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Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life
by Tom Kelley
Before last Halloween life was truly good. Funny thing. The only thing that has changed has been the presence of two little children who are the loves of my life. My grandchildren came into being on Halloween. Since that day I have been on cloud nine as a grandfather living from day to day waiting for the opportunity to spend some time with my grandchildren.
For several months now my daughter-in-law has been attending a class on Wednesday evening at the local college in Georgetown. She has been dropping the kids off here at about 4:30 P.M. and then getting them somewhere around 8:00 P.M. With Bible study on Wednesdays at 7:00 P.M. I have to leave around 6:30 so I only get to see them for about two hours. During that two hours they feed.
This week Grace, our granddaughter, was eating green veggies and then fruit. My wife was feeding her. She started off with the veggies. Grace wolfed them down. Then Becky shifted to the fruit. With each spoonful Grace would make a face. Evidently she liked the veggies and the fruit was a definite change from what she liked. That expression on her face was worth a thousand words.
Every Sunday morning I see expressions. Every Sunday morning I look into people's faces and try to tell whether or not the message is being heard and, if so, if it is being well received. Some wag once said, "Of all the things you wear, expression is the most important." Indeed, expression is important. How we look when we are going through certain situations, when we are listening to someone or talking with someone can affect the situation in a number of different ways. Predictably, good expressions can lift others and defuse problems.
God does not want us looking down in the dumps in our difficulties. Jesus said, "When you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward." Matthew 6:16 We are the children of the most high God. Whatever troubles us, we give it to God and He blesses. Instead of looking like a baby whose food just got switched we ought to look people whose Father is the creator of the universe and takes care of us quite well.
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...He was the Minister of the Minorsville Christian Church located near Stamping Ground, KY.
...Becky and Tom have three children; John, single and in worship ministry in Nicholasville, Kentucky; Sean, married (Jennifer, elementary school teacher) with twins (Grace and Patrick, b.d. 10/31/04) and regional director of Papa John's Pizza in Central KY; Kara, married (Vince Taylor, prison guard) and working with Hospice East in Winchester, KY.
...Tom went to be with the Lord on November 13, 2009 after a lengthy battle with cancer. If you have been touched by Tom's writings please send an email to Tom's son at jkelley@catalystchristian.net
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