THE BATH

When the kids were little I decided to go to the grocery story alone. Dad was home working on the car in the garage. Morgan was 9, Rachel was 7 and Rebekah was 3, what could possibly happen in just a few hours?

Rachel decided to bathe Sugar as a surprise for me. Sugar was a longhaired, medium sized, Hinze 57 dog, and twice the size of Rachel. Rachel removed Sugar’s collar and with as much might as a 7 year old could muster, she lifted Sugar and began to place her in the tub. Sugar turned and gave her a look as if to say, ‘I hope you know what you're are doing?’

Rachel turned the water on, it was too cold and as the water ran over Sugar’s paws, she jumped out of the tub, trailing water behind her. Rachel turned; picked Sugar up around the middle and once again lifted Sugar into the tub.

Sugar sat quietly while Rachel poured pitcher after pitcher of water on her head, back and tail. Once again, Sugar made a break for it, this time water sloshed from the tub as she skidded across the slippery, soaked tile and began to shake the water from her hair; covering the walls, fixtures, towels, and Rachel from head to toe.
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“Hum,” Rachel thought, “I know just what to do.” Turning the water off, she poured shampoo on Sugar, who still stood on the floor, and began to soap her up from head to tail. ‘This is working great!’ Rachel mused.

Once all the shampoo was worked into the hair, Rachel began to fill the pitcher with water and rinse Sugar, who still stood on the floor. She rinsed all of the shampoo from Sugar’s coat, then turning around reached for the Bounty paper towels. Instead of removing one towel at a time to soak up the water, she took the entire roll and began to soak up the flooded floor. To her disappointment the Bounty wasn’t working as it had been advertised.



I arrived home to find Daryl still in the garage and Rebekah and Morgan watching TV. As I rounded the corner I saw water standing in the hall, did we have a leak? I opened the bathroom door and there stood Sugar soaked, Rachel soaked, a flooded bathroom and a whole roll of paper towels lying in the water. At the look of shock on my face, Rachel burst into tears. “Oh Momma, you weren’t supposed to see all of this until I was finished.” “It was to be a surprise!" I assured her I was ‘very’ surprised. “Why” I asked "didn’t you put Sugar in the tub to bathe her?” “Well Momma, she just kept jumping out so I decided it would be easier to just bathe her on the floor.”

Rachel is now 23 and I asked her, “What do you remember most about the time you bathed Sugar?” She answered, "One, that you still brought me Skittles and gave them to me anyway and two, you can’t believe everything you hear." She was referring to the Bounty paper towels.

Psalms 103:12
"As far as the East is from the West, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."

'Wait' For Me!

We had the summer to look for a house in Houston. Morgan, Rachel, Rebekah and I planned to spend the summer looking. We would pour over the Houston Post, Green Sheet, and other area papers, driving from subdivision to subdivision looking for something available and in our price range. We were on a limited income, I was a stay at home mother and Daryl was the soul support of our family.

We spent most of the summer praying and looking for ‘the’ house for us. We would load up in the car, with newspapers in hand, bow our heads and pray asking God to showing us the way. It seemed we spent hours looking and praying; but nothing.

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August came and we had 2 weeks to find a house, pack and move. Trey, my brother was getting married the 12th of the month and I very much wanted to go. My baby brother Bruce also came for a visit that first week of August and we rode back with him to Amarillo for Trey’s wedding.

These questions continued to plague my mind….. 'How could I go to a wedding when I was supposed to find a house to move into?' 'Hadn’t I practiced Matthew 7:7 “Seek and ye shall find; knock and the door shall be opened unto you.” I had looked, I had knocked, but the door still wasn’t opened. I had to stretch my faith, this was a test!

The kids and I went to the wedding in Amarillo. We arrived back in Houston on Monday, by bus. We had to be packed and moved on Saturday. Tuesday morning the kids and I got up, scanned the papers, said our prayers and got in the car and were off to look for a home. Time had almost run out.

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After much looking and little success we stopped at a friend’s home for refreshment and encouragement. I told her of my plight; looking, praying, searching but nothing turned up. She pulled out her daily paper, The Houston Chronicle and looked and there was a “3 bedroom, 2 bath, double car garage” for rent, 425.00 a month. I called the number and agreed to meet with the owner in 30 minutes.

Thirty minutes later I pulled into the drive and visited with the lady from California. She had placed the ad in the paper, flown in from California that morning, met with the lawyers and signed the necessary papers to buy the house and needed to rent the house that day, she was returning to California the next morning.

The house was perfect! The rent was perfect! The size was perfect! It was the answer to all our prayers we had offered! It was from God! Only He could have worked out everything so perfectly. All that summer we had questioned, where, how, when. And the entire time His response had been, “Wait for Me; be strong take heart and wait for Me.” Psalm 27:14

Isaiah 40:31
“Those who ‘wait’ on the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

"I KNOW NOTHING!"

I loaded up Morgan my soccer player, Rachel and Rebekah and off we went to soccer practice. The traffic was heavy, normal for Houston and we were running late. At a red light I paused and was thankful for the ‘Right on Red’ law. I looked to my left and saw a fast moving Camaro making its way into the intersection. I could beat it! I pulled out making the Camaro change lanes and pull around me. Whew, I had made it. I looked once more in the rear-a-view mirror and there behind me was a state trooper with lights flashing, following me.


Rachel began to say, “I want to go home, I want to go home, I want to go home......” “Me too,” I told her. As I pulled my car to the side of the road the trooper got out of his car and came to my window. My heart was beating so loudly in my ears, I was afraid I wouldn't hear anything that he was saying. “Ma'am, is there an emergency? Is someone sick?” I took a deep breath and said, “Well, I wasn’t sick until I looked in my mirror and saw you with your lights flashing; now I don’t feel so well.” He proceeded to take all my information and give me a stern lecture on how dangerous that particular intersection was. For some reason that day I was let off with just a warning; I deserved more.

When the state trooper drove off, Morgan piped up, “Boy o boy, just wait till I get home and tell Dad what you did.” “Listen here boy” I said. “You tell on me and I’ll tell Dad everything you do, have done and are planning to do.” “Do you have that straight?” “Yes ma'am,” he said.


Later that evening I was making supper when Daryl/Dad arrived home. The girls were playing in the floor, Morgan was watching cartoons. Dad asked, “How was your day kids?” Morgan jumped straight out of the chair, waving his arms wildly he said, “I know nothing, absolutely nothing,” as he ran off to his room and shut the door. Daryl turned to me and said, “What was that all about?” I just shrugged my shoulders and went back to cooking. I would wait to tell him of our 'afternoon adventure' when all the kids were tucked into bed.

Proverbs 6:16-19
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.”

Late Top '10' Tuesday

TOP 10 Things That A Mom ‘Never’ Wants To Hear

1. “Mom I blew up the bathroom,” while eating at a nice restaurant. You go to check it out and see water flowing down the hallway toward other diners.

2. “Mom, I think I’m going to throw up,” while driving home. I’ve actually been known to breakout the checkbook and write a check to the ailing child. Money Talks!

3. “Mom, I can see your underwear,” is announced when you stand to sing the last song at church.

4. “Mom, did you want that old hammy roast?” is announced while a stray dog eats tonight’s dinner.

5. “Mom, ya know that old coat you wear when it’s cold? I wrapped a dead cat in it.”

6. “Mom, don’t tell Dad that I dropped his toothbrush in the toilet.”

7. “Mom, what takes bleach out?”

8. “Mom, the cat is having kittens behind the bed.”

9. “Mom, that lady’s thighs are too fat,” while the lady stands nearby with a pasted on grin.

Number 10 is screamed at the top of the child’s lungs while holding the phone…...
10. “Mom, that lady you don’t like, is on the phone wanting to talk to you.”

All the above saying listed in blue, are based on true stories!


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The 'Nail'

When I was a small child I loved nails; the ten penny nails. They were cool to the touch, strong and smooth, and the new ones seemed to have a special shine. We kept the nails in a drawer in the ‘little white house’ in front of our trailer house where we lived. The ‘little white house’ was small, quant and used for storage. At some point in my childhood the front room of the 'little white house' was used as an office for my Dad’s business.

From time to time I would wonder into the ‘little white house,’ take out a nail, hold it, feel the weight and strength and then return it to the drawer. One sunny afternoon I got the ‘bright’ idea to place 4 of those mesmerizing nails under each tire of my dad’s car. I was too young to consider the consequences.

I went to the ‘little white house,’ removed 4 specially selected nails and began to place each nail at just the right angle of each tire. I was very pleased with myself and the job I had accomplished. I walked around the car surveying a ‘job well done.’

The next morning I went out to play. Glancing over at the car, I noticed my nails were gone. I quickly ran to the ‘little white house,’ removed 4 more specially selected nails and placed them with just as much care as the day before, under each of the tires. I dusted off my hands and ran to play.

That afternoon my Dad approached me, “Monalea!” “Yes?” I answered with a smile. “Are you putting those nails under the tires of the car?” He asked. I could see from the downward turn of his usually smiling face that my ‘job well done’ was not a ‘job well done’ after all. Taking a deep breath, eyes down cast, I answered, “Yes sir.” The silence was deafening as I waited for his next words. It seemed forever before he replied….”Don’t do it ever again. It is costing me lots of money to fix my tires.” Then he ruffled the hair on top of my head, smiled and walked away. The realization of what those nails had accomplished hit me.

It wasn’t until years later that I fully understood what a different type of ‘nail’ had accomplished!

Acts 2:23 “This Man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the Cross.”

Prayer Makes Consequences More Bearable

Bekah with her friend - Misa making fish faces

When my children were little I would say to them. . . . . ‘Don’t forget to pray.’ ‘Have you prayed about that?’ ‘Pray!’ ‘You know, God can help when you pray and ask Him.’ ‘Prayer is a powerful tool.’ ‘Pray!’ ‘Why don’t we pray together?’ ‘Would you like me to pray for you?’ ‘Pray!’ Prayer was a very important thing in theirs and my life. I didn’t realize how much until one afternoon. . . . . .

Rebekah was 5 (She is soon to turn 20) she had trouble with bad words coming out of her month, probably the ‘S’ word (check earlier blog). She had been warned of what would happen if she should cross the line again.

One morning she was playing in the floor, when out of her mouth popped one of ‘those’ words. “Rebekah,” I said. She jumped with a start. “Yes Mama?” she said with eyes downcast. “You know what I said would happen the next time you used that word. Come on, we are going to my room for a spanking.” She stood slowly, dropping her doll to the floor. Her little face turned up to mine, her blue eyes sparkled with unshed tears; I knew I had to be strong. She placed her little hand in mine as we made our way to the bedroom. “Momma!” she said with such excitement that I stopped and turned to see a huge smile and twinkling eyes. “Momma, could we pray first?” “We sure can” I said. “And then we will have to get that spanking.”

After she and I prayed together, true to my word I gave my little blonde-headed imp her spanking. I think that was one the hardest things I’d ever done. Prayer didn’t change the consequences, but it made the consequences more bearable.

Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The 'S' Word

As a child the ‘S’ word (shut-up) was never allowed. If you said the ‘S’ word you got your mouth washed out with soap. I think once was enough for me, but I’m pretty sure with ‘Trey’ it took several washing to get that word and others, washed out of his mouth.

I remember a time when there was a huge crisis in my life. My children were 2, 5, & 6, that in and of itself is crisis enough. Funny thing, now after 20 years I can’t seem to remember exactly what that crisis was. But it was something that brought me to the Father’s throne many times in a few short days. After much prayer and no answer from God I called to visit with my Mother, a woman full of Godly wisdom. I told her of my problems, my sleepless nights and my many prayers to God. She listened intently to my words and then replied, “Have you shut-up (yes, she used the ‘S’ word for the 1st time in my life) long enough to hear what God has to say to you?” I sat stunned, almost missing the point to her words because ‘my Mother has said the ‘S’ word.’ “Monalea,” she said so gently; “Have you read God’s Word and listened to what He has to say to you?” This time I heard her and I replied, “No Mom, I haven’t opened my Bible in a long time.” “Maybe that is your problem,” she said. “You have been doing all the talking and haven’t closed your mouth long enough to hear what He has to say.” I remember hanging up the phone and reaching for the Bible.

As hard as I try, I just can’t seem to remember any details of that crisis, nor the way God answered my prayers, but I will always remember how I shut my mouth and God did answered my prayer.

Just a thought . . . . . “When is the last time you listened to God?”

Through The Eye's Of A Child

When I was a little girl my Mother had to have several moles removed. On 'stitch removal day' my Mom, Dad, Sister and myself loaded in the car to drive to a town two miles away to see the doctor. Everyone went, you see it was 'way back when' and there wasn't much to do. No color TV, computers, hand held games; they had barely discovered electricity.

On the way home Mom and I decided to race to the only bathroom in our quaint little trailer house. When the car came to a stop, we both sprang into action. As we rounded the corner of the bathroom laughing, pushing, shoving to be first, both of the freshly healed wounds broke open to every one's horror. Mom lay on the couch bleeding, my much older sister Melinda began to cry as Dad made that long distant phone call to the doctor 2 miles away.

I being the bright innovate child of the family, grabbed a banana, removed the Chiquita sticker and placed it squarely on my mothers forehead as I waltzed out the front door. When I arrived at the next door neighbor's house I said, "May I please stay here? My house is going crazy. My Dad is nervous and calling the doctor, my sister is crying and my Mother is bleeding all over the furniture."

I've learned a lot since then . . . for instance, it takes more than a Chiquita banana sticker to bind up a wound. Psalms 147:3 says, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."