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Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Honey buns

Romans 12:13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bible study went well tonight (I hope). I just have to share something that was so funny yet serious to us girls. One of the girls in my group is on a mission trip in another part of the world (wink, wink) and when we gathered tonight I asked my friend Virginia if she had heard from our girl. She said yes and then I proceeded to ask her something that was very important to our friend...did her flat iron work??. I then hold my breath and wait. Yes, we think so. My friend, like me has to get her daily portion of hair mercies with the gracious gift of Chi. We really were born for such a time as this! We discussed it before she left and she told me that she may get it thermally straightened while she was over there since she heard it was cheaper if the power adapter didn't work with her Chi. Smart girl! Hey, a girl can look good and serve the Lord to.

Back to the point of my post. I have not covered much of my childhood on my blog for many reasons, one being that I have forgiven the things that have happened to me and I don't want to dishonor anyone. I just really feel led to share a quick story. I have been reading "The New Dare to Discipline" by Dr. James Dobson and it brought back some vivid memories for me tonight. I have shared that my biological dad was never in the picture past the age of three and I was adopted by my moms second husband at the age of seven. Anyway, I had to grow up very fast and I also endured abuse for most of my childhood and on into my adult years. I took on a very parental role and I never wanted to be a burden to my family. I wouldn't ask for much of anything as the financial pressures were great I am sure with five kids. Sometimes, I went to school without lunch and would sit, embarrassed while the other kids ate. I didn't have much of a social life either, as far as spend the night parties, because I wet the bed for years as a child.
I remember my school years being pretty tough. I worked hard a made good grades. I wanted to please my parents in any way that I could. I can still remember my third grade year like it was yesterday. My teacher didn't like me...I remember that much. Anyway, each day we had snack time and each day I had no snack. There was a sweet girl named Tiffany that would give me half of her honey bun every day. I know I must have seemed like a beggar but I can still hear the growl of my stomach as everyone pulled out their snacks...everyone but me. Then all through junior high and high school my childhood friend would share her peanut butter and jelly sandwich and pretzels with me. That food never tasted better. Her mom even started making me a little lunch that she brought for me to school. My first job was at K-Mart and I worked almost a full work week (30 something hours), went to school, and ran cross-country and track. I worked so hard to pay for my own car and I can remember going most of the day without eating and then scraping up enough money for me to buy a fountain drink and maybe some candy (back when gas was .99 cents a gallon and I thought that was expensive). I am going to encourage Morgan when she starts school to look for other kids who may be in need and for her to reach out and share in a tangible way (maybe you can talk to your kids about seeing the needs around them as well). She loves honey buns (and every time I open one for her and smell that smell I think back to Tiffany sharing her portion with me). It is about the only thing she will eat for breakfast. We were in the store yesterday and she said "honey bun momma...I'll get it" (translation: please put them in the basket). Maybe she can be the girl sharing her honey bun at snack time with someone less fortunate.
I know as a mom it is easy to get caught up and exhausted. Sometimes you may feel like giving a child a ride or a place to spend the night one night is an inconvenience but maybe you can start to see some of these things as ministry, no matter how mundane or inconvenient it feels at the time. You just never know what is going on in someones home and how desperate they may be for the love of Christ. So often we want to be "great" for the Lord, and we miss the ministry that He has for us in seeking a name for ourselves, or something that we deem more noble.

Matthew 10:42

42And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."

10 comments:

Ruth said...

Hi Jenny - remember me? I was lurking around and popped in to see what you were up to.

That was a truly beautiful story...thanks for sharing it. The really beautiful part is how beautiful you are inside through all of it.

Heather said...

very, very good post. what a blessing tiffany was in your life and how sweet to be able to share that experience with morgan. you are a great momma!

Stacey said...

Thanks for the reminder. I have been frustrated lately because I am so busy that I feel too stretched to even notice the people around me, much less help them. Many times in my life I have just needed to know someone cared. I am very close to both of my parents, praise the Lord. They are great, but during my teen years the turmoil in my family sent me to live with friends. It's a crushing feeling to think you don't have anyone who cares about you - even if it's not true - it seems to be a lingering default mode into adulthood...
Thanks for sharing this.

Mari said...

Hi,
Thanks for your post it was encouraging and a challenge to me. I am surrounded by kids that could use the love of Christ...
In His Grace Alone,
Mari

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

What a story, Jenny. I am sorry you had to endure such things, but at the same time I am so glad that you have been able to turn it around into a positive. You never know what someone else might be going through.
I took my daughter roller skating today for her birthday. I took a group of 4 girls. I had on my skates (one of the only adults htere wearing any). A huge crowd of day care children came in. There was this one little girl that kept coming over to me. BLess her, she was probably my daughters age (10), but I will bet 275 pounds. I was greeting parents and she would come over to ma and ask me to show her how to skate. The first time, I looked around a tiny bit annoyed because I was trying to greet parents and spend some one on one time with Sledge. I told her, "I will later honey". Laster I was skating by and she stuck out her leg, I almost ran over it. I looked down and there she was smiling. "Will you help me". In my mind I heard my conscience, "You promised". I did indeed. Again, I wanted to be there fully for my daughter. It is the rare moment that I get to totally have quality time with her alone (no brothers or dad to share). I thought though, God is in the face of this child. Certinaly she has been ridiculed in life becasue of her weight. No one was there to help her learn how. I took her hand and helped her up. We skated-or tried to. She never did get the jest of it, no matter how many times I demonstrated. When she fell, I could feel my hip pulling to keep myself upright (my hips still hurts) but she put her hand into mine and we tried time and time again. MY heart ached for her. So alone in this massive crowd of people. I wondered to myself what her life was like. Maybe the best I can imagine, perhaps not. Perhaps my hand in hers was the closest thing she has felt to affection in some time. Perhaps no one had time for her-just as I didn't initially. Perhaps she just wanted someone to see her. To know she was there. You just never do know what someone may go through. Sometimes it is good to let down our guard and take notice, be aware of those around us in this rush, rush world.
I am glad you mentioned it. I am sorry for your pain as a child, but I think it a good reminder to those who might need it.
Thanks Jenny, for always sharing of yourself and the love of God-it can be foudn even on this blog. I always enjoy my visit. (I am going to share this on my blog)

ocean mommy said...

Oh Jenny. I'm crying here sweet girl. This sounds so much like my husband and sister in law's testimony.

I'm praising the Lord for how He used those sweet friends along the way to give you that cup of water.

Thank you for being so open here.
Can't wait to hug your neck in San Antonio!!

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

OK, it's up here:
http://lbratina.blogspot.com/2008/03/in-face-of-child-there-is-god.html

Sherry said...

Oh, Jenny. Thank you for this post. I love you so much.

Father help me see those today you have put in my path that may need "a cup of cold water" and bless Jenny for sharing this painful part of her life with me. What an incredible witness she is for that sweet Morgan and for me. Bless her ministry as a mother.

Love you!

Fran said...

I am all over this Jenny! Minister to anyone you can, wherever you can. It might just be the only goodness that has come their way for the day. You never know what is going on in peoples lives. Thank you sweet friend for the encouragement.

And, God bless you and your darling Morgan. He is thrilled with your heart and love for Him.

Love ya~
Fran

He Knows My Name said...

jenny, God has turned all this junk into one amazing woman. i just love you so for never putting on airs, always being real and in my opinion fearless for Him. morgan has a great momma who is diligently teaching her about Jesus. hugs ~janel