The "popcorn bowl" of Life. (Miriam's analogy)

What do you do when your popcorn bowl is getting empty?  Miriam, at 18 months, knew exactly what to do.  Just reach into Abuelita's bowl! She was too little to get up and pop herself some more, and she knew Abuelita loved her and would be happy to share...So...no problem!

Here's a comforting analogy.  At times we come to realize we're running out of strength...or any other need we have as we walk with Jesus.  What do we do when our "bowl" is getting empty?  Follow Miriam's example.  Reach into the Father's supply!  There are things that we are simply too finite and little to replenish.  Our Father loves us, and He will be more than happy to share!  (In fact, He longs to do just that.)
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Miriam was born only 16 1/2 months after Liliana, and God was again so very good: He moved our friend to offer to pay for me to go up to California and help out Debbie and Steve, like he had when Liliana was born.
 Lots of my time was spent with Lili, to let her parents rest, which was a treat.  She felt like such a big girl, and was thrilled to "help" me carry Miriam out to Mommy.

  
Now 5 years old, Miriam continues to show initiative and resourcefulness.  Last year, when she had just turned 4, and I was in Indiana for a visit (around the time my mother passed away), I was intrigued by how both girls were developing their intelligence, their skills and character.  I was surprised when Debbie told me that Miriam had come to her and told her "2 times 6 is 12"...and then explained how she came to that answer.  She hadn't memorized it; she had reasoned it out on her own.

Another time, also at 4, she needed to know how to write something on a card. For this, she usually asked one of the adults how to spell it.  But this time she came over with the words already written, and told us she'd looked for the phrases she needed on another card and then copied them.  Resourceful.

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When we were all together in January, cousin Eli, here with Miriam, was again so happy to have someone the same age around!  Eli had only recently turned 4, and Miriam was less than 2 months away from turning 5, but still...they were both 4!

I think Miriam is also the grandchild who has had the most injuries!  For instance, she broke her arm when she was only a couple of years old.  And last year she had to go to the doctor and have a staple put into her head to close a scalp wound.
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One day Miriam told her mom, "When you don't know what to say to God, you can just say 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious'!"

We thank God for all of our grandchildren, and for the lessons we learn as we watch them grow and develop.  It's amazing how much one can learn from little kids!  (Even what to say when you don't know what to say!)
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During this next week, remember that our Father's supply of absolutely everything we could ever possibly need is infinite, and accessible to His children.  We don't even need to wait until our own supply runs out.  In fact, the best strategy is to start out with HIS strength  (and love...and peace..and wisdom...etc.) and not try to tough things out with only our own inferior strength. 

Have a wonderful week!