A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. Proverbs 15:13
Once a week I spend time with my sons’ children while they both work. The blessing of sharing these duties with their other grandparent has been wonderful. For the past few weeks, one of them asked me if we could make slime. For the uninitiated slime is considered a non-Newtonian compound, which means it doesn’t behave like a solid or a liquid. It doesn’t have its own shape, but takes the shape of the container you place it in. It acts like a solid when you pick it up, but then oozes like a liquid! If you search the internet, you can find many recipes for making this amazing substance. Each of them contains glue and “slime” activator. The activator is most important–it can be a solution of borax, contact lens solution or liquid starch. You can make fluffy slime (add shaving cream), glitter slime, galaxy slime–as many as your imagination can come up with!
There is something relaxing and fun in making the slime, but will they play with it? Will the time and money I have invested in this fun and requested project yield the entertainment aspect we hope for? I don’t know. We will attempt this project today. I am stepping out in faith that these recipes will work and the kids will have fun. When I said yes to my granddaughter’s request, I knew I my investment would be more than hers. I know there is a risk that none of these “recipes” would produce what she is expecting. But, we are going to make memories today. We will work together, with the others and try something. We will experiment and if it works, great! If not, then that’s ok too.
Reading through the book of Ecclesiastes, we find some encouraging scriptures to enjoy life. There is nothing better for a person that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God. Ecclesiastes 2:24 Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat, and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Ecclesiastes 5:18 These two scriptures mention finding enjoyment in his toil. It is a matter of perspective, isn’t it? How we view our “lot” in life. I’ve known other grandparents who see their “lot” as a burden and a struggle. I understand it can be difficult, but I choose to embrace the enjoyment in this opportunity (toil). Learning to re-adjust our attitude is crucial to learning to enjoy the life God has given. If you struggle with enjoying your work, school, family, ministry take the time to search you heart with the Lord. Ask Him to show you how to enjoy your toil!
A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. Proverbs 15:13 When I find my heart full of sorrow and feeling crushed (which has happened many times) I have learned to talk it over with the Lord. The Holy Spirit is the best attitude adjuster I know. Taking the time to rejoice in the Lord, be thankful for what I do have, instead of what I don’t, developing a grateful heart are all things that help me have a glad heart–therefore a cheerful face! You may not be making slime today, but find something that will bring you some joy. Do something new! Call a friend or family member who needs encouragement.
Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 Parents, remember your children won’t be young forever. People won’t necessarily be around forever either. My summer childcare situation will soon be over. Then homeschooling science and health will begin again with my other grandchildren. I am grateful I see God’s bigger purpose and plan in touching their lives. What areas of responsibility have you taken on that your perspective may need to be refreshed today? Your marriage? Your parenting? Your job? Your ministry?
Father, I thank you for sending refreshment to us on this day. I ask that you help us enjoy the toil opportunities at our hand. Refresh the caregivers. Refresh those in ministry. Refresh the lonely and the overwhelmed. Show them how to enjoy season of life they are in now. In Jesus Name, amen.
Faith Encounters 