A Delayed Reaction...

Well it was bound to have happened... I burned myself on the stove! It was just a couple of knuckles while getting biscuits out of the oven, but it was enough to make me even more cautious when working with 350 degrees. I was in such a rush to get the breakfast made that I did not even tend to my wounds until later.
As soon as this happened my mind went back to high school french class (kind of odd isn't it).  There I was sitting toward the front, three rows over from the window, in Mrs. Renfro's french class. Mr. Brown, our school maintenance man (this was just before his retirement) knocked on the door and entered. Mr. Brown was an older gentleman, large belly, balding with a wavy come-over that wasn't well combed, glasses, dressed in dark green coveralls, wearing work boots, and carrying his bag of tools. It's funny... I can recall Mr. Brown and what he was wearing, but I can't recall what season it was. It was either very hot or cold because that was why he was in the room.
Mr. Brown came to work on either the heating or cooling system in the room. As he made his way to the control panel of the system next to the window side of the room he spoke french with Mrs. Renfro, which impressed me. He sat on the floor and began his work, Mrs. Renfro continued to teach the class like he wasn't even there. I had almost forgotten that he was there too, when it happened...
ZAP! It was the sound of a rather large insect caught in a bug zapper. Everyone stopped what they were doing; silence filled the room. The stench of something burnt began to develop in the air. Mrs. Renfro turned and looked in the direction of the sound. All us students did the same. Mr. Brown did not offer a word and continued on with his work. It was only after Mrs. Renfro called the students back to task and was writing on the board did Mr. Brown offer any type reaction to go along with the noise and smell by saying, "OUCH!" It was this delayed reaction that caused the class (and Mrs. Renfro) to burst out in laughter. About that time the bell rang and class was dismissed.
Interestingly enough my devotional this morning dealt with allowing what's on the inside to show forth on the outside. And what is happening on the "inside"? We typically (at least for me) have no problem revealing frustration, irritation, agitation, aggravation... and all kind of other "tion's." What may not be so evident is the love. So often I have a delayed reaction in showing the love I should have shown earlier in a situation. Let it not be today!

Memories of the Chain Gang...

This last Saturday I volunteered at my son's Jr. football game... I was part of the chain gang. What this consisted of was moving the markers along the sideline of the field to indicate placement of the ball. This job also lets the teams know how much further they have to go to get another first down (or fresh start).
The last time I was part of a chain gang was after high school. During that game I made a mistake that really got a coach and fans upset. The teams were from two middle schools in the area, and the score was close. During one of the plays the ball carrier was being driven out of bounds, straight toward me. I wasn't sure what to do with the pole I was holding to mark where the ball was so I stayed planted in my spot. The player ran right into the metal pole marker I was holding, causing him to bounce and spin as he tumbled out of bounds.
The coach started yelling at the referee because of me because I could have (as he screamed in my direction) "broken the kid's neck." I really don't think that by hitting the pole I could have caused that much damage... In fact the player was just fine. I think the coach was really upset because the play didn't go as well as he had hoped. The referee pulled me aside and explained that if the play starts coming toward the sideline that I was to drop the pole and move aside. I still recall the sickening feeling of being yelled at by the coach in front of all the fans... it was quite a scene.
This past Saturday that memory was in the forefront of my mind, so when a player near the goal line came close to the sideline where I was I immediately dropped the pole and stepped aside. Isn't it amazing how events from the past can affect our behavior today!
This is true for so many events from our past. Often the pain in our hearts is never truly dealt with and we merely mask it with the "things" of life. But their effects are still very evident in the way we live our lives. A statement from my morning devotional was this: "As we confide in our [Heavenly] Father, we can experience peace and the beginning of healing for our wounded hearts."
God desires to bring healing to our lives... Maybe it's time to "have a little talk with Jesus" as the old hymn says.

French Toast, An Experiment...

Breakfast menu for today... french toast. This was an experiment really, as I have never attempted to make french toast before. I accessed the archives of my childhood memory banks and recalled my Mom making this for me and my brothers long ago. In my mind I pressed play on the recorded video and watched as she moved about the kitchen, from the refrigerator to the counter. I could see her as she reached for her electric griddle (the plug of which was always in a different kitchen drawer). The bread box was rather large due to having four active and growing boys... bread was a good filler for what must have seemed like four always hungry sons. From this video in my brain I put together the makings of french toast.
Once finished with the experiment (I mean... breakfast) I called to my oldest (and the only one besides myself that was awake) to take part in the inaugural serving. I watched as he ate... waiting anxiously for his verdict of what I had so proudly placed before him. I watched as he took big bites (I'm always telling him to take small bites, rather than simulating a squirrel trying to fit in one more nut).  But I didn't make the complaint this morning. Instead I made the assumption that my creation must have been pretty good as he shovel it in. Feeling confidently successful I shared my observation with him, "Must be pretty good, huh?... I mean the way you're eating it up with such big bites!" He responded, "Yeah..." with a brief pause as he chewed. "Or it could be that I just want to get it over with." Smartaleck kid!
My devotional this morning had nothing to do with french toast. But rather it dealt with the certainty that this life will end, yet an eternity awaits us. With this fact comes the sobering thought of having to stand before God to give an account for my life. Although I have messed up plenty in my life, this is not a fearful thought as I stand justified by the blood of Jesus Christ. My devotional ended with this statement, "Only those who have placed their faith in Christ are prepared to meet their Maker." Focusing on this stark reality makes me realize though, just how much my life matters. Not for my selfish desires... but rather how I am to make my life a benefit for others by loving and serving.