The Cross and Fireplace poker!

Not sure why this hit me today but it has and so I wanted to post this while its on my mind. Do you display a cross in you home? We don't have one but I wish we did and this is why. Now hang with me, I may get wordy. We have some great friends (I know its hard to believe and they don't cost much) and they gave us a fireplace set. You know, with the brush, poker and ash shovel. Its great. It has its own stand, the tools are black and fit the decor of our house perfect. It also came with the ash bucket. They just gave it to us. What does a new set cost? $30 or more? I really don't know but they were kind enough to just give it to us. We do heat with wood which I love so every three days or so I clean out the stove. Every time I clean the stove I think of the Koehn's...every time. They are younger than us, two small kids, one spouse is going to school and working while they continue to maintain a Godly home. They didn't have to give the tools to us, they just did. Every time I use the tools I think about their friendship, their unselfishness, their desire to be used by God. Their gift reveals their heart. It shows there mind is not fixed on themselves. It has revealed their character that they are now passing on to their children. It makes me think about what I am or am not doing to pass God's love on through me to others. Now, what does the cross make you think about? Is it humbling? Does it draw you to Him? Does it cause pause in your life? Does it inspire you? If I had a cross in my home it would be displayed for a multitude of reasons but most of all so that I will never forget who He is and what he has done for me. It would be displayed to remind me of my place in His Kingdom because of his obedience to His Father. Yes, not sure why this is on my mind today, but it is. Happy Holidays!

Angels on overtime!

Like most parents we often hear ourselves telling our kids to go outside and play. Well, I was at the Station (when bad things usually happen at home) and received a call from Tami. Initially it was normal "how was your day" type conversation but I could hear in her voice that she was preparing to tell me something of great significance. It went something like this...
"Well....Seth..fell out of the loft today".
My thoughts were concrete or no concrete???? She continued to explain that the boys were in the loft sword fighting (with long skinny cardboard tubes) when Seth backed into the access in the floor that leads you up into the loft...Kirsten gasped...Drew ran to the house...Seth laid on the dirt floor...Tami got real nervous as any mom would and I was at work oblivious to all of it. He was able to get up and walk to the house with only a scratch on his back.
How he managed to not land on his head or neck, get wrapped up in the ladder below him, break a leg or any other fatal injury I can think of...I have only one thought...thank God for angels! Why? Why does stuff like this happen? Does our number just eventually come up and it is now our turn? Is there a point to it all? Should I even waste time trying to figure it out? It scared everyone. Tami and I talk about the "what ifs". Do you ever feel like you are just waiting for the hammer to fall? Here is my thought (hang on, its a good one!) Some events in our lives provide us an opportunity to be reminded that this life is truly fragile. Small words can provide encouragement or suicide. Small acts may be a blessing or cause depression. A reaction may cause harm or healing. This is the holiday season. For some it is discouraging, tension filled, depressing, causing anxiety not the peace and joy that we sing about. May we not miss our opportunities to be the light we are to be within our sphere of influence. Thank God for difficult times. Thank God for protecting Seth. I love my kids.


P.S He has since jammed his finger in basketball and is currently icing a swollen ankle. All others are fine...as far as I know.