Two little girls singing the “Star Spangled Banner” surprised the high schools students, but not us. Our granddaughters, Rebecca and Rachel, often sang together. They have beautiful voices and sweet spirits. This particular day was unusual because we were in Washington DC, approaching the Korean War Memorial. The girls, along with their cousin, Zara, knew that this was a time to be somber, but they were too young to really understand why. And, so, based on the information that they understood, the two sisters decided to sing our nation’s anthem.

As we walked up the sidewalk, approaching from the Vietnam War Memorial Wall of Remembrance, a group of high school students was nearby, noisy and haughty. These 17 year olds were bored with the memorials and were explaining loudly how “lame” the tour was. But, when the two little girls, holding hands, with cousin and grandparents in tow approached them, the high school kids were wise enough to grow quiet and to look carefully at our family.

If you haven’t visited the Korean War Memorial you might not understand the question that we got from the girls as we came to the side of the display; for large statues of Americans in uniforms were next to us, lined up, marching to a silent-to-us cadence. The faces are all different, representing all who are American; their bodies look cold and weary; they appear to be moving in spite of their concrete boots and legs and arms. And, they are all the same shade of gray. The girls looked up at us and said, “Are these people ghosts?”

John knelt down and explained that the figures were not ghosts, only statutes. But, that each one represented someone’s father, son or dad.

I’ve thought about that question many times over the years. Are these people ghosts?

In America, we often wave the flag on days like today, Veteran’s Day, but then we put them away and pretend that everything is fine. We try not to look at the homeless man who is wearing parts of an Army uniform. And, we ignore the increasing number of men and women who walk on legs and feet that are man-made. We enjoy the videos of the coming home reunions, but we hesitate to watch the news that is showing more and more clips of bombs bursting in air.

And, so on this Veteran’s Day, I ask you one question, will you today find and thank a Veteran or will you, like so many others, see them as ghosts?

I need to hug the veterans in my family and remind them how very proud of them I am. Oh, they will hum and haw and be embarrassed, but I am thankful that they chose to serve when service wasn’t cool.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1

Over the past couple of years, there has been great debate over what constitutes a “family” or “family members.” I can tell you that in the home where I grew up, anyone could be family on any given day.

My mother brought home what I have often called “strays.” Nope, my folks aren’t cat lovers, they are people lovers. Mom or Poppa would notice someone who needed family and invited them to join ours for a day or longer. It was fascinating; we kids never knew who was going to be staying at our house or eating at our table.

One summer, we had a second “Jim” living with us. (The first Jim is my amazing older brother.) Jim2 slept in the sewing room, which was really just a nook with a curtain off the upstairs hall. My recollection is that Jim2 was longer than the bed and his feet stuck out when he slept. Toward the end of the summer, Jim2 left for a few days to visit his folks. His mom was shocked that he knew how to cook his own breakfast. Jim2 explained that one morning in our home, Mom had shown him where the cereal and eggs were; he could eat what he pleased. Jim2 watched Mom cook eggs a couple of times and one morning he decided to cook them for himself; from then on, he was self-sufficient.

Another time, we had 4 or 5 “seminary boys” at the house for Easter. (I should explain that these were young men studying for the ministry. Someone accused my Mother of inviting seminary boys over as potential husbands for us girls. We thought that was hilarious; having these guys at our house made us totally uninterested in them!) Anyway, on this Easter Sunday, the guys started tossing hard boiled eggs across the living room. The distances between catcher and thrower kept increasing. Mom felt very comfortable in chastising them just like she did her own kids and the frivolity ceased. Those guys knew that they were family that day.

Mom and Poppa would sometimes bring Rev. Garrett home for Sunday dinner. He was an elderly, retired preacher who enjoyed a home-cooked meal. We kids were shocked when one day he picked up the gravy ladle and put gravy over his entire plate, including the tossed salad. Poppa explained later that at the retirement home they probably didn’t allow him to eat gravy and that he was stocking up on it at our house.

When my folks trusted me and my younger sister to stay by ourselves for a weekend, they weren’t surprised to find a group of boys sleeping on the floor in our living room. The guys had been camping the night before the folks returned home and a huge rain storm hit; the boys knew that they could find shelter at the Mullins’ house. We girls never thought about not inviting them in out of the rain. I guess some other parents would have been upset about boys in the house; our folks wanted to know if we had offered them breakfast.

What’s my point? If you want to have a “family” this holiday season, you can have one. Just look for the person who would enjoy a cup of coffee. Find the family at the church or preschool who could use some extra gifts around the tree. I imagine that you know people who could use a baked lasagna (they don’t care if it is store bought!). There are kids who need a mentor and an older “sister” or “brother.” Some older man and woman would love to have you listen to their stories.

Now, I don’t want you to think that I am recommending that you be unsafe and to put life and home at risk. But, look around you. Don’t get too fancy or expect a crowd; keep it simple and answer real needs. Could your table bless one or two “strays” this holiday season?

“I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger.” (Job 29:16)

During my last two years of high school, I got to work with the 4 and 5 year old Sunday School class at Olathe College Church of the Nazarene. And then I taught the same age group for several years at Pensacola First Church of the Nazarene. You have to stay on your toes with this age group. They always ask the best questions.

• While showing them the baptismal, one student had a question about what those being baptized will be wearing: “Will they be naked?” she asked. Great question! The baptismal does look a little like a bathtub.
• When talking about Paul, one young lad said. “So the bad guy was Saul and the good guy was Paul?” Astute assessment!
• One Sunday morning, as I was praying out loud, I heard some strange noises and looked up to see what was going on. A dear, sweet child pointed at me and yelled, “You opened your eyes!!” I never did learn what was going on before she caught me peeking.
• During story time, one little girl looked at me and said “I’m tired.” She then put her head on the table and went sound asleep. I was really impressed that she took the time to explain her behavior.
• While talking about “taking the offering” one tiny tot wanted to know who took it and shouldn’t we be looking for them?

One Sunday morning, a member of my class saw my husband and told his mother that he knew that guy. She was surprised because he had a tough time remembering names and that he had only talked with John once. The mom asked her four year old what the man’s name was; he looked up and said clearly “Mr. Jill.” I understand where he was headed, but his train of thought stopped at the wrong station!

Funny, I am not Mrs. John but I am Mrs. Stein. While I was working for the Navy, I was known as “Dr. Stein” or “Ms. Mullins.” But, I was NEVER, EVER, EVER “Dr. Mullins-Stein.” (Say it out loud and you will understand why.)

I find it odd that we provide all kinds of information for our own “profile” in every social networking community, but that we disagree with having TSA “profile” us when we board an airplane. It seems that we want to be the only ones who are allowed to profile us. We want to shape our image, write our own bio, and decide what others will see, know and think about us.

In reality, people develop their own “profile” of us every single day.

So, who will we be this holiday season? Have fun considering being one of the characters (some real and some fiction) this year:

• Sally Brown: “Dear Santa Claus, How have you been? Did you have a nice summer? How is your wife? I have been extra good this year, so I have a long list of presents that I want. Please note the size and color of each item, and send as many as possible. If it seems too complicated, make it easy on yourself: just send money. How about tens and twenties?”
• Scrooge: “It’s all humbug, I tell you, all humbug!”
• Tepper and Bennet’s song: “I’m gettin’ nuttin’ for Christmas. Mommy and daddy are mad. I’m getting nuttin’ for Christmas. ‘Cause I ain’t been nuttin’ but bad.”
• The Grinch: “What if Christmas, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”
• Buddy, the Elf: “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”
• Clarence the movie angel: “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”
• Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus: (the scripture says of Joseph) “He did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him.”
• Mary, the Mother of Jesus: “I am the Lord’s servant.”

You can write your own profile this holiday season. Think about it. Who do you want to be?

“Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. Earn a reputation for living well in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people.” (Proverbs 3:3-4)

I really enjoy working out of doors. I’m not very good at it. If we ever have a beautifully landscaped property it will have been created by someone else. But, my gardening tools and I have a great time tearing vines out of trees and hacking down small bushes. And, because we live on about 6 acres of heavily treed land, I have lots of space to work my “magic.”

These fall Saturdays are perfect for yard work. The weather is pretty good where we live and many of the wild plants are dying. So, even raking the pine straw up makes it look like I have worked really hard, even if I haven’t.

I like to work in what I call “the back forty.” This part of our property is pretty wild. There are no walking paths or grass to be mowed. But, I love working here. Several times I have “discovered” mature Star Magnolia trees that I have “liberated” from nasty vines. And, I can’t really hurt anything. Any bush that I cut down will start growing back immediately. It’s a great project for a “gardener” like me!

One day, I was doing my thing, pulling down vines, lopping off small branches, tearing down low bushes and then it happened. I was tugging on some tangled vines that went high into the trees. Suddenly, the vines let loose and a huge ball of “stuff” came hurdling toward me. I looked up to see the dark form fast approaching, I dropped my gardening tools, started screaming and ran as fast as I could.

You see, I had been day dreaming. (My kind of gardening doesn’t require my full attention.) In the single moment that the vines had been freed and brought a large pine branch with them, my mind saw what was not there. Instead of seeing vines and a branch, my mind created the image of a man jumping out of the trees headed right for me. I was positive that I was under attack!!

After a few seconds, I realized that I was being a complete idiot. The trees near me could never support the weight of a man. And, no person would want to be in the trees in our back forty. It was crazy that my mind had created that image and even crazier that I, a “reasonably sane” person, would think for even a moment that the image was real.

After I realized that I was fine, I looked around the yard and then headed into the house. John was working in his office; I came to the door asked as casually as I could, “Wow, did you hear that woman screaming a couple of minutes ago?” He looked up from the computer monitor and said, “No, I didn’t. Was that woman you?”   I felt a little like Lucille Ball when Desi would say, “Lucy, You’ve got some explaining to do.” But, John is so much kinder that Desi ever was. As I nodded, yes, he got up and hugged me. He asked “Are you OK?” He didn’t need to know why I had screamed; he was just concerned that something had scared me.

What a silly dope I am.   And, what an amazing man God has put into my life.

I am reminded of the Phil Wickham song, “This is amazing grace.”

“This is amazing grace

This is unfailing love

That You would take my place

That You would bear my cross

You lay down Your life

That I would be set free

Oh, Jesus, I sing for

 All that You’ve done for me.”

Maybe you find yourself worried about dangers that don’t exist or dangers that do exist. Today is a good day to make plans to attend a house of worship tomorrow and talk it over with the Father – the one who loves us most.

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—from violent people He saves me. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies. (2 Samuel 22:2-4)

Enjoy the entire Phil Wickham song today at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO7KVCGQRyQ

This week, I was blessed to visit family and friends and to be a house guest. I have two favorite “good guest” stories that I thought you might enjoy!

One night John and I were dinner guests in a friend’s home. I should start by saying that the two of us have conservative religious, financial and political views. And, if we are engaged in conversation about one of those topics, we don’t mind participating in a discussion.  But, we rarely initiate a conversation that will cause controversy.

Before attending this particular dinner party, our hostess contacted us and asked that we not discuss our views; she was concerned that perhaps one of her guests or family members would not agree with us and might be offended by any comments we might make. We were a bit surprised at the call, but assured her that we would honor her request. And, we had a wonderful time in her home and so appreciated her hospitality.

But, it happened. One of the other guests began to share loudly their political views that were very different from ours. John and I remained quiet and smiled as our hostess kept nervously watching our reactions; clearly she was scared. After we had said our goodbyes that evening and were safely secluded in our car, we laughed out loud that SOMEONE had NOT gotten the word about no discussion of religion, finances or politics or maybe WE WERE the only ones who were asked to be quiet.

As we laughed about being “good” or “not good” guests, I recalled one of my other favorite family stories.

An older woman (one with lots of “breakable” things in her home) insisted that a young mother with three little ones come to coffee. The younger woman tried to say “no” but was overwhelmed by the sweet “little old lady.” The day came and it went badly. The kids behaved like kids; they tried to get into everything. Breakable items were bumped, glass front cabinets were smudged, body fluids dampened antique area rugs, and tension filled the air.

After an appropriate amount of visit time, the young mother thanked her friend and packed up her children and things. She had made it to her car when she realized that a diaper bag had been left behind; the young mother walked back to the front door.

It was then that she noticed what was going on inside the house. The older woman was walking around, her hands lifted into the air and her face bright with a smile. She kept singing out loudly to no one in particular: “Heaven below! Heaven below!”

So every time I am getting ready to leave a family member’s home, I remind them. “It’s time to start shouting: ‘Heaven below! Heaven below.’” (And, I am pretty sure that they do!!)

My points? Maybe being a good guest means that we refrain from sharing ALL of our views and that it is good for us to say goodbye while everyone is still having a good time!

Want to read some great tips from Jesus about how to be a great guest? Enjoy His words at: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+14%3A7-13&version=MSG

• Thanksgiving dinner
• May your stuffing be tasty
• May your turkey plump,
• May your potatoes and gravy
• Have nary a lump.
• May your yams be delicious
• And your pies take the prize,
• And may your Thanksgiving dinner
• Stay off your thighs!

(Anonymous)

So, what are your plans for Thanksgiving dinner? Yes – you do have to make plans. If you don’t make plans, you run the risk of having someone make plans for you and that could be no fun at all. So, here are some options:

• Dinner served in your home with you, some family and/or friends
• Dinner served in someone else’s home with you, some family and/or friends
• Dinner served in a restaurant with you, some family and/or friends
• Dinner served in your home by yourself
• Dinner served in a restaurant by yourself
• No dinner
• Popcorn in a movie theater by yourself or with others
• Snacks in front of the TV or computer monitor
• A tasty Lean Cuisine that won’t ruin your weight loss plan
• Cheese and crackers while sitting on the beach, spillway, park bench
• Peanut butter on celery
• Brauts, brauts and more brauts with chips and brownies
• Chinese take out
• Pizza with extra cheese that will burn the roof of your mouth
• OK, you come up with the next option

You see there is no law that you have to eat what we pretend that the Pilgrims ate when they celebrated survival and harvest and community. You can eat what you like and be thankful!!

Some of you have marvelous holidays planned with wonderful people.  Have a great time and be thankful!

And, some of you are already committed to cooking or eating stuff that you really don’t want with people who aren’t your favorite folks. (Johnny Carson said: “Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often.”) I am sorry for that. But, it is only one day a year, so put on that happy face and get with it.

And, for those of you will be alone, you have a choice. If you want to be alone, enjoy your day. I have spent Thanksgivings by myself, had a great time and been blessed. Have a wonderful day.

But, if you do not desire to be alone now is the time to plan. If you know others who have no plans, organize some time together. But, if that isn’t an option, call and offer to help somewhere. Call the local soup kitchen and offer to do dishes or serve a meal. Call local churches and let them know that you are willing to help with meals that they may be serving.  Contact the local agency that assists senior citizens and offer your services.

You do not have to be alone on this holiday. But, you may have to step up and to put yourself out there. You have time to make arrangements now. Do it for yourself; do it for others.

“May He (the Lord) give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” (Psalm 20:4)

p.s.  Yep, we have plans to spend Thanksgiving with generous and sweet friends.

Wednesdays in November usually mean Christmas music practice. For those of you not involved in church music, please appreciate the fact that it takes weeks of practice to get ready for that 45 minutes of music in December.

My favorite memory of Christmas music preparation had to do with a children’s performance at my church in Olathe, Kansas. I was mature (all 13 years of me) and too young to be performing with the children. But, some adult had decided that certain, well behaved (little did they know) members of the teen group would help out. Having long, dark hair, I was assigned the role of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

This particular program had an interesting stage setting. A large book was on the platform. The huge cover would be opened and a scene would be shown on a page inside the book. The scenes were acted out by the teens and the kids. As Mary, I was in several scenes and I got to hold “Baby Jesus.” For this production, Baby Jesus was a baby doll who had a string in his back. During a break one day, I pulled the string and learned that this Baby Jesus could talk. Wow!!

It was Saturday and we were practicing. The shepherds had received the amazing news from the choir of angels and had come to Bethlehem. As they bowed down before the Christ child, the 2^nd and 3^rd grade shepherds were shocked to hear baby Jesus crying “Mama, mama, mama.” (Lucky for me, the adults were just out of range to hear the doll’s recorded cry.) The shepherds looked around for the source of the cries and then flubbed their lines. I loved it!!

It was time for the Wise Men and I was ready. As the 4^th and 5^th grade kings from afar approached the Christ child, I pulled the string. This time, the baby cried out “I’m hungry.” The Wise Men fell over, looking like bowling pins knocked to the floor by a crying baby doll. I could not control myself, this time I started laughing too.

The adults were not amused. I received a private “counseling session” about how I needed to be a leader and role model to the younger children. Being a relatively smart kid, I did as they asked. Baby Jesus was silent the rest of the day. (I still find it hilarious that when I arrived on the day of the performance, I found that the Baby Jesus doll had been replaced – the new one was WITHOUT a string!!)

Practicing means that you identify things that need to be improved or changed – like not tempting a junior high prankster with a doll that talked. Practice is important.

The great golfer, Sam Snead said that “Practice puts brains in your muscles.” I like that. When we practice something, we get better at doing the thing without having to think about it so much. Our actions become less hesitant and more fluid. Our speed improves. Our stamina grows. And, we are able to focus on the small things that can be improved. Ever watch a stellar sprinter or golfer? They do the little things so very, very well. Their natural abilities are refined and improved because they practice over and over the things that will enhance their performance.

So, what are you practicing? For too many years, I held practice arguments on my drive to and from work when I should have been praying about the situations that concerned me. Are you practicing the things that you do not want to do, or the person that you do not want to be? Are you getting better at being sullen or sarcastic or bitter?

Or, are you practicing the things that you want to learn to better?

The scripture tells us “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

My Friend, It is time for us to get ourselves together! Time to stop “stinking thinking” and practice thinking about good things. Don’t worry, we’ve got this. We can do it. Practice may not make perfect, but it will make us better!!

p.s.  To my PCN choir friends: I really have a GOOD REASON for missing practice tonight; I am not just goofing off.  And, to our Fearless Leader:  I PROMISE to listen to my CD!!

It’s Election Day here in Florida. So, get out and vote (if you know what you are doing!). And, let me warn you, I’m in a silly mood – no serious message today.

Many years ago, I got a chance to work for and with politicians. It was fun and exciting. But, I learned quickly that I was much more interested in policy rather than politics. It’s an important distinction that kept me from making a career misstep.

While I was working with the politicians, I was asked to organize our party’s involvement in our local parade. And, one election year we had quite a few candidates that wanted to participate. (For my Olathe friends, it was the “Old Settler’s” Parade; one of my favorite events!) For each politician I had to find a convertible and those were hard to get. Our committee called and begged everyone we thought might be able to help and on the day of the parade we had enough cars and drivers to carry every candidate.

Two things happened that day that I will never forget.

Senator Bob Dole and his wife, Liddy, are two of the nicest people. I had interned for the Senator and had met them many times. They were the “rock stars” at our little parade. I was pleased to show them to the beautiful convertible that we had gotten for them. They are pleasant people and, compared to some politicians I have worked with, very low maintenance. It wasn’t until their car had taken them less than half-way through the parade that I realized we had made a huge mistake. Apparently the car we had gotten for them LOOKED great but ran terribly. The engine started smoking and the driver had to pull over; the car was overheating.

The Senator laughed it off and the two of them walked the rest of the parade route. They smiled and shook hands and chatted with the crowd. I was terribly embarrassed while they were so gracious. At the end of the parade, they said that they had had a great time and that they hoped that the car had not suffered permanent damage.

Whew, was I relieved.

But, the other memorable event from that day didn’t go as well. The Republican candidate for Treasurer of the State of Kansas had come to our little parade for the first time in known history. (I didn’t know that our state had a Treasurer before then!) He was a very nice man and his wife was delightful. But, we had huge problems with their participation.

First, his name ended in two sets of the letters “e” and “r.” Let’s call him Mr. “Smitherer.” Anyway, the sign painter had decided on their own that the spelling was incorrect and produced a sign that said the man’s name was Mr. “Smither.” I was shocked! How could I had an extra “er” to the nice man’s name? He had traveled to Olathe all the way from the western side of the state. Eventually, someone found a sheet of poster board, handwrote “er” on it and taped it to the signs on the side of the convertible. It looked horrible. But, Mr. and Mrs. “Smitherer” were so nice and so understanding. For a fleeting moment, I thought we were in the clear.

And, then we all saw the problem. The two-door convertible that the “Smitherers” were going to ride in was pretty old and in not-that-great of shape. (I would say that when you are running for State Treasurer that you get the cars that are less desirable, but I have already told you that Senator Dole’s car tried to blow up. I would image that you have already questioned my judgment!) Anyway, we had decorated it with crepe paper and balloons and a pretty sad set of signs on the sides (with extra the added “er” on both sides) and it looked “ok.” But, the floor board was pretty much gone, especially in the back seat. The carpet on the floor in the back was covering several large holes.

Whoever was going to ride on the back of the convertible had to leap from the door frame next to the driver’s seat onto the back seat; they couldn’t step on the floor for fear of falling through the rusty floorboard. The driver/owner of the car was panicked that someone would accidently step on the floor and do more damage to the car.

The problem was that Mrs. “Smitherer” was not tall and not slender and was wearing a dress and heals. Mr. “Smitherer” looked at the car, the signs with added “er” and then glowered at me. He had already been nice about the signs, he wasn’t going to solve this problem for me.

I grabbed some of our volunteers. One stood on the back seat of the car and one stood outside of the car. Mrs. “Smitherer” stood on the door frame, trying to balance with a very nervous smile. One man grabbed her left arm and the other her right arm. She jumped a little and they lifted her up and onto the back seat. She landed with a little “whoosh” sound and we were home free. As they pulled up into the parade line up, I started breathing again.

And then I realized that I needed to find somewhere else to be fast. I had no idea how we were going to get her out of that car!

Politics – it ain’t as glamorous as it looks!!

“The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.” (Job 5:11). OK, this verse really has nothing to do with today’s story – I just like it!!

On this day in 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed into law the Fair Credit and Charge Card Disclosure Act. This bill had passed the House by a vote of 394 Yay, 38 not voting and 1 Nay. The bill passed easily through the Senate by a voice vote.

The one Nay vote came from a very conservative member of the Republican Party from the state of Illinois, Representative Phil Crane. Representative Crane served in the House of Representatives from 1969 to 2004 (35 years). My research of available records gave me no insight as to why he voted “nay” on legislation that every other person either supported or did not care about.  And, his “nay” vote is still part of the official record now 26 years later.

Can you imagine the comments that he got from friends and foes alike? What did his family say to him every time the news reported that there was only one negative vote and that it had come from him?

But, let’s pretend for a moment that we can find no reason for him being the only vote of “no.” It’s true, sometimes we don’t know why people do what they do.

We all have situations like that in our group of family and friends. You know, the person who said or did something that was not what you expected of them or seemed to be totally out of character. One or two of you are shaking your heads in agreement, thinking “we still don’t understand what we did wrong to tick them off like that” or “she is crazy stubborn about that one issue” or “if he could just be quiet, the holidays would be so much nicer.” We don’t understand why that individual has decided to stand alone, taking a stand that none of the rest of us understand.

So what do we do with that “odd” one in our crowd? Remember that during the holidays, it is pretty much guaranteed that you will have to deal with that “one nay vote” person in your clan. Here are my recommendations:

Embrace them.

Welcome them.

Accept them.

Encourage them.

Forgive them.

Ignore their quirky ways.

Love them.

And, if they say something rude or act differently than the rest of the group, just look at them and smile, thinking to yourself “perhaps they forgot to take their medication this morning.” (And, hopefully they will do the same for us.)

Practice what Ralph Waldo Emerson suggested: “Sprinkle joy.” I promise you that the one who lives a “no” answer will someday remember your kindness and you will be blessed even if they never say a word to you.

“You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.” (Job 10:12)

Yesterday was Mom’s 86^th birthday. What an amazing lady! She has taught me so much and I love her with all my heart. Happy birthday again, Mom!!

Mom knows how to receive a gift. She sincerely oohhs and aahhs over every gift with great gusto.

For Mother’s Day one year, I bought her a plastic gardening hat.  It had a flower on it and a bow and a huge brim to protect her skin from the Kansas sun.  On that Mother’s Day, she loved the hat.  She put it on, modeled it for all of us, and gave me the biggest hug and kiss.  I was on cloud 9.  I had given my Mom the best gift ever!!

We finished the Mother’s Day morning activities and then got ready for church.  (Mother’s Day is always on a Sunday – remember?)  Sunday mornings were special, but hectic, with seven of us in the house all dressing in our best clothes.  As we gathered in the living room before heading out to the car, I looked at Mom.  There she was, dressed in her finest, shining with a Mother’s Day corsage that Poppa had bought for her, and wearing that big, plastic gardening hat that I had given to her.  I was embarrassed.  Didn’t she understand that it was a gardening hat and not a Sunday church hat?  She looked over at me and said, “Jill, I’m wearing your hat.  It’s beautiful.”  I replied, “Thanks, Mom.  But, I don’t think that it’s a church hat.”  She smiled, took off the hat, and said something about saving it for her gardening chores.

What I didn’t know until years later was that Mom wasn’t sure if I understood that my gift wasn’t appropriate for church.  And, she didn’t want to offend me by not wearing it as soon as she had received it.  Her plan was to look silly at church rather than making one of her kids feel bad.  I still tear up a little when I think about that.  I know what some of our not-too-good “church ladies” would have said or not said.

(Now, she didn’t always worry about us being embarrassed.  Misbehave and Mom had a different strategy!)

Mom really knows how to receive a gift!

We should be thankful for every act of kindness that comes our way.  Suck it up, Friend – it’s time to practice our game face for the “unusual” gifts we get this year.  And, when you get that “unusual” gift, be sincere in praising the giver; you may make a memory that will last a lifetime.

And, as we begin this holiday season, may our gratitude increase and increase.  For “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)