"The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul...making wise the simple...
giving joy to the heart...giving light to the eyes...
They are more precious than gold...sweeter than honey...
in keeping them there is great reward."
Psalm 19:7-11
giving joy to the heart...giving light to the eyes...
They are more precious than gold...sweeter than honey...
in keeping them there is great reward."
Psalm 19:7-11
When I was growing up my mother had some nice things that she rarely, if ever, used. The same was true of my aunt. Several years ago, when they died within a few months of each other, it fell to me to go through the things they left behind, and I was amazed at how many brand new items I found—gifts they had received but never used. Perhaps it was their generation. Growing up they didn’t have much so they saved the nicer things of life for when company came or for some special time in the future. Nonetheless, I found it sad.
One item that comes to mind is a beautiful set of glassware my mother received as a wedding gift that I never remember her using. But when dispensing of her belongings, I sold those glasses at a garage sale for little or nothing. Just this morning when folding laundry, I was reminded of a set of dishtowels lovingly embroidered by my mother’s sister. They were in my mother’s cupboard—brand new, left untouched and unused. And so, instead of my mom enjoying them during her lifetime, I use them in my kitchen today. My aunt was no different. After her death, among other things, I found boxes of beautiful hankies that had never been opened, apparently gifts from adoring friends. Today, I use them, always keeping one in my purse.
All this came to mind a couple weeks ago as I completed the study of the book of Isaiah with the women of my church. We worked hard all spring, reading and studying this most amazing book written some 700 years before Christ came. It’s history. It’s prophecy. It’s both promises and warnings. It’s principles for life. Everything we need for fulfillment is there, and as I read through the entire book one more time, I saw once again the many gifts God freely gives. All He asks of us is to open them up and use them.
Just this morning, I did that. For I am faced with an important decision so I pulled out my list of favorite verses from Isaiah and opened up this one: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’ ” Today, I will use this gift, listening and expecting God to tell me what to do!
Don’t allow these amazing gifts from God found in His Word, the Bible, to remain unopened on a shelf or hidden in a closet. Take them out, open them up and use them!
I wish my mother and aunt had done that with the gifts they left behind.
Blessings and love,
Judy Rose Grubaugh
One item that comes to mind is a beautiful set of glassware my mother received as a wedding gift that I never remember her using. But when dispensing of her belongings, I sold those glasses at a garage sale for little or nothing. Just this morning when folding laundry, I was reminded of a set of dishtowels lovingly embroidered by my mother’s sister. They were in my mother’s cupboard—brand new, left untouched and unused. And so, instead of my mom enjoying them during her lifetime, I use them in my kitchen today. My aunt was no different. After her death, among other things, I found boxes of beautiful hankies that had never been opened, apparently gifts from adoring friends. Today, I use them, always keeping one in my purse.
All this came to mind a couple weeks ago as I completed the study of the book of Isaiah with the women of my church. We worked hard all spring, reading and studying this most amazing book written some 700 years before Christ came. It’s history. It’s prophecy. It’s both promises and warnings. It’s principles for life. Everything we need for fulfillment is there, and as I read through the entire book one more time, I saw once again the many gifts God freely gives. All He asks of us is to open them up and use them.
Just this morning, I did that. For I am faced with an important decision so I pulled out my list of favorite verses from Isaiah and opened up this one: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’ ” Today, I will use this gift, listening and expecting God to tell me what to do!
Don’t allow these amazing gifts from God found in His Word, the Bible, to remain unopened on a shelf or hidden in a closet. Take them out, open them up and use them!
I wish my mother and aunt had done that with the gifts they left behind.
Blessings and love,
Judy Rose Grubaugh