I believe that most of my readers know that I care whole bunches for all our grandkids. This week, I want to share a neat story about our youngest grandson, Eric RAY who lives near Boulder, CO. He has my middle name, “Ray”. I believe he made a good choice. (g)

His father, Mark, our youngest child, called us while headed to work on his bicycle. He’s got his cell phone fixed up so it’s “no hands needed”.

He asked if we would do Eric RAY a favor. Well, what grandparent wouldn’t do just about anything for a grandchild! The story kinda went like this: When they were here in Florida over Christmas, through his other grandparents, Bill and Mildred, Eric RAY got hooked on Quaker Multi Grain Hot Oatmeal. I mean, really hooked!

It seems that he only had a two week supply left and the product wasn’t available in Colorado. I agreed to get a case and ship it to him. Can’t have our grandson wasting away due to a shortage of oatmeal of all things. (g)

When I called Cassandra at Publix Supermarket, I asked her if she wanted to save our grandson’s life! After I explained, she had a good laugh. She told me there would be a case there on Saturday. Sure enough, Pat and I went to the store and their was a case containing nine cylinders chock full of Multi Grain Oatmeal. I was impressed.

The next day I had to go to Office Depot and get our Purple Paper printed. They’re also a UPS outlet. Well, it cost nearly as much to ship the oatmeal as it did to buy it, but it’s on it’s way to Colorado! Naw, I don’t change clothes in a phone booth, but I really enjoyed meeting Eric RAY’s need!

As this event was playing out, the Lord brought a verse to my mind: “Matthew 7:11 (NIV) If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

What has the Lord said to you through this humble story?  Use the “Leave a Reply” box below and send me your thoughts and input. Thanks.

SOME SELECTED RESPONSES TO “CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?”

– Boy, your new Inside Out about the cell phones is great. Those phones came to you just in time indeed. I subscribe to Guideposts magazine, and the title of one of their monthly stories is all I can think of to describe this: “His Mysterious Ways.” Truly he saw to it that you got those phones just when the time was needed. God bless you and, once again, a great story.

– I’m so glad that Pat is doing better. May the Lord continue to heal her. Also, may he bless and heal your Mom and give her all the comfort she needs.

– Well, I’ve sure been thinking of you & your Mom, particularly.

– Thank You so much. His timing is impeccable. I had forgotten for a minute Who was in charge. It was and is truly a blessing He put you in my life. Our human selves need these reminders often. I see many miracles on a daily basis and share them whenever they are needed.!!

– This is a wonderful piece, Jerry. Thanks for sending it to us. I have gotten stronger every day as far as the knee situation, but now I find I have to have the other one worked on in about 3 or 4 months. My husband has had major back problems. He had an MRI and shots inserted into it yesterday as one of the discs is bulging, but we are still blessed in that the two of us can walk each day and are here to take care of each other, thank the Lord.

I am going to put your dear mother into two other prayer groups if you don’t mind, along with your sick house. I do so hope that it will be resolved soon. Also, we will be so glad to get our copy of Grandma’s songs II when it is done, so let us know. We do really play the first one daily at least once and talk about you, but it is always good things we say.

– Regarding passing things on to those less fortunate……..it is spring cleaning time. One of the chores we all have is to clean out and get rid of all the stuff in the cupboard under the sink in the bathroom.

I think we all end up with all kinds of shampoos, rinses, hair brushes, combs, etc., that we have purchased and then did not like them. I have a lot of guests at my house and if they are flying, they generally leave the shampoo and conditioners and sundry hair care products rather than overload their luggage.

At spring cleaning time I box all of these items and have someone take them (I don’t drive) to one of the youth hostels. They are always more than happy to have them. So many people just throw this kind of stuff away.

I have a policy to never throw anything away that could be used by someone else. Big Brothers and Big Sisters organizations are always looking for used clothing and small appliances, hair dryers, curling irons, etc. So there is no need to fill the garbage dumps when most things can be reused. Thanks for the “soap box” I am getting down off it now.

Like your piece about the phone. My family keep telling me I should have one. So far, I have been able to elude this technology. My daughter gave me her cell phone when she left for the Mission Field in l998. So far, I have not put a plan on it and it continues to rest in the box in which it came. Maybe one day!

– Yupper. I carry one and so does my wife. With all our medical problems, we would be crazy if we didn’t. Like your wife and you with your first two phones, we can’t get a signal in or near the house. We have to drive down the road about a mile to get a useable signal, but so long as it is warm we don’t mind. Gets a little cold here in Michigan in the winter. (g)

Our church has a service center here in our area, and we help out those in need, clothing, food, etc., whatever is needed that we can give. Anyhoo, sorry to hear about your Mom, she will be added to a prayer list here.

– I love the concept of pipelines, the idea of giving and taking through those pipelines. Just recently our church had the opportunity to help someone who has cancer get a stove and refrigerator. The Salvation Army called and asked for our help. Our church was able to help.

One time my mom had a stove that she bought for a low price at a garage sale She cleaned it up so sparkly that it looked brand new. She then gave it to a couple in need. They were amazed and grateful. She has always hunted down used furniture and appliances in fairly good condition, cleaned them up and given them to people in need. Usually the stuff looks great!

Each year our teenagers help the elderly with their lawns in the spring time. The men in our church help the widows get picket fences fixed, roofs fixed and any repairs done that need to be done on their homes or apartments. Our church members take turns taking people to doctor appts., physical therapy, and such.

Also, we have a pregnancy crises center at which people can recycle highchairs, baby beds, maternity clothes, etc. Our pastor’s wife is the director of it now, so our church has gotten quite involved in the pipeline aspect of it.

I think it is wonderful when we can help others like this. We have given away everything from clothes to food. Just recently we had a couple where the husband lost his job. I went through all my cupboards and picked out all the stuff I knew they liked and we took two full boxes to them. I thought the woman would cry. We have canned peaches and other stuff for people. This year will be no different. And maybe we will be canning even more with the economy the way it is…. the Lord willing. We give away lots of fresh produce when we have a garden and this year we are planning a big one. I hope that we can do it.

Well the list could go on, but I do love the pipeline idea… it is a great idea. God’s blessings flowing back and forth through the pipeline.

– What a tremendous article and at such an appropriate time. God takes care of us, sometimes when we don’t even think to ask… and what a marvelous way He has done it for you. Just what ya needed but didn’t know ya needed it… smiles. Cell phones are almost a necessity nowadays if a person travels alone at all.

Also wanted to let ya know that I am praying for your Mom. I was listening to your cd of Grandma’s Songs last night and praying for both of ya… my soul gets such a thrill with this music.

– I enjoyed your article on the Cell Phones. It is so sad to think Pat had to sit there that long without ANYONE coming to her rescue! It certainly says something for the people of today’s times. I realize that people are afraid (I am, too) nowadays because of so much devilment that goes on, but……..! What happened to goodwill towards your fellowman, especially in a time of distress? With the times as they are now, I think cell phones are a good thing if they are used right….not while driving, in the grocery stores, church and places where it is not necessary.

Yes, PapaJ, I believe that we should do as Jesus did, “Going about doing good”, in whatever way we can. A lady called me a couple of days ago and told me a story about a young woman with children who don’t have enough clothes and things they need. She is working in a restaurant, but can’t make enough to provide their needs.

She asked if she would get their sizes could we find the things they need. I’m telling you this to say this: we should live our lives so that people would know if they had some need either for themselves or for others that they could call on us and know we would help them much as possible. We should also live our lives so that others can see Jesus in us. I enjoyed reading your article, and I pray that others who read it will think that maybe they could do something that they hadn’t thought of before.

– Good stuff. Something with which anybody can relate. The moral to the story is good: Your gift is God’s bounty. I like a message with a message. Listen to others like God listens to you and you’ll find how much of an answer He can make you — turning you into somebody else’s mustard seed. Jesus didn’t just go through the motions of answering people’s questions and performing miracles just to prove He was God’s son; Jesus listened and then answered people’s specific needs, connecting the individual to the Father and to the Father’s creation: us.