Gracious Lord, thank you for showing me love throughout the day... please help me to exercise love the way that you do!
"Practice
love diligently. It is one of those graces, above all, which grow by
constant exercise. Strive more and more to carry it into every little
detail of daily life. Watch over your own tongue and temper throughout
every hour of the day,--and especially in your dealing with children and
near relatives. Remember the character of the excellent woman: "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue" (Proverbs 31:26). Remember the words of Paul: "Do everything in love" (1 Corinthians 16:14).
Love should be seen in little things as well as in great ones. Remember, not least, the words of Peter: "Love each other deeply";
not a love which just barely is a flame, but a burning, shining fire,
which everyone around us can see. (1 Peter 4:8) It may cost pains and
trouble to keep these things in mind. There may be little encouragement
from the example of others. But persevere. Love like this brings its own
reward."
~ J.C. Ryle
12. The songbirds singing in the morning again (!)
13. The dog singing with the harmonica as the kids play "band"
14. The way my babies always twirl their hands and feet when they're excited (Emily is doing it all the time now!)
15. Running water after a power outage
16. Baby drool
17. Erin doing the dishes for her sister just to be kind
18. Folded blankets on the arms of couches, ready to warm the next cold body
19. Eager hands doing chores
20. The smell of the Pastor after he's been chopping wood... pines/chainsaw/fresh air
21. Finalized garden plans and lists
22. Hannah Bear's smiles after acing a quiz in Latin
23. Katy asking to hold Emily and hearing baby giggles as I'm doing chores
24. Bekah lifting her arms to sing the "Hallelujah Chorus" almost daily (her other favorite song)
25. Late night talks about perceived failures and encouraging hugs from the Pastor
26. The roaring fire on a bleak day
27. Stephen building airplanes and spacecraft out of Duplos and telling me in great detail how he is fixing them... I love having a 4 year old boy!
28. Older siblings reading to the little ones for fun... so precious!
Come join us over at Ann's site- and if you haven't read her book yet, please do. You will be better for it.
