The Power of Advertising

This morning was nice... well, as nice as it could be waking up and realizing that you have a cold! My husband let me stay in bed while he got up with the boys. I was in and out of being asleep and heard them talking as they got dressed for their day.

It is always a treat for me (and other mothers, I am sure) to see my kids interact with my husband with me out of the equation... and that applies to when they are interacting with peers and other adults, too. This morning's treat was just hearing them on the other side of the door in the hallway.

Bigger, Little Man made the observation, "Say, it sure is cold in here this morning." His room has crappy windows like the rest of the house and his windows face west. There was a mean wind all night along with the once again cooler temps, so I imagine that his room was quite cold as was ours (we also face west). Next I heard him remark, "We need those Snuggly things... Snugglies, or whatever, that keep you warm!" Then Littler, Little Man chimed in with a chant: "Snug-lee, Snug-lee, Snug-lee!" (This is what they were referring to... Snuggie... The Blanket With Sleeves! No, I am not being paid to have their link here!!!)

They have seen the commercials to this and thousands of other items while they watch shows on Nick... it is amazing the staying power in the memory of these things... things you might see several times in one week or, perhaps, in just one day!

So, that made me think about God. (Amazing, huh?) Our church is focusing on being in the word this year... reading the Bible in one year. (Or you could take the shortcut route and just read through the new testament in one year... the weekly sermons follow the New Testament track, so that is the one I am following. I am taking that track for that reason and for the reason that I am honestly easing myself into the daily discipline of reading the Bible everyday.)

Let me tell you something... reading just a little bit everyday for just about 2 months now has changed my life. It really puts a spark in me to want to let my light shine for the world to see. I am far from being perfect... but I see how He wants me to live and it is better than anything on the planet.

Never before have I been able to praise God through adversities... and this morning I did. Through my cold and feeling grumpy, I thanked Him for my family and those voices I heard outside my bedroom. With two children that have cancer on my mind (children of friends), I praised Him for having friends I could pray for. The wind howled outside and I thought of the majesty of His creation and the wonder of the seasons that He made.

When I start praying and I have the time to let my mind wander in it... I always return to the story of Christ and what He did for us, too. How can you not? His love is constant and welcoming. He freed us from sin, guilt, and death. Tragedies can and do happen... but it is not the end. He is the beginning and the end and will be with us always so long as we repent and believe.

Easy to include Him into the everyday-ness of life with those things at stake, I think. More than I want to see those commercials for the Snuggies ever again! Ha ha!

Some random verses to ponder:

Luke 12:32 "So, don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom."

Job 36:15 But by means of their suffereing, he rescues those who suffer. For he gets their attention through adversity.

Romans 8:5-6 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace.

Romans 8:18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory that He will give us later.