Parents Say the Darndest Things

For the past few weeks, our pastor has been preaching a series called, Parents Say the Darndest Things.  He is taking common things parents say and applying them to Biblical principles. I’ve been thinking of some of the darnedest things my parents have said.  My dad’s most common thing to say was “Mind your own business.” When we watched something on TV that seemed stupid to him he would ask, “What socially redeeming value does this program have?”  I’ve translated this a bit for my children, I ask, “How will this show make you better?”

Another thing my parents often said was, “Quit complaining.  Someone out there is less fortunate than you.”  While I’ve grown to realize the realities of this statement many times, I experienced it several times this week. I’ve been driving a Nissan Altima since 1999, yes, the same Nissan Altima.  We’ve had other cars in that time, but this Altima has been a staple, always dependable, great on gas, quiet and smooth running, no major issues.  Now, with nearly 300,000 miles and many, many years, we have decided to sell it.  We cleaned it up and parked with a sign.   The phone calls I have received this week have really made me realize that there are many who are less fortunate and struggling with, a basic 1st world need - transportation.

There have been 3-4 calls each day, and they ask one question.  “Does it run?” It does. One person asked if I thought it would get him to work 50 miles away - that night!  Another wanted to know if she could pay $50 per week until it was paid off. Someone else said he passed by it and wanted to know if I would drive it to him to test drive and buy because he couldn’t get transportation back over to where it was parked.  One person said he was currently driving a 1985 Buick and he thought it was time to get something more reliable. I am sure there were some who saw it parked with the sign, but knew they couldn’t afford it, so they didn’t call. There truly are many who are less fortunate. Whatever our circumstances, rather than going to the Lord with “Gimme” on our lips, we need to go with “THANK YOU, LORD!” on our hearts.

~1 Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.


~John 14:1
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.


~Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.


​~Psalm 106:1
Praise the LORD.Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
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​​AMEN!
Thank you for reading and have a blessed week!
​Kim

Copyright 2019 Kimberly Griffith Massey