Last week my grandchildren had a sleepover at my house and oh, what fun we had! My grandson and granddaughter are computer savvy, own their own DS, and have several Wii games, but it was pool volleyball, the board game Sorry, Disney movies, and pencil drawings that filled our days, reminding me that “simple” is still best. It’s a good reminder, too, in this fast-paced-consumer-world where the new, the improved, the latest is so coveted.

I don’t know about you, but I feel like I’m losing this race to keep up with technology. It seems to change weekly. That’s why days like I had with my grandchildren are so precious. It reminds me that quality of life is still found in people, not things; in moments shared not knowledge gained; in making memories with those you love.

Since this blog is about simplicity, I’ll keep it simple, too, and end by saying find something low-tech to do tonight, something that doesn’t cost money and requires no gadgets, something like watching a sunset or just taking a walk with someone you love. I think you, too, will agree that more often than not, simple really is best.

Until next week,

Sylvia

Every child loves a treasure hunt.  And my grandchildren are no exception.  So last week when they had a “sleep over” at my house, I planned one for them, complete with pirate map and clues. We had great fun, and as usual, the time flew by, and before we knew it, we had to say “goodbye”.

I see many similarities between this and how we should approach the Bible.  First, we should be “child like”, leaving our preconceived ideas behind.  Then, we should expect to find treasure hidden in God’s Word and follow the clues, from one point to another. If we do, our time in the Word will not drag or be a stiff exercise, but will fly to the point we lament that we can’t stay longer.

God’s Word is a treasure trove, full of gems to be discovered on many levels.  Take for instance Daniel 3: 1-27.  It tells the story of the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, who had a huge statue of gold made, then issued orders that all in his kingdom must bow before it. When three young Hebrew men refused, he had them thrown into a furnace, a furnace which he commanded to be made seven times hotter than normal.  But instead of dying, the young men walked around the blazing fire unharmed, with another man, who had suddenly appeared, and whose form Nebuchadnezzar said was “like the Son of God.” And when they came out of the furnace neither their clothes nor hair were singed, nor did they smell of smoke.

Just taking a quick look at it we can see, on the first level, God working a miracle and preserving his faithful servants in the midst of trials.  On another level, we can apply this to ourselves and say since God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, he will be in the midst of our trials, too, and that no furnace, no matter how hot, is too much for the Son of God to overcome on our behalf.  And on another level, we can see that Nebuchadnezzar is a type of the Anti-Christ, for the Bible tells us that Anti-Christ will also make a statue and demand that everyone bow before it. And because Nebuchadnezzar commanded that the furnace be made seven times hotter, we can see how this tells us the seven years of Tribulation, which the Bible talks about, will be exceedingly difficult, much more so than any time before it. But again, the Son of God will be there walking in the midst of his people.

Of course this passage in Daniel would take pages and pages to really expound, but one can get the sense, in just the short paragraph above, how chock-full of wonderful truths the Bible holds for us. And if we are like children, open and receptive, and ask the Holy Spirit to help us follow the clues, God will reveal treasures we can’t even imagine.

Until next week,

Sylvia

This week I had the privilege of watching my grandchildren for a few days.  I wanted to come up with a project to keep them busy so I had them make a puppet theater out of a cardboard box.  My job was the curtains while the kids came up with a script, made paper puppets, props, the crayoned scenery, and 25-cent admissions tickets, as well as the concession stand tickets for 5-cent bowls of popcorn and banana pudding. Of course we did other things too, like play games and swim and watch Disney’s Mary Poppins, but a good deal of time was spent on getting ready for the “big show.”

The kids were excited and busy at their task for the first two days, but by day three they had had enough.  It took some gentle prodding to get them to finish, but they reaped great rewards when their parents came home!  Oh, the excitement then!  The camera snapping, the hugs, the numerous exclamations! And by the look on my grandchildren’s faces, I knew they were glad they had seen the project through.

I came away thinking that in many ways I react the same way when God assigns me a “project” or has me go through something that requires a good deal of effort on my part. At first I’m determined, perhaps even excited that I will encounter God in a new and deeper way.  Then tedium sets in.  I weary of the task.  I yearn to return to that which is easier or more familiar, and all the while there is God prodding me on. And the end is always the same.  If I persevere I reap the rewards—I feel God’s pleasure.

I know at times we all become weary of well doing but the Bible says that we will reap in due season if we faint not (Galatians 6:9).  And that’s worth going the distance.

Until next week,

Sylvia

I love observing my grandchildren’s reactions: sweet wonderment and surprise when learning anything new; so trusting when an adult tells them something; innocent and unaware of the evils of the larger world; and so utterly secure in their belief that they will have a roof over their heads when they lay down at night.

These are the elements of childhood I love best: wonderment, trust, innocence, and faith. But unfortunately life has a way of chipping away at them enroute to adulthood and most of us lose some, if not all, of these elements. 

But the very elements that make childhood so wonderful are also the very things that make for a rich spiritual life.  Jesus himself said we were to “become as little children” if we wished to enter the Kingdom of God. And that means we are to maintain our awe and wonderment about the God who created us; trust in Him; remain “innocent” and do not partake in the corruption of the larger world; and have faith that God can and will do all He promises in His Word.

But as in the physical realm where a child must eventually “grow up”, many Christians think that by replacing their “child-like” faith with a more cynical, sophisticated attitude toward scripture that they have grown up spiritually.  In reality they have only “dried-up.”

Jesus instructed us to remain child-like for a reason.  It was because the things of God are spiritually, not intellectually discerned.  One must approach God humbly, with a heart open to instruction.  One must be willing to lay aside preconceived ideas, pride, and the desire to do things “his” way. But because this is not a popular message in today’s pulpits, and because so much of society worships the intellect, we have a lot of “dried-up” Christians walking around.

One of the most spiritually mature believers I’ve ever read about is Brother Lawrence, a simple man who worked most of his life as a cook and who wrote the practice of the presence OF GOD. I’d dearly love to have even a fraction of his spiritual maturity.  His life illustrated what most believers yearn for, proving it was possible to have. It was a life full and rich, and spent in the company of Jesus.

Oh, Lord, that we might be more child-like!

Until next week,

Sylvia

This week I had the pleasure of spending a few days with my grandchildren.  It made me realize, again, what a blessing grandchildren are, truly gifts from God to be appreciated and enjoyed.  But as in other areas, I’ve learned that here, too, there are general guidelines that help keep that experience the pleasure it should be.  I’m certain that as I continue in my role as grandparent, I’ll be learning many more, but for now I’ll pass alone these five points to remember.

1) You’re the grandparent not parent.  That means your grandchildren’s parents have the right to make the rules and you should respect them.

2) Young grandchildren, especially, want their grandparents to sit on the floor with them and play.  Do as much of that as possible.  Remember, they’ll get older, and soon enough the time will come when hanging around with their friends will be more important than sitting down and spending time with you.

3) Even so . . . your grandkids have more energy than you do.  They’re younger and that will never change.  Keep up the best you can, but know when to say, “I’m tired, I can’t play anymore.”

4) Though training and providing direction is important, remember your grandchildren get enough of that from their parents (or should).  It’s more important for grandparents to show unconditional love and support and encouragement.  Dispense lots of praise and kisses, and a minimum of criticism.

5) Even so . . . not everything your grandchild does will be “wonderful”.  Dispensing truth in love at important moments can give your grandchild a deeper respect for your opinion and judgment, as well as your insights and wisdom.

Grandparents have a wonderful opportunity to model the unconditional love of God, while having some of the most rewarding times of their lives.  Now that’s a blessing that’s hard to beat!

Until next week,

Sylvia

Christmas is in the air.  The lights, the music, the holiday rush make it an exciting time. I’ve spent hours shopping.  Even more hours decorating my house so it will look “magical” when the grandkids come.  Next to Easter, this is the most wonderful time of year for a Christian. I feel both joy and excitement as I get ready to participate in the biggest birthday party in the world.  Our God, our Savior, our King, our Friend came to earth as our Kinsman Redeemer over 2000 years ago, and millions are preparing to celebrate. 

I think of them now.  They are my brothers and sisters in Christ.  But I also think of the many who will go through the motions this season only because it’s “tradition,” and not a matter of the heart.  They celebrate because that’s how their parents did it, or because that’s what everyone else does, or because they don’t want their kids to miss out on the presents and fun. Their house will be decorated, too, their shopping done but there will be no room in the inn of their heart for the One who loves them, who gave Himself for them, who longs to whisper in their ear and call them, “friend.”

Tradition can be a fine thing, but it can’t warm the heart or strengthen resolve or heal a troubled mind.   There is only One who can do that, and He’s too much of a gentleman to barge in uninvited.  If ever there was a time when we needed to open that door and invite Him in, it is now.

I pray this season will be filled with good health and joy.  But most of all I pray that room will be made in the inn of your heart for the One whose birth we celebrate.

Until next week,

Sylvia