Thought for the day
Richard Fairchild tells about a story that appeared years ago in the Christian Reader. It was called "Priceless Scribbles." It concerns a father who touched his child's life in an unexpected way.
A young boy watched as his father walked into the living room. The boy noticed that his younger brother, John, began to cower slightly as his father entered. The older boy sensed that John had done something wrong. Then he saw from a distance what his brother had done. The younger boy had opened his father's brand new hymnal and scribbled all over the first page with a pen.
Staring at their father fearfully, both brothers waited for John's punishment. Their father picked up his prized hymnal, looked at it carefully and then sat down, without saying a word. Books were precious to him; he was a minister with several academic degrees. For him, books were knowledge. What he did next was remarkable.
Instead of punishing his son, instead of scolding, or yelling, his father took the pen from the little boy's hand, and then wrote in the book himself, alongside the scribbles that John had made. Here is what that father wrote: "John's work, 1959, age 2. How many times have I looked into your beautiful face and into your warm, alert eyes looking up at me and thanked God for the one who has now scribbled in my new hymnal. You have made the book sacred, as have your brother and sister to so much of my life."
The author of the story, now an adult, goes on to say how that hymnal became a treasured family possession, how it was tangible proof that their parents loved them, how it taught the lesson that what really matters is people, not objects; patience, not judgment; love, not anger.
"And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Eph. 6:4)
Verses
Habakkuk 2:3
For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late.
Romans 4:19
And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb.
Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
1 Thessalonians 5:17
pray unweariedly:
Proverbs 10:22
The blessing of Yahweh is what brings riches, to this hard toil has nothing to add.
Prayer
Father, thank You for Jesus who came that we might have life and have it in abundance. We’re grateful for Your grace that teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. We’re thankful that Jesus gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own. We realize that the one who sows to please the sinful nature from that nature reaps destruction, therefore we choose to sow to please the spiritual nature and from that nature reap eternal life. Keep us faithful in doing so. Amen.
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