Why God made moms - from the mouths of babes . . .

Enjoy the answers given by elementary school age children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?

1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.

2. Mostly to clean the house.

3. To help us out of they're when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?

1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.

2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.

3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.

2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string. I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

1. We're related.

2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your mom?

1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.

2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.

3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?

1. His last name.

2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer? Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores.

Why did your mom marry your dad?

1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. and my mom eats a lot.

2. She got too old to do anything else with him.

3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?

1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goofball.

2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.

3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?

1. Moms work at work and work at home, and dads just got to work at work..

2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.

3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power because

that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.

What does your mom do in her spare time?

1. Mothers don't do spare time.

2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?

1. On the inside she is perfect, on the outside some kind of plastic surgery.

2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, may be blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?

1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.

2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.

Habits Become Character

Various patterns of behavior and responses tell everyone who and what we are—what we stand for. Character develops out of the habits of behavior we have learned and practiced.

Quality habits produce quality character and a quality person. Being a truth-seeker is an example of character that has been developed by good habits. Jesus said God's Word was truth and that truth will set you free (John 8:32; 17:17). We have the ability to examine and change our habits. God's Word is the best guide possible for positive change.

Guarding Our Tongues

"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me," the old saying goes. But it's not really true, is it? We have all been on either end of hurtful words. Words can do more damage emotionally than being hit by a stick or stone. James said the tongue is an unruly evil and that to bridle the tongue is to accomplish a great thing (James 3:2, 8). If only we could surrender our tongue to glorify God! Words can also be used in a gentle manner to change even the hardest mind.

"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers" (Ephesians 4:29). Saying a good word is easy, but not speaking ill should be easier still. It requires only our silence, which costs us nothing.

What about when hurtful things are said about us or to us? As the Greek philosopher Epictetus advised, "If evil be said of thee, and if it be true, correct thyself; if it be a lie, laugh at it."

Good Names, Bad Names

A good name is of great value (Proverbs 22:1). A bad name, though, has no antidote and no automatic healing process.

Your name is what you are known by, and it represents all that you are. Honest, hard-working, kind, considerate, God-fearing, law-abiding, wise—these are among the qualities of character that make up those who have striven to have a good name. Be a person of your word—let your “Yes” be “Yes” and “No” be “No” (Matthew 5:37). Protect your good name.

Giving to Get!

The card game of bridge is interesting, in that in order to gain a maximum number of card tricks, a player often needs to lose a few. There is a good principle that “giving to get” teaches us.

In life, there is an unseen good thing that happens when we are givers. That is why the Bible tells us it is more blessed to give than to get (Acts 20:35). When we understand that principle, it becomes clear that the giver receives much more than he loses.

God tells us that in order to receive eternal life, we must first give up this life (Matthew 10:39). That does not mean suicide; it means conforming our lives to the laws and dictates of Almighty God. In giving, we receive.

Unlike bridge, however, our primary reason for giving should not be a desire to get. Instead, we should want to give for the sake of giving—for the sake of living as God commanded.

Give it some thought, and become a giver in the true sense of the word.

Friends: False and True

The rich have many "friends," but the poor are often shunned (Proverbs 14:20). Funny how many false friends are to be found. They are there when things are very positive and going well—usually hoping to get in on the success or wealth. True friends are rare indeed. They are the ones who will hear what you have to say, sort the wheat from the chaff and blow the chaff away with one breath. They trust you, and you can have confidence in them.

"A false friend and a shadow attend only while the sun shines," someone once wrote. When dark times come, true friends emerge. They have always been there, but may have been missed in the crowd. When you find a true friend, you have found a great treasure.

Forget the Painful Past

Past blunders, defeats, mistakes and misfortunes have an impact on each one of us. Rising above them is the way to a happy future. The past is gone forever and we can do nothing about it—no matter how much we want to. We know that forgiveness is the only way to heal the hurt from others. Forgiveness is also the way to heal the hurt from ourself. We cannot simply forget a great pain – but not allowing it to dominate our thoughts is the first step to putting it in a place that does not hurt us.

Most successful people can point to failures in their past. If those failures had overcome their enthusiasm and ability to move ahead, they would never have achieved success. We must learn from the past, but not allow it to defeat and rob us of the future.

Feel Good—Do Good

Rain was pouring from the sky as I pushed my cart out of the grocery store. I made the mad dash to my car and unloaded my groceries as quickly as I could. Just as I finished emptying my cart, I saw a hand grab my empty cart and take it along with hers to place it in the cart stand, which was a distance away. I was speechless for a moment, but then I thanked her and got into my car. I was amazed that a perfect stranger took the time to help me while getting drenched herself!

I was so inspired that it made me want to do acts of kindness for all those I came in contact with. I was reminded of an important lesson that day. Our interactions can inspire a domino effect, either positive or negative. We all know how a rotten attitude can spread. But a smile, an act of kindness and words of appreciation can multiply themselves geometrically as well.

Marriage Is Art

There are many thoughts and ideas about what marriage is and isn't, what it should and shouldn't be. Those thoughts arise because, in fact, marriage is the attempt of two incompatible people to live together compatibly. No two people are the same. No matter how passionate and fervent love may be, differences exist.

The art of learning how to love one another and not force "oneness" is reflected in the vows we take at marriage. We say we will love, honor and cherish what that person is now—not what we hope they will become (Ephesians 5:21-33).

Courage—the Keystone to Living

Courage is the keystone to happy, confident living because one with this quality will overcome all obstacles, environment, temporary defeat and even failure. So wrote a successful sales manager. Such a person will develop patterns of sureness, positiveness, cheerfulness and have a mental attitude toward life that causes people to love and respect him or her.

Psalm 31:24 tells us to "be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart." It seems that even God respects one who shows courage. Courage is fear that has said its prayers, someone once said. Courage is a state of mind, and it does require the suppressing of fear. It is worth the effort and will add to your life.