Life's Puzzle

by Jalisa Wenger A little girl, just five years old, She called and Mama came To fit the pieces that she held Within her puzzle’s frame. But when her Mama tried to help And show her where they go, She fussed and tried to make them fit Her way–not Mama’s–no! "Oh, Mama, let’s do this one now," But Mama thought it best To lay that piece aside awhile; It did not fit the rest. But as they worked together on The puzzle—piece by piece— They found the one they’d laid aside Now fit with perfect ease! This little girl, she is my own. To me, she’s very dear. While watching her, I saw myself— Like looking in the mirror. "But Lord," I whined, "I do not want To put this piece that way. I’d like it better over here. Please tell me that I may!" Or "Father, let’s do this one now," But Father knows it’s best To lay that piece aside awhile Until we’ve pieced the rest. Then one by one, we fit them in According to His choice. I now can see why it was best To heed His gentle voice. He saw the picture of my life, But I saw just a part. He knew the choices that I craved Would draw me from His heart. In tender love He bid me lay The treasured piece aside, That I might learn to yield to Him And in His will abide. As we continue working on Life’s puzzle side by side, My heart is filled with gratitude To God, my faithful Guide! And when we stand on Heaven’s shore And view the scene—complete— With heartfelt praises on my lips, I’ll worship at His feet!

Everday Wisdom and Instruction in Proverbs

by Lois Breneman, © 2008, Heart to Heart 

 

Proverbs is a book of the Bible filled with practical wisdom and instruction for everyday life.  For each day, why not read the chapter in Proverbs corresponding to that particular day of the month?  On the months with less than thirty-one days, just double up on the last day, so you don't miss that well-known chapter especially for women -- Proverbs 31!

 

Teach your children to read a chapter in Proverbs each day, by helping them get started this summer.  Talk with them about how all the answers to life are found in one book, God's Word, with a great deal of wisdom found in this little book of Proverbs.  It contains so much wisdom to learn and digest, so let's get started.

 

The topics covered in Proverbs are many, but some of the practical subjects you will find are the following:

 

Child discipline                                        How to be a virtuous woman

Job relationships                                     Consequences of moral failure

Diligence in work                                     How to resist and flee temptation

How to handle money                              How to stay out of trouble

Lending and borrowing                           How to choose friends

Family relationships                                Obedience to parents

How to tame your tongue                        How to control your anger

Dependability                                           Relationship with neighbors

Consequences of disobedience            Child-parent relationships

The downfall of pride                               Difference between foolishness/wisdom

Grandparents                                           Attributes of a fool

Rich and poor                                           Difference between the wicked/righteous

Rulers in authority                                     Reasons for happy and sad countenances

Warnings not to flirt                                   Warnings not to sow discord

Why you need not be fearful                    Modesty in dress and behavior

Importance of the tongue                         Saying "No" to peer pressure

Trusting the Lord                                       Seeking the Lord's will for your life

Pureness of heart                                     Following mercy and truth

Understanding                                           Giving to God of your wealth

Warning about gambling                          How to be discerning

Keeping God's commandments              Jealousy and envy

How to choose a godly spouse               Teaching children about opposite sex        

Inner beauty verses outer beauty             Importance of fearing the Lord

Importance of godly council                     Tattling

God's provision to His children                Love verses hatred

Security in wisdom                                    Integrity

A contentious woman                               The seductive woman

Winning souls                                            The peril of adultery

How to turn away wrath                             Committing your work to the Lord

God hears prayers of righteous               A merry heart

Finding a wife is a good thing                 Faithfulness

A good name                                                Humility

Loving pleasure, wine and oil                   Even children are known by what they do

Warning not to love sleep                         Listen to and follow instruction

How to treat your enemies                        Why not to answer a fool

Righteous/wicked in authority                  Marriage and family life 

For 3 things the earth is disquieted         For 4 things the earth cannot bear

Warning about wine and drunkenness    7 things that are abomination to Lord

Every word of God is pure                        3 things too wonderful for me

Disobedience and mocking of parents   Being partners in crime

Being partners in business                       Lying

Leaving an inheritance                              Importance of Humor

 

A thorough study of Proverbs would benefit each one of us, as we slowly go through this book of treasures.  We might begin by copying and pasting this list, and leaving room to write down the references as we find them.  Many of these topics will have multiple references.  We will be certain to find many more topics to add to this list!  A systematic study of Proverbs, as well as reading one chapter in this practical book each day, along with other books in the Bible, will make a difference in the lives of us, our children and grandchildren.

 

For mothers with younger children, set aside some time to help your children make their own "Proverbs Picture Book," finding pictures to go along with various scriptures in Proverbs.  Laminate the pages and bind them together with ribbon.  It's best not to use construction paper, because the color will fade.  We still have the two Proverbs picture books my daughter and I made together, and thirty years later, they are still in good condition, since they were laminated and treated like the treasures they are.  One book is entitled, "What God Says about Discipline and Love."  The other book is "Proverbs for Joy and Jeff."  The name, Jamie, was added later.

A Great Recipe

Thanks to Margie DeMonbrun and Pat DeMonbrun in Missouri for sending this great recipe for life!

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.  Talk to God about what is going on in your life.  Buy a lock if you have to.
(Note from Lois:  I would add that you get the Lord's instructions and blueprint for your life by reading His Word each day as well.)

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, ‘My purpose is to__________ today.  I am thankful for______________.’

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument.  Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.

14. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words:  ‘In five years, will this matter?’

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD heals everything – but you have to ask Him.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick.  Your friends will.  Stay in touch!!!

22. Envy is a waste of time.  You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for__________.   Today I accomplished_________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You’ll be smiling before you know it.