I had a good friend many years ago who just couldn’t say, “Be specific”. It ALWAYS came out, “Be Pacific.” I kidded him, cajoled him, reminded him over and over, but to absolutely no avail. I used to remind him that “Pacific” was an ocean! (g)

Well, let me bring you up to date on my last couple of weeks. I wanted very much to go see my mother in Iowa. I called and she said that she was really looking forward to my visit. Her health has been pretty poor. She’s totally blind. AND, she moved into a skilled care facility a week ago. I got to our daughter and son in law’s home near Calhoun, GA, and spent a couple of days. I called my mother to let her know I was heading on to Iowa and she told me that she just couldn’t take a visit from anyone. She asked me if I understood. My honest answer was, “Well, I’m trying very hard to understand and will certainly respect your wishes.”

You know how sometimes you don’t get to finish what you start or get where you thought you were going? Then, did you ever notice how God just might have got you part way only to wake up, look around, and find there was actually some purpose in the short-circuited plan? I’ve had that happen before and, sure enough, it happened again.

William, the man who was smart enough to marry our daughter (g), had to have some rather extensive knee surgery. I think my presence there at the Mansion on the Hilltop was God ordained. I preached a couple of Sundays in the church he pastors (in addition to full time teaching). I got to spend some quality time serving as their son Daniels’ Study Buddy, running errands, and just trying to lessen all their loads a bit. It’s amazing how even a guy like me can be useful when I listen up and do what I’m told or asked! (g) Kinda like the proverbial blind gorilla who occasionally gets a banana. (g)

When he came home from the surgery, he looked a little like death eating a cracker. The next day, he showed me his enormously swollen knee, buried under thousands of yards of rubberized cloth (well, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration!). What I noticed was the other knee. Someone had taken a black magic marker and put a large “NO” right on the knee cap. We’ve had some sad stories here in Florida recently. A doctor took the wrong leg off a man and then had to remove the other one. (I’m strongly resisting the obvious pun here).

The other knee had “YES” written on it. William said that he was asked many, many, multitudinous times who he was, what his social security number was and which knee was to incur surgery.

Seems to me that most of us need to be far more “Pacific” most of the time. For instance, those who have kids at home must not equivocate with their children. The Word tells us to let our “yes” be “yes” and our “no” be “no”. When it comes to character building, we must be willing to tell it like it really is regarding a lot of subjects. Yes, there’s room for allowing kids to gradually take control of their lives. However, if we’re wishy-washy and fail to implant strong values and build good character, we’ll have to answer for that.

That is only one area in which we need to be “Pacific”. I’d love it for you to respond and let me know what the Lord says to you through this simple piece. I’m home now and will be until we can get our sick house better. It’s been nearly a year and we’re more than ready for it to end. Just use the “Leave a Reply” box below and I’ll get back to you.

SOME SELECTED RESPONSES TO “OPEN WIDE”

(These responses are to a piece we ran a few weeks ago on looking for gold coins in the mouth of a fish. Thanks to my “new best friend, Dave, in Oregon.)

– That story was a sweet blessing to me today! I really needed that. Amazing what God puts in those fish’s mouths! God had your friend’s plans all laid out for him long ago, He was just waiting on him to go to Oregon. What a planner He is! Don’t you just love it?! You know how I feel about your stories. They a re all a blessing to me. Just keep them coming, Jerry, my friend. You’re such a blessing to me and others.

– I have a story that is similar to the story you told. I was divorced after twenty-one years of marriage. I returned to live with my dad, bringing two children. My mother had passed away a couple of years before. I had a car that needed repair. I only got a small monthly sum and was attending college on a government grant. I stopped to see about repairs and the sum was great for me. When I got back in my car, I reasoned, “But Lord you know I only have _____ amount”.( I do not recall how much I had, but under fifty dollars.) I went to the next place of repair and the repair bill was lower than the amount of money I had. I just knew God was working in my behalf! He and I have done well and I give him all the glory!

– Great stories! I will be curious to see how the Pipeline will work with your friend in Oregon. I will also pray that God will bless your piece, bringing peace to many who are now anxious.

– Talk about a pike story. (pun there if you would like one). I love the two sided issue of each one saying the other one is the gold coin. Cool, cool story. Thanks for sharing and giving up your space to share how God has richly blessed and used others to richly bless us in telling His story.

– Some of what this journalist went thru is what I’m going thru and have been for the last 2 1/2 years. I can definitely relate. I’m trying to find a position online as a writer, but it has been difficult. It is in my best interests to work out of my home as his mom works during the day and my autistic son is in school half that day. I have a web site, but while it gets tons of hits, it generates little income. I need to find that gold coin or the right job. I’ve been gifted to write. I pray I can get a paid online position. Keep that in prayer. That is my heart’s desire (Ps. 37:4-5).

– That piece ministered to me. Thanks.

– Sooooooo neat, that story. I need that in my life. To pray for God to lead me to the fish or the fish to me. Bet many of your readers do also. I can just see me praying this in our little prayer group next week. That ought to raise eyebrows. 🙂

– The article reminded me just how hard it is to trust God to provide what we need. And to wait on Him. And wait….and wait. For His perfect timing. I think He waits until we finally admit we can’t do it without Him… Help me get to that point…..!!!!!!

– That was such a neat story of God’s provision for two people …providing through both of those people for each other’s needs. I love to see God’s plans come together.

– That was a cool story. God is really good. I was listening to WKZM recently when someone was talking about job hunting. Their bottom line best advice for finding a job was to be able to state in a few words what kind of job you want, what kind of company, what kind of pay, etc. Then tell anyone who will listen. He gave an example of a guy who couldn’t find a job, but told a car mechanic what he was looking for. The car mechanic had another customer who was looking for just such a person. Another gold coin connection.

– Speaking of fishing, this past Tuesday I understand that my grandson, Sam, was “fished” out of a pool just in time. God is really, really, really good. He’s not just a gold coin, Sam’s a gem. I’d hate to lose him. He was worn out, but fine. PTL!!!

– It’s interesting how truth remains truth years (decades, centuries) after it has been revealed. Thanks.