As Thou didst walk the lanes of Galilee,
So, loving Savior, walk with her for me,
For since the years have passed and she is grown,
I cannot follow; she must walk alone.
Be Thou my feet that I have had to stay,
For Thou canst comrade her on every way;
Be Thou my voice when sinful things allure,
Pleading with her to choose those which endure.
Be Thou my hands that would keep hers in mine,
And all things else that mothers must resign.
When she was little, I could walk and guide,
But now I pray that Thou be at her side.
And as Thy blessed mother folded Thee,
So, loving Savior, fold my girl for me.
Author Unknown
(Note: Copied from The Shaping of a Christian Family, by Elisabeth Elliot, Chapter 29, pages 189-190; as noted in the book, Elisabeth guesses it may be authored by Martha Snell Nicholson.)
Katherine and I have been reading together in the evenings just before bedtime for over a year, and I have very much appreciated and enjoyed that special one on one time with her. I've lost count of the number of books we've read. We are presently nearing the end of Elisabeth Elliot's book, The Shaping of a Christian Family. This one has stirred me tears on several occasions as Elisabeth has shared much about the love and intentional effort her parents made to raise up 6 children to love the LORD and lead them in daily Bible reading, hymn singing, and prayer. We did the same, and I soo treasure the memories we have of our children gathering around me to read and listen, sing, and quote scripture. Relationships were strengthened in their home because they had a common ground/foundation for coming under the authority of their parents as they sat together and read God's living, active, powerful word. Their home life was ordered. God is not the author of confusion. These simple blessings were enjoyed and passed down from one generation to the next. Parents who take time to put to practice simple truths and principles of God's word make it easier for the next generation to train their children. I soo pray the disciplines and prayers for our children will be fruitful in the homes they establish when they leave ours. We surely want to encourage and assist when children are added, to support and strengthen the efforts our children make to raise up their children.
Tonight we completed chapter 29, Letting Us Go. As much as I have wanted to be joyous in this season, we've been met with emotions and challenges that we never thought to anticipate. Sooo, we pray a lot. I'm thankful. My husband is leading and encouraging me in my faith very well. I am literally asking the LORD to help me and all of us, yield my/our desires and self wills to Him so we may better offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and praise to His name because He's called us to this place to seek His glory.
Meanwhile, we are watching and waiting...
Judges 13-
15 Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, “Please let us detain you and prepare a young goat for you.” 16 And the angel of the Lord said to Manoah, “If you detain me, I will not eat of your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, then offer it to the Lord.” (For Manoah did not know that he was the angel of the Lord.)
17 And Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, so that, when your words come true, we may honor you?”
18 And the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?”
19 So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering, and offered it on the rock to the Lord, to the one who works wonders, and Manoah and his wife were watching. 20 And when the flame went up toward heaven from the altar, the angel of the Lord went up in the flame of the altar. Now Manoah and his wife were watching, and they fell on their faces to the ground.
