One Stitch at a Time

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."  Psalm 119:105

I have recently begun a new knitting project. The doll blanket I am making has to be knitted one stitch at a time. As tedious as the process is, there are no short cuts.

God teaches us "line upon line and precept upon precept." How often I have wanted to have instant wisdom. I have also wished I could unscrew my children's heads, poke lots of wisdom and understanding in their brains, and then screw their heads back on, but it doesn't work that way. It takes time to gain wisdom and understanding and maturity. It is gained bit by bit, experience by experience. It is not an automatic process, but it comes with studying and meditating on and applying God's Word. My mother-in-law used to quote this saying, "Live and learn and die a fool at last."

If we want to live and learn and be wise at the end of our lives, we will major on the Scriptures. Psalm 119:98-100 tells us this is what studying the Bible will do for us, "Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts."

Father, may we say with the psalmist, "I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word." Psa. 119:15-16

Life's Little Frustrations

Everybody wants to supersize.

When will they realize

If I order something small

I don't want it large or tall.

We Are Loved

I John 3:1, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

I attended a wedding this past week-end, and, as with any large group, the people involved came in a wonderful variety of ages and sizes and shapes. A stranger to the family might see a baby with chubby cheeks, a tiny flower girl, shy and intent on dropping her rose petals just so, gangly adolescents with braces on their teeth, portly matrons bustling about serving the cake, barrel-chested men perspiring in their long-sleeved shirts and coats, gray haired elders stooped by time--an amazing assortment of human kind.

But that chubby checked baby is some mother and daddy's pride and joy and will have completely stolen its grandparents' hearts. Those who are gray and wrinkled and walk carefully and hesitantly are someone's precious and greatly beloved parents or grandparents or uncles or aunts. Each person is especially loved and tremendously valued. Every single one has a very special place in the family.

Our Heavenly Father loves and values each one of us even more, regardless of age, appearance, or handicaps. He made us as we are and has a special place and specific purposes for each and every one of us. You and I are highly valued and greatly loved in heaven as well as on earth. Never forget, for yourselves and others, "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so."

Thank You, Father, that You love me when I'm good, when I'm bad, when I'm happy, when I'm sad--whatever my condition, you love me unconditionally. Let me never forget, regardless of what my circumstances might be, that the bottom line is that You always love me. And let me always remember that You love all your other children that much as well. Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

You must bake or boil or broil or stew

If you want to have a healthier you.

You may saute, steam, or roast--

A piece of fried chicken I miss the most!