Patti here - You know how the Holy Spirit knows just when to use His holy highlighter to make words jump off a page? A paragraph in today's devotion called "A Call to Praise" spoke "rhema" to me this morning. The fabric of life has loose and tight weavings, and this week is a tight weaving of obligations as a wife, mother, friend, and writer.
Psalm 103 1&2 says: " Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits."
In the middle of this uplifting devotion our Papa (grandfather) says this:
"We will never grow to be very fine workmen in any department of life, never amount to much among men or reach much beauty of character, until we get this quality of praise into our heart and life. No one can do his best work with a sad heart. Nehemiah said to the despondant people building the wall, 'The joy of the Lord is your strength.' And so it is in every walk of life. Pessimistic people make it harder for others to live. They sap the strength of others. On the other hand, he who lives with the joy of the Lord evident in his life is a blessing to everyone he meets. no matter your sphere, you are a better man, a better teacher, a better lawyer, a better merchant if you have the joy of Christ in your heart."
The joy of the Lord is my strength! - How dim the obligations of the day become when I focus on the center of my joy, Jesus, and all the tremendous benefits He provides that lead to me having those obligations. Suddenly, tasks become a celebration of thanksgiving for the blessing from His hand.
If I had no husband, I would not have to cook and start the laundry this morning. But the blessing of a loving partner in life so exceeds the momentary inconvenience that it holds no weight at all. If I had no children, (grown) I would not take the time to text a morning "xoxoxo" but the blessing of their life in mine makes the momentary pause a precious hug and kiss to those I cherish. If God had not placed a holy fire within the soul of my dear sister and myself to gather and share the writings and godly heart-thoughts of our grandfather within this book of devotionals - time would loosen. But what then? Where would I invest my moments? Could they ever be spent in a more fullfilling way than to know we are right in the center of God's will?- What joy!- Each "task" is a loving moment in thanksgiving to the Lord when we "forget not all His benefits."
Bless you all as you let your praise rise today! - Love, Patti
Classic Christianity
Psalm 103 1&2 says: " Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits."
In the middle of this uplifting devotion our Papa (grandfather) says this:
"We will never grow to be very fine workmen in any department of life, never amount to much among men or reach much beauty of character, until we get this quality of praise into our heart and life. No one can do his best work with a sad heart. Nehemiah said to the despondant people building the wall, 'The joy of the Lord is your strength.' And so it is in every walk of life. Pessimistic people make it harder for others to live. They sap the strength of others. On the other hand, he who lives with the joy of the Lord evident in his life is a blessing to everyone he meets. no matter your sphere, you are a better man, a better teacher, a better lawyer, a better merchant if you have the joy of Christ in your heart."
The joy of the Lord is my strength! - How dim the obligations of the day become when I focus on the center of my joy, Jesus, and all the tremendous benefits He provides that lead to me having those obligations. Suddenly, tasks become a celebration of thanksgiving for the blessing from His hand.
If I had no husband, I would not have to cook and start the laundry this morning. But the blessing of a loving partner in life so exceeds the momentary inconvenience that it holds no weight at all. If I had no children, (grown) I would not take the time to text a morning "xoxoxo" but the blessing of their life in mine makes the momentary pause a precious hug and kiss to those I cherish. If God had not placed a holy fire within the soul of my dear sister and myself to gather and share the writings and godly heart-thoughts of our grandfather within this book of devotionals - time would loosen. But what then? Where would I invest my moments? Could they ever be spent in a more fullfilling way than to know we are right in the center of God's will?- What joy!- Each "task" is a loving moment in thanksgiving to the Lord when we "forget not all His benefits."
Bless you all as you let your praise rise today! - Love, Patti
Classic Christianity
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