"Missing"

So war came to our hero, or should we say he went to war, and it made him a hero and better man indeed. . .

"'Captain Wheeler of the New York 82d, missing.' She had not heard of Horace's promotion, and at first hoped this might not be he. But a little reflection showed her that it was. She felt sick and faint for a moment, for what horrors might not this word "Missing" conceal? And then she began to pray for him mightily--no other word can do justice to the strength with which this woman laid hold on the Divine promises. She asked that if he lay wounded and over-looked upon the battle field, aid might speedily be sent him; if taken captive that he might be rescued, and spared the wasting terrors of imprisonment. And then she waited patiently to see what God would Do, and this is what she afterwards heard He did." ~ from Aunt Jane's Hero

[To find out what God did, you have to read the book, of course. This part is written here in honor of those soldiers who have given themselves for our protection and the well being of our nation down through the years. May we keep them always in prayer ~mr]

The Little Busy Bee

How doth the little busy bee

Improve each shining hour;

And gather honey all the day,

From every opening flower!

How skillfully she builds her cell,

How neat she spreads the wax!

And labors hard to store it well

With the sweet food she makes.

In works of labor or of skill,

I would be busy too;

For Satan finds some mischief still,

For idle hands to do.

In books, or work, or healthful play,

Let my first years be passed;

That I may give for every day

Some good account at last.

~ From "Little Susy's Little Servants"

Being a Mother

"Being a mother is an awesome responsibility. It requires spiritual discipline, self-sacrifice, and flexibility. But as a mother, I do not carry this responsibility alone, for God works with me, giving me His strength and compassion when I am weak and tired, blessing both my children and myself. Motherhood may be a demanding life, it is true--but it is also one of great delight, and opportunity to experience God's grace and joy." ~ from Stepping Heavenward

[Dedicated, of course, to all mothers everywhere. And to those who have or have had mothers, and those who desire to be mothers. A blessed Mother's Day to all. ~ mr]

He Leads Perfectly

"You may not understand why He leads you now in this way and now in that, but you may, nay, you must believe that perfection is stamped on His every act." ~ from Stepping Heavenward

Safe on the Rock

I am not sure that it is best for us, once safe and secure on the Rock
of Ages, to ask ourselves too closely, what this and that experience may
signify. Is it not better to be thinking of the Rock, not of the feet that stand
upon it? It seems to me that we ought to be unconscious of ourselves, and
that the nearer we get to Christ the more we shall be taken up with Him.
We shall be like a sick man who, after he gets well, forgets all the
symptoms he used to think so much of, and stops feeling his pulse, and
just enjoys his health, only pointing out his physician to all who are
diseased. E.P.

[Not sure where and when this was written, but the thoughts are so lovely. ~ mr]