Third Time's a Charm

 My grandmother was a seriously superstitious woman. In my whole life I've never known another soul to have as much fun as she did carrying on to old wives' tales. While many of us might have a four leaf clover or another object we deem "lucky" in our possession, my grandmother's particular superstitious habits were more about DOING something rather than HAVING something. Let me explain...

In "Ruth Ann's Playbook to Keep Bad Luck at Bay" (the title of the book she COULD have written and filled to maximum capacity had she wanted to), there were hard rules to what should and shouldn't be done to ensure good fortune. Luckily (no pun intended), the instructions to counteract ensuing doom from crossing a black cat, opening an umbrella indoors, walking under a ladder, etc., were plain and simple: "make a cross mark and spit." If I'm lying I'm dying. 

I've seen my darling and demure grandmother take her foot and "draw" an X on the ground outside and spit straightaway (as well as touch her finger to her tongue and make an X in the air when dignity and decorum were required)! I've also seen her lift her feet when traveling over railroad tracks, knock on wood in gratitude of success, and exclaim "bread and butter!" if two people walking together briefly separated paths around a lamp post or parking meter. 

I remember asking her why she did all those things and made such a fuss if we didn't, but she couldn't remember a time when she didn't do them. She grew up doing those things because she saw her mother and grandmother do them...so SHE did them. And in her innocence as a little girl she BELIEVED.

Jesus tells us to humble ourselves and come to him like children. What does that mean? Are those that seek Jesus simple minded and easily deceived? Are we no more than myth managers to the skeptics of the world? What have we been doing for as long as we can remember? How is that working out for us?

Faith like a child... you may wonder what that looks like. Well, for one, children are obviously trusting. It's not until we're older that we become suspicious and jaded (sometimes rightfully so). It's hard to imagine trusting someone completely and implicitly (even God) without first knowing that they CAN be trusted. Children do this faithfully. There is no better proof of this kind of trust than when a parent throws their child high in the air and the child squeals with laughter and delight. They don't think for one second that their parent won't catch them. They just trust and BELIEVE they will.

Secondly, children are intrinsically teachable. They are so inquisitive and are often described as "little sponges," soaking up all sorts of knowledge. Until you've been on the "But, WHYYYYY???" end of the conversation with a toddler, you can't appreciate just HOW inquisitive! They need ALLLL the details, y'all. The more the better. Don't even try to skim the surface. It just won't do!

And as far as being easily deceived, we know that constantly searching for knowledge and wisdom leads to two things: knowledge and wisdom! In matters of faith, don't just rely on another's idea of who God is or how we fit into his plan. Seek out answers to your questions of faith like an unrelenting 4 year old on his 7th or 8th "why?".  If we searched for God the way a child searches for the answers THEY seek, what kind of return might we get for our investment? Jeremiah 29:13 says "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." I can only conclude that if we're still searching for God, we haven't gone "full toddler." Whole hearted. BELIEVING he's there. TRUSTING that as we're tossed high in life, he's there to catch us. 

These are peculiar times. And speaking personally, there's nothing like a life altering diagnosis as the cherry on top to force you to ponder life and your purpose in it. We can disagree on a lot of things, but I think we can all agree the world could use a bit more light and a lot more love.  I've been impressed to write and share some of my stories in hopes that they can be encouraging to you. I know, I know... Just how many times are you going to START a blog, Lindsey??? Well, apparently THREE. And you know what they say about the third time... C'mon. It's in my DNA. I cannot refuse a charm! 

And while I don't have the most life experience or an extensive writing resume, I do have a story that only I can tell. Maybe you have/had or know someone with cancer. Maybe you are dealing with grief.  Maybe you have a person with special needs in your life or you struggle in your faith. Maybe you just need a hug (even a socially distant one!). I've got all that covered! My hope is that you leave my page a little lighter. With a broader perspective. And a smile on your face. Because there ARE blessings to be seen once you choose to see the bright side. There IS one, you know. And we make our own luck over here. No "cross mark and spit" required!