summer’s Bad Girls began blurring. In a flash of realization I said, “Oh, my! I think those whistles were cops! Donna! What kind of bad girls are they?”

With the handy, dandy internet, we peered wide-eyed at the lyrics we had been singing all those years! 

While You Were Sleeping

Isn’t that the way it is with many things. We just go bebopping along, not truly realizing what we are saying and doing. Often we are oblivious to how our momentary lifestyle affects our current lives and its long-term consequences.

If you have read some of our blogs, you know how much we love music. I relate to lyrics and their melodies often. Over the Christmas Holidays I heard the Casting Crowns’ song, While You Were Sleeping. It tells of how the town Bethlehem had no room and slept through Jesus’ birth. The writers share about his death on the cross while so many did not pay attention to the magnitude of the event on the third day. The final two stanzas focus on America. The song claims the obvious misplacement of our attention. When the Groom comes for His bride so many will be ignorant to the depths of His love and sacrifice. 

Read and listen to the Word, for when you listen to the Word, you are listening to your God.

Listen Closely

January is the month when millions declare their commitment to their health. We vow to eat better and exercise more. Should we not want more than physical renewal? 

We should commit to listening closely to God’s word, not just hearing and enjoying it, like the beat of Donna Summer’s song. Our world is filled with noise, which makes it difficult to listen to what we need to focus on. Like our misunderstanding of Bad Girls‘ lyrics, we may not fully understand what we are hearing because we are not truly studying what is being said.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

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Trust: How Daddy Taught Me-by Donna

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My daddy loved cars and everything about them. In fact, he worked for Ford Motor Company for nearly forty years and restored many antique Ford cars. He taught me to drive both manuals and automatics. Daddy taught me how to drive and I trust his ways.

I remember the first time I drove alone. It was raining and dark outside. I asked my mama if I could go meet my friend. 

Her face said it all. Rain, dark, dangerous…. 

“Please?” I asked with pleading eyes.

So getting a second opinion, she asked my daddy what he thought about it. 

“Well I reckon she knows where the lights and windshield wipers are; don’t she?” He was not being a smarty britches; he was being funny. But, he was confident in my ability since he had instructed me.

Dukes of Hazzard Driving Style

All these years later, I still consider myself a good driver. Truth be known, if I wasn’t, Karla and I would no longer be on Earth. There have been several times when I had to resort to a “Dukes of Hazzard” driving style, which saved us. 

For example, once we were lost in the middle of the night. (Truth be known, that happened more than one time) We were 18 and 19 year- old-college students, but neither of us had ever driven in downtown Atlanta. We were so off-course! No cell phones or GPS, and the one-way-streets were a nightmare! At one point, I was irritated at being lost and driving way too fast. When all of a sudden, in the darkness, a huge ROAD CLOSED barrier appeared. I slammed on the brakes, bringing us to a stop in a sliding, digging, and spraying ice hockey style. We sat silently in shock for a moment, caught our breaths, and then moved on. 

I Trust my Ability

In 1989, when I began my teaching career, I bought a brand new Ford Mustang, fresh off the assembly line. I have purchased several used cars since with all of these being ten or more years old. Two years ago I bought my second ever brand-new car. It is a Chevrolet. Sorry Daddy, it was a better price than the Ford. 

My new car has lots of whistles and bells: BlueTooth, keyless entry, automatic lights. But, the most important luxury to me is the ability to crank it from inside my house on a cold winter day! I was all excited about the features, except one, the backup camera. My daddy taught me to drive in reverse by looking over my shoulder.

For twenty-seven years of my adulthood, I had a really long driveway through the woods. I would put my car in reverse and drive as fast as I could up the drive, just for fun. My three kids would laugh, feeling it was like a backward ride at the fair. I know I was never endangering them; I trusted my ability. But with a backup camera, the manufacturer expects me to trust them. I am supposed to peer at a screen and backup without really looking. I don’t think so! That is not how Daddy taught me.

Trusting is a Slow Process

During the first six months, when I would back up, anyone who rode with me would say, “Why don’t you use your backup camera?” 

My response, “I don’t trust it.”

While I do use it now, it was a slow process. Anytime I went in reverse, the screen on the dash automatically showed me the view behind the car, whether I wanted it to or not. My eyes couldn’t help but glance in its direction. Eventually I gave in. It took a little getting used to, but now I like it. I can even see when I am backing out of a parking space and I am beside a mile-long SUV. It gives me a little view of the side before I can see it. 

When Karla and I go to Florida every summer, we take turns with our cars. This past July, we took hers. (It is a Ford, Daddy would be proud.) Even when we take her vehicle, I am always the driver, and she is the navigator, music selector, temperature regulator, food finder, and much more.

The first time I backed up, I immediately looked at the camera, which was NOT there. I felt lost! It was bizarre. I almost didn’t trust my own eyes to look over my shoulder, even though I had trusted my capability for decades. What if there is something I can’t see, the camera always knows. Right? Yes,The camera sees all.

I thought of how this scenario is like trusting God. You go through life doing it your way. It’s comfortable, and you trust yourself. But when you finally learn to trust God, the manufacturer of each of us, it is such a relief. You know He sees what you can’t. And those moments when you fall back into your old way and don’t fully rely on Him, you will feel lost. 

If you have not learned to trust God in your daily walk you have a new year ahead of you. It may seem foreign at first, but you will soon realize, you can depend on him. He’s got your back. And you will never want to be without him again.

“For we live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)

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Redemption: Laundry -By Karla

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Comfy Clothes in need of Laundry

Teachers see different students’ personalities, learning styles, and unique needs. Often students will wear the same hoodie for several days in a row. No big deal, it’s like a jacket–and we all wear jackets many times before we throw them into the laundry. However, one of my students once wore a soiled pull-over the entire week. In addition, by Friday she began to smell as badly as her clothes looked. While I prayed for her and her home situation, I also submitted her name to the counselor and social worker. 

Our Dirty Souls in need of Cleaning

Without Christ, our souls are a matted mess like that of my student’s hoodie, in need of the laundry. No amount of laundry detergent, stain-free spray, good intentions, or good deeds will remove our sins. Only submitting ourselves to God and accepting His sovereignty over our lives can detangle and cleanse our corrupt nature. 

Cleansing My Soul

Many years ago at age eleven, I walked forward in church and asked God to be my Savior. I prayed the sinner’s prayer, and God entered my heart. God’s Good News is that simple!

While it is not the words that saved me, my salvation emerged from God’s grace. When we stand In the moment of accepting His precious gift, we can be speechlessly in awe! The sinner’s prayer gives us some meaningful words to begin our relationship with Him. 

For years, I walked in the knowledge that I would go to Heaven when I died. I often made different choices than that of my classmates. I tried to be kind to others, even when they mistreated me at times. Was I perfect? Heavens, no.

Growing up, perhaps I was making better choices than some of my classmates, but I was far from living my life in God’s will. On Sundays I was more intuned with God’s desires, but during the week my habits were still present; my selfish thinking was still self-serving. At best, I was striving to behave a little above my peers’ standards. But I was not asking God to show me His ways. 

Keeping Myself Clean

Somewhere along the clothesline of life, it occurred to me that His ways are not my ways and my ways are not His ways. I realized I was wearing dirty clothes over a soul that I had asked God to continuously cleanse. What a dishonor to My King, who made such a sacrifice for me. 

Over the years, I have grown as a Christian. Most days I start my mornings in fellowship with God. Then sometimes during the day I put the dirty hoodie back on as I slip back into my old ways. God’s abounding grace gives me the opportunity to remove the hoodie and let him wash it clean. But I must take it off and hand it over by repentance. 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55: 8-9 (ESV)

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Mom: As Mom Would Say -By Karla

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Years ago, I was in church listening to a sermon when a pastor told a story about a woman who was cooking a roast. She cut the meat into two pieces and placed each in separate roasting pans. Year after year, the lady did the same thing. One holiday, the husband said, “Honey, why do you cut the meat into two piece? Does it make it cook differently?” The wife replied, “Ummm, I don’t know why I do that. Mom did it, so I’m sure there’s a reason.” Shortly after their conversation, the lady phoned her mom. Her mom paused; then she answered with the same sort of wording. “Ummm, I just did it because mom did it that way.” Luckily for the mom, her mom was still living. Out of curiosity, she called her ninety-two-year-old mama. Her mom kind of laughed, “Because I did not have a pan large enough.”

Mom and Music

That story cracks me. It is so true. The older I get the more I seem to say and do the things Mom did. I love music just like Mom. In the mornings, it peps me up while I am getting ready for my day. I listen to it often during my planning period at school, which helps me accomplish more. When I get home from a long day, music helps me concentrate to grade papers or get a second wind to clean my house. At night, I commonly set the timer on my Pandora app, so I can settle to fall asleep with my instrumental praise.

I can so recall Mom stating, “Girls, turn down the radio, or just leave it off please. I need some peace and quiet.” Just like Mom did, there are days I am driving home from school when I say the very same thing to myself.

Mom’s Sayings

At school, I have grown from the young and hip creative teacher to much more of a grandmotherly figure over the years. I seek every opportunity to affirm and brag on their accomplishments both large and small. However, I also fuss at them when they do wrong. I strive for my students to know that I love them unconditionally. In the instant world youngsters live in today, having to work for something is foreign to them at times. I have refrained from letting loose with Mom’s words, “I’m gonna pinch your head off!” But in recent years, I have found my lips mouthing her familiar words, “Don’t just sit there like a bump on a log. My mom would’ve looked at you and said, ‘Am I gonna have to lite a fire under your bottom?’” The kids seem to like my mom’s little country sayings, motivating them to get busy.

Mom’s Advice

Mom passed over fifteen years ago. During this time, many things have happened in my life that I wish she had been here to help me through. When I get into a mood, Mom’s words invade my mind. I have even said aloud, “Yes, Mom, I’m having pity party. And yes, Mom, I remember what you taught me. A pity party should only last so long! Don’t invite too many people because not many people really want to come. I remember that my sweet friends who are willingly to come don’t want to stay long.” So, I rest, and even pout a bit. Often I call Donna to vent or cry. Then I get a hold of myself to move forward little by little.

The other day my sisters and I were in a group text trying to encourage each other. I stated that God does not desire us to live with guilt after we have repented to the Lord. Continuing, I reminded the four of us that God does not want us to be trapped in a place that Satan wants to confine us, but to move forward to do His will. For a short moment, one sister commented on how wise I was. Another sister quickly deflated my pride stating my insight came from Mom. We had all heard her say so many times, “Satan, get behind me!” I just died laughing when that sister texted those words. I replied with my thoughts, “I used to think that Mom was kind of crazy when she declared those words, but the longer I live, the more I profess those words myself.” Mom was the wise one! We just try to follow in her footsteps.

I once saw a tote bag that said, “Sometimes, I open my mouth and my mother comes out.” I started to buy it because it is so very true and it cracked me up. However, I could hear Mom saying, “Just window shop, Karla, you have enough bags already.”

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Change: Smiles, Not Miles — By Donna

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I don’t like change. I am a creature of habit, a tradition lover, and very sentimental. But, it seems the older I get, the more change I must endure. Life seems to be changing at a faster rate than before. Change can be exciting or difficult, but what it cannot be is…avoided. It will happen. The verb definitions of change are to make different or to substitute with something else. Whether something is modified or replaced, it has an affect on us, and anything that affects us affects those around us. 

Types of Change

Exciting changes, that you know are coming, bring happiness and adventure. Events like buying a house, starting a new job, or adopting a pet are changes you chose to make, possibly even prayed for. You are able to take the steps necessary to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Difficult change, big or small, often brings worry. But when you have the hindsight, you have time to prepare. You are able to get ready physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally.

I am a processor. If something is altered, for the good or for the bad, I must think things through. With expected change, I am able to pray about it, prepare myself for emotions that may be coming and set my mind to a positive vibe.

Other times change comes out of nowhere. It is like a Jack-In-The-Box. You are going along listening to a merry tune and POP; it’s in your face. If it is a good change, we are all about it. But if it is an undesired change, you are unable to brace yourself. It is like an unwelcome demand for something you aren’t ready for. We don’t like these modifications because they are hard, uncomfortable, painful, or humbling.

When negative, unexpected change occurs, we often react in a not-so-good way. We may wallow in self-pity, lash out against others or God, or become apathetic.Don’t! Don’t cling to what cannot be recovered. Don’t focus on the loss involved. Instead focus on the good memories before the change.

Smiles, not Miles

My son, Tucker drives a large Ford F250 that has a lift. I drive a small SUV. Recently, he was going somewhere and I offered for him to take my car. He is known for his sense of humor, so I wasn’t surprised at this response. “That car is embarrassing. It’s so close to the ground it’s like driving a go-cart down the road.” My reply was, “Well, it gets great gas mileage.” He replied, “It’s not about the miles, it’s about the smiles.”

That phrase is so true in life. Rather than focus on the miles of disappointing change we have all faced in life, focus on the smiles that happened on the way. When you do reflect on the way things used to be, keep your mind set on the happy moments.

The year 2021 will be filled with change: expected and unexpected, good and bad. No matter what each day brings, God will show you the way.

“Whether you turn to the right or turn to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

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Cousins: Fruitcakes –By Karla

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Recently, “the cousins” got together for a snowball fight! Okay, actually our reason for our gathering was a Christmas celebration. However, we did not leave before large, synthetic snowballs started flying! As Donna and I drove over the mountain back to our houses, I started thinking about how my cousins and I are a bunch of fruitcakes! 

At first thought, the word fruitcakes can conjure up a negative connotation, but chew on the following and let these words simmer in your thoughts. 

Variety

Like most fruitcakes, a variety of fruits add to the mix. In our cousin mix, we have a lawyer, some bankers, a receptionist, a dental hygienist, some insurance specialists, some housewives, a nurse, a seamstress, some government workers, and a home title-researcher, and teachers a plenty! We are unique as are the different fruits in the cake, and when the fruits blend together, it creates something special Over the years, all fruitful cousins have bonded together to help each other survive and thrive. 

Nutty Cousins

Nuts! Oh, we have those too! While none of us are truly nutty enough to be institutionalized, we have questionable moments. I will simply share a few because if I shared them all, you would be bringing several straight jackets!

One was known to have carried a leftover biscuit in her purse to have when needed, and her daughter once brushed her teeth with Preparation H! One of us must not be drinking anything when a funny story is told, lest she spew it everywhere. Another was testing out a media chair in Walmart, when it unfolded. She was sprawled out on the floor and laughing so hard that she could not get up! Perhaps one of my favorites is the one who was searching for funnel clouds because of an apparent “newly installed city tornado warning siren” only to remember ten minutes later that she had changed her ringtone. And during the “snowball fight” that evening, we caught a glimpse of one of us stuffing her bra with two! I guess our nutty sides add spice to our lives resembling the nutmeg in a fruitcake loaf. 

The Holy Spirit

Many recipes call for the bread to be soaked in “spirits”. Honey, I tell you the truth when I say that my cousins know the true spirit that we need to immerse ourselves in: The Holy Spirit of God. We’re bred from a lengthy line of Christians. Fruitcakes can get better with age, so can we! Christians that don’t just say they know God; ones that desire to learn more of the true bread of life. (John 6:25-59). 

December is declared the fruitcake month; these breads are made for special occasions. They are not intended to sit on the shelves taking up space, but given to others. As we are God’s special creation, we are to give of ourselves to others. 

Fruitcake Cousins

While doing some quick research, I learned that fruitcakes can get stale. To refresh them, one only needs to steam them. Christians too can become stale; life can beat us down. By spending time in God’s word, we can revive. God amazes me! He designed Christian fellowship to help us out. Fruitcakes are known for their solid consistency. Well, my friend, my fruitcake cousins have serious substance.They know the Lord, and they surely know how to rejuvenate me with laughter, listening ears, kind words, and hugs.

Did you know a fruitcake once traveled into outer space? Yep, it launched its way on Apollo 11. I have no idea why, but it did! Since it was not eaten, it now sits in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum! But, I do know where my fruitcake cousins and I will be traveling one day: to be with our Savior far beyond the space we can see in this world.  

While fruitcakes are known to last for a long time; some even say “forever”. I know my fruity and nutty friends will live eternally with the true Bread of Life. 

Snowball fight!

(Thanks Mental Floss: 15 Fun Facts about Fruitcake; April 16, 2016 & Fill Your Plate: Interesting Facts About Fruitcake; Dec. 9, 2011 for providing me with some quick research.) 

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