Scripture for Today:  Proverbs 22:6  “Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it.”

Bamboo is about the most versatile plant imaginable.  It is used for medicine, food, textiles, paper, musical instruments and construction.  In the Chinese culture, the bamboo is a symbol for a gentleman.  This is because it is strong, upright, perseverant and open hearted.

It is a very fast-growing plant and lends itself to all kinds of ornamental uses.  Bamboo can be trained to take different shapes.  It can be trained to take the form of a square when bundled tightly that way.  It can be trained to take the form of an arch when keeping it bent.

Our verse for today is also about training.  As parents we are to train our children in the way they ought to go.  Children do not always know what that way should be.  They do not see their own weaknesses nor do they always understand their own strengths.  The encouragement and feedback from parents have a huge influence on choices made.

There are some who take this verse to mean that good Christian training in the home will automatically produce Christian children.  This idea produces an unbearable weight of guilt for many whose children are not believers.  Proverbs in Scripture are not promises but principles.  In the end, it is the responsibility of each individual to make that decision for Christ independently of their parents.  There is truth in the saying, “God has children, not grandchildren.”

Bamboo and children grow so quickly.  Encouraging the natural and unique bent of each child is such an awesome privilege.  May our lives and influence do even more.  May it give them every advantage and opportunity for choosing Jesus!

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 98:4-5a  “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing….”

The other day I met a believer who does hospice care.  As she had some pain issues in her neck I asked if it weren’t difficult to lift a patient.  She smiled as she explained that the care she gives is in the form of playing her harp for the patient.

There is something incredibly soothing about harp music.   David played the harp for King Saul to calm him and make him feel better. Today there is what is called, “Harp Therapy.”  Harp music has been found to increase relaxation, improve sleep, decrease pain and anxiety, stabilize vitals and improve one’s mood.

In our verse for today the harp is used to give praise to God. Not only does the harp praise God on earth but in heaven as well.  God Himself gives them to victorious ones as they sing the song of Moses (Rev.15:2).  But on earth, as we praise Him with the harp and with singing we find ourselves in good company.  The sea resounds, the rivers clap their hands and the mountains sing for joy!  This beautiful psalm ends with the reason for our praise: He will judge the world with righteousness!  One day He will right all wrongs.  Evil will be judged and what is right will prevail!  That is a cause for joyful celebration!

I am thankful I can take part in this jubilant music.  I am spared His judgement as He took the punishment for my sin.  I can rejoice in His justice because I have been given His grace.  My praise begins now and continue for all eternity!

Scripture for Today:  Luke 11:27-28   While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.”  But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the Word of God and observe it.”

It is amazing that my Mother is still with us!  At 91 years old, God has certainly blessed her with a long life!  Every Mother’s Day I am certain it is our last one with her.  But she keeps surprising us, and herself!  My Mother was the one who introduced me to Jesus and led me in a prayer of commitment to Him.  She has lived her life selflessly for her husband, for her four children, but most of all for her Lord.  She is an incredible example to me!

God’s Word exalts and honors motherhood.  I am thankful to have had such a good experience with my own Mother, and in mothering my three children.  But I know not everyone has had such positive experiences.  There are those who are reminded only of pain each Mother’s Day.

We tend to look at our roles as wives and mothers as the most exalted and fulfilling role we could possibly have on this earth.  Certainly, I do not want to take anything away from how wonderful these experiences can be.  But there is a blessing that is bigger according to the words of Jesus in our verse today; the blessing of hearing and obeying God’s Word.

My role as a follower of Christ far outweighs my role as anything else.  My relationship with Him never disappoints.  It is deeper, more faithful and more satisfying than any human relationship.  Thank you Lord, for the blessing of knowing You.

Scripture for Today:  Psalms 150:6  “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord!”

I am amazed to learn that there are about nine hundred different species of crickets……none of which are welcome in my home!  I know there are those that say they bring good luck, but that is a luck I can do without!  In some parts of China crickets are treated as pets, caged and fed.  Even though my husband is half Chinese, this is not an option!

It is rumored that crickets can tell you the outside temperature!  If one counts the number of chirps made in one minute, divides by four and then adds the number forty, the result is the current outside temperature (in Fahrenheit).  No thanks, I prefer reading a temperature gauge!

But what comes to mind when thinking about crickets is the chirping song the males make when they rub their wings together.  I do enjoy their song outside on a warm evening, as long as I do not see them!  Their sound can even be calming.  As disgusting as they look, they make a beautiful music!

Our verse for today is a call to praise the Lord.  In this short psalm, instruments are listed that can praise the Lord.  But so can this cricket.  He has breath too and his chirping is praise to his Creator.  Psalm 148:10 calls on all creeping things to praise the Lord as well, and the cricket most definitely qualifies!

I want His praise to continually be in my mouth!  Life and breath were given to me for this very purpose.  He is worthy of all my praise all the time.  May every breath of my life be a praise to Him for all He has done for me!