Deep Thoughts….To a Mouse

That’s a strange title, right? Our time in Boise has a little routine to it which looks like this: Hiking most days, Papa cooking late breakfasts, and Grandma Jelly chauffeuring to different places.

This past week we had a summer solstice lunch party with all the grandkids along with neighbor kids serving hot (get it, summer-hot) wings, and homemade garlic cheddar biscuits. Luke’s menu selection.

We also celebrated Father’s Day a week late by driving to, then hiking into Jump Creek Falls Canyon.

To celebrate Rosalie getting her braces off and consoling her with the news of a retainer for the next two years, we spent a day at Wahooz’s, which is an indoor/outdoor entertainment center. It has loud (sounding like a grandparent) games, rides, and miniature golf. Papa and I played four rounds to stay away from the noisy indoor activities.

Even with all the celebrating we have managed to walk some miles for the next piece of our adventure which is coming very quickly.

You think with all this celebrating, we would have named this blog something different. Stay with me.

We have managed to walk with each grandchild. Some more than others, however we hope to have more miles with each of them this next month. As I mentioned in one of the previous blogs, we have had some really good conversations. They ask questions and I love the dialog with each one during these times.

On one particular hike the conversation became more of a debate about the mouse’s feelings in the poem, “To a Mouse” by Robert Burns. May I say, this particular grandchild needs to take debate in school when that subject becomes available.

The poem is about a farmer that plows over a mouse’s home it had built in order to take shelter from the winter soon coming. The farmer is apologizing to this tiny creature assuring him he meant no harm. The debate was about the mouse’s feelings of having to rebuild it’s home. One side of the debate was this mouse just continued on with its life without regret and began building a new home without feeling the sadness of its loss. The other debator argued this mouse probably felt sadness and depression just liked we do as people when we suffer a great loss. And just like most of us who have suffered great loss, we feel the sadness and depression, however we have to continue with life. What do you think? Do you think God created our little creatures with the emotional feelings like humans? Which side of this debate would you be on?

Another subject Papa likes to have is government. There have been many wonderful discussions on this one, however one reminded me how we need to be to be praying for our leaders daily.

The discussion was, if you were president today, what would you do regarding the Iran situation? This child said, “we should do as much as we can before going to war”. The child continued, “can we take things away from them that will make them not do the things they are doing?” When Papa explained the history of Iran, clear back to the early 70’s until today’s situation, the conclusion of this child was, “Wow, being a president is hard!!! This is only one situation they have to deal with each day.”

As this week has progressed presidential debates have begun. It is a huge reminder how important it is for all of us to pray daily for our leaders, from local all the way up to our nation, whether we like them or not.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, “I urge, then, first of all, that petition, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and ALL those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Peter 2:17 says, “Treat everyone you meet with respect, Love your spiritual family, Revere God, Respect your government.”

To me these verses as well as so many others are saying, whether we voted for one of our officials or not, they deserve our prayers and respect.

Is that what we are doing? Respect is not always something I’m hearing these days and it saddens me what we are immulating and teaching our children and grandchildren regarding authority. Believe me our younger generation is watching, listening, and repeating the words, attitudes, and actions from those they honor and respect, such as parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, professors, and church leaders.

Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips.”

Ronald Reagan said in a January, 1983 speech, “From General Washington’s struggle at Valley Forge to the present, this nation has fervently sought and received divine guidance as it pursued the course of history. This occasion provides our nation with an opportunity to further recognize the source of our blessings, and to seek His help for the challenges we face today and in the future.”

President Trump said,”We are united in prayer, each according to our own faith and tradition, and we believe that in America, people of all faiths, creeds, and religions must be free to exercise their natural right to worship according to their consciences. We are also reminded and reaffirm that all human beings have those rights, but to practice their faith in their homes, schools, charities, and businesses – in private and in the public square-free from government coercion, discrimination, or persecution.”

This is about as political as you will ever hear me get in a public setting.

Whether we are republican, democrat, or any other political affiliation, may we be as kind to one another as the farmer who accidentally plowed up the mouse’s house was to the mouse, may we be thoughtful with our words and actions. May we be faithful, informed and thoughtful when talking to others about our politics, and as we ask God’s wisdom and righteousness to be evident in our local, state, and national government policies and leaders. Just like this week in all our celebrations, may we all celebrate, not only on July 4th, but each day our rights and freedoms our forefathers fought so hard for. May we be thankful for those who are up for the challenges they face running for all the offices available, and not forget our freedom to vote. May we remember the words of our youth, Wow, being president must be really hard.

Happy 4th and Blessings, Kelly