Wednesday 5 December 2012

Sometimes Squishy Men Die

If you are an angry child in this household, you will likely be sent to your room to calm down. One technique we use is ‘Squishy Men’ (aka stress balls). Ours have faces and a tuft of woolly hair. The storm soon disperses into smiles as the latex face is contorted in all manner of ways.  I suspect they get played with at other times too.

Today there was sudden wailing. Long and loud and oh-so-sorrowful coming from my baby (though really, he is a very grown up four year old thank you very much!). I went to investigate. He met me halfway, balling his precious little eyes (and heart) out. In his hand, lovingly cradled, was his Squishy Man. With a leak. Friends, there are only so many times a Squishy Man will squish.


He laid his treasure to rest in the rubbish bin, then came and sat on my lap for a hug. Pressing his face into my chest he wept some more. His darling heart was plain broken. Apparently this was one very well loved Squishy Man.

In an effort to console him I suggested we would purchase another one – identical. The idea was appealing enough to momentarily stem the flow of the salty torrent. Then the cogs in my brain crunched into gear. Why not take the opportunity to create a better, stronger, model?  In less than half an hour we had Squishy Man 2.0.



The new version has somewhat different features. He does not squish in the exact same manner but is still able to produce a giggle worthy face contortion. Better yet, it is made of more durable stuff. As a bonus, this model also allows for the (sneaky) addition of soothing essential oils…

The whole fiasco got me thinking. 

Sometimes the Squishy Men have to die – in order to make way for something better. It hurts to let go of the old, but the new will be greater.

If you are a regular reader you will know that I have been daring to dream.  I was particularly grieved at the loss of Idea2.0. God has been taking me on a journey. Each time asking me to let go of my version of the vision until finally Plan 4.0 is a goer! (Just need to finalise the paperwork).

Excitement flows through me! But this is not just about finally being able to put passion into action. It is so much more. As I handed over my blueprints, releasing the tight grip on my precious ideas, God has been able to point a few things out.  Improvements if you will. He is showing me how to use what I already have. Ways to create something beautiful from significantly less.  I am reminded of the old chorus…

“Something beautiful, something good.
All my confusion He understood.
All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife
But he made something beautiful of my life".


Ecclesiastes 3:11a 'He has made everything beautiful in its time'. 


12 comments:

  1. I love it! This should be linked up somewhere..it's really cute. I have seen stress balls before, but never ones with smiley faces and tufts of hair. Those are so cool! I can see why children (and maybe even adults ;) ) would like them. Maybe sometime could you do a post about how to make a squishy man? I like that you added oils to it, and it would be fun to make one with my oils as well. The body of it looks easy enough to make, but I have no clue how you added oils or what you stuffed it with! Want to hear about vision 4.0 of course :) Great post. It made me smile and was touching too.

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    1. Thank you...Perhaps there's another nifty notion?? But to satisfy the curiosity for now - he's stuffed with roughly ground rice. I added a few drops of ess. oil to the rice before stuffing the fabric. But being fabric, it's ok to just add a drop or two more when needed straight on the material. Will have to email about 4.0. Did you get my other emails? (I know you had some computer troubles). Blessings :o)

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    2. Yes, it would make a good nifty notion I think. I did get the emails. Am bored from resting all day, so I will try to respond to another one :) Oh- I forgot to tell you I love the photo of you as a little girl. Such a HAPPY smiling face! Adorable.

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  2. God's ways are not our ways and death brings new life!!! Great reminder. I may have to try the squishy men for my boys. They are a little older so I'm not sure if they will use it when they're upset, but I live to hear then break out in belly laughs. :D

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    1. I meant "I LOVE to hear them". Not live. Lol

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    2. God's ways are not our ways and death brings new life! - What a great way to sum it up!! I threw the squishy man together so fast that he's a bit simple. Have since thought how to improve things some. Keep an eye out for Squishy Man 3.0... Blessings :o)

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  3. What a clever way to make the best of a "crisis" for your little one. Your title was a real attention-getter too. : )

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  4. Loved your post and the new and improved "squishy man" :) I think it's awesome that you guys made it...that was probably a lesson in itself, to use what you have to create something even better!! Stopping by from Fellowship Friday, have a blessed day!

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    1. I love being resourceful. I'm quite creative/crafty but don't usually talk about it here (as it's not the reason I blog) - all that to say it was precious to be able to get him to choose fabric/colours and quickly make it together. Extra special that way I think ;o) Thanks for stopping by - bless you heaps!

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  5. loved this piece, lizzy. (and really appreciate your profile thoughts, too -- they speak deeply to my soul.)

    blessings to you, friend,
    tanya

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    1. Thank you Tanya! I am touched that the thoughts speak to you. All glory to God!! Bless you heaps :o)

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