Rearview Mirror

The other day I was talking to my adult daughter trying to encourage her in the daily ups and downs of having a darling 4 year old daughter who sometimes outwits the world around her. ha ha (including Mom/Dad/friends) Sometimes our little ones subdue our minds by tinkering with our hearts. :)

Laughingly I had to share with her about a time back when SHE was about 2 and a half years old and we went on a wonderful, funfilled vacation to Florida from Texas in our brand new blue station wagon. Wow! What fun. (now mind you we had been Cool Riders of the rockin-rollin late 50's and 60's...and STATION wagon....not....ha ha---but we were so proud of our little family and this 'movie type vacation deal was really sportin of the era').

However, just a few miles down the highway...not even out of Texas yet....hummmm...Daddy and I hear these 'grumbles, groans & fussin' coming from the back seats of our nice new car. Our very mature 10 year old son was in the middle seat....and 'the baby' was in the back section with tons of toys, pallet, luggage/snacks. Plenty of things to keep the darling 2 year old occupied to the MAX. So, all of the NOISE was coming from the mature big brother....which was a Big Surprise............because he Really was....always so good.

(I have to say here... that because there was 8 years between these two kiddoes....and I, as a young Mom had read every book and article I could find on 'how to blend/balance the parental discipline and love between two kiddoes whom God sent 8 years apart. However...by this time our beloved first born son had been given 8 full years of being spoiled by a total of 13 active grandparents....9 of whom thought he hung the moon and 4 of them over and beyond the moon...because it was their FIRST GRANDCHILD. Add to that ...as his parents we too added to the mix because, unlike most of our friends....we were headed for our 5th anniversary for marriage and were thrilled beyond words to spoil this darling little boy.--------(our daughter came after we were married 12 years).....so, yes, the Lord was ready to use this little vacation to teach us what REAL kids were like---we just didn't know it. ha ha)

As stated above....the exciting Florida vacation was in full swing and we were almost to the Louisana State line....then the noises came....grumbles, groans at first.

(No problem, it will pass after all...our son and his BABY sister have been so perfect for these first 2 years. He loved her dearly from birth....she idolized the ground he walked on. He loved being Big Brother and she was just the most picture perfect blonde headed giggle box baby girl that anyone could ever ask for---truly just a bundle of joy, laughter, bubbles, bangles...girl through and through!

Suddenly, however....from the back seat.... I hear a 'whack'...pop....followed by loud angry, "Stop it". & a babyish giggle,, giggle, giggle was the following. Then Silence. A few more miles down the highway....more grumbles, groans and gripes/whiney sounds....another 'Stop it-----".... very angry by now. Like most parents we realized that BABY was having a little fun and it was not necessarily with just her little toys. And again.... like most parents...we turned to our older son of ten said, "try to be a little more mature, son, she is just a baby...you're her Big Brother'. (yeah, right...like he cared at this stage)

State after State we traveled and he did try harder and things were very pleasant. We finally got to Florida and the beach. Wow, Awesome fun. We all collected seashells, buried in the sand, grabbed yummy snacks, got messy with tons of fun.... and big brother got a large, pretty palm leaf to take home to Texas--his treasure. Off we go for more wonderful Florida adventures.

As we are traveling along, lowly came the familiar sounds from the back seats....grumble, groan, slide, zap, another hiss, 'stop it!'.....although lower in tones....anger was still very much apparent.

It was about time for 'Baby' to take her nap...which normally was always solid, regular and dependably wonderful. So, out of curiosity....I pulled my sun visor down, adjusted my mirror where I could just WATCH 'the BABY' and try to see what the fuss was about. Precious little darling was so cute & she would no doubt be asleep in a moment.

EDUCATION 101.... Parenting class 813....came forth!

I had always been so proud of our son because he could always be depended on to be the best kid around.

I was equally proud of this precious little baby girl who like her brother had beautiful cotton white hair, both bounced off the walls with energy and life...obedient as well. At this precious stage...she was the delight of my life....UNTIL ....ha ha I pulled down that REARVIEW MIRROR. She was no longer that innocent little angelic BABY. ha ha (for sure)

She was full fledged KID....full of impish tricks, mischief, manipulations. I motioned to my husband, we both watched from the front mirrors.... and nearly busted--- This totally surprised us both...but it was so funny---neither kid knew they were being watched and WE WERE.....getting educated to the fullest extent. With disbelief....stifled giggles, we watched this darling little bobble head of blonde curls bounce around, dancing, singing, pulling and punching, picking at her brother then...giggling after each little event.

Very quietly, she would punch him through the crack in the seat, pull his ear, grab his baseball hat off his head---all with a ripple of giggles, then....hiding down on her pallet behind the middle seat. She then very slowly/slyly .... 'sneak a peak' at us ...above the seat....to see IF OUR HEADS were still facing the highway---never once noticing the mirrors flipped down & us watching her. just giggles and wheee sounds.

Our poor son---no wonder he moaned/groaned/whopped back in defense---he didn't have a chance with this miniture self forematted entertainment system maintained beautifully from the soft little pallet and back seat luggage. (I winked at Daddy then reached back and patted our sons leg and motioned to him...to note that we had been 'watching everything' from the Rearview mirrors (he laughed/thrilled) and I whispered to him "don't worry, she maybe a baby...but she knows what she's doing and we're gonna take care of her if she keeps it up but we are proud of you for being a good big brother, cause you really are." He seem very pleased to have somebody on his side finally.

The Straw that 'broke the camels back'....
Or maybe it was seashells? ...the next.... to last straw. I guess.
A few more miles ....and we hear big brother's voice, 'You put those back!'
I turned around ....only to see that she had taken her brothers prized collection of seashells out of the paper sack....was trying to LINE them up on the back of seat....like a choo choo train and seashells were flying everywhere.

When the car bounced....shells would fall....front, back...in the luggage...in the food sack, everywhere....while her brother was trying desparately to grab each one his keepsakes. So we made her pick up all the seashells (all that she could find that is) and put them back in the sack. (needless to say most of those seashells are still around our house or yard today ...ha ha)

The last....the final.....the life changing event for BABY.....

"The BABY' was STILL unknowingly being watched from the mirrors....as she finally got her brothers most TREASURED keepsake: the huge green Palm leaf of which she proceeded to waving and tickling him on the back of his neck with the spiney leaves.

Naturally, he told her to stop.....which also naturally....she did not do.

Two or three more tickles....then she sits up to get a better 'footing/hold' on the big palm leaf.....and begins very slowing pulling OFF each individual little palm leaf. (none of us saw the first one being pulled...but he saw the 2nd one pulled... and off to the races....it all goes... the yelling, full fledged brother and sister sibling war... He was rightfully so.... in his own defense....fighting for his keepsake that she was intentionally destroying in her own little world of bliss and wonder. (where was the innocent little BABY, here??? Sunrise, Sunset, what had happened to the little 'tossled headed baby girl who was full of giggles, gurgles, goodies---(and quietly God chuckled and whispered, ''she's just growing up...she's no longer a BABY''.)

Ever so quickly....the Rearview mirrors went up....the car came to a stop....Daddy gets out.....a little baby..... became a little girl....very well initiated.

A brother that was rightly justified. SHORT STORY ends! Peace came to the war front....a teary eyed little girl went to sleep on her pallet, once again giving the image of
'God's precious little Angel....the Baby now fast asleep......and thereafter.....a truly awesome Family Vacation evolved. All.... DID have a wonderful, wonderful vacation. And.... ALL came home wiser! Thanks to a rearview mirror.

There are 2 points to the above....

1. Don't ever underestimate the mind of a child'. God created some mighty great mysteries upon this earth...and the greatest of them all is the little child. (surely that's why Jesus said to bless the little children...ha ha, after all....He already has).

2. The merit of the above REARVIEW MIRROR story, is that it is still a worthy experience for all of us..... regardless of our age, our situation, trials, woes and tribulations in life. Take the time to pull down the Rearview mirror and look backwards every once in a while, to see what has happened....treasure memories..... (both good and bad)....try to see what we have learned from the ups and downs that life sends our way.

We have no future until we can review, appreciate, evaluate, investigate and see where we have been and what helped to get us ...to where we are.

Yes, it's wonderful to have hope...to dream...to look forward and to build for goals but sometimes God wants us to look back (pull down the rearview mirror) in order to treasure what all HE HAS ALREADY DONE for us....(Calvary, birth, Second-birth, miracles and blessings...gifts) and to learn to say...... "Thanks for carrying me through, Lord' and knowing (with Praise to Him) that.... we are better today....than we were yesterday. Amen Amen!

We are ALL...an extension of our ancestors....their pain, suffering & sacrifice....because they are a part of our success and joys that we have today. We need to pull down the Rearview Mirror and let it's reflection show us HOW and WHY we should be humble, as Jesus always taught----because they (our ancestors)...like us...are Nothing without Him....in every trial, trouble and journey through life. He was there. He IS there!

Numbers 6:16 "The Lord turn His face toward you and give you Peace".

I deeply treasure my awesome ancestors for their sacrifice, love, dedication and determination...but I also treasure the precious kiddoes that hold the keys to the world's future. But in all things, sometimes it is Fun and Necessary....to take time to just sit back and view the world...from the REARVIEW MIRROR.

ha ha Smile & let the Lord know ya love Him.

When Storm Clouds Billow...

II Timothy 4:17 But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength.... I was rescued....

When you stand alone, and troubles seem more than you can bare,
Turn your eyes towards our Lord....softly lift up your sincerest prayer.
Even when you're alone in the darkness.... and you fight your deepest doubt.
While sinking in the deepest pit.... and you simply cannot find a way out.
Your heart aches with pain....your tears flow even when you try to suppress.
Your body cries out for help.... your mind screams for answers to erase this mess.
Breathe deeply and quietly ....but give it up to our Master, for He is so devine.
For truly he Will bring your hearts desire..... but in His own way and time.
Our ways are not His.... and He forever is carrying the perfect little key.
He unlocks for us many treasures... but often most of which we cannot see.
He's promised to take care of us... and our many blessings are unearned.
We just have to pray, be faithful..... and His light will quickly return.
Our storm clouds will soon blow away....drifting with the wind
We will soon smile, shout in joy,..... yes, laugh out loud, just because of Him.
He restores the broken hearted........He does miracles beyond all extremes,
He is our Providence, Lord and Protector.... and returns us to our hopes and dreams.

Why do I write the above....
Because I have been there....
many, many times and He proves that He Is Truth, He Is Love, He Is our Savior.

As most of my friends know I am not into the 'bloggin' thing, tho I love reading others, I do not usually find the extra time to blog for myself. But today, because I feel that God wanted me to write the following, I will, in order to bring Glory to Him for which only He deserves.

All of my life I have heard this old saying. ‘ GOD will NOT give you MORE BURDENS than you can carry (or bare)“.

Yesterday in Wal-mart an old friend greeted me with her troubles of aging health problems and worries...kids...grandkids...hubby, etc... then kindly concluded with a sigh, “Well, I know that God won’t give me more burdens that I can bare.” I smiled and agreed openly but inside I felt God tug my heart to have a BETTER ANSWER to give her greater assurance of His love of her... her family and His protection and security through His love of her. Because she WAS/IS faithful...but so innocent of the fact that her words were really not honoring of Him. I felt badly that I couldn't find the RIGHT words to say about her 'defeatedness.....but popular old phrase.

These popular words are not Scriptural and in fact today I learned the Bible says totally the opposite.

As I sat this morning with my Bible on my lap and journaling down thoughts for yesterday and today, by intention or direction....I turned to Jeremiah 23 and slowly renewed my mind, my thinking and knowledge of what God wants me to know... but also to share that He does not bring the burden.
In fact.... He opposes its association with His name...and His heart (love).
(Sometimes ignorance is not bliss, as the old saying goes). We suffer from the lack of knowledge His Bible tells us and the older I get ...the more that I realize. ha ha Aging does have some good points. ha ha Very plainly, without confusion, God simply tells us in
Jerm. 23:33 ‘Don’t even SAY it”

The message of this blog is simple but not one that all people would agree with and that's Okay. God encourages us to study, question & seek. His message to me today was the following:
Our Burdens (troubles) are not from God---as most of society so often proclaims.

In my adult life of many, many years (ha ha) like most people, I have been told the above statement so many, many times. (basically our burdens are from God) Each time...deep inside of me...I have WANTED to respond with opposition (but never having the courage).

Why? Because my Bible teaches me that GOD IS LOVE!!! GOD IS THE GIVER OF ALLLLL GOOD AND PERFECT THINGS/GIFTS upon this earth.. This IS from the Bible. Although I have always felt this way all my life...today, God gave me His truth and His answer so very clearly that I must share it and write it down for my own recall and if it helps another...that's even better.

Oil and water doesn’t mix. Lies and truth cannot mix. Perfect and imperfect (burdens and troubles)... cannot mix. God is love....perfect and perfected!!!
His word is perfect. And our Bible is perfectly clear.

Jeremiah 23:33 through 40 clearly reflects God's heart....

Firstly: Satan can/does cause/encourage OUR own wrong choices that bring us burdens/suffering/troubles. Satan also uses other people and events to cause us burdens/suffering/troubles and tons of pain.
Second: GOD DOES NOT. He IS love. He loves us so much that He gave His only Son for us. He created us...our minds, bodies and the whole UNIVERSE with greatest of mathematical, scientific and physiological perfection. Modern day science PROVES this. NASA!!!

(Jeremiah 23: 33 through 40, reflects GOD'S heart about burdens/troubles....)
please accept the paraphrasing....

33. When people, prophets, pastors ask you, “What is the Burden...OF THE LORD?'
(trans: What’s the trouble that God’s given you?) Your response should be: “What’s the Burden? The Lord’s says ...is that ‘I will throw you away!”
34. Because as for people, prophets, pastors who SAY “The Burden of the Lord” I will punish that man (person) and his household!”
35. Now this is what people should say (to his friend, brother, anyone): “What has the Lord (said) answered ?”
36. Don’t even refer to the word Burden as being from or “of the Lord”, because every man’s OWN WORDS become his OWN BURDEN (not God’s) and You PERVERT (insult/change) the VERY OWN WORDS OF THE LIVING GOD, THE LORD OF HOSTS, OUR GOD!
37. You (we) must say to people: “What has GOD SAID?” (as in Jerm 23 Bible)
38. You then say, “This is what the Lord said, “I (God) specifically TOLD you NOT to say, “The Burden of the Lord.”
39. “I, (God) will surely Forget You, throw you away.
40. “I, (God) will bring you everlasting shame, humiliation that will never be forgotten.

Satan greatest desire is to DECEIVE, STEAL, KILL & DESTROY us, our thinking, our finances, our hope, dreams, our health and blame it all on our God (hoping we will turn against God like he did) but GOD IS LOVE.... our Creator, Savior, Protector, Counselor and KING! Awesome and 1000 other wonderful words!!!

However, our own mouth becomes prophetic when we speak (in innocence) without having His knowledge and wisdom about what we say. Sadly sometimes we mortals reap what we sow and our own words become our BURDENS/troubles. (examples: I'm never gonna get out of debt. I'm never getting over this crud. I'm doomed by this situation...this person...this whatever, feel better, etc.etc. ) But repeatedly in the Bible, God tells us 'to proclaim it...as tho IT IS....a done deal. ha ha He loves us....He loves our optimistic faith in HIS goodness and Blessings.
Thus Satan creates our burdens either through us, other people or events....not our Heavenly Father....though God IS always there to walk through it with us, to perform miracles according to His will... not our desires. Sometimes He wants us to learn from situations that even Satan created. He can turn the most evil... into the greatest miracle.
HE IS GOD! I am humble and thankful to be His.

So, the next time some says to me "Well, God won't give me more burdens than I can bare",
I pray that I will have the courage to put my arm around them and simply tell them that our GOD doesn't send the burdens...but He is ALWAYS there to pick us up when Satan knocks us down and HE IS THE MIRACLE MAKER... our Savior, friend and can turn every problem and pain into a miracle and gain, according to our faith and words. Good is going to come from this...take time to read Jeremiah 23:33 through 40. Our burdens becomes His blessings to us."