Volume 2 - April Theme: Tried, True, & New Traditions
Dessert: Make a dessert that reminds you of your mother, grandmother, special relative, or friend. (I would make blackberry cobbler no matter what the season because Nana, my paternal grandmother, always made it for me. I even have her handwritten recipe framed in my kitchen).
Candy:
1. Candy you've never TRIED.
2. Candy that is your TRUE favorite.
3. Candy that is NEW on the market.
- Have Fiddler on the Roof's famous song "Tradition" playing in the background as women arrive. I'm sure they'll have it in the library.
- Ask women at the previous Sweet Monday to reflect on some of their family and/or friend's traditions and be willing to share a unique one this month. (If not unique, a tradition that has been most significant to them). Or ask, "What do you do to bring your family or friends closer together?"
- Celebrate differences tonight and be spurred on to continue with the traditions that bring your family and friends closer together.
- Provide paper and pencils for note taking. After sharing or actually carrying out a family tradition that is meaningful to you, ask women to share a tradition or a new one they would like to incorporate into their life.
DON'T FORGET
Announce next SWEET MONDAY date.
Tied to a Generous God
Theme: Tried, True, and New Traditions
Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find? Proverbs 20:6 NIV
REMARKS
It is truly the little things in life done over and over again that make the most lasting impression. That's why traditions are so important. They connect you to people in a way that stirs wonderful emotions of love and warmth.
Throughout our home, on our license tags, and on my ring the acronym BSSYP is on display. You see, my first letter from home, written and addressed by my precious mother when I went off to college, had my Daddy's BSSYP scribbled in the upper left hand corner of the envelope with a smiley face.
For the life of me, I couldn't figure it out, and I was so homesick that I called home and said, "Daddy, what is that BSSYP?"
To which he replied, "Sugar, it is what I've told you all your life . . . Be Sweet & Say Your Prayers."
For over 25 years now that has donned correspondence between the states and exudes so many memories in my mind that I can hardly pen this without the tears starting to flow. Daddy probably didn't think, I'm starting a TRADITION, but his consistency with that message has spoken volumes to me throughout the years.
I long to tell every mom and dad I know to be consistent in the small things. Boy, do they add up to BIG things later in life. Traditions are important. Be Sweet & Say Your Prayers.
PRAYER
Dear Lord,
I can't "Be Sweet" or "Say My Prayers" apart from You. Thank You that You are faithful. You truly are TRIED and TRUE and nothing NEW will ever replace You. May I, Lord, pass on the tradition in my home of always trusting You, the "Author and Finisher of my faith."