April 7, 2020

Some things are just a given, and unfortunately for Charlie Brown, baseball doesn’t seem to be his strong point. He does, however, get extra points for his passion, determination and absolute devotion to the game!  Right now, reading Peanuts cartoons about the neighborhood ‘sandlot’ games is about as close to baseball as you’ll get these days. 

Again today, Kath and I went to the 6am Walmart senior shopping event.  They did have people wait in a line outside the store, and counted people as they entered.  There were only about 2 dozen people there that early so we all got in.  The store was not crowded and totally open for shopping; no restrictions and no lane directions.  We got our shopping done, were home and I was showered all before 7am.  I made another batch of cauliflower cheesey soup.  Logan and I are the only ones who like it.  We also like meatballs, and I’m not a fan of the frozen ones.  I got a pound of ground meat and made my own, which I froze, and they will last several meals.  Now I can’t wait to have pasta again.  The boys are doing school work, Kelly is fluctuating back and forth between her facebook feed, the novel she’s reading, and being the home-school teacher/mom.  I have been answering emails, doing some online research, and listening to Micah McMillen from Old Mahoning Baptist church. 

Micah’s message was entitled Cheers, Jeers, and Tears.  It’s hard to actually take in all the pain, agony and heartbreak that Jesus went through during his last week on earth, but this agony led to victory which we as Christians celebrate daily.  He said that God equips us through our daily lives for the struggles we will go through, so we have experience in how to handle what we face.  The cheers, obviously, were during the triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  His main point in this was that when Jesus stopped to send his disciples to get the donkey, he gave them very specific directions and instructions.  Also, it should be noted that the disciples were obedient.  They did not argue or question; they did not think they had a better way to make this happen.  They obeyed.  They trusted Jesus enough to believe in his directives.  The jeers came from the crowd, who taunted and rejected Him, to which he responded with grace and patience.  How do we respond to the rejection and disagreements in our life?  Do we lash out, argue, insist on always being right?  (Anyone who knows me even a little knows that my favorite saying is:  It’s better to be kind than to be right)  The tears were during his time in the garden, in his persecution and his death.  His own tears mixed with those who loved and followed him.  They had no idea what they would do without their precious Friend.  In everything that happened during this Holy week, Jesus exhibited determination of will, compassion and mercy, and truth with grace.  We would do well to ‘go and do likewise.’   

On this date in 1805 Lewis and Clarke left Ft. Maden for the Pacific Ocean. In 1860 Will Kellogg was born in Battle Creek Michigan, and probably one of your favorite cereals was just around the corner!  In 1928 James Garner was born – oh, be still my beating heart!  He’s certainly one of my favorites.  And on this date in 2020, I received in the mail my very own DVD of ‘It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown!’  Can life get any better? 

As you move forward through Holy week, take time to reflect on the cheers, jeers and tears.  God Bless.