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December 4, 2000 Dear
Gabby,
I
was always raised in church, and I got the Holy Ghost when I was 9.
Not too long after that, I backslid and started to do a lot of bad things
(long story). Well, I got back into
church when I was about 15, and I had such a fire inside me and wanted to share
the truth with everyone and I loved to pray and fast.
Now I am 17, and it seems that the fire I once had has changed into just
a little red coal underneath a pile of ashes.
It seems that my burden for the lost is almost gone at times. I
do have a desire to pray and when I do pray, I feel God very strongly, but I
have the hardest time keeping a steady prayer life.
How do I get back this desire to pray and fast?
I really feel that God has called me to be a prayer warrior, and I really
want to obey Him, so please give me all the advice you can! Miserable
in Missouri Dear
Miss Miserable,
My
great granddaughter met me for tea a few weeks ago to talk to me about marriage.
That was just before she married that handsome boy, Jason. “My
dear Harry and I were married to each other for 52 ½ years,” I reminded her.
“I loved that man to pieces! And
he adored me, too.” “So,
was everything in your marriage wonderful during all those years?” Jennifer
asked me. “Did you always look
into each other’s eyes and smile, like Jason and I do?
Did you fall into each other’s arms at the end of every day?” Then,
while she poured the tea, I told her about the times when we hardly spoke to
each other. I described my
grumpiness (though it wasn’t usually my fault) and the times when Harry would
stomp off to the barn to brood. Poor
Jennifer. She was so confused.
“First
you tell me how much you loved each other,” she complained, “then you tell
me about all the bad times. I
thought people who love each other act loving all the time.
That’s what Jason and I want.” “Ah,
Jennifer, dear,” I said, sipping my spiced tea. “My dear Harry and I showed
our love for each other in many ways, but the biggest and most important way was
by being faithful to each other every day for 52 ½ years. Even in the low times and when we were angry, we were still
faithful to our vows and to each other. We
did the things that proved our love although we didn’t feel loving at the
time. And you know what happened?
The loving feelings always returned.” So
it is, Miss Miserable, in our walk with God. There will be times when things are
smooth and easy and the feelings are all positive.
Then there are times when you’re so grumpy with God that you’re sure
He’s stomped off to brood in his own Big Barn in Heaven.
Ups and downs are a normal part of a healthy relationship.
As long as we make the choice to stay faithful to our promises to God,
doing the things we should do¾whether we feel like it or not¾the feelings will return.
I promise! Sincerely
Sincere, Gabby Dear
Gabby,
My
wife’s aunt took our young children to see Santa Claus when she was
babysitting them. They had their
picture taken sitting on his knee. We’ve
never taught our kids about Santa Claus, but now they’re talking about him all
the time. Gabby, we want our kids
to focus on Jesus at Christmas, not Santa Claus.
Do you have insight for us? Trying
to Teach our Tots in Tennessee Dear
Mr. Trying,
I
myself sat on Santa’s knee three years ago.
Stanley’s granddaughter Sarah drove me to the mall that day so I could
take a bit of a stroll in a warm, well-lighted place.
“It’ll
be a chance for you to see the pretty Christmas decorations, Great Aunt
Gabby,” she told me. So,
there we were, strolling through the hustle and bustle of the mall during the
holiday season, enjoying the decorations and the music when a couple of young
teenage boys came chasing through the crowds.
I didn’t see them since I’d been looking at the long line of children
waiting to visit Santa. One of the
boys pushed past me and I lost my balance.
(I’m not as young as I used to be!)
I took a couple of steps to the side to try to regain my footing, but
instead I lost it totally and ended up falling¾right
into Santa’s lap! “Are
you okay, ma’am?” a deep voice asked me.
I looked up into the twinkling, brown eyes of a rather young man wearing
a false beard and eyebrows. For a
quick moment, those eyes reminded me of my dear Harry when he was young. “I’m
just a bit discombobulated,” I told him breathlessly.
“I’ll be okay in a moment, praise God.” Then
he settled me more firmly on his knees and said, “Well, you just sit right
here until you’ve caught your breath, okay?” Santa
and I had a lovely chat that day. The
little children standing in line had to wait a bit longer than they wanted.
I reminded Santa that the real reason for Christmas was the celebration
of Jesus’ birth. “Yes,
ma’am,” he replied. “I pray
each morning before work that I’ll be able to introduce some of these children
to Him.” “I’ll
join you in prayer,” I promised him. And
I did. I also invited him to be my
guest at church. And he came (after
the holidays). I
believe that every aspect of the holiday can be used by God.
Christmas isn’t about Santa Claus or jingle bells or trees, but if
there’s a way one of those things can serve as an introduction to the real
reason we celebrate, then maybe they’re not all bad. And,
I must admit, the photo they took of me perched on Santa’s knee is just too
cute to throw away! Sincerely
Sincere, Gabby
ninetyandnine.com ã 2000, ninetyandnine.com --------- Gabrigail VanBurden has been offering advice for longer than most of you have been alive.
Email your practical Apostolic life questions to Gabby@ninetyandnine.com and be
prepared for some straight answers!
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