Answer to a Child

Why did Jesus have to be God?

Only God is God-sized. And everything about God is God-sized. That means His anger is God-sized, too.

Jesus had to be God-sized to absorb, or soak up, every bit of God's anger when He was punished for our sins. If He hadn't been, if even a little bit of that anger had slipped out, it would have destroyed us. EVery little bit of it had to be covered.

And because Jesus was God, He WAS life and He HAD life in Himself. So after being punished for our sins, He was still alive! And He can share this life that can never end with us!

Amazing Love

I may have written about this before, but bear with me as I do again:

I can't read the book of John without being knocked over by this. As a matter of fact, for me, it encapsulates the amazing love of Christ in a way nothing else does.

Peter has denied the Lord, with all that is is within him, at that time of terror in the high priest's house. He has lied about knowing Christ, then sworn by oath - that is, by God's name - he has nothing to do with Him. Finally, he has called down curses on himself - asked to be eternally condemned - if he is not speaking the truth...

What happens next? Peter goes outside and weeps bitterly. He is truly ashamed and heartbroken at his own behavior.

What happens next? Peter retreats to a barricaded room - because of potential violence - with the other disciples. Although they must know of his betrayal - John was also there, and Peter was not the kind to hide things - they accept him wholeheartedly into their number.

Next? The women discover Jesus has risen. Does Peter try to avoid a possible encounter with Jesus? Does he try to flee from His presence as Adam and Eve did after they had sinned? No; rather, he is first into the tomb to investigate what has happened.

Next? Jesus is among them. Does he say a single word to Peter about his betrayal? No. He grants Peter, among the others, both his peace and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Next? He appears to the disciples again. A word of rebuke yet? Nope!

Finally: Jesus appears on the seashore while his disciples are fishing. When John recognizes him, Peter is in the water in a flash - again, heading TOWARD Jesus as quickly as he can...Not a thought in his mind that their relationship is not one of utter commitment on Jesus' part. Jesus finally, indirectly, speaks of the betrayal... only to reassure Peter he has been fully and officially pardoned.

But...Did Peter ever doubt it? No. Did the other disciples ever doubt it? No. Why? They had lived with Him for three years and THEY KNEW HIM!!!!

Emma

What a whirlwind she is! My, oh my! Small, solid and ,...LOUD. "There was a little boy, and noise was part of him..." (Do you remember that, guys?) Well, "There is a little girl, and noise is definitely part of her...." And what does she want when we go to Target for a toy? Why, she heads right to the microphones - and she knows how to use them...No, Emma, Mommy probably wouldn't want you to get that...She wants to do everything "my very own self", and she works hard to accomplish this goal: Hungry? Climb up the pull-out baskets to the cereal. Thirsty? Get something to step on, get to top shelf of cupboard, climb onto counter, get cup ...do all in reverse and over to the fridge for cold water. Ooops! Spilled a pint or two?...But "I DID IT MYSELF!" Yup, you did...

It is so lovely and quiet upstairs. Uh-oh! That means Emma is not here. And it has been quiet for some time...She has not been here for a while! What is she doing? Race downstairs and check. Why, she is sitting quietly at the table and...re-painting the paintable dishes Anna bought at Target, and spent such a long time designing yesterday! Every cup of the childproof acrylic paint is open! Every cup is just about empty. This is now Emma's tea set. Few traces of Anna's work remain. How do I tell Anna her labor of hours has been obliterated?

Good morning, Emma. Come on down and let Mimi cuddle you...And she launches herself from several steps above where I am standing, waiting. Mimi, I flying! And - fortunately, I catch her.

We are on a jaunt to the store - kids all belted as safely as possible in my little car...POO POO!...Mimi, Emma's saying poo poo...PEE PEE...Mimi, Emma's saying pee pee...FART...Mimi, Emma's saying fart...NAKED...Mimi, Emma's saying naked! Mimi is strategically deaf.

In deference to having an older brother and sister, her favorite dress-up clothes are borrowed from both - pink princess shoes from Anna and a fireman's hat from Josh - worn together. LOOK AT ME, MIMI! How can I not?

Silly little thing.

Just a Few Notes

I am at Maryanne's babysitting until Sunday...Got the kids to bed about eight, so have been sitting cruising You Tube for fun....Have been listening to Mario Lanza a tenor from the forties and fifties that Mom loved. She especially liked his version of The Lord's Prayer, was always so upset with Hollywood for destroying him...Search on You Tube for this - click on the box showing him wearing a suit and tie - not military uniform - and listen. Absolutely phenomenal. I went to Wikipedia to research him a little and see he is considered one of the true greats - two of the three great tenors of today look to him as their inspiration..,Sadly, was lured from his career by film, with a not atypical Hollywood ending to his story...

Little Emma Ryan read me a story she has written earlier today. The most memorable lines were: "Her beauty knocked him out. But he got over it."

Anna and Joshie have been making me pictures. Anna crowned her efforts with a little book she wants to ask Uncle Tim about publishing, It is called, "The Slug Family". How I love my little grandchildren!

Trivia

Dad is fast asleep after getting home and crawling into bed at four-thirty...Thank God he sleeps quite well, but he is becoming rather tired as his first month is drawing to its end. I have to be extremely quiet while he sleeps as sound carries very effectively in this small house...

I did not go to Maryanne's this week as must get to the trailer park and clean the doublewide which David and Ellen vacated. I put the ad for it into the little local magazine which carries such things yesterday, so pray we get good results. A couple of people are lined up to come and see the house which the Dutch boys left, so would be nice if we could find suitable tenants there...It has been interesting interviewing prospective renters on the phone - have decided to do things this way to avoid unnecessary trips to the tp...People who haven't a chance of making ends meet if they pay the rent we ask do not see this. I have to break down the costs and show this to them. I am determined to be much more businesslike, but know that God must do the blessing, bring the increase..

The Bible study with the Covenant girls went quite well on Monday. Again, I can see that I had different expectations of them than are realizable. Not only are their personal circumstances not as I assumed, but they are not as knowledgeable as I expected. I can see that I will have to simplify, get down to basics more than I was prepared for. As one of the "Anne" characters said, "A few years ago, I tried to learn from Susan how to cook...Or , rather, she tried to teach me. I didn't try to learn, really"...more-or-less the quote, and probably applicable to many kids who have grown up in churches.

Poor Grace had stomach flu yesterday, was forced to stay quiet through the day. The bonus was that she felt her baby move! A red-letter day for her! Maryanne has felt flutters for some time now as is familiar with what to expect.

I will push off now as must go and vacuum the church before leaving for the tp!

I am sitting in front of Maryanne's computer listening to Emma sing upstairs while she cuddles with Pat. Maryanne has gone to pick up the older children from Awana...regular Wednesday evening in the Helms home, I believe! Earlier, I took care of the children while M. went out shopping with a friend - at the discount mall we all used to love, but now find dreadfully expensive compared with Goodwill. How times have changed! Speaking of changing times, I spoke with a friend in this area who says they can't get anyone to come and price a deck for their home. I'm sure the reason is that all in home-relaed areas have gone on to other jobs - very few left to do much! Every real estate agent in the state seems to now be doing something else full-time, as well! How thankful I am that we sold our home when we did, and got a strong price for it!

Had a good day with Jeannette and the children yesterday, tomorrow, I will drive them all down to East Cobb for piano lessons, maybe hang around there awhile if that works. Jeannette will stay home with the two babies. Then home again and on to trailer park business on the Friday, if anything needs doing...

Applied for a job with the government for Census 2010. Have to wrtie a little test Monday to qualify, though are no guarantees even then. The fellow I spoke with say the greatest part of the income involved can come from the driving allowance, so, if I get anything, hope it is across town!

Monday night's Bible study was canceled due to bad weather, so hope next week we can pick up and get going....

C'est tout!

Pen to Paper

I have been sitting here at the computer all morning "trying" to get things done - final touches on Bible study and more chapters of book...What I have accomplished could so easily have been the work of an hour if I were efficient. Instead I have been four hours! How I dislike systematizing and bundling my thoughts into a tight, logical form...Very hard work. While my fingers are being "obedient", my mind is resisting in every way - the source of my gridlock, I,m sure. Do pray that God will set my mind and heart free to work diligently, and with a good attitude, to do what I am called to in this area of my life.

A struggling saint.

Sunday

We have had a lovely Lord's Day. I was up a little later than should have as had a hole in my sleep,but got to Sunday School more or less on time. We continue on with parenting - specifically fathers not provoking their children. What does this mean? What is provocation? Always interesting to hear peoples' ideas...then on to the service. Poor Dad was nodding off to sleep much of the time, Grace almost faint with hunger on my other side...We were a pathetic Challies contingent, but with good reason!

After lunch, Dad and I went up Lookout Mountain and hiked for a couple of hours. I am glad to say I aquitted myself well - was able to keep up with Super Dad as he raced up and down the sharp slopes...This is perfect weather for vigorous exercise, will continue so for another few months now - the ideal time of year in the south.

Home then off to church again for communal pizza and Bible study...Have been asked to teach one of the children of the church an individualized SS lesson each week. He is a ten-year old boy with many questions and objections to the faith and has handpicked me to be his teacher! I like him very much so am looking forward to it...

Tomorrow Covenant study, then babysitting-Maryanne's-babysitting and home for the weekend...Busy!

Interesting little tidbit: I googled my friend Lydia, and found her husband is head of the consulate in Atlanta! She lives nearby! Will contact him for her number and find out whether she has any interest at all in renewing our friendship.

A demain!