Who put the "X" in X-ray?

Three weeks ago I fell and injured my right hand and thumb. At first it didn’t hurt all that much but after three or four days, I noticed that my thumb was really swollen.  I thought it might be broken so off to the doctor I went.  The first thing my  doctor did was to x-ray my hand to confirm that it wasn’t broken  Luckily, it was just a sprain.  But, I was told that a sprain takes longer to heal than a break.  Then I developed ‘trigger’ thumb.  Now, I’m wearing a splint!  It’s not easy using only one hand so, maybe there is no ‘luckily’ here.  A break or a sprain -- either way it spells ouch!

However, this little mishap  made me think about x-rays and how they got their name.  After I left the doctor’s office, hand throbbing, I decided to do a little research on the subject of x-rays and found that in 1895, German inventor, Wilhelm Roentgen was conducting experiments with the conduction of electrical charges through gases in a vacuum tube.  Much to his astonishment, Roentgen observed that radiation passed through objects that were usually opaque.  The applications were obvious, but Roentgen didn’t understand how or why radiation worked.  For this reason, Roentgen named his invention x Strahlen (X-ray).  He used “X” as in algebraic formulas, a modest admission that he couldn’t explain his own discovery.

I have no reason for passing this information on other than to kill time while I’m waiting for my thumb to heal.  And your right, should I really be on the computer, typing with a sprained hand and thumb?  Perhaps, I need to spend less time thinking about inventions and more time talking to God.  Less time writing about nonsense stuff and more time in knee-mail!

Oh, thanks to my friend Betty for giving me the book “Who Put The Butter in Butterfly? (And other fearless investigations into our illogical language) by David Feldman.  Both Mr. Feldman and Betty helped me in writing this blog.

Loafing Can Be FUN

Wow, I can't believe that my last post was in June -- what have I been doing over summer?  Not blogging -- that's for sure.  I guess I've been 'loafing'.  James Thurber said, "It is better to have loaf and lost then to never have loafed at all."  It's been an excellent summer for loafing, for puttering, for planting, for shopping, for lunching with friends, playing with grandchildren, sitting on the patio soaking up some rays, spending time with God, for cleaning, napping and reading! I guess I haven't been loafing at all! Ah, I sure have enjoyed my summer of loafing!  PS - note that I posted two blogs this month, already.

No Charge for Prayer

I sure do get a lot of email advertisements (on Face Book, too).  One in particular catches my eye every time, it’s a prayer link.  When  you click it on, they will pray for you -- the catch, it’ll cost you.  I’m  glad God does not charge to hear our prayers!  If we were praying without ceasing as instructed in the Bible, we’d go broke for sure.

“We ought to act with God in the greatest simplicity, speaking to Him frankly and plainly, and imploring His assistance in all our affairs, just as they happen.”  Brother Lawrence

I’m so glad that we can be ourselves with God and that He cares about what we are doing, that He hears even the simplest of prayers and I’m really thankful that we can offer up prayers free of charge!

September 1, 2013

Lunch With God

Here's a story worth sharing.  Enjoy my friends.

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six pack of Root beer and he started his journey. When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons.

The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her a Twinkie. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him.

Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Again, she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word. As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman, and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.

When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, ”What did you do today that made you so happy?”  He replied, “I had  lunch with God.” But before his mother could respond, he added, “You know what? She’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen!”

Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, “Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?”  She replied, “I ate Twinkies in the park with God.”  However, before her son responded, she added, “You know, he’s much younger than I expected.”

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

(Author Unknown - Crossroads – April 2001)

Are you a reason, season or life time?

Are you a reason, a season, or a lifetime?  People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.  When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person in your life.

When someone is in your life for a REASON.  It is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be.  Then, without any wrongdoing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.  Sometimes they die.  Sometimes they walk away.  Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.  What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered, and now it is time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON it is because your time has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done.  They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.  Believe it!  It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.  Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.  It is said that love is blind, but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life.

This article first appeared in The Crossroads with help from the Internet - Oct. 2001

But First...

I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to continue writing this column. I’ve just been recently diagnosed with a rather serious condition, well, more of an aliment. Unfortunately, although scientists are frantically searching for a cure, none that I know of to date has been found for this rather disturbing problem.

This is an ailment many of us suffer from. Some of you, however, may not even know you have it, but, after reading about this affliction in my column, you may actually be able to discuss its symptoms with loved ones and friends—and you should, it’s that serious.

It’s called the “But First Syndrome.” You know, it’s when I decide to do the laundry…I start down the hall to the laundry room and notice the newspaper on the table. Ok, I’m going to do the laundry, BUT FIRST I read the newspaper. After which, I notice the mail stacked on the table. Ok, I’ll put the newspaper in the recycle bin, BUT FIRST, I’ll sort through that pile of mail and see if there are bills that need to be paid. Yes, there are—now, where did I put my checkbook?

Oops…there’s an empty glass on the table. I’ll look for the checkbook, later, BUT FIRST, I need to put that glass in the sink. On my way to the sink, I happen to look out the kitchen window and notice my poor flowers need water. I put the glass in the sink, and darn it; there’s the remote for the TV on the counter. What’s that doing there? I ask myself. I’ll just put it away, BUT FIRST, I need to water those plants! I head for the door and….Aaagh! Ok, I’ll put the remote away and water the plants, BUT FIRST, I need to feed the dog, which is darn nice of me considering we don’t even have a dog!

End of day: Laundry is not done, newspapers are still on the floor, the glass is still in the sink, bills unpaid, checkbook still lost—and the dog ate the remote control! When I try to figure out how come nothing got done all day, I’m baffled….I know I was busy all day long! What happened? Now, I remember the “BUT FIRST SYNDROME”. I realize this is a serious condition and I’ll get help! BUT FIRST, I should work on next month’s article, BUT before I do that, I think I’ll check my e-mail!

(Thanks Internet buddies for helping me with this article!) First appeared in The Crossroads Oct. 2001

Also in the book “The Rowboat Revisited”  under a different format but same information.

Touching Grandma's Heart

When a baby is born, so is a grandparent.  At the age of 63 I became 'grandma' for the first time.  As I think about the miracle of life, I am moved by God's awesome greatness.  I am filled with joy because of the blessings God has given me by allowing me to be here for the birth of not one but two grandchildren.  To be a part of their lives is a blessing I will never ever take for granted.  And if there should be more grandchildren to love and cherish in my future I will consider their lives a blessing to me as well.

          As grandparents we bestow upon our grandchildren strength and wisdom that time and experience has given us.  We pass that wisdom, if they will allow it, on to our grandchildren and we should not take our role lightly.  We are family.  The chain may lengthen but it will never be broken.  And, along with that wisdom will be wonderful stories to tell.

          And now friends, I get to share some of those wonderful stories with all of you in my new book!

(To order a copy of Touching Grandma's Heart, 

contact the author at: authorconnielhawkins@yahoo.com

Visit the website authorconnielhawkins.com)