100 Words

Too Good To Be True Pt 2

December 9th, 2023
Mollie T. Cox

Never compare your insides to everyone’s outsides.
Anne Lamott

One year, two Christmas cards were returned to me. I googled the addresses and both houses had been sold. Both couples were empty nesters—one new and one old. Had they downsized?

After more searching—including using my sister’s Facebook account—I discovered that one couple had divorced. I thought they were an incredibly happy couple with well-adjusted adult children. According to their previous Christmas letter, all family members were pursuing their dreams. I didn’t know that one person dreamed of a divorce.

The trail of the other couple was cold. Given the other news, I feared the worst. I eventually learned my friends had bought a bigger house—the better to hold new in-laws and future grandchildren.

I have learned that people or families or marriages too good to be true are too good to be true. (See here.) Therefore, should I be shocked when the families I envied are broken?

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 8:23

My comparisons are bad enough, but they are even worse when my standard is a Christmas letter.

Do Christmas letters encourage you or discourage you?

Christmas

Something To Read

December 2nd, 2023
Mollie T. Cox

I liked the gift guidance given in the rhyme h ere.

Early on, I read that children respect books more if they are considered worthy of being a gift. Because I wanted books valued, books as gifts have been present (pun intended) in our house since the children were preschoolers.

Which books were gift-worthy? Hardbacks of books repeatedly checked out from the library: Ox Cart Man, The Four Seasons of Brambly Hedge, and the Winnie-the-Pooh Treasury—the last two were expensive for causal buying.

Unusual books that represented a child’s interest and not available at the local library. I purchased Harry’s Helicopter by George Ancona after my kindergartner asked me to teach him to fly a helicopter.

“I don’t know how,” I said.

“Just read a book and tell me what to do, and I’ll do it,” he replied.

Oh, for him to have that faith in my abilities now!

My sons have carried on the tradition. They thoughtfully choose at least one book for my husband each Christmas.

Any favorite book gifts?

Christmas, Favorites

What Should I Give?*

November 25th, 2023
Mollie T. Cox

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17 (ESV)

For me, November used to be when I finished Christmas shopping, not when I started. Throughout the year, I scoured stores for ideas and vacation gift shops for memorable reminders of family times. I wrapped gifts as they were bought so they were ready to place as soon as the tree was decorated.

As much as I felt organized, I wish I had known the ditty below. I might have made better choices.

Give your children

Something they want,

Something they need,

Something to wear, and

Something to read.

What do your children want? What do they need? What should they wear? What should they read?

*Another version of this blog appeared November 15, 2020.

Relationships

Let’s Ban Some Words This Holiday

November 18th, 2023
Mollie T. Cox

Comparison is the death of joy.
Mark Twain

For years, I have disliked words ending in “est.” Why?

Those words masqueraded as a fact when they were an opinion.

Those words marginalized me and my friends and probably you—especially the word “hardest.” Especially when “hardest” was combined with “parenting.”

“Parents have the hardest job in the world.” What about childless couples dealing with crushed dreams?

“Single moms have the hardest job in the world.” What about married moms with abusive husbands?

“Parents of toddlers have the hardest job in the world.” What about parents of teenagers whom are succumbing to cultural dangers?

“Parents of teenagers have the hardest job in the world.” What about sleep-deprived parents of infants. Or parents of struggling adults?

You’ve heard it. And why do we add “in the world.” I don’t know. Do you?

Once thing I learned along the way is that all people “have it hard,” and all stages of parenting seem the hardest. However, I do not wish I had known that fact. Believing the myth that parenting would become easier was comforting.

May “est” words be banned this season while we gather with family and friends and foes.

Basics, God's Faithfulness

Inheritance: A Deeper Understanding

November 11th, 2023
Mollie T. Cox

Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
Luke 10:20 (ESV)

I knew that God wrote the names of his children in his Book of Life. I knew that my name was written there. However, my understanding deepened with the passing of my beloved Uncle Floyd in November 2020.

Mollie with Uncle Floyd (August 4, 1928 – November 13, 2020)

When I relayed the news of Uncle Floyd’s passing, relatives listed the possessions they wanted. Only one asked—weeks after her requests—if she was in the will. She wasn’t.

I could only listen. My brother, who held the unopened will, was on vacation. I only knew my uncle’s hints about my inheritance.

Days later, I read these sobering words.

Any other relatives of mine who are not mentioned in this Last Will and Testament have been intentionally omitted and are not to receive anything from my estate.

Inheritance was clearly specified—as specific as the Book of Life.

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. Revelation 3:5 (ESV)