Monday, April 25, 2016

Amazon Blitz Day for Wit & Wisdom from the Wee Ones!

Kids can take us right to the heart of God, one way or another. When they provoke frustration, we breathe a silent prayer for grace. When they incite giggles, we hear God’s laughter as well. When they stimulate an endearing moment, we sense God’s touch. When they utter a profound statement, we step back in wonder. 

What is this phenomenon a little one evokes? Bubbly ripples of laughter that transport us to another realm. Unabashed honesty that cuts to the chase. Joy splashing around our ankles, light spilling into shadow, awakening us to a childlike appreciation for the world around us. 

If we take the time, if we listen, if we stoop to their level, we can go where kids go—straight to the heart of God. 

Wit & Wisdom from the Wee Ones is a collection of cute quips and quotes inspired by my grandchildren. Along with other contributors, I crack the door to the whimsical, yet often wise world of the child.

Here's a sneak peek at a few of the over 200 quotes included in Wit & Wisdom from the Wee Ones.

Chocolate lovers


One day, while coloring a picture of a girl, my six-year-old daughter said, "She's Chinese or African-American. Whichever you think when you look at her. But she's not chocolate."-Sarah Tipton


Behind bars?

I asked my granddaughter, Lindsay (6): “Have you ever been in a Turkish prison?” She replied, “No, but I’ve been to Chuck E. Cheese.”  -Russ File

Lost & found

Grandson Noah enjoys playing with my set of nesting dolls from the Ukraine. A scene of the life of Christ is exquisitely hand-painted on each one. One day, Noah carried the tiniest Jesus around with him all day long. When it was time for him to go home, he could not find the carved Jesus. As I headed out to Noah’s car to help load his toys and bag, he ran out the door hollering, “I found Jesus! I found Jesus!” -Mary Lynn Barrett
 
A slip of the tongue


Since my husband ministers in the South, many people refer to him as simply, “preacher." One Sunday morning he did the children's sermon and ended by giving each child a small Bible. Later, four-year-old Olivia was asked, "Who gave you that little Bible?" "The creature," she said. -Paula Mowery

Show time!


Three-year-old Rebekah sat beside me at church one evening waiting for the live Easter drama to begin. After some time passed, she finally said, “Where’s the remote?” -Eileen Rife

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In honor of Mother's Day coming up, I'm hosting a WIT AND WISDOM BOOK BLITZ today! Click on the Amazon link below to purchase a copy for your mom, friend, or yourself. Enjoy over 200 cute kid quips in honor of Mother's Day!



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Friday, April 15, 2016

The Family Table, More Than a Meal





While I sat at the kitchen table sipping tea during my morning devotions, I was distracted by the dents, stains, and scratches on the wooden surface. My mind traveled to Sams Wholesale Club where only days ago I'd admired a brand new contemporary-style oak table and chairs that would look grand in my eat-in kitchen. I sighed and forced my attention back to my Scripture reading. We weren’t in a financial position to spend money on furniture. Maybe I could just refinish the surface.


As I read Deuteronomy, chapter six, I lingered on verses 5-9: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
        
A sudden warm awareness washed over me. This wooden table passed down to our family from my husband’s mother played a vital role in fulfilling the admonition of this Scripture. How often we had gathered around it to participate in family devotions. When the girls were little, they would color pictures to illustrate the Bible reading for that day. While I tried my best to scrub stray marks from Grandma’s maple drop-leaf table, I could never completely eliminate the stains. I remembered other occasions when we would roll out dough and cut out Christmas ornaments to attach to gifts or give to neighbors. Some of those cookie-cutter marks still stated their presence on Grandma’s hand-me-down table. When we raised money to go to India on a family mission trip, we crafted wreaths and candy trains to sell. The table still bore glue gun and wire marks. Home school science experiments gone amuck also plagued the table top.  




Now immersed in my reminiscence, I leaned in to scrutinize the surface. Sure enough, there were glass rings from company we’d invited in over the years, some of whom were unsaved family members, friends, and work associates. Then I zeroed in on my husband’s place at the table. Just that morning, he had set his oatmeal bowl on one of the Christmas cards we had saved so that we could pray for the sender. When I picked up the card, I noticed part of the back was stuck to the table. Grabbing the dishrag, I scrubbed at the spot. While the paper easily dislodged, the ink from the backing remained indelibly imprinted on the maple surface. I smiled, no longer troubled by my splotched and marred table, but warmed by the realization that this family heirloom had hosted many a stranger, hurting soul, and our own children who are now faithfully serving the Lord around the world with our grandchildren.


      
           

I sat back down at the table and ran my hand over Deuteronomy, chapter six. I chuckled as I realized that we had fulfilled the Lord’s admonition to write down His commands, maybe not on the doorframes of our house, but on our kitchen table. Our love for the Lord was etched all over its surface and I had never stopped to appreciate it. But you know, if I have anything to say about it, this table that expands to accommodate twelve people comfortably will be around for many more years to pass on His love to my children’s children, as well as to others He brings our way.



           













A Grandchild's Lavish Love

  I sat in the church pew with a shredded heart. The week had been tough on multiple fronts, emotion running high, mostly over the injustic...