February 27 – “Not life or death”

I got one of those notices on FaceBook today.  You know, the ones that tell you what you posted years ago?  This one was from 2012.  It was just an announcement of my blog post for the day.  The title?  Life or Death.  Wow.  What in the world was happening in February of 2012 that I would consider a life or death situation?  No, I didn’t go to the blog site to check it out, although that is not entirely out of the question.  It just struck me as interesting.  Mainly because I really don’t have much to write about at all today. 

Oh we did go up into Texas to help celebrate Kel’s birthday.  Christina made shrimp gumbo for the first time in her life.  And I must say, she did a bang-up job.  Apparently when they have had gumbo in the past, it has been Kel who has taken over kitchen duties.  This gumbo had loads of shrimp, plenty of shredded chicken, sausage, and the ever-present okra.  Jachin patiently removed all of the shrimp and okra from his bowl and placed it in its new home – Micah’s bowl.  Micah loves gumbo, and was a bit put out that we were even there to eat some of “his” dinner.  He did his part in coaching Josiah to try some of the odd-looking green stuff.  “It doesn’t really have a taste” was his go-to encouragement.  Nana tried to get Ezra to give it a try, but his two-year-old mind was too quick for her ruses.  Even when she hid it among a big spoonful of rice, he spotted the offending greenery and picked it out.  Noa did give it a try.  She wasn’t particularly impressed.  She agreed with Micah’s take.  No taste.  Why bother? 

After dinner we gathered around the couch where Kel sat to watch him open presents.  Each youngster gave him something.  He ended up with quite a haul.  Several Heroclix figures, a white Houston Texans cap, and from the two youngest … bags of Skittles.  He seemed quite pleased with the outcome. 

To close out the evening we listened to the kids explain Heroclix.  Not that it did us a lot of good.  We just don’t seem to have that particular geek gene.  Give me ERA’s and batting averages any day.  I just don’t understand the powers that a middle-aged, chubby “Daddy Spiderman” can have.  Oh, he’s a riot to look at, as are many of the other figures, but the whole gaming thing on Friday nights at the local Geek Shop is beyond me.  Sounds like they are good at it, though.  More power(s) to them.

James 1:19 says, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”

Father, thank you for the joy of a family birthday party.  Certainly not life or death, but nice.  Really nice.  Amen.