Little Girls and Birds

I love a particular print in my office. (It was my mother's so it has special significance to me.)

A prim little girl, her hair parted in the middle and formed into braids that curl around her ears (think Princess Leia), kneels on a bench--the paint of which is scuffed and marred. 

A delicate red-breasted blue bird, his beak opened in song, perches on a branch-let of a white birch sapling, the bark of which is also scuffed and marred.

As he rhapsodizes, the girl listens with rapt attention, an audience of one.

Yet there is One who watches over them both, One who knows the number of hairs in the little girl's braids and One who feeds the birds of the air. No matter how scuffed and marred our circumstances may be, we are never alone and we are never without His presence.

I find this comforting. Do you?

When We're Too Old (Or Too Young) to Learn

Ever known people who felt they knew it all--they had nothing to learn? How tragic! Their world must be miniscule and their imagination stunted.

There's a big world out there! And God told us to have dominion over it!

Years ago I taught a kindergarten class and was excited about all the wonderful things I could teach these malleable minds. One morning we were discussing frogs in science class. Now what's more interesting than frogs to kindergarten children? Yet, from the back of the room came Mark's unmistakable voice. "B-O-R-I-N-G!"

I sometimes wonder what became of young Mark and if he, as an adult, still believes he has nothing to learn. As for me, the more I learn, the more I realize how little I know. Have you found this to be true?

"Open my eyes that I may see

wonderful things in your law."

~Psalm 119:18

Testimony Time: What Habit Did God Help You to Break?

Some of our friends are struggling with habits they want to break. They don't believe it's possible. They've tried too many times before . . . and failed.

What can you tell them to encourage them to press on? Has God helped you overcome a habit you struggled with? Is it something you feel free to share?

Some Habits Are Hard to Break

You've decided to change your ways--to give up any activity that Jesus would disapprove of. But it's hard! Some activities are addictive in nature and require more than desire on your part in order to quit. Some activities require the power of almighty God.

If you have genuinely tried to quit _______ (insert your "vice") and have been unsuccessful, try admitting your helplessness to God and ask Him to take the desire away from you. Listen, if He can't do it, no one can. He's the all-powerful One. Nothing is too difficult for Him.

But the temptation is too great, you say. Not too great for God. Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world. Meaning: Satan flat out doesn't have the power to overcome God. You put yourself in God's hands and He'll grant you the power to overcome your temptations.

Will He Come During the Day or After Nightfall?

Jesus is coming again! That much we know.  But will He come during the day when the streets are teeming with people . . .or after nightfall when darkness covers the land? That we don't know. 

No one knows the hour of our Lord's return.

Scripture says He'll come when we least expect it. Therefore, we are to be alert and self-controlled so, whether He comes at night or during the day, we will be ready and unashamed to face Him.

Is there some habit or activity you wouldn't want Him to catch you doing? Then why not resolve to discontinue that activity at once! He could come for us today.

What Will You Ask Jesus When You See Him Face to Face?

One day we'll meet Jesus face to face--at the rapture or at our death, whichever comes first. My guess is that we'll be so overcome with joy at meeting Him we'll be dumbfounded.

But, if we are able to speak, is there some nagging question you'd like Him to answer for you? Think about it and put it away in your memory. Then, when that day comes, see if you'll even be able to remember it, or if it will even matter.

For on that day, we'll experience the fulfillment of our hopes and dreams. I long to touch Him--even the hem of His garment--to be close to Him. How about you?