Mamma has a shoebox full of memories. Inside she has me 'n my sister's first hair ribbons, a watch that Daddy got her, lots of pictures 'n little things that mean somethin' special ta her. She calls it her treasure chest. Do you have a treasure chest of special things?
Have ya ever noticed tha roots of an oak tree? They are awesome! Big, thick roots grow out from tha tree 'n more roots shoot out from them. I read that oak trees have a deep taproot that drinks in water 'n food for its other roots. Some of tha roots run 'bout 4' deep. As long as the root system doesn't get damaged, an old oak's roots keep tha tree standin' tall 'n firm. If somethin' happens ta 'em, tha tree may fall over.
You've heard the sayings, "Home is where the heart is"; "Follow your heart"; "Have a heart". What's in your heart determines the direction of your life. If bitterness lives in your heart, you could be someone who is easily angered 'r allows tha bitterness ta turn ta hatred. You can have a new heart with Christ. One that's obedient ta His will. But if ya don't guard your new heart, it can easily go back to its old ways of being hardened 'n disobedient.
When ya look in tha mirror, what do ya see? Ok, we all have our imperfections, but that's not what I'm talkin' 'bout. What kind of expression is on your face? Is it happiness or despair? Is it glowin' with a smile or is it sad?
In tha south, it's all 'bout food. Mamma loves ta cook for people. She wants 'em ta have somethin' good ta eat. It takes tha right amount of spices 'n ingredients for tha flavor. Salt enhances how food tastes, 'n only slows decay if it stays pure.
Mamma says that tha world seems ta be gettin meaner these days. It's becomin a tougher world ta live in 'n believe in God. Are ya a Christian that loves 'n wants ta serve God, but still be a part of tha world?
What's important ta you? For Christians, it's havin a relationship with God. His joy fills our life with happiness and contentment. But what happens when we allow tha world ta rob us of our joy?
Mamma was famous for her biscuits. She evn got a write up in tha paper. One of her God givn talents was cookn. Tha kitchn was her favorite place ta be. She lovd ta cook for people. Her joy was seein em eat 'n hearn em say how good it was. Ya could hear mamma singn one of tha old hymns as she cookd. She lovd The Old Rugged Cross.
