Life Lessons - the first month
Introducing
Life Lessons, a collection of meditations on Scripture coupled with
real-life experiences and original songs and poems, written to encourage
you in your faith and to help "to give you courage as you journey on with
God."A Note From the Author About Life Lessons:
"In August of 200l, I began writing a series of devotional articles. I quickly became consumed with this type of writing, a much more serious discipline than my first book. I am bringing life experience together with the Word of God and finding that each complements my appreciation of the other. That is, the Word of God was never meant to be read in a vacuum but rather in the context of real life. Life experience opens up the soul to receive the Word. And conversely, the Word brings meaning and hope, understanding and direction, to life. I so enjoy this challenge: Not only must I take care to be scripturally sound, but I must work to articulate thoughts and intuitions which cannot be as easily or as casually communicated as a real-life anecdote.
'And if the things that I relate turn on the lights for someone else"The plan is that this will become a daily devotional of 366 readings. But the total time frame looks like about six years to get it all done. So I am publishing it in a series, one month at a time, and then, God willing, down the line I'll publish the whole work properly under one cover."
It would make it so worthwhile to have reached out beyond myself'
Here is a sample reading from Life Lessons:
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)
When I still had only three children, I recall having tea one morning over at my neighbour's. As we sipped and chatted, her five-year-old daughter came through the kitchen. My friend stopped her and asked her to please go pick up the toys in her bedroom.
"No!" responded the little girl, then she spat in her mother's face and walked away. My friend crossed her arms, sighed, and rolled her eyes at me. I smiled sympathetically, but inside I was absolutely indignant. How dare you let your child treat you like that! I thought. I held my tongue (for a change), but my opinion of her as a Christian parent fell dramatically that day. I couldn't respect anyone who wouldn't stand up to a five-year-old child. And I carried this judgement for quite some time.
Our first son was strong-willed, but I felt we had him quite well in hand. Our second son was pretty easy-going. Our third, a little girl, was such an easy baby that once we'd had her home from the hospital a week, she didn't even wake me up in the night for those awful, bleary-eyed feedings. I somehow concluded that it was a reflection of my parenting skills that made this one so easy to manage. And then God, in His infinite wisdom, gave me Rachel.
Rachel had been in this world less than two minutes and I was fumbling ineffectually in my post-delivery exhaustion to get her nursing — when she fixed angry eyes on mine, doubled up her tiny fists, and bellowed her frustration at me.
When she was old enough to utter her first word, it was an imperative "MA!" She didn't speak; she demanded.
By the time she was two, she had picked up some nasty phrases and understood their context precisely. I would ask her to please pick up her toys and she would roar at me, "No, I don't feel like it, you stupid butt!" Spankings became a way of life while the other three were off at school. I tried to be firm, biblical, level-headed-all the right things-but nothing seemed effective. Sometimes there were six major spankings in a day. In between, I tried everything else — time-outs, reasoning, removing privileges — all of the tactics of those who choose not to use, or need alternatives to, corporal punishment.
There are those who argue a case for the intrinsic good in the heart of mankind. I would have to conclude, however, that such ideological philosophers have never tried to stare down the sin nature in the eyes of a willful two-year-old.
I will never forget the evening that my husband first saw her use some of her full-blown attitude and language on me. It had been a long day and I was too tired to fight anymore. I crossed my arms, sighed, and rolled my eyes at my husband.
"Don't you dare let her speak to you like that," he said.
"I've been spanking her all day," I replied, "and it hasn't made any difference. It's your turn now."
Rachel is now a delightful ten-year-old, still strong-willed, still requiring a firm hand much of the time. She is also possessed of a quick wit and a terrific sense of humour, and there will be other times to share of the great blessings she has brought us. But in context of what I am writing about today, let me say this: I believe that God sent Rachel to humble me. My feelings have changed toward the friend I judged so harshly ten years ago. I'm not sure if she has risen again in my estimation or if I have fallen. It doesn't matter: either way, we now stand on level ground with one another. I've heard it said that the ground is level at the foot of the Cross. I would like to suggest that giving us children is one of the ways God gets us there.
God resisteth the proud but giveth grace unto the humble. (James 4:6)
What some people are saying about Life Lessons:
"Keep on writing. I very much enjoyed your first issue. The personal stories are interesting to me — I've always loved other people's stories. And the lessons you brought out of them were good and helpful. I find myself re-reading them often. MB
"Thank you for my copy of Life Lessons. I read it in one sitting! . . . I especially enjoy your style of writing, namely the full-bodied vocabulary, which always seems to leave one satiated as though a full-course meal was just enjoyed. The round words and description (are) delightful. I am not an experienced writer and definitely not a critic, but I can compare writing to visual art and I think they are quite similar. I've always enjoyed writing that "paints a picture." I look forward to subsequent writings. EC, artist
I have read a lot of "devotional" books over the years, and yours compares very favourably with all of them. Often I find even the work of well-know writers to be very disappointing — yours is not. . . . I could recommend (this) to anyone and know they would be blessed. . . . I appreciated your careful and wise use of scripture, your willingness to make yourself vulnerable, your insight . . . , the poetry, etc. So carry on, Nancy. I am sure your writings will bless many others. BF, pastor's wife
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