Tiny Mouse

 

I was eight years old and watching TV when a commercial came on that was fascinating.  This guy had a little mouse that ran across his hands.  As he moved his hands the mouse ran from one to the other.  For only a dollar and two Schindler’s peanut butter labels, the mouse could be mine.  I begged my dad and mom to let me order the mouse, and they finally relented.  Schindler’s peanut butter was a little pricey, but my mother bought a jar.  I ate peanut butter every chance that I had.  She finally bought a second jar, and I had the two labels that I needed.  After several weeks, my mouse arrived.  But I was so disappointed.  The mouse was a fake.  It was a blob of wax the size of a dime with a tiny string stuck on it.  When you tied the thin string onto a shirt button near your waist and moved your hands just the right way, it looked like the mouse was moving from hand to hand.  I had been duped.  My parents probably knew the scam, but I just wouldn’t be satisfied until I had that little mouse.  My disappointment was a good lesson in life: if something seems too good to be true, it’s probably a trick.  Hey, how often are we tricked by Satan’s lies?  He lies to us and we fall into sin.  Solomon spoke of the lies of drinking in Proverbs 23:32, “At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.”  Wine and alcohol may be relaxing, but it can also be dangerous.  Flirting women may be exciting, but affairs are deadly.  Our pride can lead us to places that we never intended to go.  Hey, wake up!  Think carefully.  Don’t be tricked by lies.  Lies about a little mouse … or lies about something much more sinister.  Trust in the Lord and not in your feelings.  Feelings may lie to you, but the Lord has nothing but your best interest at heart.  The good Lord will never let you down!

Warm Heater Vents

 

Last Sunday, we had a cold snap.  It was blackberry winter, or dogwood winter, or something like that.  But the kids at church knew just were to go: stand over the heater vents in the side aisle at church.  There was one vent left up front, so I joined them … but just for a moment.  Long enough to get a picture.  And every Sunday, their parents know just where to take their kids too: take them to church where they will hear about Jesus (and get warm on a cold day).  I’m so glad that I heard about Jesus and received Him as my Lord and Savior April 17, 1956.  Quite a while ago!  I was born into God’s forever family as a little child.  Matthew 19:14, “But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

Sweet Smell

 

I had the most wonderful disaster a couple of weeks ago (see my post on Feb.12).  I spilled lavender oil all over my kitchen counter.  The spill was a much better smelling accident than a bacon grease spill would have been.  Well, kind of.  So, I cleaned it up with paper towels and disposed them in the kitchen trash can.  But the lavender oil got all over the trash can lid and all down the inside of the trash can.  And that sweet-smelling fragrance has lingered for almost 2 weeks!  It has made me want to hang around the kitchen trash can!  Ha, ha!  It has reminded me of the gift that the church in Phillipi sent to the apostle Paul.  The gift was a pleasant surprise and continued to be a source of joy to the old missionary.  Paul said in Philippians 4:18, “But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.”  Hey, do you remind people of a lavender spill or of a bacon grease spill?  I like bacon, but I love, love, love lavender!  So, what about you?  Hey, be a blessing to someone today.