Seeking His Heart
Have you ever had a phrase you just couldn’t get out of your mind?
A few months ago, I noticed that every time I tired to register for a writing conference or pay for other things, the vendors kept asking for Pay Pal. So, I decided it was time to sign up. However, every time I mentioned it to my husband, I kept saying “Pen Pal” instead of “Pay Pal.”
I guess I had a pen pal somewhere in the past or “pen pal” just seemed to go together in my head. Every time we talked about it, I still said “pen pal” instead of Pay Pal. It just rolled off the tongue before I knew it. What was worse he had to correct me over and over. He would just say, “Pen Pal.”
Okay, hold that little story in your head for a moment. Here’s another story.
For years, our family had a breakfast item that we enjoyed from time to time. We called it “eggs in toast holes.” Here’s how it goes. Butter a piece of bread on both sides, then cut about a two inch circle in the bread to form a hole. Lay the bread and the circle in the skillet, put a dab of butter in the hole, and when it melts, break an egg in the hole. After it cooks a bit, put another dab of butter down and flip the bread and egg over.
It’s kind of like a fried egg in the toast hole. Plus you have the circle (the hole) to flip, too. We put jelly on the “circle.”
Well, the other morning my husband rolled over in bed and said, “Let’s have eggs in toast posts.” I blinked awake and said, “You mean toast holes?” Not to be undone by this correction, he said, “Pen pals.” I chuckled, but got the point. Don’t dole out criticism when you make mistakes too!
It was a subtle way, a humorous way, a gentle way to say “I’m not the only one who makes mistakes.”
It reminds me of some of Solomon’s proverbs.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1
A man finds joy in an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! Proverbs 15:23
When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7
A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Proverbs 16:23
Pleasing words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 (The funny bones, too!)
My husband majors on happy words. People are set at ease with his good, spontaneous humor. Thank you, sweetheart, for prompting these thoughts that led me to search out these wonderful proverbs in Scripture.
Hope you enjoyed the lighter touch this week.
~ Joyce ~
Your husband has the driest sense of humor and always makes me laugh when I finally catch the joke. When he knows he has cracked a really “good one”, he has that little smile that gives it away 🙂 His bantering with our church choir director during practice are the best of times!
Tom and I love the two of you and thank you for the joy you bring to so many in the name of Jesus.
Thanks, Gale. Yes, he’s a mess, but I sure love him.
Great description of Jim!
I’m smiling, Mary. I’ll have to tell this one to Jim!
Joyce, I really enjoyed your humorous post. You do a great job with all types of writing. God has blessed you with a great talent.
Thanks, Karen. Sometimes we just have to admit our senior moments!
“Eggs in a basket”!! I certainly understand. What a sweet story to wake up to! Thanks for sharing!
Hi MJ. You know us, right there at the edge of “who knows what’s next!”
Thanks for your wonderful blog. I always learn and assimilate something. This week, I enjoyed thinking of the conversations that you and Jim have. We often have those little word reversals and mutations. I’m hopeful to keep “happy words” in mind.
Thanks, Ann. I guess these little “mutations” as you call them are part of our senior-itis. You think?