A Good Name

A couple weeks ago my son got a new pet.  He chose a ball python.  Yes, he got a snake.  I'm not so sure about it but for now it's small and will not escape his cage. My son takes it out and plays with it quite a bit, but I tend to stay a few feet away any time I happen to be in the room.

As with any pet, one challenge is finding a suitable name.  My son is taking Spanish this year and wanted to name it El Diablo.  No, no, no.  I do not want to call a pet The Devil.

Proverbs 22:1a  A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,

Late one night I was busy in the kitchen and was asking myself what would be a good name for a pet snake, when a line from an old movie came to me.  "That's just my pet snake Reggie."  Since it was from 'Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark', it was deemed cool enough for the snake.  Now Reggie is living happily in my son's room and with a fairly friendly name, I might touch him one day.  Might. 

CrossSums Turns Two

Another year has flown by and it has been an adventure. The most significant changes have been physical, with my weight loss and energy level.  Last August, I was 30 lbs heavier and had little energy.  This August I've enjoyed wearing some new clothes and doing some water park visits with the kids.

That in itself is the mark of a great year for me, but there was more.  I enrolled in an online Bible Study Group with my church and with their prayers and our leader's encouragement, I overcame some issues that kept me grounded for 15 years.  I began to travel again, making flights to D.C., California and Florida.  I had so missed the joy of seeing new places and meeting new people.

This was not a perfect year.  There have been quite a few struggles, but I'd rather look back at the things that have changed me for the better.  So from that view, it's been a glorious year and I feel like Jesus has helped me conquer several things that were holding me back from experiencing true joy.

Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

We are 'more than conquerors', so it's not over.  I still have another year of travel on my plate and I'm positive that He has even more good changes in store for me.   

Back to School

Thursday night we readied ourselves for my child's first day of third grade. We chose an outfit and painted nails. That may seem standard, but not for me. At least not the nail painting part since my nails might get painted once in a blue moon.

I was just trying to get her focused on something besides school, so I told her to pick a color and we could paint our nails. Purple. The color of purple Easter grass. Don't get me wrong, I love purple so that could be why she chose it.  I told her that every time I looked at my nails I would think of her on her first day in third grade. She just smiled. Even on Saturday, she continued to show my family our matching nails. What a reward knowing that such an simple act brought her joy and the security of knowing that I was thinking of her.

Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

The first day back was very successful, nails included. She loved her new teachers and is ready to get back in the groove.  For that I'm very thankful. 

Watermelon

I love to eat watermelon.  I know summer has truly arrived when I see them arrive at the grocery stores.  But watermelons are one of those foods that you just don't know if it will be good until you take a bite.  They can be beautiful, red and juicy, but the flavor could be lacking.  This summer has been so-so in flavor.  Every other week I try another store or another grower, hoping to hit the mark.  I've tossed more than I care to recall, but yesterday I think I struck gold.

I stopped by a local produce place to grab another watermelon.  I suppose we are reaching the end of the growing season as these were rather large.  I picked one and hefted it to the register.  I couldn't believe how heavy it was.  I took it home and weighed it.  How much?  28 pounds!

James 5:7  Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.

Well I think my rather large and tasty watermelon received the early and latter rain.  I'm so glad the farmer waited patiently.