Stuff on my fridge

I'm not even sure I believe in 'coincidence', but this is freakily 'coincidental'. I found something I'd written a long time ago that is even more relevant than it was when I wrote it. Seriously - it was a LONG time ago. However, if I post it now it will appear that I'm addressing current issues and a) I'm not; b) --there is no b). I just didn't want to end with a).

So, instead of posting that very relevant piece, I'll be weasling out on the blog tonight. In a way.....

My refrigerator is going to topple over one day from the weight of all the magnets holding photographs and messages and sweet mementos. There are a few things on there that have been around for as long as the dust UNDER the refrigerator (that's a joke - we've moved a couple times and didn't bring the dust along with us, so the dust is about 13 years younger than the items I'm thinking of).

One thing is a list of Twelve Prayers for Your Children --- a prayer for each month of the year. I got it when the girls were very little - from a church bulletin I think.

One is an article by Erma Bombeck that used to make me cry, then I went through a phase where it made me laugh maniacally, now it makes me cry again. One of those 'kids growing up' things about how the dirty socks won't be on the stairs one day, and you won't have to wipe popsicle off the cabinet drawers, ... yada yada ... then it ends with something like "one day you'll say, 'Why don't you grow up?'..and realize they did." That stupid Erma.

Another is a yellowed Gary Larson cartoon I cut out of a newspaper ... a lady looking out the window watching a group of kids run by wearing little coonskin caps and holding stick guns. "Look Fred," she says to her husband who is looking out the other window, "the kids are playing cowboys and indians." 'Fred' has a bewildered look on his face because out his window, he sees actual savages with bows and arrows and war paint ... chasing the children.
Yes, I know -- another example of my warped mind. Sorry -- I thought it was funny.

There are a few intelligent things on the fridge too ... and some pictures of people I want to remember to pray for, and pictures of kids we've known for a long time who are now young adults, but for some reason I still have their 7th grade football picture... There are current photos too, but the old ones are usually the ones I stare at while getting a drink of water, or trying to remember what I originally came to the refrigerator for ... (five minutes later: oh yeah...butter).

Moving on .... I saw this yesterday on the fridge - had sort of been pushed to the back of the right side to make room for more important things .... like Molly's report card from 10th grade (?) ... she's out of school now (?) ... I have no idea ...(?)

I started reading it for the zillionth time -- and thought, "wow". No... I mean, "WOW!"

The paper itself is torn in a couple of places, and has something (ketchup?) on one corner, it's very wrinkled, and I have no idea who originally sent it to me. I printed it from an e-mail, so I know I got it in 1999.

God Has an Answer for Everything
for all the negative things we have to say to ourselves,
God has a positive answer

You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)


You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your care on ME (I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I don't have enough faith"
God says: I have given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

~jm~