Random Thoughts

Those who know me well know that my brain often takes turns onto random trains of thought without warning. That has led to a rule in our family that if I expect Jerry to follow me in a conversation, I have to raise my hand when changing subjects. It is a lot like using a turn signal to let the traffic around you know what is happening. Consider yourself warned.

Six years ago today my granddaughter, Hannah, made her debut into the world on Jerry's 50th birthday. Since then we have been completely blown away by the joys of grand parenting. Sharing a birthday with your Pops means a number of things. First, she has him completely wrapped around her little finger. Second, Jerry will be celebrating his birthday at Chuckie Cheese until Hannah is old enough for Dave and Busters. Third, Stormi (Hannah's mom) has totally shown us all up on birthday gifts. Since I can't top that one, I'm just not buying anymore birthday presents for Jerry. Happy Birthday, Hannah and Pops!

I heard on the news last night that the federal government has been shut down due to weather for four days now. Did you notice? Think about that. There may be a budget cutting idea coming into focus. How long would it take us to notice if most of them never went back to work? Is this a picture of the proverbial "hell freezing over?" And, when you say, "when hell freezes over," do you anticipate that it will stay frozen or that it will thaw at some point?

Friends are one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. Today the devotional is going out for the first time to a long time friend of mine to whom I recently got re-connected. This friend was privy to the very first series of devotionals I wrote, long before my involvement in state government. We both had young children, attended the same church and were cohorts in crime for a number of years. Those devotionals, entitled Meditations from the Compost Heap, were thoughts on some of my first experiences of really trying to do what scripture says when you find yourself having an issue with a fellow believer who happens to be in leadership over you at a church. It was a painfully profitable learning experience, to say the least. Welcome, Karen!

So, you may wonder, just how is she going to try all these random thoughts together with a great big bow and make it into a devotional? Piece of cake. Regardless of the randomness of the events in your life, God tells us:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6.