Monday, September 8, 2014

Lock and Key Challenge (1st place out of 23 entries) :)

Love From Above

“Sweetheart, it’s time.” Sally Palmers gently took her daughter Rachel’s hand in hers and raised it to her lips as Rachel sleepily smiled.  “You’ve got a big day waiting for you, but first is something special.”

“What is it Mom?” Rachel groggily asked.

“Just trust me and come now.  I can attest you’re going to love it.” Sally walked out the door and shut it quietly behind her so as to not disturb the still sleeping guests gathered for Rachel’s big day. 

Now fully awake and curious Rachel grabbed the clothes set on her nightstand and dressed quickly to follow her mom, almost slamming the door.

“Sweetheart, your shirt is on backwards.”

“It is?” Rachel pulled her shirt forward and found the tag.  “So, it is.” Rachel and her mom laughed. 

“Well, never mind. No time to change it,” Sally replied as she sped down the stairs to the kitchen with Rachel in hot pursuit.


Over steaming cups of coffee Sally handed her only daughter a key. “You know that your father wanted to be a part of all the major milestones in your life and invented this game so he could, this being no exception.”

Turning the key over Rachel said, “Yes, I know Mom. My favorite was the advice he gave me for my first broken heart.”

“He really wanted to be a part of this day so he came up with something significant.  But first, you are going to have find the lock.”

“Where do I begin?” Rachel asked.

“Somewhere in this kitchen,” came the wistful reply.

Thirty minutes later Rachel and her mom reconvened over Rachel’s favorite breakfast, hot cinnamon buns and yogurt.    “I found it!” Rachel cried triumphantly turning the lock.  It was only when a little ballerina dancing to Rachel’s favorite song popped up that she realized it was the music box her father bought her when she was three, just before he was diagnosed with leukemia. “Where was this hiding and why now?” Rachel cried through her tears.

When she could control her own tears Sally answered, “Your father wanted to save this for your wedding day to let you know he is a part of it.  He loved his little girl very much.” Dabbing her tears with a tissue she continued,  “There should be a letter for you in the box. Why don’t you read it?”

Rachel tenderly removed the letter and began to read:

My dearest daughter Rachel,

I love you and always will.  This last gift I will bestow upon you is the most memorable.  Up until now your mom has been keeping the keys to locks with letters given to you upon momentous occasions. There was your first day of kindergarten, first day of junior high, first day of high school, your first broken heart, high school graduation, moving out on your own, your first job, and university graduation.  I tried my best to give you advice each time and I hope that you listened like you would have if I had not been taken from you so early.  But, the most important event I wished to be a part of was your wedding day and so I decided that this music box we chose together on your third birthday was just the gift for you.  I want nothing more than for you to share this with your husband and future children and let them know the love of their father/grandfather.  Please cherish the gift and most of all enjoy your day! 

In case you are wondering about my advice for this important day, no, I didn’t forget.  I Corinthians 1:25 “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (NKJV)  My interpretation is that if you know God has brought you two together then that is enough!  You don’t need to understand everything, because we can’t know what God is doing anyways.  HIS ways are different than the world’s so don’t try to put the world’s framework on a Godly marriage.  It won’t work! 

Love from above,
                        Your father Tim Palmers
           
Carefully replacing the letter Rachel embraced her mother and together they let the tears fall until they were exhausted. 
           
Sally spoke first.  “Are you ready?”

Slowly nodding her head Rachel said, “Is it alright if I wear the key as a necklace today?”


            “I think that is an excellent idea!” her mom replied.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Pick A Color (Pros and Cons Challenge)

Pick a Color


What color is your favorite?
My favorite is red.
Why is red your favorite?
Jesus died in my stead.

Jesus died in your stead?
What does that mean?
It means I am loved,
And I am clean.

You really believe that?
You know I do.
Why do you believe that?
Jesus made me new.


What color is your favorite?
My favorite is blue.
Why is blue your favorite?
It tells me each day is new.

Each day is new?
What does that mean?
It means blue skies,
And mistakes yet unseen. 

You really believe that?
You know I do.
Why do you believe that?
It’s just how I grew. 


As colors, red and blue represent so much more.
To like them is to open up the door. 
The door to your heart is open wide,
Please let Jesus step inside. 

Today if you are weighing your choices,
Stop listening to the other voices.
The voices that tell you, “You are worthless”,
That your life will always be a mess. 

The benefits to living a life with Jesus, 
Far outweigh a life with missing pieces.
When following Jesus the pros will always win,
While the cons, well, they will always do you in!