I was just thinking of something I needed to add to this week’s Friday’s Fave Five, when I realized Friday was tomorrow (or today, by the time you read this)! So I’d better get started. I join with Susanne and friends at Living to Tell the Story each week to recount recent blessings.
1. A “Girl Talk” session. Our church had one of these for women last year, but I was unable to attend. This time, Mittu and I both went. The topic was “Unmet Needs,” with a session in the morning and afternoon and lunch in-between. One lady spoke most of the time, but a few other ladies had been asked to share their stories, plus there were a couple of group activities as well. One thing that stood out to me, that I would not have thought to include in a talk like this, was that God created us to be needy. He made us with certain needs, so we don’t need to feel ashamed that we have them or feel like we’re “bugging” Him by presenting our needs to Him. He wants us to come to Him and depend on Him.
The lunch was catered by McAlister’s Deli and was so good. They had salads as well as sandwiches. And they had some wonderful cookies that I don’t remember seeing in their restaurant before.
2. Amazon gift cards. I had received these last Christmas, but I waited to add them to my account until I knew what I wanted to do with them. Amazon has a frustrating way of automatically paying for any purchases from gift cards unless we manually uncheck that box and check the one for our credit card or reward points. I’ve had gift cards disappear that way before we realized what was happening. When I added my gifts cards in and made my purchases, it felt like Christmas all over again.
3. A “Super Celebration.” Our church has Awanas for younger kids and something called Eagle Club for the older elementary kids, which Timothy has participated in this year. They had a big end-of-year celebration this week and invited family members. They received rewards and recited verses and songs they learned. Then they had carnival-like games set up in the gym.
4. Safety. We had severe thunderstorm warnings, flood warnings, and tornado watches this week. Thankfully all was well here, and the electricity didn’t even blink.
Also, on the way home from the “Super Celebration,” a semi truck started to pull into our highway lane—while we were still in it. After a lot of horn-honking, he got back into his own lane. It was scary for a minute there.
5. Ceiling fans. It’s been so humid lately, the ceiling fans have helped dry out the air. Plus they help me not turn the AC down so low that my husband gets frozen out. 🙂
That wraps up another week here. How was yours?
Stray Thoughts 
*Just as a side note, on the way home, Mittu and I wondered about the phrase “honey in the rock,” when twice God provided water from rocks for the Israelites (Exodus 17:1–7 and Numbers 20:1–14). I’d heard the phrase, and they even played a song by that title at the event. But I wondered where it came from. I did a search the next morning, and sure enough, “honey from the rock” is mentioned twice in the Bible, Deuteronomy 32:13 and Psalm 81: 16.
The ESV Study Bible notes doesn’t comment on why either passage says honey instead of water. But the Deuteronomy passage is full of imagery like verses 11 and 12: “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them,
bearing them on its pinions, he Lord alone guided him, no foreign god was with him.” Biblehub.com says, “It evidently means ‘honey of the best’ – native honey, stored by the bees in clefts of the rocks. Of course, both the ‘wheat’ and the ‘honey’ are metaphors, which we are to regard as shadowing forth all temporal and spiritual blessings.”
I don’t know the people at this blog, but they had some interesting observations. This sentence stood out to me: “The imagery of ‘honey from the rock’ in this context is poignant. It speaks of God’s ability to provide abundantly (symbolized by honey) in the most unlikely circumstances (represented by the rock).”
Anyway—thought that was an interesting side study and wanted to share it in case you wondered about the phrase as well.
It sounds like a wonderful day at your church and it was so nice that you and Mittu went together. I particularly like the point that was brought out that God created us needy.
I’m glad that Timothy has enjoyed the Eagles group this year. It’s got to be a great way for him to get out and be with others.
We did have some nasty weather but were spared. Lots of lightenening!
I’ve been caught up with Amazon using a gift card as well. I’m glad you were able to enjoy your ‘second Christmas’.
I too like the idea that God created us to be needy and that therefore it’s not odd/annoying to him when we are. I haven’t been to McAlister’s in years. I didn’t know they had cookies either! I agree with the annoyances re. Amazon. Every time I order there I feel like I have to be so careful to uncheck the various things they automatically do if I don’t!
I’m glad you, too, are a Berean and like to check things out that you wonder about. 🙂
Your week sounds lovely. Thankful that you were spared any terribly bad weather.
And, oh my, I actually found myself holding my breath when I was reading about the tractor trailer pulling over into your lane when you were still in it. We’ve had to do our share of horn blowing out on the Interstate too and I know how scary it is. Thankful you are safe.
My grandchildren go to Awanas with their other grandmother, and they love it. It falls on the same night as some of their sports practices, but they prefer to miss and go to Awanas instead, which always makes me happy;)
Happy Mother’s Day, Barbara!
Oh my youngest daughter was a part of Awana from the time we joined our church in 2005 (when she was 6) all the way until she got out of 4th grade when it ended. She loved it!! And I was an Awana leader for the “Cubbies” group (4 yr olds). So glad your church has Awana!!
I’m so thankful your home was spared from any damage due to tornadoes. My friend who lives outside of Nashville had a HUGE tree come down when the tornado tore through but thankfully the Lord spared their house from any damage although their lawn is all messed up now due to the huge tree.
I remember a Christian contemp song with “honey in the rock” and I can hear the tune but for the life of me I don’t remember who did it. Sounds like a wonderful ladies event.
Have a wonderful Mother’s day!!
Oh, am so glad to hear you’ve avoided storm damage. And found a way to deal with the humidity.
How nice that both you and Mittu could attend a women’s function. Such a pretty centerpiece. That Awana and Eagle Club celebration sounds like a great way to finish off the year.
Your ladies event sounds nice. I am reading a book, and it says we were created to want a relationship. So being needy or in need of certain things seems to follow that. I like the centerpiece and I remember that verse when my Bibe journaling groups were on the topic of honey. Glad you were safe from bad weather. I tend to run hotter than my husband. Have a Happy Mother’s Day!
I am glad that you had God’s protection when that truck pulled over into your lane. I’m also glad that God protected your home and family from severe weather. Your women’s meeting at church sounded excellent. I recently attended a large women’s conference and it just fed my soul! Glad you had a good week. Now enjoy the weekend and have a very Happy Mother’s Day! See you again soon.
I always enjoy digg8ng in a bit deeper to understand the Bible better. That is an interesting consideration about the honey and the rock.
Our grandsons are part of Trail Life. Do you have any TL troops in your area? Similar to Boy Scouts, but faith based.
I’m glad you were safe in all the weather. We had the same patterns.
Happy Mother’s Day to you! Willow
The ladies’ day sounds like an encouraging time; I’m glad Mittu got to go with you.
I get frustrated with Amazon too for defaulting to my gift card as the primary payment. I accidentally bought groceries with my birthday gift card. But I made myself a note that I still had that money to spend on Amazon for myself. lol.
We had tornadoes near us this week, too, but our electricity also held steady. I was shocked! It usually goes out at the mere word “tornado.”