Household "Tools"

There was a time when my husband bought old houses, and remodeled them to sell. He also owned houses and offices that he rented out had to keep up. When it came time to make repairs at home, even though he had a truck full of tools, he was a bit reluctant!

I understood a little better, when I owned a flower and gift shop. After decorating and gift-wrapping for customers in town, even though I had bolts of wrapping paper and ribbon, I handed out Christmas presents to my loved ones in paper bags. I look back on this with regret, but I could not stand the sight of any more red and green!

Once our ladies' Bible class teacher reminded me that the "tools" I am given from God's Word need to be used first and foremost at home in my own life, before I can go out and share them with others.

Father,

Help me to honor those people who are closest to me, be thankful for them, and look for the good.

....Meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. 
Philippians 4:8

White As Snow

As I was substitute teaching in recent years in public school, I noticed that God is left out of the books and the conversation these days, but, thankfully, one little first grader did not get the memo that she couldn't praise the Lord.

As we were going out to recess, snowflakes began to fall, and she burst out in song, "Oh, precious is the flow that makes me white as snow. No other fount I know. Nothing but the blood of Jesus!"

This is all my hope and peace,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

This is all my righteousness,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Robert Lowry

Childlike Trust

O Lord, you alone are my hope.
    I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood.
Yes, you have been with me from birth;
    from my mother’s womb 

you have cared for me.
    No wonder I am always praising you!

Psalm 71:4-5 NLT

Rare Perfume

When my grandchild, Ashlynn, was two, her mom was overjoyed to receive a bottle of her favorite perfume for Christmas. She placed the pretty bottle on the bathroom vanity.

Later, Ashlynn disappeared into the bathroom for a while; then came out into the living room where we were all sitting. She smelled STRONGLY of fine perfume! Oddly, she was wearing a washcloth on her head.

She had mistaken the perfume for hairspray. When she realized her mistake, she decided to cover up the fragrance with the washcloth! It didn't work.

As I remembered this cute story, I thought of a little worship chorus that is taken from Song of Solomon 1:3. We can sing these words to Jesus.

Your name is like an ointment poured forth,
A fragrance rare of wonderful oil.
Your name is like an ointment poured forth,
Your wonderful, wonderful name!

Father God,
As we go about our day, I pray that in our words and actions, the fragrance of Christ will be as noticeable as Mommy's perfume on Ashlynn's hair.

Success

He is like a tree planted beside streams- 

a tree that produces fruit in season 

and whose leaves do not wither. 

He succeeds in everything he does. 

Psalm 1:3 God's Word

photo by Karen - Lily Valley

What is success? We can read the stories of very successful people by the world's standards, who lived very unhappy lives. It's good when someone discovers at a young age that the only way to succeed is to stay close to the source of LIFE...His name is Jesus.