Memories

September 29, 2015August 30, 2019 / Gail Johnson / 2 Comments

Little Tikes Coupe ~ Pixabay

As a toddler, my son loved his Little Tikes red coupe. Every day we would spend hours playing gas station.

The driver would Fred-Flintstone around the house and then pull up to the Little Tikes gas pump. There, the lady attendant pumped his gas, and he paid her in change from daddy’s jar. With his receipt in hand, he would drive around once more only to return for another fill-up.

One spring day, the attendant was in need of a break. With a destination in mind, she made a plan. The only problem was hubby had the only vehicle. And so, she looked around and spied the Dairy Queen one block over. At 2 pm, the parking lot was empty. An idea formed.

With coupe and boy in hand, she took the back street to her destination. Once they reached the parking lot, she pulled to the drive-in window and ordered a dog, fry-bite, and a coke. She pulled to the pay window and gave the lady her money while all the other attendants smiled at the grinning tyke in the driver’s seat.

Then a car pulled behind them, then another, then another. Sigh. The minutes began to creep as she waited. Her prayers were answered when finally, the food arrived. Now dreading the return trip, the “engine” sputtered. She couldn’t take the main road. Too much traffic. Determined it wasn’t about her, she turned the coupe around and rolled past the waiting cars. She smiled when the happy little tyke waved to each car and they returned the gesture.

Why did she do such a silly thing? Because she loved the boy that much, and memories are a powerful thing. They connect us. They often sustain us in hard times.

Remembering

While on their way to Canaan, Moses reminded the people what God had done for them. Just before his death, God gave Moses a song to teach the people so they wouldn’t forget.

“Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.” Deuteronomy 31:9 KJV

In Psalms 63:2, David cries, “To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.” His soul was cast down in the wilderness. Yet, he recalled the sanctuary. He went on to proclaim that God’s lovingkindness is better than life.

Paul when remembering his life said, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”Romans 8:38-39 KJV

Jesus also remembered. “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” John 17:5 KJV

“And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” Luke 10:18 KJV

Yes, memories are a powerful thing. They stand as memorials and testimonies to others. My son remembers that day as a three-year-old he “drove” to the Dairy Queen. Some may have their doubts. But for a mom who, as a three-year-old, also has memories of swallowing a penny and the hoopla that took place afterward, I believe him.

Forgetting

Memories can also be debilitating. They can hold us captive. Yet God, through the work of His Son, has given us the ability to gain freedom. Today, I pray, if you are in a tough place, Beloved, remember from whence you came. Recall the times God has delivered you. Write it down and make a new memory today.

For you who struggle with memories. You are not defined by those memories. Don’t let the enemy dictate your future. Seize the promises of God. Know someone is praying for you. There is hope in Christ. Make new memories with those who love you.

Praying

Lord, for the child that needs a reminder today, I pray. Let them recall Your goodness. Let Your love, better than wine, wash over them. Put a song in their mouth to stir up the memories of Your faithfulness in times past. Let your peace that passes earthly understanding envelope them. Let them dance in joy.

For the child who needs to forget. It is by our Redeemer’s stripes we are healed. Touch the wound. Pour in the oil and wine. The chastisement of our peace was upon His back. You have promised to heal the wounds and restore health. Let them forget their misery and only remember it as waters gone by. You alone can do the impossible. Speak the Word and it shall be done. In Jesus’ name, I pray.

My Purpose Is Growth

September 1, 2015June 12, 2018 / Gail Johnson / 2 Comments

Trimming the fat, or excess, is the first step to organization. Organization is the first step to discipline. And discipline is the first step to growth.

For me, becoming organized is the first priority. I begin by removing everything that is counterproductive to growth. This isn’t easy at first. After a plan of action, I watch and wait. Then, I decide what is helping or hindering me from achieving my goal. With my decision made, I cut my losses and move ahead.

Once I’m organized, there’s no excuse for being undisciplined. Everything I need is at my fingertips. Therefore, I’m able to concentrate on the job and meet my goals. And the result is growth.

This rule works for my physical and spiritual needs. In the first chapter of his second epistle, Peter tells me through God’s precious promises, Christ’s perfect sacrifice, I have escaped this world. Through these promises, God has given me the ability to grow into a mature vessel. No excuse. Everything is given.

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-8 KJV)

When reading this passage, I understand that I can’t “add” to what isn’t there in the first place. To obtain these attributes, I must lay aside all that hinders me from spending time with Him. It isn’t enough to have a casual relationship. I crave intimacy.

When I spend time waiting on the Lord my heart’s cry is for Him to search me and know me. Remove all that displeases. Create in me a clean heart. Draw me near. All unnecessary things fade as my heart focuses on Him.

Some say the order of the words is insignificant. Yet, I’ve learned knowledge of right and wrong helps me to practice self-control in all things. With self-control, I learn patience. And if I haven’t affection for others, how can I have Christ-like love? But, if I seek to add all these things, then I’ll not be barren but fruitful and able to make a difference thereby, fulfilling my purpose—growth.

Life quickly become cluttered as I take on more and more. I find myself needing to trim some things to lighten the load. Combining several social media sites is one thing I am in the process of doing. Another is learning to say no.

What do you do to remove the excess?

Maple Pecan Ice Cream

July 21, 2015May 26, 2018 / Gail Johnson / 5 Comments

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV).

With July coming to a close, I’m trying to make every minute count! Seasons change. That’s an undeniable fact.

Children growing up is another fact. My kids are twenty-three and eighteen. These are precious days to me. And when they decide it’s time to leave and make their own way—maybe miles away—it will still be a precious time, but not like now.

So I cherish this season. And in the midst of all the changes, I hold to the Creator of all seasons. For no matter what the season holds, there is a purpose only He knows. And so, I will trust Him and show my love to all those in my care while I have the chance.

For who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Today, I’m sharing my favorite. I warn you, this stuff is addictive. Again, this is half a canister. If it were doubled, I would eat it. 🙂 Not good for Gail!

Johnson’s Maple Pecan Ice Cream

2-14 ounces condensed milk

4 ½ cups whole milk

1 can evaporated milk

½ teaspoon Maple flavoring

1 cup pecans, chopped and roasted (place under broiler)

Directions

Mix condensed milk, cream, milk, and maple flavoring in the canister. Stir well. Add pecans. Place canister into the ice cream churn. Lock into place. Turn on the machine. If you wait, the ice and the salt can freeze the canister in place and it won’t turn. If this happens, you have to work until you get it to turn or start over. Bummer! So, turn on the machine and begin to layer ice and salt—1 part salt to 8 parts ice according to the salt box.

Layering is an art you learn as you go along. I like to add thin layers of ice with more salt. That way, the ice cream can be eaten when the churn stops.

If you like hard ice cream, drain the salt and ice when the churn stops, repack and allow to harden 1 hour, or pour ice cream in a freezer container and freeze.

This recipe makes half a canister because we like it fresh, not frozen. So we make enough for one afternoon and eat it all day long! If I were making a full canister, I would just double everything.

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