A Cheerful Heart

Today I had the pleasure of eating lunch with Kate at her Preschool.  How fun to spend time alone with just one of five.  I consider myself very fortunate to have had this experience with both my oldest and my youngest all within a matter of days.  I do have a post about my weekend with Hanson Ellis, but my thoughts aren't quite "finished" on that, so for now you get the last first.  

I like to always read a psalm or a proverb along with whatever daily reading I might have.  I can't help but think of Proverbs 17.22 when I see Kate playing with her friends or loving her little sister.  Yes, a cheerful heart is good medicine! There is nothing like the joy of a child.  Simple.  Pure.

This morning I thought a lot about Proverbs 16. 3, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed,"  vs 9, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps," and 19.21 "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."  All of that is to say that how often I forget what these three verses are saying ... that we are here to glorify God and when we keep our eyes on Him, we have peace and joy like that of a child.  The rest of Proverbs 17 says " a crushed spirit dries up the bones."  All too many times have I taken my eyes off the Lord and thus crushed my own spirit, and I've felt my own bones dry up!  I look at these images and I am reminded of what joy we have in Christ.  I love the sweet friendships Kate is developing.  I am humbled to see my fourth and fifth child loving each other.  What a priceless gift!

Soak up the little fleeting moments, my friends.  Soak them up and remember them!  Remember why you are here and don't let the world sneak in and dry up your bones. 

Think of how sweet these images are to us.  Imagine how much God loves to see them, too!