In Word

I remember asking lots of questions when I was younger—mainly in a last-chance effort to put off bedtime.  Stalling by asking why the sky is blue seemed like a pretty brilliant strategy.

But when it comes to “why,” two-year-old Hayden has me beat.  That child can fit more “why’s” in a conversation than I ever would have thought possible.

Me: “Stay on the driveway, please!”

Hayden: “Why?”

Me: “So I can see you.”

Hayden: “Why?”

Me: “Because I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Hayden: “Why?”

Me: “Because…I want you to say safe.”

Hayden: “Why?”

Things get rather circular from then on out.  Apparently, in a two-year-old’s eyes, everything in life has a big question mark after it.

Hayden: “Mama cat!”

Me: “Yeah, she is.”

Hayden: “Why?”

Me: “Well..because she has babies.”

Hayden: “Why?”

Me: “Those are her kittens.”

Hayden: “Why?”

Me: “She…had kittens?”

Hayden: “Why?”

Me: *silence*

See what I mean?

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Hayden,

I love holding your hand.

I love it when you ask to sit in my lap.

I love how you wrap your arms around your baby sister.

I love the way you smile when you’re doing something you shouldn’t be doing.

I love it when you run up to me and hug my leg after I’ve been away from home.

I love how you come into my room every evening to say “good night.”

I love the way you say “I love you,” and it sounds like “I lub you.”

I love the way you say “Thank you, Bef.”

I love you.

Ruth,

I love it when you wrap your fingers around mine.

I love the way you laugh when I tickle your stomach.

I love seeing you hold out your arms for me to pick you up.

I love watching you learn to walk, and holding your hands and walking with you.

I love the way you hug your blanket when you fall asleep.

I love it when you lay your head on my shoulder.

I love dressing you up in adorable clothes.

I love showing you off to all my friends.

I love your beautiful smile.

I love you.

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re·la·tion·ship
–noun
1. connection between persons by blood

What is a relationship?

Maybe it’s family.  Maybe it’s romance.  Or maybe it’s something much bigger than any of that—something defined by the one who established the greatest relationship in history.  A connection between persons by blood.

Do you remember?  Our freedom—our ability to approach the Almighty God—is bought with a price.  Only after blood had been shed was the curtain torn in two: God and man united by God and Christ divided.

Sometimes, I forget about this relationship, because all too often I forget what a relationship really means.  It’s not just something you can turn on with the push of a button, and then carry on with your life.  This is a relationship that should be your life!  Something you delight in, hope in…participate in!

But I forget…and I don’t.

I think one of our greatest blessings is our ability to ignore the relationship.  Why?  Because of who we are: human beings in the image of God, with the capacity to love as he does.  It’s one thing to understand that Christ provides a relationship, but something else entirely to run into his arms and embrace it!  Love is a choice.  Love is an action.  Love is doing something.

If you touch a hot stove, your brain instantly tells your hand to pull away.  We have been given a gift: the ability to forget the relationship, and the ability to realize what we’ve forgotten.

I’m not writing this as some sort of excuse for those times when you feel far away from God, but rather a reminder: this is a relationship. Take action with the gift you have been given.  Pour your time and energy into your relationship with the Creator of the universe!

This is a relationship forged with blood.  Live like you believe it.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” –  Revelation 3:20

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Lots of strange things tend to happen about this time every year. Take a look at some of today’s news:

Google Becomes…Topeka

The Google blog reports that as of today, you won’t be “googling” anything—you’ll “Topeka” it. Sounds good, right?

‘Topeka Google Mayor Bill Bunten expressed it best: “Don’t be fooled. Even Google recognizes that all roads lead to Kansas, not just yellow brick ones.”’

Starbucks Goes “Plenta”

Ever wanted a super-mega-sized mocha latte?  How about a micro-sized green tea?  Starbucks has it all.  The pictures are awesome.

Kodak Announces “Aromaphotography”

Kodak has made a breakthrough: they’re now using “Neuro-Optic-Nasal-Sense Imaging” to enhance your experience every time you look at a photo.  Now you can smell those beautiful pictures of wildflowers, cookies, and your dog getting a bath.

Be sure to read the fine print at the bottom:

‘*Neuro-Optic-Nasal-Sense Imaging is also referred to as NONSense.’

Ben & Jerry’s Creates Virtual Ice Cream

Lick it.  You know you want to.

Google Wave Gives Notifications

We all know how taxing it can be to check your inbox for all those important updates.  Now, Google solves the problem by sending you notifications in person whenever you need them.  Handy, no?

Your turn!  What are your favorite April Fools pranks?

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