clothes pins

I just finished hanging out some white items on my newly hung line. They look beautiful rippling in the breeze. As pretty as dancing daisies. Daintier than a passing cloud...........

The linens smell wonderful. No candle or spray can compare, though it's been tried. It is like earth, and wind, and flowers, and clean........all wrapped up in a hint of summer.....................

I had two choices of clothes pins. The old fashioned wooden soldiers that you cram down over the corners of your laundry, or the spiffy wood and wire, spring loaded clips that look like an alligator head when view sideways. I have both. I use both. Both work.

Now, sometimes the stiff solid pine pins get dirt inside of them and leave stains on the corner of my best garments. And sometimes the springy pins explode into three untidy pieces when i stuff too-thick-of-an-item between its jaws. Then my once clean skirt floats to the ground and rests in a puddle. The gator type clips wait for me on the line, patient for my return. The straight and narrow clips hide in an old ice-cream bucket under a tree. No matter, each little tool fills the cotton twine when needed. I have both. I use both. Both work.

When rearing my family, I find that words are my biggest tool. Claiming Proverbs 31:26 helps me to stay focused on what type of words should be spoken, "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." Wise words, kind words. Wise words direct paths, organize thoughts, and express God's authority. Kind words comfort, encourage, and love. I have both. I use both. Both work.

Once, I was in a hurry and just threw wet blankets, quilts, and comforters over the line to dry. The hodgepodge eventually scattered all over the yard. A big casualty that had to be presoaked, spot-cleaned, & rewashed. In my haste, I actually made more work for myself! Ditto when I scatter words without thinking about their eternal value. A harsh word here or an impatient snarl there can add up to a child that scatters. It will take tons of wise and kind words to wash away the stains of a hurt spirit because of hurried, mean words.

So while I fold my crisp whites, I'll practice some. When I see my family I want to clean their spirit with words. Wise & kinds words. Words that dance like daisies.............

I have both. I use both. Both work.



I might have to google who invented cloths pins & send them a thank you card.........

O*B*E*D*I*E*N*C*E

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.
Ephesians 2:2

‘Children of disobedience’ sounds like a visit to Wal-Mart or the doctor‘s waiting room. It seems in every store, each parking lot, and most public places, children are whining, crying, running away, screaming, or begging for attention.
Most of these issues are obedience issues. Somewhere along the line an authority is not being obeyed. It could be God, a Pastor, a parent, or a teacher. In Ephesians chapter two; I believe God put some principles that can be followed to help our children obey.
1. vs. 4 But God…. Obedience starts with God. If a child knows who his authority is, he will grasp the idea of obedience. Children are trained to obey so that they will obey God. Ultimately it is God who should be pleased with a child’s behavior. Mommy; pray, read your Bible, and seek His help.
2. Vs. 6 ….hath raised us up together…. Together is a wonderful family word. Parents need to decide on a game plan together. The family needs to obey authority together. Mom needs to obey dad. Dad needs to obey the preacher, policeman, and boss. The entire family should be a picture of immediate, joyful, obedience.
3. Vs. 6 ..sit together in heavenly places… The closest place to heaven is your church. Bring your child to every service. Your plan for obedience will be reinforced at church. Train them to sit still, pay attention, and follow the preacher. Place them in the nursery. Let them attend Sunday School alone. All these tasks teach obedience. Have your child sit next to you until they are married.
4. Vs. 7 ..That..he might shew… You need to show, or train your child to obey. Let them know exactly what you want. Practice situations with them and make it fun. While driving, train your children how to behave at your destination. They should know how to behave in stores, restaurants, church, school, and when company is over. Ask questions and drilled over and over and over. Train how to come when called, and to smile and say, “Yes Sir”. Train in one area at a time. If children does not obey joyfully and immediately, it is not obedience.
5. Vs. 7 …in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.. Training should be done with kindness and patience. Yelling is not training. Spanking is not training. Children learn by love and example. Kindly explain 1,000,000 times how to do a task with immediate, joyful, obedience.
6. Vs. 8 ..it is the gift of God… Reward immediate, joyful, obedience with the gift of praise. It is the best gift you can give, and it does not cost anything. When your child is especially well behaved, allow him to call dad at work, or grandma to share the good news.
7. Vs. 10 ..good works… Remember that obedience takes work. Train daily. Be consistent everyday. Have a game plan and stick to it. Pick your battles and work hard.
8. Vs. 14 …peace… This is what we all want in our homes, peace. The peace that comes from children who do their chores, don’t fight, enjoy each others company, and love the Lord. This is God’s plan for a happy home.

Sure this is a bunch of work. Sure it takes tons of time and a heap of energy, but what worth while doesn’t? Ride em cowgal!

All Creatures.............

I love animals. I love their hair, their smell, and their teeth marks on my shoes. I also enjoy what they teach my child. Like which cleaning products work best on pet stains, and what happens when a dog eats a box of crayons. But pets teach life lessons, too.
Pets teach responsibility. They teach the PARENTS how to be RESPONSIBLE in training their child to care for the animal. Kids will not naturally feed, water, or clean up after the little critter. Make a chart of what needs to be done daily. Do the chores with them until they have mastered them. Then they can do the chores alone and just check items off the list. It is not the animals fault if your child neglects it, it is YOUR fault for not training your child to obey and finish a job.
Pets teach unconditional love. Animals naturally love their owners. Pets want to be with, sleep with, and slobber on your children~their special eating partners. Dogs go into super-hyper-frenzy when you pay them the least bit of attention. A piece of fat back tossed on the floor turns into a sultans feast! In turn, kids learn to love beasts that stink, make messes, cost money, and ruin their new Nikes. Children learn patience when pups yelp all night and need to go to the fire hydrant every 8.2 seconds. Real character is displayed when there are “O No’s”, on the rug, “What’s?” in the closet, and “Yuck’s” on the front porch. Yelling does not solve these problems. Taking the time to work through them does. What better way to prepare for marriage? In sickness and health, poverty and wealth, the kitties, doggies, horsies, and fishies need to be fed, sheltered, cared for and loved.
I went a bit overboard with goats, turkeys, chickens, pigs, cows, horses, dogs, cats, fish, iguanas, salamanders, frogs, turtles, snakes, hamsters, ducks, rabbits, and birds. But 4 of my children are happily married so maybe it was a good plan. Get your kid a pet!