Apron Strings Devotional for 2/23/98

2/23/98

Good morning....
Jesus loves You!!

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Motherhood is a partnership with God.

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Good Morning Brethren!!

Hope this day finds you well! Monday again...Seems like we have been through a lot of Mondays, huh? Praise God!

My prayer is that by the time you finish reading today's devotional...the reality of God in your life..and the importance of time with your children, will be more defined...than it was when you woke up this morning. Please..read on, and enjoy!

Prov 23:22
.......and despise not thy mother when she is old.

The young mother set her foot on the path of life. " Is this the long way "? she asked. And her guide said: "Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning".

But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, and gathered flowers for them along the way, and bathed them in the clear streams; and the sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried,"Nothing will ever be lovelier than this".

Then the night came, and the storm, and the path was dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said, "Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come".

And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary,and the mother was weary, But at all times she said to the children,"A little patience and we are there." So the children climbed, and when they reached the top they said, " Mother, we would not have done it without you." And the mother, when she lay down at night looked up at the stars and said," This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage. Today I have given them strength."

And the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth --- clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled, and the mother said: " Look up. Lift your eyes to the light". And the children looked and saw above the clouds an everlasting glory, and it guided them beyond the darkness. And that night the Mother said," This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God."

And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years, and the mother grew old., and she was little and bent. But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage. And when the way was rough, they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill, and beyond they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide.

And mother said: "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them." And the children said," You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates." And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said: "We cannot see her, but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence."

Author unknown

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Some of God's best truths, like priceless treasures, are hidden in depths most folks never take the time to search out.
Charles Swindoll

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Childhood Doesn't Wait

I was sitting on a bench
while in a nearby mall,
When I noticed a young mother
with two children who were small.

The youngest one was whining,
"Pick me up," I heard him beg
but the mother's face grew angry
as the child clung to her leg.

"Don't hang on to me," she shouted
as she pushed his hands away,
I wish I'd had the courage
to go up to her and say...

"The time will come too quickly
when those little arms that tug,
Won't ask for you to hold them
or won't freely give a hug.

"The day will sneak up subtly
just as it did with me,
When you can't recall the last time
that your child sat on your knee.

"Like those sacred, pre-dawn feedings
when we cherished time alone
Our babies grow and leave behind
those special times we've know.

"So when your child comes to you
with a book that you can share,
Or asks that you would tuck him in
and help him say his prayer...

"When he comes to sit and chat
or would like to take a walk,
Before you answer that you can't
`cause there's no time to talk

"Remember what all parents learn
so many times too late,
That years go by too quickly
and that childhood doesn't wait.

"Take every opportunity,
if one should slip away
Reach hard to get it back again,
don't wait another day."

I watched that mother walk away
her children followed near,
I hope she'll pick them up
before her chances disappear
*submitted by: Hopefilled*

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Hi again, Brethren!

This would be a good time to share something that recently happened with my four year old son, Sam, and myself.

We were sitting in a rocking chair, looking out the window. This particular day was very windy, and we watched as the trees leaned from one side to the other. Sam was mesmerized as he watched this take place.

I asked him, "Sam, what's causing those trees to do that?" His response was "The wind." I then asked, "Can you see the wind?" He answered. "Yes." I then explained to him, that no, he couldn't see the wind...only the effects of it, but that didn't make the wind, any less "there" or "real."

It then occurred to me, that that is soo symbolic of God. Sometimes, we find ourselves walking in doubt, because we cannot "see" God. He is there, and just like the wind, He is causing things to move. Things are happening that we "can see"...But they are being moved by the Father that we "can't see."

It is even striking me as I type this, that my personal quote in my profile pretty much lines up with these comments. My quote says: "I want to see God in everything....my children's faces, the gentle breeze..and anything else He created!!!"

It is possible to see evidences of God...and gain spiritual insight, and the only requirement is an open and willing heart. One that has a desire to "take a peek through the eyes of the Father."

Maybe we can't "see" Him...but God IS tangible. We CAN actually "touch" Him, through His Word. If you ever get the urge to hold hands with Christ..then pick up your Bible. If you ever want to get a taste of His Love for you...Go to the "Song of Solomon." Sit there and read that whole book...and bask in the Love that He has for you.

And then, there are times in our lives that we can literally feel or "sense" His Presence in our lives so strong....during prayer...or even during fellowship with other Christians.

So, maybe we can't see Him...but we can sense His Presence and we can "touch" Him. To have a relationship with Him, is the most awesome honor...anyone could have.

Did you catch that last part? To have a RELATIONSHIP with Him... My husband and I was praying together once...and we realized that we found ourselves caught up in some "cares of the world." We realized at this point...that Jesus was still our Savior, but somehow...it didn't seem like He was our "Lord."

So we came together and repented...and asked Him to be our Lord. We surrendered ourselves and our concerns to Him....and asked for forgiveness...for using other things to fill the void, that only He can fill.

Only He can bring lasting peace and satisfaction...to the lives of wounded, hurting sheep. And just like the trees, we find ourselves swaying peacefully as the gentle breeze guides the direction. It took spending time with my child to see...just how REAL God is.

I love you all Brethren! God Bless!

In Christ!!

Carol
Justaservn@aol.com

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