Tuesday, September 14, 2010

B's cryptic remarks

"God is the umbrella protecting us from Satan's rain (reign?)".

And yesterday: "Praying for crabs makes me sweat".

Sunday, September 12, 2010

in which we are crabby


While at the supermarket today, B and R decided we must rescue the crabs. Now I've always felt terrible for those poor creatures, because their claws are all bound up so tight against their bodies, and they're just dumped all over each other in some huge tub. Crabs are usually killed by being frozen, stabbed or steamed alive. Just thinking of that, and seeing them suffering in the stores, is enough to make me not want to eat them at all; I imagine more people would stop eating meat if they actually saw the cow or pig or lamb they were eating while it was still alive, and then being killed. I don't think many people stop to think of their steak once being a sentient, intelligent, even affectionate, cow whose life was a misery from tiny pen to slaughterhouse.

Unfortunately, I did not think I could afford the entire tub of crabs (well I'd never bought crabs before and only had some hazy notion that in the restaurants they're expensive). So we picked the two that had "spoken" to B (especially the one who could not right himself up). It was something of an exertion for me to pick the two crabs up, put them in the bags, pay for them with my other groceries, and get them home -- I was just so petrified of somehow hurting them.

And then, after I got them home, I realised I didn't know much about them at all. For example, I learnt that these particular crabs are cannibalistic in nature, and so hurried back down to separate them (I had cut off all their bindings). Seeing them stretch their legs after being freed made the girls and I very happy. We decided we'd wait till it was evening before releasing them in the river, having come to some vague conclusion that we'd have to do it surreptitiously because there are always crazed crab-hungry people hanging around.

And that's what we did. When it got dark, we brought them to the river -- in a pram no less -- and released them. B insisted we pray for them, which we did. Now of course there's every chance of them being caught again within ten minutes by those crazed people, but we like to think there's also as much chance of them having a real chance at a proper happy crab life. Well, I'm glad anyway to have perhaps given them at least a moment of joy, and also -- perhaps more importantly -- to have encouraged the mercy and compassion my kids have for their fellow creatures.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Along with hiccups, biting the inside of one's mouth, and sneezing more than twice in a row, stubbing one's little toe against furniture has got to be one of those little everyday physical thingies which are just plain irritating but which we need to learn to cheerfully laugh off.

what time I am afraid...


... I will have confidence in and put my trust and reliance in [God].

By [the help of] God I will praise His word; on God I lean, rely, and confidently put my trust; I will not fear. (Ps 56:3-4)


I WAITED patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry.

He drew me up out of a horrible pit [a pit of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay (froth and slime), and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings.

And He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and fear (revere and worship) and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord.

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who makes the Lord his refuge and trust, and turns not to the proud or to followers of false gods. (Ps 40:1-4)

BLESS (AFFECTIONATELY, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name!

Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits--

Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases,

Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy;

Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's [strong, overcoming, soaring]! (Ps 103:1-5)

PRAISE THE LORD! He has delivered me YET AGAIN! Yes yes yes -- what time I am afraid, I WILL remember His wondrous goodness and loving-kindness to me, and His faithfulness to deliver me!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

B's latest composition


To be sung to a "soft, gentle melody":

Decorations, and celebrations
Represent every nation (2 times)

Festivities, and activities
Made for one and all

Decorations, and celebrations
Represent every nation (2 times)

Decorations for different celebrations
Made for one and all

Monday, September 6, 2010

one day at a time


One day at a time sweet Jesus
That's all I'm asking from you
Just give me the strength
To do everyday what I have to do
Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be mine
Lord help me today, show me the way
One day at a time.

(One day at a time, sweet Jesus; Marijohn Wilkins/Kris Kristofferson)

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