Compassion for others

Here I am, ready to deliver our third daughter.

We hadn’t been seated very long when I noticed her.

She was standing with a large shopping cart which contained groceries and three little children.

Her dress ballooned out in front of her, for she was great with child.

She’d obviously been very busy that morning.

Her hairdo showed signs of being pulled one way and then another, possibly even tousled by the wind.

Fatigue, even discomfort, out-lined her movements.

Yet, she wore a soft smile.

I motioned to our daughter.

She nodded, rubbing her own baby bump and replying, “Yes, I noticed her. Poor thing she looks worn out.”

We continued to monitor the grandbabies eating their lunch.

The pregnant mother moved her cart farther from the bustle of people, all trying to leave with their groceries, closer to the food area.

My heart was concerned, there wasn’t a table available for her to sit.

I began to pray for her and then I felt I was to look at her again.

When I did, I noticed she was carefully scanning the people in line to order as well as those who had retrieved their food and were filling their drinks.

About the same time, my daughter leaned across the table and asked, “Do you think she’d be offended if I went over and asked her if she would like some help?”

My heart swelled up with joy.

Our adult daughter, so filled with compassion for another lady, was willing to offer her help.

She could have simply shrugged her shoulders and thought, “I have enough of my own to deal with,” but instead she was willing to try to bless someone else who looked in need.

I smiled and replied that I was pretty certain she was looking for someone.

We both looked back at her in time to see a lady, old enough to be the other woman’s mother, carrying food and drinks on a tray.

Before long a table opened up and they were seated.

I smiled warmly at our daughter.

She’s smiled back and we gave each other a fist bump across the table.

Because we realized they were us; an expectant mother with her three small children and Grammy getting lunch.

Compassion for others is a fruit of God’s love using trials or difficult circumstances to help us look beyond ourselves and relate to others.

It’s one of the many ways God works things together for good.

Colossians 3:12 NIV — Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:13 NIV — Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

For the love of God is such that when we accept it, and then begin to understand the depth and truth of it, we see the privilege of sharing it, and we never know when an opportunity to act upon our compassion for another will present itself.

Therefore, let us recognize the wonders of God’s love and live in humility and joyful servanthood to the One who made us.

For there is so much blessing in sharing the gifts we have received from Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for this young lady and her family. Thank You for placing me in that circumstance. Lord, I lift up that young woman. Please help her as she gets closer to delivery. Please encourage her and walk her through all that she has before her. Lord, thank You for the gift of children and the blessings they bring. I lift up those three little ones and humbly request that they come to know You at an early age. Lord, that You would help each one and that they would be taught Your Word. Lord, I lift up the other lady, whom I assume is the Grammy, but whether she is or isn’t I ask that you bless her. Continue to guide her as she helps and serves others. Lord, thank You for our family, each of our children and their spouses. Thank You for each of our grandchildren and the blessings they are. Lord, thank You for using life to teach me to love. Thank You for loving me first. I love You, Lord. Amen.

An impromptu get together

The grandchildren got to come over today, which was definitely the highlight of the day.

Sadly, it was prompted by our oldest daughter calling me to ask if I could meet her in town and switch vehicles bringing the children home with me.

Their dog was having what looked like severe health issues.

Our daughter is due in September, so I could only imagine how she was coping with everything.

“Honey, pray about it, I know you need to get the dog in right away, but you might want to pack a bag for the children as I’m watching them tomorrow morning.”

She agreed, thanked me, and hung up.

I met her in town at the vet’s office.

The smell inside their Suburban was really something since their poor dog was sick.

But the veterinary couldn’t have the dog come inside Incase she had something contagious.

I joined the family in the vehicle so my daughter could get her dog out and take it over to the “doggy lawn”.

We have a shortage of veterinarians just now, but when they were able to get the dog tested it came back negative.

Which was good, but meant several more hours of waiting, because it wasn’t an emergency.

We decided to take the children to go eat.

It was a bit of an effort to find shade, but we made sure to leave all the windows down before heading inside to get some food.

There was no possible way we were going to eat inside the Suburban.

My voice had been a struggle, but it left completely when we went inside, which meant our daughter had to do everything involving talking.

So, when we reached the place to order she chose the self ordering kiosk.

She pointed at the pictures and said to Faye, “Hotdog or pizza?”

Faye smiled, “Hotdog!”

She pointed again at each picture and said to Bubba, “Hotdog or pizza?”

He looked confused.

It was busy, so she thought he couldn’t hear her.

Getting him closer she repeated the question.

Same response.

She moved him closer again and repeated the question, still unchanged response.

“Honey, Mommy needs to order. What do you want, hot-dog or pizza.” She spoke very clearly and slowly trying to be sure he understood.

His face lit up and he pointed, “That one!”

The pictures were next to each other and she couldn’t tell which he was pointing at.

“Honey, Mommy can’t tell, which one do you want. Please use your words. Hotdog or pizza?”

Still smiling broadly he pointed even more enthusiasticly, “That one!”

“Honey, Mommy doesn’t understand. Tell me with your words which one do you want, hotdog or pizza?”

He was really excited now and nearly jumped when he responded, “Ice cream!“

An older couple seated nearby stifled their mirth at his response.

My daughter and I exchanged glances helping each other not encourage his behavior by laughing.

She shook her head and announced, “We’re all going to get hot dogs.”

Obviously, Bubba wasn’t too impressed with this, but he eventually ate some of it.

The remainder of the day was pretty hectic, but thankfully the dog has medicine now, and the whole family stayed over.

There’s nothing like little morning cuddles with the grandkids.

After helping them pack up and head off, I recalled our moment in the order line.

I had to wonder how often I respond that way.

Do I approach the Lord’s options with a choice of my own?

Do I stall answering my husband when I don’t like the choices?

Do I want things my own way at the expense of others?

I pray not.

Yet, I know it’s wise to humble myself and ask the Lord, for He alone can read my heart’s motivations.

Thus, I’m praying for wisdom and direction, that I might walk with integrity, submitting to the Lord in all things and being teachable both from the Word and through the wise counsel of others.

Ephesians 5:17-21 NKJV — Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the reminder yesterday and the continued moments of which I have opportunity to learn. Lord, please continue to search my heart and show me anything which does not honor You or is a place where I have indulged my flesh. Lord, I do not want to encourage my sinful nature in anyway, but rather I want to be fed by Your Word and grow in my relationship with You. Lord, please help me to put on You and Your ways daily. Please help me to make no provision for the flesh at all. Help me to see when I’m being hurtful, disobedient, selfish, prideful, and taking on authority You never gave me. Lord, help me not to be puffed up, but instead to be gentle, kind, and loving, serving and submitting to Your Word and Your Holy Spirit. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

My father’s shirt

I remember when I went to my father’s clothes closet and took it out.

I’d asked Mom if I could have it, because he was wearing it in the last picture I had of him.

It’s remained in my possession since then.

Today, our son was preparing to work.

He’s going to be outside on a hill dealing with brush and I asked him if he didn’t have anything better than a sweatshirt.

He went to look again, and let me know that his best option was a flannel.

I knew it would be too hot for either, that he needed long sleeves to protect him.

We didn’t have time to drive 45 minutes away to buy something.

I stopped and prayed.

Your father’s shirt.

I wanted to argue that it might get damaged, but I knew better.

“It’s what Dad would want,” I told myself.

I went and got it.

In a moment our son came back out looking surprised.

“Mom, how big was Grandpa? It fits perfectly.”

Surprised and glad, he showed me how nicely it fit.

I walked over to him and replied, “Well, he was a little taller than you are right now, but you’re still growing. Yes, otherwise, I’d say you’re very close to his size.”

He smiled.

As I watched him prepare for work I suddenly realized what a special moment this was.

Our son is on the verge of manhood and he’s heading out to work wearing my father’s shirt.

I know he’d be so proud of his grandson.

And that blesses me.

Proverbs 17:6 KJV — Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for today. Thank You for this moment which I cherish. Thank You for our son and how You are growing him into the man of God You created him to be. Lord, thank You for the privilege of raising him and the blessings he is to me every day. Lord, thank You that You reminded me of that shirt. Thank You that our son has something he can share with the grandfather he never knew. Thank You for Your amazing blessings. I love You, Jesus. Thank You for first loving me. Amen.

A double gifting

Our grandchildren and oldest daughter came out yesterday.

As I stood on the front steps to welcome them our oldest granddaughter came running towards me with a huge smile and one hand behind her back.

“Grammy! I have something for you!” She announced.

As she drew near, she withdrew her hand and declared with great exuberance, “These are for you!”

I thanked her and gave her a big hug, a kiss on the cheek, and told her how much I love her.

As I stood up I caught a funny expression on my daughter’s face which was quickly melted into a smile.

After we were all inside and the children busy playing or coloring, I quietly asked, “What’s up? You looked funny over my gift.”

She smiled and leaned towards me, that her response would not be over heard.

“Well, nothing really, it’s just that was my Mother’s Day gift.”

Both of us chuckled a bit and I reassured her she could take it back home when their visit concluded.

She shook her head, “No, it’s alright. You keep it.”

My daughter’s generosity doubled the value of the gift.

Afterwards, I began to reflect on this, because it reminded me of God’s love.

God gives us His love through Jesus Christ.

1 John 3:16 NKJV — By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

God tells us we should share that gift.

1 John 4:7 NKJV — Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

God helps us love others through His example and through His Spirit which convicts and encourages us in righteousness through the scriptures.

1 John 4:9-11 NKJV — In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

My gift from my granddaughter was all the sweeter when I found out it was actually a gift given to my daughter first and then passed on to me.

God’s love is precious and far too priceless to not be passed on.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your gift of salvation which is the proof of Your great love. Thank You for this moment which has brought me another glimpse into Your Word and a physical reminder of the blessing of Your love shared. I know it was Your love through the heart of my daughter which was brought me the double gifting yesterday. Thank You for her and her family. Thank You for our grandchildren who teach me so much. Please help me to see the opportunities You give me to love others. Thank You for first loving me. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

Sweet words

Our four-year-old granddaughter has taken to saying the sweetest things completely at random.

When sitting at the table eating, she said, “I love this house, Grammy!”

Later, while eating something else, she announced, “Yum! I love this food, Grammy!”

When her little sister woke up from her nap, she stopped what she was doing, walked over and placed her hands on her gently, put her forehead on her sister’s and said softly, “I love you, Joy!”

As Uncle was passing her on an errand for me, she looked up at him and said, “I love you, Uncle!”

At one point she requested permission to write and after gathering the required items, I asked what she wanted me to put on the white board for her to copy.

“I want to write: I love Daddy!”

Later, when playing,she suddenly got up walked over to where I was sitting holding her sister, put her little arms around me and said, “I love you, Grammy!”

I know it’s a stage.

But I wish I had that kind of joy in living and loving.

I want that childlike enthusiasm which overflows in sweet words and kind gestures.

Maybe that’s what the saying, “young at heart” means.

Philippians 4:4-5 NKJV — Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV — Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

To see the blessings around you, to be thankful for each one with a joy that spreads and words which edify those listening, is definitely what I want my heart to be.

Ephesians 4:29 NKJV — Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the example of sweet words and a loving thankful heart. Thank You for teaching me so much through our grandchildren. They are such wonderful blessings! Lord, please help me to be more childlike, to rejoice, to be filled with gratitude, to speak the sweet words of loving truth. Lord, thank You for blessing me in so many ways. Thank You for Your gift of salvation. Thank You for Your blessings and the mercy which is new every day. Thank You for how You sustain us and provide for us. Lord, it is only through You that we have truth, thank You for that. Lord, it is only through You that we have life. Thank You for giving us life. Lord, it is only through You that we have the opportunity to be saved. Words can not express my gratitude at Your gift of salvation! Thank You. Lord, this day is Yours and I surrender myself before You. Please lead me in the paths of righteousness today. Thank You. Amen.

Like a little child

“Grammy! I help you!” she said with enthusiasm.

I was surprised, but thought it was sweet.

After retrieving a chair she could stand on, she didn’t climb up, as I expected her to.

Instead she ran over to where we keep our aprons.

“Can you get me that one?” Her little sweet voice displaying her excitement at getting to help.

Auntie had bought her an apron for when they cook together and Faye remembered it.

Faye turned with a big grin and announced, “Like you, Grammy!”

I took it down and put it over her ballerina dress, making a bow with the ties.

Bubba, came round the kitchen island and watched me putting the apron on Faye.

“Me too, Grammy?”

I shook my head and told him I didn’t need more than one helper at a time, while mentally making a note to get another apron.

Instead, I let him wear the hot mits, which he did gladly.

He suddenly turned them into some sort of animal by adding a roar and trying to “chomp” his sister with them, which she responded with a shriek of laughter and ran out of the room.

Despite this minor interruption, she soon returned, climbed up, and asked for something to wash with.

I had set a large metal bowl in her side of the sink and handed her a dish rag.

She happily swirled, scrubbed, and rinsed the rag eventually getting the bowl pretty clean.

By that time I’d finished with my dishes and decided we should scrub the sink with baking soda.

I sprinkled a liberal amount around, showed her how it needed to be scrubbed, and then let her use the spray nozzle to rinse it all down.

When she was finished, she climbed down, dried her hands on a dish towel and went to play.

Luke 18:17 KJV — Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

I’m not surprised at Jesus’s words when I watch my grandchildren.

They are enthusiastic about life, teachable, affectionate, trusting, and so ready to join in with whatever we are doing.

The ordinary is thrilling.

They have no room or thought for the mundane, it doesn’t exist.

Apathy isn’t part of their vocabulary nor their hearts.

Yes, they are selfish and self focused, but far more playable are their hearts to learning what is right, true, and good.

They inspire me to be enthusiastic about life and challenging me to be:

Teachable, affectionate, trusting, and focused upon my Father.

Reminding me to:

Pattern myself after my Lord and Savior.

Put on the garment of salvation which He paid for.

Blot out apathy, rejoice in the ordinary, and renaming the mundane: opportunity.

What a great gifts God has given me!

That I have His Word and Holy Spirit to train and guide me, and His gift of children and grandchildren who bring me inspiration.

Matthew 18:1 KJV — At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

Matthew 18:2-5 KJV — And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your salvation. Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for showing me so many things through Your scripture in my every day. Lord Jesus, please continue to help me become as a little child, humble, loving, open, teachable. Lord, please help me to be an example of You to both my children and grandchildren. Help me to be a virtuous woman like that in Proverbs, speaking truth, generous, hospitable, industrious, wise. I want to encourage them and live a life to bring You glory, a life that inspires my children and grandchildren to love You. Please be with each one, guide, direct, and hone their hearts, that they might walk in Your ways all their days. Lord, thank You for Your many gifts and blessings. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your love. In Your name I ask these things, Jesus. Amen.

Through the eyes of a one year old

Our female rabbit, Velvet, had babies.

We brought one inside for the grandbabies to see and gently touch.

Joy was full of excitement as she kept trying to reach out and grab hand-fulls of fur

When we tried to help her to gently pet it, she responded with trying to hold it.

We thwarted every attempt until she grew frustrated and I took the bunny back to it’s home outside.

Joy couldn’t understand why we didn’t let her hold the rabbit, why we wouldn’t allow her to squeeze it with her hands.

She was so excited to experience this new, but her pleasure was quickly overtaken by her desires which were restricted, unmet, and denied.

She wasn’t mature enough to understand how her desires would lead to harm for both herself and the bunny.

All she could see was the denial of her wishes.

As I was heading outside, she was still voicing her displeasure in anything, but a gentle manner.

How easy it is to look at her and shake one’s head at her self will and unreasonable attitude which robbed both her siblings and herself of a longer visit with the bunny.

Although we caused her to be upset, we refused to allow her to harm herself or the rabbit, because that’s the loving thing to do.

Yet, pausing for a moment to look through her eyes, I can suddenly see myself.

How often has the Lord restricted me, left my desires unmet, and denied my requests?

Often.

Because, I wasn’t mature enough to understand the harm for myself or my loved ones granting these things would have brought.

Sometimes, I can look backwards through these moments and realize the blessings of the restrictions, denials, and disappointments.

Other times, I am left wondering what else was part of these circumstances which I couldn’t understand in the midst of it all.

But either way, I’m learning to check my attitudes and words when experiencing these things, for I don’t want to be robbed of the gifts God is giving me even while He is removing something.

I never want to be counted among those who scorn the blessings of the Lord as common or cheap, but rather to praise Him continually even if I’m feeling disappointed.

My Heavenly Father is good and His ways are trustworthy.

When I am voicing my concerns, emotions, or needs I want to be sure they are flavored by faith, mixed with praise, and spoken in humility.

Psalm 145:3 KJV — Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your blessings and encouragement. Thank You for this moment with our granddaughter which has been a wonderful reminder for me not to waste my time on what I can’t do or don’t have, but instead rejoice in all You have blessed me in and be grateful for those You have placed around me. I am truly amazed by how patient You are. Your grace and mercy are incredible and Your truth is life. Lord, please continue to hone my heart into Your image that I might bring glory to Your name. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Precious moments

This moment happened when our daughter and her littles were staying with us.

Our son-in-law was working out of the state and since our daughter is still experiencing a lot of morning sickness, we offered for her and the grandbabies to stay with us while he was away.

One afternoon, our youngest grandbaby was just falling asleep.

She’s getting big, now that she’s a year old, and my arms needed the support of my rocking chair.

I moved it to the middle of the floor so as not to squish any toys.

Our Faye, came out of the play room and saw me rocking Joy.

She surprised me by turning around and running back into the play room.

I soon heard her moving a piece of furniture.

She drug the child-sized rocker from the play room and set it next to mine.

She disappeared back into the room and came out cradling a stuffed teddy wearing a diaper.

She announced, “I’m rocking my baby too. He’s tired and needs a nap.”

All smiles, she plopped down next to me and looked up with such an expression that brought tears to my eyes.

When her mommy came from the other room, I requested she take a picture of us.

Not just to preserve the memory, but to be a reminder.

A reminder to think before responding, because I also had a moment of embarrassment while they were with us.

It was their last day and I was trying to help them get things packed up.

Our puppy had been struggling to behave himself, especially that morning.

His excitement at the bustle and business was to let his bladder run wild.

(Imagine my horror as he left rings of urine around our grandchildren when they stepped onto the back deck!)

Obviously, I wasn’t impressed.

So, Basil had to be locked up.

Understandably, he was very loud in his protests of this.

Continuing noise drives me crazy, so his whining/barking was making my skin crawl and I was struggling to hear the requests of my daughter and grandchildren over the din.

I’d tried talking to Basil nicely several times, but the minute I walked away he’d start again.

I finally had it and told him to, “Shut up!”

He did.

I resumed my tasks and when our daughter came back inside from putting a load in the Suburban, she looked at me with a strange expression.

“Umm, Mom, did you yell at Basil or something?”

I nodded, not proud of myself and she pointed at her son.

He was playing at the coffee table with a metal car and saying something, but I hadn’t stopped to listen, assuming by his tone and actions he was talking in his play.

So, I stood still and listened.

“Shut up, Basil. Shut up, Basil. Shut up, Basil. Shut up, Basil,…”

I apologized to my daughter and then spoke to Bubba.

“Honey, Grammy should not have said that. It’s not nice.”

“It wasn’t kind to say, ‘Shut up’. You shouldn’t say it either.”

“Grammy is very sorry for saying something not nice.”

He studied my face.

“Will you please forgive me?”

He nodded.

“Please don’t say that any more, okay?”

He nodded again.

Both moments with my grandchildren are precious; they are a reminder to apply truth to my behavior.

Children are especially quick to duplicate our actions, our attitudes, and our choices, but it’s not just children that are influenced by us.

People are affected by how we speak, what we say, how we respond.

We never live in a vacuum, where our actions don’t have consequences.

Thus, the moments in life are precious, because each one is an opportunity.

An opportunity to live unto the Lord Jesus.

I love that through Jesus Christ each person can be made new, and that the process of being made in the likeness of Christ is a daily one.

And since all of us have moments we regret, let’s find peace through Jesus’s forgiveness and courage to live differently, no longer doing those things which we are ashamed of, but rather being renewed.

that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22‭-‬24 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your gift of children! What blessings they are! Lord, thank You for the innumerable ways You teach me and hone my heart. Lord, I am ashamed of myself and the poor example I was to my grandchildren. Thank You for Your forgiveness and for teaching me through this. Lord, please keep me on a short leash, that I might not grow accustomed to any sin and allow it to become a lifestyle. Lord, help me to build my relationship with You and others that I might honor You in all things. Lord, thank You for showing me so many things as I walk daily with You. Lord Jesus, please continue to teach me Your will and guide me through Your Word. I love You, Jesus. Thank You for first loving me. Amen.

A lesson from playtime

One of the toys our grandchildren enjoy is my Strawberry Shortcake figures and house.

Our children enjoyed the set too.

I remember having to stretch my memory as the girls asked me the names of each figure.

They were quick to remember that the Purple Pieman was a bad guy who was always trying to steal the fruits from the others to make his own pies.

So, I wasn’t too surprised, recently, when Anne spoke to Faye about the Purple Pieman.

Faye had been having Strawberry Shortcake and Huckleberry give each other a kiss and then she’d turned and had Strawberry give Purple Pieman a kiss.

“Oh no, Faye, Strawberry wouldn’t kiss him, he’s a bad guy,” Anne informed her niece.

Upon this information, Faye turned her little head sideways and made the most incredibly disgusted face I’ve ever seen.

Then, as if she had a mouth full of poison, she proceeded to spit several times.

I clapped my hand over my mouth and put my other hand up to shield my face from her, because…

I was laughing!

I didn’t want to hurt her feelings or her to think I was laughing at her, so I stifled my mirth as best as I could.

I know it doesn’t read funny, but trust me, it was!

Faye’s response to the correction of her cherished Auntie was beautiful.

The incident brought Jesus’s words to mind.

Matthew 18:2-3 KJV — And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

There wasn’t any argument to Auntie over her statement that Purple Pieman was a bad guy.

In fact, she didn’t stop to question Auntie at all.

Faye didn’t ignore the information, either.

Instead, she made a complete and total change to the behavior.

If Purple Pieman was a bad guy, then Faye wanted to spit out even the thought of “kisses”.

How I want to be child-like.

To respond with total disgust to the things God says are bad.

To treat evil as the poison it is.

I want that childlike trust which listens and responds instantly to my Lord’s Word.

Matthew 18:4 KJV — Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the lessons I’m learning by watching my grandchildren. Thank You for Your loving kindness and faithfulness. Lord, please continue to teach me how to be child-like, humble and fully trusting in You. I love You, Lord. Thank You for first loving me. Amen.

God’s ways…

I’ve often told our children, “God’s ways are best” or “God’s ways are not man’s way”.

Both are true and recently I realized how He had worked in our lives in a way I had least expected.

I wrote recently about our Anne moving out, but I don’t feel I properly shared how much God had prepared her for this change.

About two years ago God started blessing Bethany with stuff.

All kinds of stuff, from dishes to furniture to blankets.

She kept asking me, “Mom, why is God giving me all this?”

“I don’t know, but until you know what He’s asking you to do with it, just keep praying for guidance.”

Because I’ve learned that God gives me things and He has a purpose for them, thus we should seek Him as to that purpose rather than make a decision based on feelings or circumstances.

When we moved from the suburbs to the country she was really confused.

Her new room wouldn’t hold half her things, but she couldn’t get peace with where most of her things were to go.

She did sell her matching dressers and I redid an old one of mine which was no longer in use.

Other than that, she just waited and they things sat in the garage.

Until, she had the offer to rent a little house from our assistant pastor.

Now we know what God was giving her so much stuff for!

I wrote a blog post about the different pieces of furniture: https://hopestreasurechest.wordpress.com/2023/02/11/our-daughters-furniture/

Her home is a comfortable reflection of her tastes.

I praise God for His provision.

I’m so thankful for God guiding and directing our family.

2 Samuel 22:33 KJV — God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.

Psalm 18:32 KJV — It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your wonderful ways. Thank You for providing all our daughter needs and caring for her daily. Lord, thank You for the blessings which follow Your people as they walk in Your ways and not their own. Lord, thank You for both the difficult times as well as the times of rejoicing, for You are in both and we can learn souch through all circumstances. Lord Jesus, You alone are worthy of all praise, honor, and glory. Please let our lives bring glory to Your name and light to the lost. I love You, Jesus. Amen.