Few moments have topped today… in my whole life…

Few moments have topped today… in my whole life…

I got to play outside with my daughter in our blow up slide-fort-pool!!!

After an amazing day of spending time with immediate and some not-so immediate family, i.e. Gramma & Grandpap Aegan, Mamaw, PapPap, Aunt Dottie and John as well as Becky, Cooper, Calvin, and Bailey… Pearl and I washed the van and then went swimming in the pool.

As Pearl and I played I started singing to her, in the tune of nick nack paddie wack give the dog a bone, a made up song: I splash you, you splash me, we all splash as a family, with a Pearly splashing me and dear old dad getting ready to get a bath!

After that we went inside… warmed up from the cold well water… and relaxed together as a family watching some DVR recordings of our favorite show!

Now this is a day to remember… the smile on Brenda’s face as we all sat down and ate a wonderful lunch… as Pearl and I played in the pool… as Pearl slept and even sat up sleeping while on the couch as Brenda and I watched The Unit… and of course seeing Grandpap’s face light up as it always does every time he talks about Justin.

Today was not only a good day, a grace filled day, a blessed day, but a moment or better yet a snapshot that I will never forget and will always be dear to my heart!

I am not sure why but this passage seems to fit with today:

NIV Hebrews 2:11 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.

A book of Prayers!!!

I recently re-found a book that was given to me more then a few years ago: “Prayers and Blessings and Hymns” or known as “Grace, Hymns, and Blessings” compiled and arranged by Rabbi CH. M. Brecher, New York: KTAV Publishing, 1960.

On page 5 there is a morning prayer for children:

“Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of all the world (of the universe), Who has made our bodies wisely, with many passageways for our health. It is known to You, seated on Your throne of glory, that if any of these passages be wrongly closed or opened, we could no longer live or stand up before You. Blessed are You, O Lord, Who heals all bodies and performs so many miracles.

O God, the soul You gave me is clean. You made and created it; You breathed life into me, and keep me alive. I know that some day You will take life from me, but only to continue it in another world. So long as my soul lives, I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, god of all who came before me, Ruler of all things formed about me, and Master of all souls. Blessed are You, O Lord Who can return life even to the dead.

The following is to be said while the fringes are held:

I am ready to obey the commandment concerning the fringes (tzitzis) to place on our garments; for the Torah orders our people-“And they shall make fringes.”

Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of all the world (of the universe), Who has made us holy through Your commandments, and has commanded us to make fringes.

May it be Your wish, O Lord my God, and god of all who came before me, that the way in which I have obeyed the commandment concerning the fringes be considered perfectly performed, and that I also be considered to have fulfilled all the 613 commandments based upon this one. Amen!”


Now this, to me, seemed like a rather long poem, but I started asking myself:

Do I help Pearl thank and recognize God’s amazing grace from all of creation through each person individually?

Do I help Pearl acknowledge the majesty and rightful place of God as king of the universe?

Do I help Pearl thank God for the health we have?

Do I help Pearl thank God for miracles?

So many questions I could ask, but to finish up with two more?

Do I help Pearl pray for help to continually be obedient to better fulfill “Loving God with all… (her) heart, soul, strength, and mind” as well as loving… (her) neighbor as… (herself)” as seen in Matthew 22:37-39.

I mean if we all work every day at teaching, leading, and loving our children to live out a prayer like this one… what would the world be like?

Skunks

Some of you may that back in August 2007 Pearl and I accompanied Corben to Kentucky, while he took one of his many on campus classes at Asbury. Well I was driving and about 10 minutes from campus I hit a skunk. I thought well maybe Pearl won't notice. After all it didn't make a loud sound, but than the smell oh the smell. Well to say the least she noticed.

So almost every week since than during prayer and praise time at church Pearl raises her hand and asks for prayer that mommy doesn't hit a skunk again. It has become pretty comical to say the least.

Well on Friday night Pearl's prayer was answered. I was on my way home from DuBois. It was dark and rainy. I was coming up a dark country road and out of the corner of my eye on the left side of the road I saw two little beady eyes coming out of the woods. So I let up on the gas, and than running in front of the car was oh no a skunk. I still remember the smell that hot August night. So I applied the brakes and the skunk scurried into the woods on the other side of the road.

Pearl's prayer of many many months was answered. Mommy did not hit a skunk again. Praise God.