August 9 – “Pokey”

We had a bit of a surprise yesterday morning.  When Chris went in to wake Mom up, she found her sitting on the floor.  Neither of us had heard her fall or anything.  I heard Chris ask, “What are you doing on the floor?” and I came running.  Sure enough Mom was just chilling out on the floor, looking through some of the boxes stored under her bed.  Chris asked her if she fell, but Mom insisted, “No, I just sat down here.  But I’m not sure I can get up.”  We got her back to her feet and started toward the breakfast table.  Great way to start the day.

Cailyn discovered that my beard felt strange … to the bottom of her foot.  She rubbed the bottom of her foot against the bottom of my beard.  Chris asked her if it tickled.  Cailyn said, “No, Nani.  DadDad, your beard is pokey.”  Ah, the nuances of language.  Pokey.  Could mean slow.  Could be a reference to a certain strange game creature (Pokemon).  What could she have meant?

I went to the last youth group meeting of the summer for several of our students who are headed off to college.  Another of them is moving to Mississippi.  We are down to just a few kids again.  Wonder what God has in mind for our next phase.  I am very proud of this particular set of kids.  Our unofficial summer intern, Kelly, lead the Bible study on  being faithful in the small things of life.  She mentioned the fruit of the Spirit at one point and several of them joined her in reciting Galatians 5:22-23.  Then she shared “Kelly’s official awesome super practical favorite ways to learn faithfulness in the small things.”  Ready for this?

1. The make your bed challenge – Make your bed every morning and pray while you do it. 

2.  Serve in small ways – At church offer to take out the trash, wash dishes, or take over doing whatever it is PK is doing.  He will probably let you. (My particular favorite).

3.  Spend time with the Lord every day.  Start with just 15 minutes. 

Nice job, Kelly.  We’ll miss you.

Psalms 20:1-2 says, “May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.  May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.”

Father, travel with those Kelly and the others who are heading off – to college or a new place.  Protect them as they adapt to their new environment.  And bring us some more kids to minister to here at Seaside.  Amen.