Backwoods Wife

A wondering

So, last night Dwayne had a serious thought that made me giggle when I heard it.  He asked out loud if the usually well behaved kids come home with rotten behaviour, do the kids who usually exhibit rotten behaviour come home and act more well behaved and use better manners?  Haha!  I had this mental image of reformed bullies and brats coming home to astonished parents.  Does anyone know?  Perhaps behaviour swapping occurs like lunch bag swapping... ;)

To think on...

I came across this post today over at A Holy Experience called "The Gift of {Strong} Words".  The post is continued here at Heart to Heart with Holley.  The gist of the post is this:

.

 

Only speak words

that make

souls stronger

.

Ephesians 4:9 (NCV)

When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger.

Confronting ones mortality

I don't know about the rest of you moms out there but each time as I draw near to the birth of a new little addition to the family I can't help pondering my own mortality. I know that even though we live in a modern age with modern medical conveniences and technologies that there is still a chance that I may not live to see my own children grow up. Life and death are forever entwined in our world and for me this most joyous time will also bring sobering thoughts as I am reminded of my own humanity.

Psalm 139:1-16

1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.

2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"

12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

This last verse is of great comfort to me. God cares for us so much that not only did he know us before we were born but he also knows what is to come in each of our lives. If God knows each of our days, then why should we worry about a single one of them? (see Matthew 6:25-34)

"Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Exerpt from "His Eye is On the Sparrow"
Lyrics: Civilla D. Martin
Composer: Charles H. Gabriel

Do the Next Thing

At an old English parsonage down by the sea,
There came in the twilight a message to me.
Its quaint Saxon legend deeply engraven
That, as it seems to me, teaching from heaven.
And all through the hours the quiet words ring,
Like a low inspiration, do the next thing.

Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from heaven,
Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing.

Do it immediately, do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care.
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand,
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe 'neath His wing,
Leave all results, do the next thing.

Looking to Jesus, ever serener,
Working or suffering be thy demeanor;
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
The light of His countenance, by thy psalm,
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.
Then as he beckons, do the next thing.

Author Unknown