One of Mom’s Favorites - Psalm 19

Good morning  Please remember to spend some time in prayer and thanksgiving today!  An attitude of gratitude will bring joy and peace to your day.   

Being mother and daughter, Mom and I have many things in common..  One of those is studying and talking about God’s word.  A few nights ago, she shared an interesting story with me.. She talked about her middle school years.  One year her class did a choral presentation from Psalm 19.  In those days, teachers taught from certain parts of the Bible. 

She said the entire class participated.  From this experience, she learned one of her favorite verses.  It is Ps. 19:14 which is the last verse in this psalm.  “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart  be acceptable in your sight,  O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”  

This verse has stayed with Mom.  I’ve heard her quote it many times throughout my life.  I must admit it is a powerful scripture.  There is so much packed into this one verse!  First of all, it is a prayer.  David petitioned God asking for help.  

He expressed a sincere desire to please God.  In this plea David focused specifically on his mouth (words) and the meditation (thoughts) of his heart . As Christians, we should have the same desire.  That being said, we should learn to keep our hearts (or minds) pure and holy.  

We do this through study of the scriptures.  I know it seems like I talk a lot about studying God’s word, but it is necessary to please our Heavenly Father.  He always knows what is best for us.  Having a knowledge of God’s word gives us a firm foundation to stand on in any situation.  We will automatically praise Him when good things happen and lean on Him when the storms of life are raging all around us.  

We will not be easily provoked to anger.  Christian women should be the strongest, yet gentlest women on earth. Like the woman in Proverbs 31 we will open our mouths “with wisdom and the teaching of kindness” will be on our tongues (Proverbs 31:26).   

In other words, we will watch our mouths.  Knowing God’s word helps us control our thoughts and, consequently, our words..  

When we meditate on God’s word, it becomes a part of our very being.  We develop new thought patterns.  We are transformed instead of being conformed to the world (Romans 12:2).  We have our thoughts on things above, not on things of the earth (Colossians 3:2).

Changing our thoughts works changes our ways.  We realize the old ways of the world no longer work for us.  We learn to see others as Christ sees them.  We become more compassionate and gracious.  People notice the change in us, and our good works glorify our Father.  

Let us be like the Psalmist who wrote “I will meditate on your precepts  and fix my eyes on your ways” (Psalm 119:15).  

Christ above all things - Robin

When We Need God the Most

Life is full of simple pleasures.  Of course, it's also full of numerous little aggravations.  Almost every day we experience both.  It is our choice whether to focus on the good or the bad. 

We decide whether or not we are going to count our blessings or number our complaints.   Which option leads to happiness and health?  Which option enriches our lives?  We all know the answer to these questions.  Hopefully, we choose to count our blessings most of the time. 

I know life is difficult sometimes.  There can be days or weeks (or longer) when we feel like we are just moving from one mess to another -- and the blessings get really hard to see.  These are the times when we need to try the hardest to see. 

We need to search for a blessing of some sort because if we don’t, we might give up altogether.    If we don't find any blessings at our darkest moment, we may forever become the pessimist.  We risk becoming bitter and cold to others. 

Once, a sister from our prayer group said something that really hit home to me.  Another sister is going through a particularly hard time.  She said something like this “I know from experience that the time when you don't feel like coming to prayer group is the time when you really need it the most.” 

It made me think of the quote "When you think you are at the end of your rope, tie another knot."  Have you ever heard that one?   Where is all this going?

We can’t let ourselves become so embroiled in the bad stuff that we completely lose the good stuff God does for us.  For instance, if we don’t feel like praying, and we may be at our absolute lowest, that is when we need God the most and when we need to pray the most. 

It doesn't matter if we are hurting so much we can’t say the words.  We can just close our eyes, and ask Him for help.  The Spirit will take what is on our heart and give it to the Heavenly Father for us (Romans 8:26).

Prayer is one of the wonderful fringe benefits of being a Christian.  We get a special audience with God anytime day or night.  AND we get an intercessor too (Romans 8:26-27)!  God loves us.  We can always go to Him, especially when we are at our lowest. 

We can have full confidence in our Heavenly Father.  He is the perfect One to go to when we hit rock bottom.   Hang on to Him.  Don’t let go.  Don’t give up or give in.  Trust God.

“Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:9).

Christ above all things - Robin

A Cup of Cold Water

Thankfully, we still have a few days left in this month.  Let’s choose to end April on a good note.  I know we are all busy in our everyday lives, but we can till be kind to others, gentle to the weary, and thoughtful and cheerful to everyone we come in contact with.  I can guarantee we will not regret it!

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 A few days ago, I was in Wal-Mart.  I was next to the pharmacy headed toward the grocery section when one of the end caps caught my attention.  That’s what the end caps are designed to do.  The shelf held pretty colored plastic cups with cute summer designs on them. 

I am always looking for fun things to give the girls in our cabin at Maywood Christian Camp, so I stopped to investigate these cups.  They were in a four pack – the cups had lids and straws.  Their colors that coordinated with the cups. 

The best thing about them is that they are supposed to change color when filled with cold beverages.  This is something that the girls would like!  And they were affordable – a four pack was $4.98.  I liked that! 

I stood there thinking what kind of object lesson I could use with these.  Then I thought of the verse about a cup of cold water.  “And whoever gives one f these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42).

I bought the cups.  The lesson will explain that good deeds are rewarded by Christ.  I was pleased with my “find.”

Later in the day, I thought about that verse again.  It reminded me of a sweet lady in my congregation.  She never missed a service until she went in the nursing home.  She still has a deep love for the Lord. 

Isn’t it wonderful to know Christian people we can look up to?  These Christians are great role models.  This lady is one of those people and she definitely sets a great example for all those who know her.   

She taught children’s classes when she was younger.  She has a wonderful spirit of hospitality and entertained in her home often.  I’ve enjoyed several meals at her house.  She is a great cook!

As she grew older, she no longer taught but she still helped.  She cut out the different parts for the children’s take home pages.  It was a necessary task and it helped the class’s teacher. 

Folks, that is Matthew 10:42 in action!  My sweet friend is like a cup of cold water!  Every good work she did was for the glory of God.  This is what all Christians should be willing to do. 

Jesus taught His apostles that showing kindness to His servants --even something as simple as giving a cup of cold water – will be rewarded.  Grand and glorious works are not required.  Love and faithfulness are.  

All God wants is for us to do the best we can, whenever we can.  Keep being and doing good in this world.  We will be blessed beyond measure!

Christ above all things - Robin

Teachers Never Stop Teaching

 Mom taught school for many years, but not until I was a teenager.    

She was only 17 when she married Dad.  I was born a year later.  Fast forward to 1974 and two more children later - she decided to go back to college.  At that time, the local community college had busses to pick up students and bring them to college.  She rode that bus three days a week for two years.  She was in her thirties and riding a school bus - well, a college bus.

When she transferred to Ole Miss, they didn’t have busses.  Mom usually drove herself, but occasionally, she car pooled.   Three years later, with three kids and a husband working nights so he could go to preaching school during the day, Mom graduated.

I remember her graduation like it was yesterday!  It was the summer before my senior year of high school.  Dad bought Mom a cake and when we got home from her graduation we celebrated her!  It was a very good day in the Wigginton household.  She began teaching as soon as school started that fall.

Mother was dedicated to her profession.  She cared about her students and always wanted to do the best she could for them.  Mom had a strong desire to help them learn.  She was a huge encouragement to her students. 

I say all that to say, she saw two of her former students yesterday.  They spoke to her and you should have seen her glow!  It gave her so much joy to see these former students. 

Mom thanked both of them for speaking to her.  The man who was her student hugged her when he said goodbye – and his young son (who had never met her) did too! 

In that moment, I realized Mom touched many lives. And she still does today.  She still encourages them and she still shows her love for them when they see her.  I had been with her when she met former students before, but today was different.  I saw her interactions in a different light.  I respected her more.  I loved her more.

Two things I learned from Mom.  The first thing is we can do almost anything if we are determined enough to do it.

The second thing is that we all interact with people every day.  We don’t have to be school teachers to encourage and show love to others.  We can have an impact on the people around us.  Every day when we wake up, we have a new set of opportunities to make a wonderful difference in this world. 

We can be cheerful and encouraging when we meet old friends or acquaintances – or even strangers! We can be the difference between a bad day and a good day. 

When we see others through the eyes of Jesus, it changes our whole perspective.  This really is what we are supposed to do. 

“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me’ (Matthew 25:40).

Christ above all things – Robin

The Class Officer

Living right next door to my parents has always been a blessing to me.  I wouldn’t change it for the world!  Of course, the added benefit is that I always got to see my brothers and their families when they came to visit Mom and Dad – especially around the holidays. 

On one such occasion when everyone was “home” I had a great conversation with my youngest nephew, Will.  I think he was in fourth grade at the time.  He had been elected as an officer in his class. 

He talked about his campaign and the new ideas he wanted to put into practice for the students.  Will is a smart guy, and I loved hearing him talk about his election.  I could tell he had put a lot of thought into his campaign. 

Will was not bragging about himself.  I had to pull just about everything out of him.  I was careful to ask questions that required more than a yes or no answer. I wanted to hear what he had to say regarding the whole process. 

This was not something Will was doing just for the fun of it.  He wanted to be a good officer and represent his class well. 

His mother sat across the room listening to us talk.  I saw her smile occasionally.  She seemed pleased that Will took it all so seriously. 

I think we would all be so much better off if we took the role of being a Christian as seriously as Will took his duties as class officer.  Being a citizen in the kingdom of God is important.  Each of us has a job to do. 

As Paul wrote in Romans 12:4-5 “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”

Note that Paul said we do not have the same function.  But we all have a function - a job to do.  It is different for each of us.  God’s work requires many people working together. 

One member may be an observer who notices when someone needs extra encouragement.  Others may have a great gift with young children.  Some are talented in helping the elderly and sick in the nursing homes or hospitals. 

Let’s never underestimate our worth or the power of our influence.  As Paul said, we are all members one of another.  We should strive to represent our Savior well.

Just as Will understood the seriousness of taking on his duties as class officer, we should be serious about taking on the duties of serving Christ. 

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

Christ above all things - Robin

When Dad Was an Umpire

My youngest brother loved just about any kind of sports.  Through the years he played football, basketball, and baseball. 

Growing up our biggest fans were our parents.  They were there for anything we participated in.  We all have our own memories of those times. 

I may not have this memory exactly right because it isn't mine and I wasn't there.  But it is pretty close to what happened that day.  

John tells a story about one particular ballgame and oh, how I wish I had been there to see it!  It was a little league baseball game – an away game in another town.  Usually the umpires for these games were local volunteers.

As John tells it, the umpire at this game was partial to his home team.  I suppose that happens sometimes, but apparently in this game it was quite noticeable.  Several of the parents voiced their displeasure over the bad calls. 

Mom and Dad were there.  Usually Dad was pretty quiet, but he doesn’t like things to be unfair either.  Our parents always taught us to stand up for what we believe in. 

When the local umpire made one particularly bad call, Dad spoke up and said something like “Come on, Ump.”   

The umpire took off his mask, turned around and looked at Dad.  Imagine being 11 or 12, hearing your Dad’s voice in the crowd and then seeing the umpire stop the game! 

The man looked at Dad and said, “If you think you can do better, then come on down here.”  John was shocked.  He was even more shocked when Dad came out of the bleachers to call the rest of the game! 

All the other guys on John’s team said things like “Wow, your Dad is going to be the umpire!”  John didn’t know whether to be embarrassed or proud, but I don’t think he will ever forget that day.

There may come a time in our lives when we have to step up and say “This is not right!”  It may be that we are the only ones who are brave enough to stand up.  It could be a situation of our children being taken advantage of. 

It could be a situation at work where something is wrong– like bullying, or someone taking credit for another person’s work, or stealing.  Will we look the other way and hope they don’t do it again, or will we speak up then and there? 

One day, we may even have to speak up for Christ.  We must always be ready for our spiritual battles. 

Doing the right thing is not always easy.  It takes a lot of courage to speak out against evil.  The song “Stand Up for Jesus” comes to mind – so does “Soldiers of Christ, Arise.” 

We are never alone when we take a stand against evil.  God is always there with us.

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Cor. 16:13 NIV).

Christ above all things - Robin

The Essay

Sometimes children and parents clash, especially during the teenage years. 

I heard about a young man who had an argument with his mother one morning.  What the argument was about doesn’t matter.  Mom should have had the last say.   As the parent, he should be abiding by what she said, right? 

The young man thought otherwise.  He ended up disobeying her.  He thought he knew more than she did.  I can admit I used to feel like that as a teenager.  I think many of us go through that stage. 

The discussion was quite heated.  He said horrible things to his mother.  By the time he got home, his dad was waiting for him.  His parents took his car keys away from him for a month.

The boy was sullen for several days.  He didn’t speak to his parents and only came out of his room for meals.  His mom dropped him off at school every day, and they rode in silence. 

One day at school, the teen’s class was given an assignment.  Everyone had to write an essay about the last time they were angry.  

The teenager couldn’t wait to get home and start writing his essay!  He was still angry with his parents.  When he got home, he went straight to his room.  He noticed the dirty clothes he left on the floor that morning were washed, dried, and folded neatly on the bed.

He sat down and started to write.  Oh boy, he was really going to get his mom!  But then he heard her working in the kitchen as she prepared supper.  

“Better get back to writing,” he thought.  “She was totally unfair to me last week.”   He wrote furiously.  He was about halfway through his essay when he heard his dad’s car in the driveway. 

Looking at his watch, the boy realized his dad was an hour late.  He was working a lot of overtime these days. 

Mom called him for supper.  When he got to the dining room, he saw what a nice meal his mom had prepared. Dad asked about school.  He told them he had an essay due tomorrow. 

After supper, Dad stood up and said, “I’ll help your mom with the dishes tonight.”  He smiled and went on, “Go finish your essay.”   Mom smiled too as she headed toward the kitchen. 

When the young man got back upstairs, he tore up the essay he had started.  “I’ve got to start this whole essay over again.” 

“Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city” (Proverbs 16:32).

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12).

Christ above all things - Robin