Sunday, May 27, 2007

5-16-07 Mrs. Goodnest















May 16, 2007

MRS. GOODNEST

There are times in our lives that just get tough. You may try to go over it, around it, or under it. The truth is the only way to deal with tough times is to go through it leaning on the Lord all the way. The illustration story is a page out of my past about a small struggle for a child and mom but not written by me. It never really changes – when you go through something painful or difficult you are not alone in your pain. There are always loved ones who walk the trails of pain with you staying at a protective distance guarding you with prayer. You might wish you were a child again with child size problems.

Good news – you are a child – a child of God AND God is able.

A mom was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe. So she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn't notice her. She said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed. The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor boy he knew. She did this for the whole week. As the boys walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week. Finally he said to Timmy, "Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?" Timmy nonchalantly replied, "Yeah, I know who she is." The friend said, "Well, who is she?""That's just Shirley Goodnest," Timmy replied, "and her daughter Marcy."

"Shirley Goodnest? Who the heck is she and why is she following us? " "Well," Timmy explained, "every night my Mom makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, 'cuz she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says, 'Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life', so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!"

A Pearl to String: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

May Shirley Goodnest and Marcy be with you today and always,
Lyndi

No comments: