1000 Gifts (Part 11): Quotes and such

This 1000 gifts projects has me marveling at all of God's wonderful gifts given to display His glory.  Many of the gifts I have observed point to His sovereignty in the way He orchestrates events according to His perfect plans which are good, pleasing, and perfect.  Some point to His glory displayed in creation or to His glory in the process of shaping and maturing His people. Others are simply comical snippets inserted into mundane days as His gentle way of encouraging me to press on. So, while I may not have specifically pointed out how each gift is a manifestation of His grace and glory, it is my desire to see His face in each and every gift.  What follows is the continuation of the list that began here.  To see the entire list, click on the "1000 Gifts" label on the upper right side bar. 

190.  Our kids' creative and amusing suggestions which prompt me to praise Creator God 

I'm in the process of planning another field day, and I asked the kids if I should change up some of the events this year. Our 6-year-old recommended that we add an event that combines the discus throw and shooting skeet. One kid would throw a frisbee in the air while another kid shoots it down with a Nerf gun.

191.  Father-son bonding while watching the ACC basketball tournament together

During an ACC game...
6-year-old: "Dad, Why don't you pull for Miami?"
Dad: "Because they are known for being thugs and cheats."
6-year-old: "But Dad, so is UNC."
Dad: "Yes, but those are our thugs and cheats."

*Okay, so name calling is not something that glorifies God, but the way those two guys enjoy spending time together is an illustration to me of how God delights in spending time with us as we share in activities that please Him.

 192. "Just happening" to find an old photograph at just the right time

I came across a photo of my daughter at the same age my son is now in which she is posing for an Upward basketball photograph right after we received our son's prints.  Having both pictures in hand at the same time helped me observe striking similarities between them even though most people tell us she looks just like me, and he looks just like his father.

 

193.  My boy's budding analytical, scientific mind...even if it humbles me

This morning, I told the kids how to put our bunny into a "bunny trance" (an ultra relaxed state necessary for grooming him) and described how perfectly still our bunny became in this position. "He scared me a little," I told them, "because it looked like he was in rigor mortis." So the kids asked me to define "rigor mortis" and then asked if humans experience rigor mortis after they die.

"I think so," I replied, "but I've never watched someone die so I'm not sure to what degree or how long it lasts."

The 6-year-old immediately replied, "As soon as you die, Mom, we will watch and do tests to find out."

He's such an encourager, that boy. At least I don't have to worry about him plunging into deep sorrow when I die b/c he'll be too busy doing science experiments on me 

194.  Another encouraging visit with a Godly mentor who sharpens me as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17)