ROMANS 5:5

I am blessed with a wonderful family. I have 3 adult children and 8 grandkids, ages 3-20. All my kids are doing well and are great parents to my grandkids. Yesterday they gave me a belated 70th birthday party (13 days belated, but that doesn’t matter, it was the only day that worked). It was a wonderful day. My two youngest granddaughters competed for my attention. They love their grandpa, and they know I love them. My youngest granddaughter came outside, tapped me on the leg and asked me to come with her, she lead me into the house. As she and I entered, my kids yelled Dad, you’re supposed to stay outside (they were bringing out a lit birthday cake. I said “Maddie came and got me!” She understood the cake was for me, and wanted me to come inside for it. It isn’t funny to you all who may be reading this, but I laughed for a half an hour. Still smiling now. That is what my grandchildren do, put a smile on my face. I will remember that moment for the rest of my life. My 5 year old grandson came out a bit prematurely before the cake and started singing Happy Birthday to me alone, ahead of everyone else. That too brought a chuckle to this old man. These kids and grandchildren will keep me young. I will remember that day for the rest of my days. Thank you Lord for the blessings!

arlin report thought(s) of the day: what we've been taking for granted

art.net painting of Old man fishing

I am not going to turn this into a long post on the topic of taking things for granted. Lets just say it can include most things in our daily lives. I am not just speaking of material things or essentials. Yes I even took that gallon of chocolate milk for granted, that I can not now find. Making it now with plain (and nothing is plain anymore) milk and choc. syrup. Not for myself, for the most part, but for my grandchildren. Three of my grandchildren will be coming over two or three times a week at least until the 6 year old goes back to school. Daycare was is a scary option for my daughter ……… THE NURSE. Their dad works in IT for hospitals keeping the computers running. Thank God they both have jobs yet.

I have learned or have been reminded that just walking outside, breathing fresh air has been taken for granted. I don’t usually enjoy going grocery shopping, still don’t, especially now but it was just good to go somewhere outside the confines of these walls. No, I am not taking my home for granted. Thankful! The next time I go fishing (in a few days I hope) will be beautiful, out in the great outdoors, all alone. I’ll share the lake or river bank, but will find my own secluded spot. Nice. Thank you lord for all I have and all I have taken for granted.

Stay safe and healthy world (friends).

ARLIN REPORT THOUGHT OF THE DAY: FAMILY TO CALM ME

I hold one of my grandchildren in my arms, just to be near them, calm them if needed (which is seldom), but they calm me (the real reason is love and to calm grandpa).

With all the hate and destruction of humanity itself, in a mad world, which many of us write about if only our opinion; it is nice to take a day to relax and enjoy nothing else but family.   Christmas day, the perfect day to do just that.

I have 6 grandchildren, one born just a couple of weeks ago; 5 grandsons and 1 granddaughter (she with the happiest disposition of all; always smiling).  The oldest, twelve and ten (boys), a three-year old boy, two seven month old’s born a week apart; the smiling girl and her cousin; then the newest arrival…who wakes for a moment and then decides to go back to sleep.   All were here together, it’s all I wanted, to enjoy each of them separately, and all together; my two sons and daughter with my grandchildren.  What brought us together in this otherwise chaotic world was the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.  The greatest gift given to us that keeps on giving forever.   Our family together was a gift from Him.

I am fortunate, I have 3 adult children that turned out wonderfully.   They work……they provide for their families…..they are good people.   Oh and…..they discipline their children when needed.   A swat on the butt to the three-year old…..nothing abusive and he got the point, he stopped yelling.   The two oldest (yeah the boys) got a lecture from dad for arguing….. normal stuff!   All are healthy, all are happy…….all love and are loved.

We are a blessed family……I don’t know that I have been so deserving, but I am thankful.  Quite often I reflect on our good fortune……no we aren’t particularly wealthy, but we are comfortable.  None of us in great need like so many others.   We’ve never experienced a great tragedy.  None of us ever experienced abuse of ANY kind, no fatal accidents, no missing or kidnapped child….. My father died at the age of 67 from a damaged heart caused by a previous major heart attack, that may be our greatest loss to date.  But that was from a somewhat natural cause.

Yes, we are blessed and I am thankful.  I have only God to thank, and wonder, with all my faults and sins; why have You been so good to me?   Then I know the answer, and I answer the way I would answer a question from my children:   Why do ask questions you already know the answer to?

Have a great day!

ARLIN REPORT THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

I didn’t get a chance to write anything this morning; got an early distraction.   My daughter called, she wanted to bring my  3 year old grandson over, this at approximately 5:00 AM for us to babysit.     Grandchild number six is on its way!  So, Jack has a brother coming…….any hour now…..any minute.

ARLIN REPORT THOUGHT OF THE DAY

As of yesterday afternoon, we have an addition to the family.  My 4th grandson!   Two more on the way!  One we know is a girl, she’ll be the first granddaughter.

No other thoughts except pride & joy I am feeling and for my son and daughter in law.

Can’t help think, what kind of world are they coming into; what is in their future?