Meany Flowers

November 11, 2025November 10, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

I’ve mentioned it before, but getting old is hard, and life can be, too. Not being a morning person doesn’t help either. Like the great philosopher once said, “I would like mornings better if they started later!” – Garfield. Then, there are my pet peeves. So, the other day, while driving April to work, the perfect storm happened. All three issues came together.

I hadn’t gotten a good night’s sleep, and when the alarm went off at 4:20 AM, I wasn’t done yet. So, morning came way too early, and I was feeling grumpy. On the way to the car, I saw two lists on the kitchen counter. While driving, April didn’t say a word about them, so I had to ask. Lack of communication is one of my top pet peeves. See where this is going?

I got mad. Really mad! I didn’t understand why I had to ask what the lists were for, and when April’s reply made it seem as if I should have been able to figure it all out. Well, that was like throwing gasoline on a campfire. (Kids, never throw gas on any open flame. Let your father look like an idiot.)

Yep, words came out that should have never been spoken. My behavior and my words were awful. April certainly didn’t deserve that kind of reaction, no matter what. Especially at the beginning of her day. “Hi, I’m Mark, and I’m a Meany.” The crowd responded, “Hi, Mark.”

On the drive back home, I felt horrible. I didn’t want those words to be with April all day. So, before I went back to bed, I texted her an apology and owned up to being a “Meany.” I apologized to God, too, and asked for forgiveness.

Later in the day, while shopping, I bought April some flowers. Pretty ones in her favorite colors. I called them “Meany Flowers.” I know they didn’t make up for my poor, ungodly behavior, but they might help heal the emotional wound I created in her. April can forgive easily, and of course, God is faithful to forgive us of our sins. (1 John 1:9)

Do we, or I, act out more easily knowing that God will forgive us? I think I do at times. I know it’s wrong. It’s as if I trample on His grace and mercy and take it too lightly. Perhaps I am saying to Jesus, “Hey, buddy, thanks for that suffering on the cross stuff, but after all, I deserved it.” The truth is, I don’t deserve his forgiveness, but God so loved the world.

God forgives those who ask for it because He doesn’t want to see anyone die in a sinful state and go to hell. Of course, because He gives us free will, where we spend eternity is up to us.

So, April forgave me, and yes, God forgave me. God knows our hearts, and He knew I was ashamed of what I did and said. I try to be aware of my weaknesses and ask God for help quickly when I start to feel my temper rising. And besides, flowers are expensive!

This Old Man

May 30, 2025May 24, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

I ran into a woman whom I hadn’t seen in forty-five years. We went to high school together. It didn’t take long for the subject of getting old to come up. That is when she commented, “Getting old sucks!” I agreed and added, “No one told us it could be so difficult or would hurt so badly.” She laughed.

In America, we have a currently running TV commercial by Progressive where a psychiatrist tries to help individuals from becoming their parents. They’re funny, but I stop laughing when I realize they are talking about me.

Latiana J., from my eye doctor’s office, put it like this, “The check engine light came on way too early!”

I understand that getting old is a natural part of life. At least I don’t look that old. I actually got IDD at a pizza place near our house when I asked for the senior discount! I don’t have much in the way of grey hair, and I don’t dye it either. My maternal grandfather was like that.

There are some things I appreciate that have come with old age. For instance, I have learned a lot about people and how they will lie or con you to get something from you. The gift of discernment helps with that, too. I have had the time to walk with God and grow in my relationship with him. I love it! We talk all the time, and I am honest about how I feel concerning how life is going. He knows anyway, so why try to conceal it?

I like the fact that I have a greater understanding of his word, the Bible. I may not agree with everything or like some things in it, but that is God’s word—and it is the final word!

I like having grandchildren and watching the three girls grow up. They make me smile whether they see it or not.

I want to think that I am more responsible with money and have matured in wisdom and insight. I enjoy having financial resources that allow me to bless others and do a little to meet their needs. That usually opens the door for me to share about God and his love. I like those days.

So, I guess if I take it slow getting out of bed, and continue to trust God to stay with me, getting old isn’t too bad after all.

I will be your God throughout your lifetime—
until your hair is white with age.
I made you, and I will care for you.
I will carry you along and save you. Is. 46:4 (NLT)

Wisdom belongs to the aged,
and understanding to the old. Job 12:12 (NLT)

The glory of the young is their strength;
the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old. Prov. 20:29 (NLT)

This Old House

May 27, 2025May 23, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

When I bought this house almost eight years ago, I started fixing it up on the outside. It really needed the attention. I started with making repairs on the old wood siding, hoping it would last another four years or so. It didn’t! I had new energy-efficient windows installed. That helped me save money on utilities. I started fixing items on the inside, but I had to have new siding put on after two years of ownership.

So the outside looked great, but the inside still needed a lot of work. I eventually got brave and learned how to remove “popcorn” ceilings. Then I started painting walls and installing “beadboard” wood in the bathrooms. New toilets, faucets, and towel bars, so the old ones had to go. Everything must be color coordinated, you know. And if you have ever remodeled a house, then you know you find surprises when you remove things.

I poured myself into making this old house nicer, especially after marrying April. I wanted her to pick out colors and things so this place would no longer be mine but ours. I literally have put my blood, sweat, and tears into this place—tears for when things were not fitting like they should or when I was struggling and couldn’t get something to work out.

I have leaned on God for a lot of help. There were times when I needed to know how to do something or needed some muscle to help get something to fit. One time, he nudged me to look it up on the Internet. I was shocked that God knew about the Internet. (I know. I shouldn’t have been surprised.) He has helped me with electrical, plumbing, and, well, everything!

Some people look great on the outside. As if they have it all together, and as if there is nothing wrong in their life or family. But if you were to look on the inside of them, what would you see? Perhaps the demons they face on a daily basis? The emotional scars from their past? Their weaknesses? Most people have a side of themselves they would rather others not see. I know I do. I have a temper that, at times, can get out of control.

The house is only a shelter. The home is about people. A home and a life are places for God to come and fill with His presence. A place for the fruit of the Spirit to be manifested. Love, joy, peace, self-control…. I’m glad God doesn’t get tired of working on us, or in my case of “this old man,” give up!

There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. Phi. 1:6 (MSG)

Where Does Real Wisdom Come From?

October 12, 2021October 11, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

There have been times when I have sat in awe of some of the stuff that comes out of the mouths of the old. I’m talking about those that are supposed to be smart, experienced, and relatively wise in their field. I don’t want to name, names, but some are billionaires, politicians, and one was a renowned theoretical physicist who once said, “There is no God.” Of course the Bible says that only a fool says there is no God. (Psalms 14:1) So really old age, intelligence and certainly not money determines wisdom. So where does real wisdom come from?

“I’m a young man,
    and you are all old and experienced.
That’s why I kept quiet
    and held back from joining the discussion.
I kept thinking, ‘Experience will tell.
    The longer you live, the wiser you become.’
But I see I was wrong—it’s God’s Spirit in a person,
    the breath of the Almighty One, that makes wise human insight possible.
The experts have no corner on wisdom;
    getting old doesn’t guarantee good sense. Job 32:6-9 (MSG)

Therefore, honestly, anyone who is filled with the Spirit of God can have wisdom. Ask God questions. Tell him you want understanding of people, and of situations. God wants to tell us things. He is just waiting for people, who will use the knowledge for his purposes to start asking.

I have found this profound truth to be quite useful, and helpful. In a couple of cases where people, who I thought would be the very last people to hurt me, have and I didn’t understand how, or why. I asked, and in one case I was directed to a TV minister for the answer that came in his message. The other, the Spirit of God showed me instantly a picture of how a minister has surrounded himself with others who are deceived in the same manner as he is. Now I know how to pray for these individuals.

Yes, you can learn some things from the old and experienced, if it aligns with the truth from God’s word, but you can also go to God directly and simply ask, but don’t act so surprised when He answers you.

Looking For Jesus (Part 3)

December 8, 2020December 2, 2020 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Elizabeth. The Virgin Mary’s cousin. Elizabeth and her husband, Zachariah were quite old, and childless. They lived honorably before God, yet while on a normal day, at work, when an unannounced angel appeared to him in the temple of God, he was frightened. Of course the angel said, “Fear not.” The angel went on to inform Zachariah that his wife would become pregnant with a son, and he was to name him, “John”. Then the angel continued and gave him instructions for John and told his life cause was to prepare the people for God. He returned home, and I’m sure he had a difficult time getting his wife to join him in the bedroom, but soon after Elizabeth got pregnant.

I love how God takes everyday, ordinary people to join him in doing some of his most extraordinary work. “How?” you ask. “Really? You don’t think God can use you, that you have nothing to offer? Watch God. You’re never too old, too short, too tall, too under resourced, or too anything. All God needs from you is a willing heart. One that has been given to him.

I had a similar experience when I was married to my first wife. In a dream I was told our first “born” child would be a boy, and that we were to name him, “Joshua David”, and he was to be a spiritual warrior. We lost our first child after 9 or 10 weeks of pregnancy, and sure enough, our first born was a son. You can bet we had no problem picking out his name. And I am holding God to his word that my son will be what God has called him to be.

Zachariah, being a priest of Judah, had to have known the heart of God’s chosen people were turning away. He and his wife had been waiting for so long for God to answer their prayers for their nation and for their own lives, but God did. They certainly had no idea God would use them and their son to set people free from sin. In fact, I love what Elizabeth says.

Elizabeth, conceived. She went off by herself for five months, relishing her pregnancy. “So, this is how God acts to remedy my unfortunate condition!” she said. Luke 2:25 (MSG)

Mary went to see Elizabeth and to announce her own pregnancy. I’m sure Mary knew what had happened to her cousin, and would have no problem believing her own testimony, because of it. The scriptures say that when Elizabeth heard the news of Mary the baby she was carrying leaped.

Elizabeth was not only looking for her own son, John, but now of a greater one her son would later say he was not worthy to untie the straps of his sandals. She too was looking for Jesus.

It seems some people have a hard time accepting and believing Truth. When they hear how much God loves them and that He gave his only son to die on a cross for them. I think the reason is they try to figure out God with their natural minds, but God is spiritual.

This Christmas season, and always, look harder for Jesus. Expect and believe even when it doesn’t make sense. Look for your healing. For the salvation of your family and friends. For the future of your children, or for the financial miracle you desperately need. Who knows? You may soon be responding like Elizabeth, “So, this is how God acts to remedy my unfortunate condition!”