11/30/05
Encouragement for Today
“The ‘Kiddos’ Perspective”
Leigh Gray, Director of Prayer Ministry, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member
Key Verse:
Psalms 8:2, “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise…”
Devotion:
Do you know what it means to have a proper perspective? I have learned this lesson really well! It is a hard lesson, but worth it!
We got a new puppy on Sunday and just immediately fell in love with Josie Wells Gray!! She was a Beagle mix, cute as a button! The kids loved her and she actually loved the kids. She was just like an infant; wanted to be held at all times. The girls especially loved that. Next best thing to their own real baby!
Well, we got home from preschool today and Josie was not jumping in her crate to greet us! I let her out to go potty, and she had the cha cha chas!
Josie got worse and worse as the minutes went by. We jumped in the car as fast as four small people can and sped away to the vet! Do you know what it is like to go into a vet office with three small children and a dog with the runs? Wow, I had met my match!
Josie was immediately diagnosed with Parvo, a deadly virus that new puppies can get. We could spend at least $500 and try to save her, but she would probably die anyway. So I loaded everyone up in the car, including Josie and headed for home. We called the animal control to come and we all sat on the driveway boohooing as the man with our new puppy drove away.
The tears were shed and my heart was broken. My man was out of town and I had to encourage these sad puppies of my own! Each of their perspectives was so unique, but so much better than mine …
Tucker – He was pleased that Josie was going to be healed in heaven!
Emmajoy – She was thankful her grandma was already in heaven to hold Josie.
Sarahjane – She was ready for tomorrow and the next big adventures.
But as for me, all I was consumed with was how I felt. Me, me, me! The kids had a much greater perspective and it was not focused on themselves – unlike their momma! Today, the kids taught me a lesson. What lessons are your kids teaching you?
My Prayer for Today:
Lord, how can I change my perspective to be Your perspective? What are the things in my life that I look at all wrong? Help me to know Your ways and to see things as You do. Help me to love with Your eyes and to live with Your perspective. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Read Psalms 46:1-3. Rest in the promises of our Ever-Present Help.
Reflection Points:
How would you describe a right perspective?
What is causing you to lose perspective today?
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22. What instructions does the apostle Paul give to the believers in Thessalonica?
How can you, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances..." (1 Thess. 5:16)?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 3:3-6, "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (NIV)
Psalm 28:7, “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song." (NIV)
John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (TNIV)
John 15:9-11, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." (NIV)
Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (KJV)
Additional Resources:
Out of the Mouth of Babes, by Wendy Pope
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_mouthBabes.htm
Becoming a Woman Who Listens to God, by Sharon Jaynes
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_becomingAWoman.htm
Message of the Month Club
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/resourceMessage.htm
Originally published Wednesday, 30 November 2005.
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