~Eccl. 3:11 “He hath made every thing beautiful in his time:…”

While meditating on today’s verse and picture, I began to see the work that the Holy Spirit had begun in my life almost 31 years ago. When I first heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ (John 3:16, II Corinthians 9:15, Ephesians 2:8-9), I received a huge dose of salvation :-) My life totally changed (II Corinthians 5:17)! I was so grateful for the forgiveness of sin that I had received because I had sinned much. :-( Christ gave Himself for me and I am so unworthy. I remember wondering what I could do to say thank you to the One who had given me life! All He wanted was me!!

The butterfly didn’t start out beautiful, now did it? In fact, once the egg hatches, it is a larva; then it grows into a caterpillar; and lastly forms a cocoon called the pupa stage. (That’s your lesson in science for the day :-)) We all know that there’s a wonderful metamorphosis that takes place inside that cocoon! This is how I see myself. I was born into this world as a larva (bear with me :-)). As I grew up, I went from one branch to another (my daily life before salvation), but diligently plodding along. I get to a point when I am so spiritually dead, I’m like a cocoon. I am self absorbed and not caring about anything around me. In my “cocoon” stage, the Holy Spirit begins to stir my heart with the word of God through a diligent soul winner or a message at church. When the word of God penetrates my cocoon heart and I confess my sin and repent from my wicked ways, the cocoon breaks open and I start to spread my wings in my new-found salvation!

~Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

I once read that it takes about ten days for a butterfly to come out of its cocoon and finally spread its wings. The good work that the Holy Spirit has begun in us at salvation, will continue until the day we meet Christ face-to-face. But what amazed me is that the ‘not so pretty’ moth goes through the same stages! No offense to the moth :-) but it just does not have the daintiness of the butterfly. I liken the drabby brown moth’s appearance to the Christian who has quenched the Holy Spirit and has not lived for others as the Lord encouraged.

~Colossians 1:10-11 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

The colors of spiritual fruitfulness in good works, Bible reading and studying, patience, longsuffering and joy begin to unfold and form a beautiful butterfly. When we finally stand before Christ, we can present to Him a beautiful butterfly!!! :-) Once the works of wood and stubble are burned, (I Corinthians 3:11-15) I wonder how many moths we’ll see in Heaven? As well, once the works of gold and silver are tried, I wonder how many of us will be beautiful butterflies? I definitely want to be able to present to my Lord those beautiful works of gold and silver reflected in the Monarch butterfly! I want to be able to hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”! (Matthew 25:21)

What a wonderful opportunity we women have in raising children! We have God’s wondrous creation to use as “lessons in life” to teach them His precious word!

~Eccl. 3:11 “He hath made every thing beautiful in his time:…”

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for this beautiful masterpiece!

I remember growing up, my precious mother would do good deeds for friends, neighbors and relatives. She really put into practice her religion! However, her true motives were revealed when she would say, “Well, I did my ‘good deed’ for the day.” :-( Everything she had just done for the sake of religion was worthless because she did not do it “all in the name of the Lord Jesus”! If she had, she would not have had the need to pat herself on the back by telling someone of her kind deed.

~Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

~Jude 1:21-22 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

What a wonderful way for women to use their tender side – making themselves available to be used of God! However, the devil can take a good thing and use it for bad. This is where our husband (for our married ladies) or pastor (for our single ladies) can discern whether the individual we want to help should be helped. A good example: my husband use to be a police officer. Daily he would send away the street beggars from the intersections because they would impede traffic. These same beggars did their grocery shopping at 7-11, stayed at the Best Western, smoked cigarettes and drank. Another good example was taken from our Pastor. He received calls from people in search of help. This is a good thing – however, these same people repeatedly called every church in the city to help pay their bills on a monthly basis. What’s wrong with that? Pastor would offer them odd jobs around the church but they would say no. He would ask them to come to church and he could share with them “food” to feed their eternal soul, but they would still say no.

I’m sure you understand the necessity of sharing with your husbands those we feel God has laid on your heart. If your husband gives you the go ahead, go for it :-) If you’re especially good at baking, make a bunch of those little banana breads and wrap them in aluminum foil and tape a tract to it. Then the next time you go out shopping and see someone begging, hand them one of your breads. If they are truly a soul in need, the Lord will use it the bread for their physical body and His bread for their soul :-)

I have a friend who is a nurse working with hospice patients. She is a shining example of the compassion Jude speaks of in verse 22. These precious souls need Christ and His salvation – their time to step into eternity is near, even at the door! She is able to bring them the hope they so desperately need as she sits by their bedside and reads the precious word of God; and revealing to them the Blessed Saviour.

But we all can’t be nurses – I get queazy at the sight of blood :-) But I can cook, bake, clean, write notes, make calls, deliver meals, etc. Maybe there’s someone in Church that is sick and could use a kind word. Can you say for sure that they are truly born again? What is your special gift, dear lady? Even the woman who has a house full of children and is homeschooling can be a blessing to someone. It takes a moment to make a phone call and share a Bible verse with someone who is bed ridden. It takes five minutes to write a note to someone who is hurting. There are service men and women who are lonely and who don’t get letters from home. Who is to say whether they are saved or not?

We can’t always go out door knocking but most women can spot a heart in need like an eagle spots a fish :-) Go at it! Use your God-given compassionate heart and make a difference to those around you! Do it all in the name of Jesus (Col. 3:17) and hide it away in your heart. No one needs to know but you and the person you have blessed – but the Lord knows. :-)

~Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

Who has God laid on your heart today? It’s actually an exciting way to start our day – in search of a soul to bless!! :-)

There’s nothing more peaceful than a newborn baby sleeping!

Aren’t babies precious? I literally spent hours watching my sons sleeping! The love that came over me when they were born was so overwhelming. I’m sure every mother knows exactly how I feel :-)

Our Heavenly Father uses so many examples from everyday life to teach us. Yes, even through our own children. Think with me a moment on your child’s progress. Out of the womb he came, screaming and physically shocked by the new environment. He is introduced to his mother’s breast and fed – peace and contentment soon follows :-) Not too long thereafter, a diaper change is in order and he communicates that need quite clearly and loudly! Isn’t it amazing how a mother learns the different sounds of her baby’s cries? A hunger cry is so much more intense and “needy”!

As I was going down memory lane this afternoon, I thanked the Lord Jesus for allowing me this amazing privilege of having two children! Before I had children, I would read Psalms 127:3-5 and it really didn’t “speak” to me as it did after I had children. I can so relate to the passion behind these words now.

~Psalms 127:3-5 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

The joy that my sons have brought me cannot be measured. Having children is sort of like the famous statement in “A Tale of Two Cities”: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. :-) But best of times overwhelmed the worst of times and they have faded into a memory filled with cobwebs!

How can we add to our growth in Christ as women? The everyday tasks we are blessed with have a spiritual application – we just have to ask Him to show us. Are you a new Christian, dear lady? I think of Peter’s words:

~I Peter 2:1-3 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Just as that precious newborn baby needs nourishment from his Momma, so should we (as new Christians) desire the “sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”! A baby’s whole method of eating can be a beautiful lesson. Notice how he “roots”! For those ladies who don’t know what this is yet, rooting is when a baby is hungry, he turns his head and purses his lips in search of the mother’s breast. Do we hunger after God’s word with the same tenacity?

Once the baby finds the breast, he latches on for dear life! Any breastfeeding mother can tell you about the “intensity” of this action :-) Have you ever noticed the facial expressions of your baby during this process? During the whole rooting and latching on process, his face is intense. But once the milk begins to flow and he receives his nourishment, a precious, gentle, peaceful little face appears! The beautiful sounds of him cooing as he eats brings any new mother’s heart to its knees. Thank You, Lord, for this wondrous gift! Thank You, Lord, for giving me this precious life! OK, back to topic :-) (I tend to get carried away when I speak of my babies!) Do you search God’s word with the voracious appetite of a baby? Do you latch on to your Bible and feed yourself spiritually? Do you coo with excitement when the Lord gives you exactly what you needed that day?

Have you ever noticed that your precious little newborn actually grows and outgrows his diapers and clothes quicker than you can bat an eye?? :-) Are you growing as quickly, spiritually speaking? Our babies outgrow their clothing and so should we outgrow our “old” fleshly habits – the same habits Peter speaks of in verse 1 above. Once we outgrow these things, we are ready to be spiritual toddlers :-) We are able to eat more than just milk – we are now ready for meat!

~Isaiah 28:9-10 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. 10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

It is sad to say that some women don’t get passed that infant stage. They feed their old nature with gossip and busybody-ness, just to name a couple. Their new nature (II Corinthians 5:17) is being stunted for lack of good, solid spiritual nourishment. Notice what Isaiah says: “…whom shall he make to UNDERSTAND DOCTRINE? them that are WEANED from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.” Wow – and who says one can’t learn from the experience of having a baby! Could you actually see your five-year old with a bottle and in diapers? Oyyy! So why are there so many baby Christian women who have been saved for many years? Isaiah continues to tell us that precept must be upon precept, line upon line, here a little, and there a little.

It takes time to grow as a Christian. As we read God’s word, study it (II Timothy 2:15), and apply it to our daily lives (Isaiah 28:10), we can’t help but grow. Just as our babies can’t help but grow as we feed them properly, so will we grow. We simply can’t stay in “baby” stage as Christians. If we do not stay in the word of God, eating the spiritual “meat” He wants to give us, we will stunt our spiritual growth.

~Hebrews 5:12-14 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Do we want to teach our children in the way of the Scriptures? Do we want to lead our children to Christ at an early age? We need to stop feeding off the milk of the word of God and start chewing on the good stuff! This is the only way we can lead our children to Christ. It’s the only way we can teach our children to make it in life as a Christian! How can a teacher teach Math if he has never learned it himself? He can’t! For our children’s sake, it’s important that we get out of spiritual diapers.

Anyone can be a mother but not everyone can be a Godly mother!

I am a rose with soft pink petals and leaves of pretty green.
But a daffodil so bright and yellow is what I want to be!

We can learn so much by enjoying God’s creation through beautiful flowers!  If a rose could talk, do you think it would tell God that it was bored with being pink and would like to look like the daffodil? I know that sounds silly – and you’re right, it is! But as silly as it sounds, there’s a lesson to be taught :-)

When we get right down to it, don’t we voice this same “complaint” when we are not content with our lives? If only I were skinnier – if only I had a job – if only we lived in a bigger house!

~I Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

I noticed something about verse 6 – it doesn’t say contentment alone is considered “great gain.” The verse says that it is godliness with contentment that is great gain. A woman can be content with her life as a stay at home wife, but if her home is a disaster area, or she is a busy body or gossip, she is not experiencing “the godliness” part of that verse! As a result, she will not experience the great gain the Apostle Paul speaks of. Instead, she will have a house filled with chaos. We reap what we sow in our lives. The woman who sows with godliness will have contentment. She won’t be seeking “other” things because she is content with what she has already been given.

However, the woman who is constantly looking for that one other thing to make her happy will never be content. Her contentment is “based on having things” and it won’t last.  At some point, she will hit the brick wall of discontent and will come face-to-face with her sin. I have learned that the Devil’s happiness is temporary – once he sucks us into the sin of discontentment, the happiness disappears and trouble begins.

~Proverbs 11:29a He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind:

Do we have little? So what? A woman should be very careful in this area. A discontented woman sends a message to her husband which says, “I’m not satisfied with the way you provide for our family – I want more!” That poor husband will end up working ALL the time to provide all her wants (notice I didn’t say ‘needs’)! Then when he’s away from home so much, she will complain because he’s always at work. This is not what verse 6 is all about.

So tell me – exactly what is important to us, ladies? Is it our husband, our children, our home? Or is it all about our stuff? This is the contentment gauge: ask yourself, “If I could have anything I want, what would it be?” Now, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? That will tell you where your heart really is! If your heart’s not where it should be, it’s not too late to work on it :-)

God knows exactly what we need, when we need it. The Apostle Paul knew all about contentment and learned that Christ strengthened him in every situation that he found himself in – whether he had much or had little! He really worded it nicely:

~Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

The content woman is thankful that she doesn’t live on the streets; the discontent woman wishes she lived in a better neighborhood. The content woman is thankful for today’s bologna sandwiches even though it’s the fifth straight day they’ve had to eat it; the discontent woman complains to her husband, “If I have to eat one more bologna sandwich, I’ll gag!” The content woman is thankful for the drapes she was able to get at the thrift store; the discontent woman complains because Macy’s didn’t have the color drapers she wanted.

What are we teaching our children when we complain about not having what we want? Our children know exactly what’s going on in the home and they learn by observing. Does your child say, “But Mooommmm! Lisa got HER jean skirt from Macy’s! I hate this cheap looking Walmart skirt!” It must be a slap in Christ’s face when we are not content with what we have: it’s a slap given to Him by His spoiled and selfish child. :-(

Do we have an “attitude of gratitude” or do we display ungodly discontentment? It’s never too late to confess this sin and forsake it! Our children need a good example! Like the Apostle Paul, a grateful heart is a satisfied heart and adapts to every situation in life with peace and contentment!

~I Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Life … it sure does have its ups and downs, its to’s and fro’s, its backs and forths, doesn’t it? (I’m making myself sea sick!! :razz:) Just when we think we’ve got a handle on life, BAM! The Devil throws in a cherry bomb and off we go in the opposite direction – not thinking we should stay on track. Anyone having children can say they have lived through a few of Satan’s cherry bombs! These cherry bombs can be overwhelming at times! At least they were for me! Oh to have the seemingly effortless logic of a man during those moments! :-) When it comes to my children, my emotions can sometimes get in the way and I forget just Who is in control!

Sometimes our Christian walk is like a navigator in desperate need of a compass to lead him in the right direction. We all know that a compass points due North – it is “a must” on a voyage – especially when it’s overcast and the navigator doesn’t have the stars to guide him.

How many times have I said, “I would love to have step-by-step parenting guide!” I especially thought this when my baby was sick for the first time – or the first time my child had a broken heart! We do have that guide but how many mothers run to the Holy Bible for every issue of life?

So what about our voyage in life as Christian women, mothers, and wives? We are so blessed because we have Jesus Christ at the helm of our ship! Those of us who are married are not only blessed to have Christ at the helm, but the Lord uses our husbands as co-captain! We are in good hands for sure!

As if this isn’t enough of a blessing, we have a Captain that never sleeps (Psalm 121:3)! Nor is He just any ordinary captain, but the One who can calm the stormy seas. I once read an awesome comment: “He may not choose to calm the storms but He will calm our heart as we walk through the storm!” Was that good, or what!!! Either way, Jesus Christ is in the midst of all our storms.

~Matthew 8:23-26 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

The word of God lightens our way in the midst of a storm, like a lighthouse! (Psalm 119:105) I live about 11 miles away from Heceta Head Lighthouse – one of the most photographed lighthouses in the United States. What a sight to behold at night! I’ve read that its beam of light reaches 12 miles out at sea! God’s word can illuminate our way when are times are “dark”; it counsels us when we don’t know what to do; it trains us when we need to learn; it guides us when we’re not sure which road to take; and it lights that path of parenting that we so desperately need!

Jesus Christ is our Lighthouse!! He is the light of the world! No matter how rough the stormy seas of life get, He is diligent to light our way – pointing us in the right direction – keeping us from crashing onto the rocky coastline of Satan’s destruction! His word heeds warnings – it steers us away from sin – it leads us to Him who frees us from sin! After salvation, His still small voice guides us through tumultuous times.

All you mothers will relate to this incident in my life. I recall when my oldest, Aaron, was just a baby. I thought he had a cold but it turned out to be the croup. I called the doctor’s office in the middle of the night and was waiting for him to call me back. While I was waiting, I did all I knew to ease my baby’s distressed breathing. :-( I was about to give him some cough medicine, but a still small voice told me to wait. Just a few minutes later, the doctor returned my call and told me exactly what to do and what medicine to give him. The cough medicine I was thinking of giving him would not have helped him at all! In fact, had I given it to Aaron, I would have had to wait until its effects had worn out before I could give him what was good for him!! I was so thankful for the Lord’s guidance in the situation! As any mother knows, the croup is nothing to mess with. Every minute counts! I’ve had many occurrences where God’s still small voice spoke to my heart! That was a beaming light from my Lighthouse!

Our blessed Light – our lighthouse – (John 8:12) is there to show us the way! Not only that, He is THE Light! There are only three verses in our King James Bible where the Lord, Jesus Christ is referred to as Light (with a capital L). In fact, the word “Light” appears four times in those three verses:

~John 1:7-9 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

Does that not excite the spirit within you?!  Our Captain, the Creator, our Compass, our Rock, our Shepherd, the Light and lighthouse, is there as we walk the stormy seas of life! As we read His word, He instructs us and gives us exactly what we need with whatever issues arise. It reminded me of the Bible’s account of Moses and the plagues of Egypt:

~Exodus 10:22-23 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: 23 They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

Being a born-again Christian wife and mother is a wonderful life!! The same God who helped the children of Israel and gave them light in their dwellings is the God who will light our way on our path! Each incident – each trial – each path can be clearly lit if we look to our Captain! If it’s one of those “future unknowns,” we can rest in His care knowing that He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6) when the time comes.

I was going to write a poem about our Captain or our Lighthouse. But Ronnie Hinson’s song called, “The Lighthouse” came to mind and I thought it was perfect! Many of you already know it but just reading the words are a blessing!

The Lighthouse
By Ronnie Hinson
(c) 1971

There’s a lighthouse on the hillside
That overlooks life’s sea.
When I’m tossed it sends out a light,
Tis a light that I might see.
And the light that shines in darkness now
Will safely lead us o’er.
If it wasn’t for the lighthouse,
My ship would be no more.

And I thank God for the lighthouse,
I owe my life to Him.
For Jesus is the lighthouse
And from the rocks of sin;
He has shone a light around me
That I could clearly see,
If it wasn’t for the lighthouse
Tell me where would this ship be.

Everybody that lives around us
Says tear that lighthouse down.
The big ships don’t sail this way anymore,
There’s no use of it standing around.
Then my mind goes back to that stormy night,
When just in time I saw the light;
Yes the light from that old lighthouse
That stands up there on the hill.

And I thank God for the lighthouse,
I owe my life to Him.
For Jesus is the lighthouse
And from the rocks of sin;
He has shone a light around me
That I could clearly see,
If it wasn’t for the lighthouse
Tell me where would this ship be.

If it wasn’t for the lighthouse,
Tell me, where would this ship be?

Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, and many others adorned the walls of their family estate. The widowed elderly man looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son’s trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world.

As winter approached, war engulfed their nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, the elderly man received a telegram that his beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again. Within days his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic. Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season-a season that he and his son had so looked forward to in the past-would visit his house no longer. On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. He opened the door and was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand.

The soldier introduced himself to the old man by saying, “I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you.” As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man’s son had told every one of his-and his father’s-love of fine art work. “I’m also an artist,” said the soldier, “and I want to give you this.” As the old man began to unwrap the package, paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man’s son. Though the world would never consider it a work of genius, the painting featured the young man’s face in striking detail.

Overcome with emotion, the old man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the portrait above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his task. True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars worth of paintings. And then the old man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given.

During the days and weeks that followed, the man learned that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart. As the stories of his son’s gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease his grief, as he realized that, although his son was no longer with him, the boy’s life would live on because of those he had touched. The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the priceless pieces for which museums around the world clamored. He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever received. The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation, since, with the old man’s passing, and his only son dead, those paintings would be sold at an auction. According to the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on Christmas Day, the way he had received his greatest gift.

The day finally arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world’s most spectacular paintings. Dreams could be fulfilled this day; greatness could be achieved as some could say,” I have the greatest collection.” The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum list… It was the painting of the old man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid, but the room was silent.

“Who will open the bidding with $100?” he asked. Moments passed as no one spoke.

From the back of the room came, “Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s forget it and get on to the good ones.”

More voices echoed in agreement. “No, we have to sell this one-first,” replied the auctioneer. “Now who will take the son?”

Finally, a friend of the old man spoke. “Will you take $10 for the painting? That’s all I have.

“Will anyone go higher?” called the auctioneer. After more silence he said, “Going once, going twice… Gone!”

The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone shouted, “Now we can get on with it and bid on these treasures!”

The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced that the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Then someone spoke up and asked, “What do you mean it’s over? We didn’t come here for a portrait of some old man’s son! What about all of the other paintings? There are millions of dollars worth of art work here. We demand an explanation!”

The auctioneer replied, “It’s very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son…gets it all.”

Just as the art collectors discovered on that day…The message is still the same…the love of the Father….a Father whose son gave his life for others…And because of that Father’s love… Whoever takes the Son gets it all.

Author Unknown

You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, ‘Tell me what you see.’ ‘Carrots, eggs, and coffee,’ she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, ‘What does it mean, mother?’ Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

‘Which are you?’ she asked her daughter. ‘When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.
When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can’t go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.

Live your life so at the end, you’re the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

May we all be COFFEE!!!!!!!

Ahhhh, I can’t help seeing myself sitting on the bench in today’s picture – just enjoying the view and breathing in that fresh air! What perfect therapy, indeed! One can have the most stressful day but once one sits on that bench, listens to the birds chirping, beholding the beauty God has provided, those stresses melt away! What a beautiful photograph! My precious friend from Northern Maine takes many of the photos I use on this blog. What an eye she has! She captures God’s beauty in such a way that one can’t help but glorify Him!

As I looked at these beautiful colors (yet another blessing from the Lord), I realized the lessons that God is waiting to teach me – right down to science! :-) As Winter approaches, those daylight hours become shorter and, therefore, the photosynthesis time is shortened – we all know that less photosynthesis means less green leaves. We see the results in Fall’s vibrant colors! Our Creator must love color? I know that I sure do! Between Fall colors, a colorful Monarch butterfly, and a beautiful rainbow, I’m convinced of this fact :-)

O.K., back on track, Kate! Some of the Autumn leaves have turned brown – they are totally dead; others seem to cling to life for as long as they can, shining brilliantly in the sunlight! There’s nothing like Autumn in New England on a sunny day! The vibrancy of the colorful foliage as the sun beams down is almost blinding!

So what’s the application, you may ask? (Everything on life’s journey can have a biblical application if we look for it.) Personally, I see Autumn as a beautiful comparison to my Christian walk! What color are the leaves of my current spiritual life? I see a new Christian as buds on a tree – in the Spring of their Christian walk. As that Christian grows in the Lord, becoming more spiritually mature (leaving the milk of the word and moving on to the meat of the word – Hebrews 5:13-14), his leaves become full, moist and green! The Summer of this Christian’s life is the time of fruitfulness. The fruit grows and matures! What a lovely analogy!

Fall comes along with its gorgeous colors and its harvest – whatever we have sown as believers will now surface (II Corinthians 9:6)! Have we led another to Christ? Oh what lovely spiritual fruit that is! Do we have children? Yet another beautiful fruit! Better yet, have you led your children to Christ? :-) Were we a Godly wife and mother (Proverbs 31:11-31)? I’m sure that accounts for a few more beautifully colored leaves. I think you see where I am going.

~Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; )

Now that Autumn is over, what will I take with me into the “Winter” of my spiritual life?

~Song of Solomon 2:11 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

It’s too late once Winter comes.  A tree can’t say, “Wait, wait! I want to grow more leaves or bear some more fruit!” If the tree didn’t bear any fruit, it’s too late. The rains are finished and the hardness of the ground appears. Nothing grows at that point. I believe we fail to think that far ahead. We assume that we have plenty of time, but do we, really? The last thing I want is to enter Heaven with brown leaves. :-(

It’s never too late to start working on our spiritual lives! It’s never too late to work on our colorful leaves ;-) The spiritual portrait of our life can appear dull or it can be vibrant with color.  Each lesson taught by the Lord, each moment spent in His word, creates “color”! We, too, can stand tall with the sparkling colors of spiritual growth.

~Ephesians 4:14-15 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Each moment spent at the Master’s feet is reflected in our lives! So what color leaves will we have when the Lord calls us home? Are we going to be brown like the dead leaves and have no fruit to give Him? Or, are we going to shine brilliantly in the Son’s light, reflecting the faith that has grown through the years and the souls we have touched, either through salvation or helping them to grow?

My Autumn Leaves

How colorful will my leaves be,
as I approach my Autumn days?
As stunning as the Maple tree,
or brown from my lazy ways?

Will I shimmer in the Son’s light,
or will my dullness bring Him shame?
Will I hang my head embarrassed,
as my leaves go up in flames?

My life’s Winter is drawing near;
what I’ve done is what will last.
No longer can I change those leaves
It’s too late to change the past!

Gifts of color I wish to give,
from the leaves He caused to grow.
So I may lay them at His feet,
gifts of color for my Lord!

© Kate Plourde
March 2011

Rising early in the morning to spend time with my Saviour brings with it a blessing. It’s as if the Creator of the Universe has reached down and hugged me! Look at today’s picture – can you not see His hug?

~Genesis 1:11-13 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the third day.

God’s wondrous creation speaks to the heart of man in such a way that nothing else can! The beauty – the colors – each plant – each flower – each tree: all working together to bless His child. So much so, His gracious love to us is shown in an even greater way by His giving us our five senses! Not only can we see His creation, but we can hear the birds; we can smell the flowers or fresh cut grass; we can touch the soft petal of a rose or pet a soft rabbit; we can taste those luscious peaches we pick off a tree!

You’ve heard the saying, “Take time to stop and smell the roses!” Well, do you? When was the last time we’ve taken a break from our “busy” day to spend some time allowing the Lord to bless us through His creation?

When was the last time you looked up into the night sky to count stars? The Lord can be found there if we take the time to seek Him.

~Psalm 8:3-4 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

~Job 26:13 By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.

The child of God can be blessed just by taking a walk! Get away from the day’s worries and burdens and release them in the midst of the woods! Can’t do this because you have children? Nonsense! Take them with you! It’s a great lesson in nature for your children, Mom! Have them use their five senses! Give them a leaf or a flower to smell!

My father use to take a blade of grass and position it between his two thumbs while he blew into it: it made a whistling sound :-) He would take me to our piece of land which was home to a family of beavers who had built a dam. Dad would take a piece of wood out of the dam, which would cause the waters to flow through. Then we would sit and watch the beavers’ heads pop up. Off they would go to assess and repair the damages :-) After all their hard work, my Dad would remove another piece of wood from the dam.

What a beautiful way for a little girl to spend time with her Daddy! Not only was that time precious to me in my adult years, but it was an awesome lesson in the tenacity of this precious part of creation! What else did that special time with my father do for me? Because of these times with him, I learned to love the outdoors – I learned to love camping! I passed this love on to my husband and my own children. We all enjoy camping and being out in the woods! (Thank you, Dad!) My husband didn’t marry a woman who was afraid of snakes or bugs … well, I must admit I still think they’re gross but at least I’m not afraid of them :-)

One doesn’t have to be alone to be refreshed by the Lord’s beauty! As we behold God’s creation, we will quickly see how small we are – it is humbling, isn’t it? The weary heart will soon glorify the Lord as a result of truly experiencing His wondrous works! The cares of the world will melt away and will be replaced with His peace as you lay them at His feet.

~1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Heal your broken spirit – take a hike! ;-)

“Cherish those things which God has given to you.”

These are wonderful words of advice spoken at a ladies’ function that I attended. After all, we all have something to be thankful for, don’t we? Even if we can’t think of anything right off the bat, surely if we dig deep enough and look hard enough, we will find something! Today’s pic of the day ought to stir something up in your “grateful basket”!

We women are such emotional creatures and, more times than not, we have the capability of turning our thoughts around. Think about it! You’ve had a horrible day and your husband comes home with beautiful flowers! Voila! Your day suddenly takes on a new light :-)

But seriously, a bad mood can truly filter down to those we love and it produces a “domino effect of hurt” that we never intended. Our ‘mood’ dictates the ‘spirit’ in our homes. A grumpy woman makes for a very unsettled atmosphere in her home! Her family scatters like roaches in the kitchen when the lights are turned on! A joyous woman, however, is a breath of fresh air to those who enter the house. Her smile is contagious and that seemingly “hard and difficult day” melts away! Oh ladies, we have such an awesome and wonderful responsibility! God has placed us in such a special position! We can either “make or break” our home.

~Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

We are either building or tearing our home down – even doing “nothing” is tearing the home down; complacency tears the home down. We either produce gems in our home building or we are producing lumps of coal – it’s as simple as that. So, I must ask myself, “Am I a gem to my husband or am I a lump of coal?” It’s important to build a solid foundation for our home before children come along. Every day, our foundation is built upon the day before. We have a choice in what we use as our building material.

~Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

A husband shouldn’t have to wonder what kind of mood his wife will be in when he walks through the front door. Our children shouldn’t be afraid to get Mommy in a bad mood. These cracks in the foundation can be fixed if handled early.  However, if we let it go too long, it will cost us dearly to repair. And, yes, at times it can never be repaired. We wives and mothers are human, after all. But the best thing we can do for ourselves is to quickly seek forgiveness for our mistakes and move on. Has your temper gotten the best of you? Ask forgiveness! Our children are so quick to forgive! They love us so unconditionally when they are little – a quality we should really seek to keep in our own lives.

Contentiousness is a sin that causes a heavy weight to be borne by those who live in its midst. Just what does that word mean, anyway? Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines contentious as “given to angry debate; quarrelsome; perverse.” This opens things up a bit.  Digging deeper, we find that perverse means “Obstinate in the wrong; disposed to be contrary; stubborn;” Ahhh, now a clearer picture is being painted! What family wants to come home to a woman who displays these characteristics? No one does! In fact, they will do everything in their power to work late, stay at a friend’s house, etc.!

You just have to love the way God describes a contentious woman:

~Proverbs 21:19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

~Proverbs 27:15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.

Ouch! The Lord sure has a way with words, doesn’t He? :-) I don’t need to explain those two verses – just let your imagination work for a few seconds and you’ll get it. But let’s not stop there – let’s meditate on it.  Is the Lord talking to me here? Am I that negative person? What comes out of my mouth: angry words or uplifting ones? Am I always ready to debate? Am I quick to lose my temper? Do I criticize instead of “building up”? Am I stubborn – do I have to have my way? If I don’t get my own way, do I sulk like a child?

These characteristics are part of the foundation that we lay for our marriage. Is it really something we want? If you stand back and look at these faults, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? I see a woman who is “self” centered. New marriages are generally spent trying to conform our spouse into the ideal we want. That is the epitome of self-centeredness! What about conforming ourselves into the image of Christ?? If each of us spent our time allowing the Holy Spirit to mold us, we wouldn’t have any time left to try to change our spouse – or, as I like to put it, trying to be our spouse’s personal little ‘holy spirit.’

Our goal should be to make our home a sweet haven of rest for our family. They should long to run to it after a day filled with strife and pain. It ought to be a place where they know they will receive encouragement, love, hugs and sweet words. It reminded me of the following verse:

~Psalms 55:6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.

Many times our days are filled with so many trials and tribulations that we just can’t wait to get home and escape from them all! Calgon take me away! :-) But wait – we’re not alone in those feelings! What about our husband and our children? This is the type of home we should try to create – a haven of rest for them to run to so they can be sheltered from the storms of life. It’s an awesome accomplishment for a wife and mother when her family actually enjoys coming home because of the haven she has created for them!

These are the characteristics we women ought to be laying in our home’s foundation. :-) Our foundation must be built on the Rock, Jesus Christ. His Holy Spirit teaches us and molds us into the image of our Saviour as we yield ourselves to Him. Are we lumps of coal? If yes, the Holy Spirit will point out each area He wants us to change if we allow Him.

Our foundation’s strength will be in direct proportion to our ‘yielding’ to Him. Do we allow the Lord to mend our foundation’s cracks? Only He can mend it for good and make it strong!

I don’t think there’s a woman alive who wouldn’t want to hear these words:

~Proverbs 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.