I have always loved teaching and the Lord gave me the rich privilege when I was just barely twenty years old to teach kindergarten, and then for a few years after that, first grade. I remember the first year I taught I had 31 five-year olds in a tiny little classroom! I was overwhelmed many days at managing all those children and actually teaching them, but with the guidance of a dear saint and wonderful teacher who taught the other kindergarten class, I survived the year, and so did all my students.

Now, thirty some years later, I’ve been contacted on Facebook by some of those students! I always cringe when one of them says, “I’ll never forget when you told me…” Who knows what I might have said or done! I pray I was a godly influence, but I’m sure someone has a memory of something said to them from my lips that wasn’t helpful. Children are so impressionable and I know from my own experience, some things that we say will go with them into adulthood.

When I was a little girl in the fourth grade I had a teacher that encouraged me. She was the first teacher I can remember that had us write stories and poetry. I loved it! I had a folder packed full of papers with my handwritten stories, some including illustrations. At the end of the year she said to me, “I’ll give you this folder to keep if you’ll promise me you’ll keep writing.” I promised. Did she ever know what a motivator she was to me? I wish I could tell her.

On a negative note, I know someone who was told they “weren’t college material.” This lady has a remarkable ability to learn, share, and create, but because of that statement made by one person, she never even attempted college. She has achieved much without a degree…I wish I could tell that person who discouraged her!

My point is, we need to encourage children with godly encouragement. Remind them that God has a purpose for their lives, that He created them with special gifts and abilities that He wants to use them for His honor. Tell them that He has a will for them, and that they can trust God with their lives! Tell them you will be praying for them and you know they can do whatever God calls them to do. They will never forget the truths you share, and they’ll never forget that you shared it with them!

With love,

This beautiful summer like weather has dried out my pansies, so I filled my watering can with water and took it outside to give them a drink. The poor little things slurped that liquid up in a second! I was guilty of plant neglect…poor little guys. I set the watering can down on the deck, then seated myself at the umbrella table to write in my praise journal.

When that was finished I picked up my book and pen, then stooped to pick up the now empty watering can. The thought then came to my mind, “I need to write my blog post…what can I write about?” The Lord then spoke to my heart – your “watering can” is just as empty as the one you’re carrying into the house. Come spend some time with me and let me fill it – then you’ll have something to share with others.”

Because of my company being here this morning, I had had my Bible study, but wasn’t able to finish and have my normal prayer time. Now, coming inside, I put the watering can away, then headed to my quiet place. I repeated the verse I’d read in my Bible study in James 4 – “Lord, your Word says if we draw nigh to you, You will draw nigh to us. How I need you…”

It was a sweet time with the Lord. He did indeed meet me there. I poured my heart to him; He blessed me with the sweetness of His presence. Then, and only then did I have anything to pour out on anyone else. How foolish to think that an empty watering can (me) could have anything to say or do that would be a blessing to others. Without spending time in prayer I am relying on myself. My coming to Him acknowledges my dependence on Him. John 15:5b …Without me ye can do nothing. How very aware I am of that, and how precious the Lord is to remind me. When that literal watering can gets full , then it can spill out onto the plants. In the same way, when I have spent time with the Lord, I have something to spill out from the overflow onto others I meet! Without Him I am empty!

How about you? Are you full or empty today? Will your life be able to spill over onto others because of time you’ve spent with the Lord today?

With love,

Every Sunday morning my husband has a time with the children called “Pastor’s Pals.” All the children come down to the front, sit on the platform steps, and hear their pastor share some biblical truth or story with them. I have a front row seat because I sit in the choir. I’ve seen some interesting sights from my vantage point!

Easter – what a precious day! We remember the resurrection of our Savior. Because He conquered death, we, too will live after this life is over! “He is not here, for He is risen as He said. Come see the place where the Lord lay.” Matthew 28:6

I fixed a pretty traditional Easter dinner for my family. We had the privilege of having our college student home for the day – she came home for the food! 🙂 Well, there were other reasons – maybe to be in her home church as well as with her parents, but the coconut cake was pretty important to her!

You can’t have Easter without chocolate bunnies…

Here was the traditional Coconut Cake in the making –

three layers of a yellow cake, then lemon filling between the layers.

Putting the waxed paper under the layers keeps the cake plate clean while you ice the cake and put on the coconut.

M&M eggs as decoration on top. I’ve also made this into a basket, pushing cardboard handles covered with ribbon into the top of the cake.

I also served:

Honey Glazed Ham

Sweet Potato Casserole

Apricot-glazed Asparagus

Corn

Orange Pretzel Salad

Deviled Eggs

Sister Shubert Rolls

What was cookin’ in your kitchen on Easter?

With joy because He lives,