You gotta love the things kids say...

You have got to love the things kids say. Some of the following are statements that kindergartners made;

"Dear God, instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why don't you just keep the ones you've got?"
Jane

"Dear God, thank you for the baby brother but what I prayed for was a puppy."
Joyce

"Dear God, I bet it's really hard to love everybody in the world at the same time. There are only four people in my house and I can never do it."
Nan

"Dear God, if you give me a genie lamp like Alladin, I will give you anything you want except my money or my chess set."
Raphael

Dear God, the teacher said that Edison made light but I heard in Sunday School that you did it. I bet he stole your idea."
Donna

Dear God, please send Dennis Clark to a different camp this year."
Peter

"Dear God, Maybe Cain and Able wouldn't kill each other so much if they had their own room. It works for my brother and me."
Larry

Dear God, please put another holiday between Christmas and Easter. There is nothing good in there now."
Ginny

"Dear God, if we come back as something please don't let me be Jenniffer Horton because I hate her."
Denise

"Dear God, if you watch in church on Sunday I'll show you my new shoes."
Mickey

Sometimes I love day dreaming about great childhood memories. I grew up in a good family with 38 cousins and at last count over 80 second cousins. We stopped counting the third cousins because it felt like we were taking the federal census. We would have a family reunion every Labor Day. Most times we would have to reserve the entire park. I can remember the kids all over the place and all the excitement that came with the energy of a big crowd. Everyone was safe because we all watched out for each other. Even to this day when our family gets together we have a blast. The things kids say reminds me of the innocence of those times and the expectations we all had that everything was good and there was no prospect for that to ever change. Well, we all had to grow up and face the rest of what life had for us. For the most part it was good. There were a few tragedies, a couple of young cousins died as children. That still hurts a little even though we know they are with God. Out of 350 some Stricklers I can think of less that 20 divorces. That says something these days. I feel blessed to be part of great family traditions.

One of my favorite childhood stories was when my mom and I were at odds with each other. I thought she had been unfair about a number of things. I don't remember what they were now but I can remember hearing a line on TV where the Actor said, "This place isn't big enough for the two of us! One of use are going to have to leave.!" In the heat of the moment I said to my mom, "This house isn't big enough for the two of us! One of us is going to have to move out!" When my Dad got home that evening he made it very clear who would be moving out if he didn't behave. Mom and I laugh about it now but I don't think she enjoyed the comment much the day of. Kids say and do the darnedest things. I remember a few choice things my girls said when they were little. I'll spare them the embarrassment here but talk to me later.

I sit here this sunny day reflecting on God's goodness to our church and to our families and friends. Take a moment this week to write a note or a text or an email or twitter or whatever it is you do to communicate with a family member or a friend about how much you appreciate them.
See you in church.

As always, I am expecting God's best.

Great days ahead!

Steve