Impressions are made in the small parts of our day. It is not in grand spaces of time with large noticeable stamps that these engravings are formed.

Like a child letting go of her father’s hand while perched upon the balance beam, there is that exciting, fearful, anticipatory feeling knowing all must be well because my father stands so near, yet knowing that my feeble legs must take that first step, knowing all too well the paralyzing nature of fear.

In this culture it seems that the goal of work is the rest that follows. The quest of the typical working soul seems to exert the least amount of energy to reach the point as quickly as he can to where he can cease from labor and begin to enjoy his day.

“The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” Matthew 6:22

The following was an exercise with which I challenged myself. In thinking of the subject of motherhood and the awesome task of raising souls, lent to me for just a short time by God, I wanted to link as many Scriptures together as would make a running commentary from God’s Word on the subject.

“For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalm 107:9

Dispel the fog and gloom of your Christian life by throwing open the shutters of your heart.

Living in the Present
“Live in each season as it passes: breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit.”
Henry David Thoreau

Dear Striving Christian, His eyes are not only upon the nations but upon you and even the very number of the hairs of your head; the grand as well as the detail.

You are living a gift. A portion of time has been allotted to you and your Maker watches to see what you will make of it. As we enter this busy holiday season may I remind and encourage you to not lose sight of that which is truly important. An orderly home, kind words as well as kind looks are a gift to your family and an act of worship to your God. How we live is integrally tied into the importance of why we live.

In the striving to achieve any goal there always comes a point when we question ourselves, “How badly do you want this?” We all reach a point where exertion becomes necessary in order to conform to all we had hoped would be.

Truly nothing just happens. We are faced with a choice to strive or to merely survive. I ask you, dear lady, how badly do you want to see well-mannered children in your home? Then dig into the Word and study the character of Christ and see the pattern you will use in training your son or daughter. How badly do you want that vibrant relationship with God? Then you must covet your time alone with the Master and record what you learn in your private sessions with Him realizing that the God of the Universe is instructing you. You must dig deeply into the well of wisdom as if you sought for silver and gold.

“Remember that children, marriages, and flower gardens reflect the kind of care they get.” -Life’s Little Instruction Book

I have this quote in my Bible as it struck me to be a great truth. “You reap what you sow, you get what you grow.” Or, said a bit more eloquently, “God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Happiness doesn’t just happen, it takes a choice. A well-mannered child or young adult doesn’t just happen; it takes great pains and careful attention to details. A fruitful life doesn’t just happen; it takes planning, discipline and great daily efforts.

“It’s God’s job to set the course, it’s our job to run it.”

“And the child (Jesus) grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.” (Luke 2:40) The phrase, “waxed strong in spirit”, according to Strong’s Concordance, refers to “the disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul of anyone.” Curious, isn’t it…a disposition or influence that will fill and govern me? I know of just two influences that wish to govern me: good (God) and evil (anti-God). So the question needs be asked, how does one “wax strong” spiritually?

“Dry places” in these verses refer to specific locations without water. How interesting it is to me that the unclean spirit seeks out such places to abide. How can fruit come from such a place? I am reminded of the Parable of the Sower. Some seed came to rest on the stony ground, a dry place indeed. That seed was gladly received, but found no place to root there; and so withered and died. Seed cannot grow in such a place. We will look in vain for fruit in a barren place.

John, the disciple that leaned upon our Saviour’s breast, the one so privileged with having received the heavenly vision recorded in Revelation, closes his gospel account with this melodious and intriguing sentence. John was a witness to the Creator’s dealings with mankind as that great One walked in feet of clay, when the constraints of time and physical being clothed His eternal being.

A holy hush falls o’er my heart,
The snow is falling outside, muffling the world.

The glow of the dancing flame lights my room

And kindles a warm rush of thankfulness within my soul.

My soul is in search of rest; and I am aware of a desperate longing and frantic searching for that rest. Offers abound within a single thought’s grasp, within the glance of an eye, or perchance a seemingly harmless diversion, but none, yea none, can soothe the anxious wrestlings of my eternal soul. Praise the Lord it has known rest. It has been enveloped in its comforting assurance. And though it is foolishly drawn away, it yearns for a return.