We are homeward bound. He that loveth us so much as to die for us hath builded for us a city. The New Jerusalem is our place of rest. There will be no sadness in the City of God. No wail of sadness. No dirge of crushed hopes and buried affection shall ever more be heard.
Daughters of God, 224.
Before leaving the house for labor, all the family should be called together; and the father, or the mother in the father’s absence, should plead fervently with God to keep them through the day. Come in humility, with a heart full of tenderness, and with a sense of the temptations and dangers before yourselves and your children; by faith bind them upon the altar, entreating for them the care of the Lord. Ministering angels will guard children who are thus dedicated to God.
Testimonies for the Church 1:397, 398.
Jesus, the greatest teacher the world ever knew, drew the most valuable illustrations of truth from scenes in nature. Parents, imitate His example, and use the things that delight the senses to impress important truths upon the minds of your children. Take them out in the morning, and let them hear the birds caroling forth their songs of praise. Teach them that we too should return thanks to the bountiful Giver of all for the blessings we daily receive. Teach them that it is not dress that makes the man or the woman, but that it is true goodness of heart.
The Review and Herald, October 27, 1885
The last few weeks have not been rough, they have been bad. Just plain old bad. Out of nowhere, our 11yo’s chronic medical condtions suddenly went from moderate to severe. From day to day I just never know if we’re going to get any schooling done. Or housework. Or make it to church. Or keep up with a blog. (Have you noticed that the AHE blog has been extra especially sparse lately?)
But this is not about me. It’s about you. Yes, you. We’re not the only household having a difficult run of things. Some of you are caring for a dying family member. Or dealing with a financial crisis. Or a failing marriage. Or __________ ( just fill in the blank with whatever is weighing heavy on your heart.)
I want to tell you to hang on. Tie a knot in the promises of God and hang on. Hang on to the promises of God as tightly as you can. My knot is tied tightly around Joel 2:25,26.
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten,
the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm,
my great army which I sent among you.
And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied,
and praise the name of the Lord your God,
that hath dealt wondrously with you:
and my people shall never be ashamed.
Joel 2:25,26
God is continually sending me beautiful evidence that He indeed is restoring the years that the locusts of childhood cancer and other medical condtions have taken from our family. Restoring my broken spirit. Restoring my heart. Evidence that helps me continue to hang on.
Hang on dear friend, God really does love you. Search the promises of the Bible and then hang on to them. As tightly as you can. I’m happy to share my ‘knot verse’ with you if you need one.
Do you have a favorite ‘knot verse’? Share it with me. I know for sure that I’m not the only one who would love to hear about the Scriptures that give you courage.
“In the hour of greatest need, when discouragement would overwhelm the soul, it is then that the watchful eye of Jesus sees that we need his help. The hour of man’s necessity is the hour of God’s opportunity. When all human support fails, then Jesus comes to our aid, and his presence scatters the darkness and lifts the cloud of gloom.”
Gospel Workers 1892, p. 31
Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Psalm 30:4,5
The Adventist Home Educator 