OzThoughts –Tuesday 9th September 2008

OzThoughts –Tuesday 9th September 2008

Some years ago a friend who visited Switzerland gave my son a Swiss Army Knife. It was a good size one and it had plenty of features which he delighted in exploring. It is a very special and valued possession.

Soon after he got that prized gift, I was in a “variety” dollar store which sells a range of items at a very low price. There amongst the sporting gear was a red knife obviously patterned on a Swiss Army Knife. Nothing said it was a Swiss Army Knife but I could see some similarities in shape and colour. The price was only $2 so I could not resist buying it. It did not have many features at all. The main blade looked pretty doubtful. It probably had the capability of cutting through a ripe banana. With the skin already off, of course!

When I next saw my son I told him I had a Swiss Army Knife. He immediately asked which one. I told him a $2 one. He laughed and said “Let me see it”. I was soon informed I was robbed. It wasn’t a Swiss Army Knife at all. I told him I only paid $2 for it. He insisted at that price I was still robbed.

When Paul called the Christians at Ephesus to be imitators of God, it was the real thing that Paul wanted. He did not want cheap imitations. It was not to be some $2 copy that fell well short of the mark.

It imitating God Paul wants us to seek the best. We are not to get caught up in the things and sins of this life which would detract us from being like God in his holiness and purity.

15Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. (Ephesians 5 New International Version).
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15So watch your step. Use your head. 16Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!
17Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants. (Ephesians 5 The Message).

PRAYER:

Father! Help me to be like you. I want to live right, that you may use me at anytime and anywhere. Amen.

[ Listen: Norwood Salvation Army Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4959.mp3 ]

Let me love thee, thou art claiming
Every feeling of my soul;
Let that love, in power prevailing,
Render thee my life, my all.
For life's burdens they are easy,
And life's sorrows lose their sting,
If they're carried, Lord, to please thee.
If their pain thy smile should win.

Chorus
Let me love thee, Saviour,
Take my heart forever;
Nothing but thy favor
My soul can satisfy.

Let me love thee, come revealing
All thy love has done for me.
Help my heart, so unbelieving,
By the sight of Calvary.
Let me see thy love, despising
All the shame my sin has brought,
By thy torments realizing
What a price my pardon bought.

Let me love thee, I am gladdest
When I'm loving thee the best;
For in sunshine or in sadness
I can find in thee my rest.
Love will soften every sorrow,
Love will lighten every care,
Love unquestioning will follow,
Love will triumph, love will dare.
Author: Herbert Howard Booth (1862-1926)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 503

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OzThoughts Extra.

I was sent this lovely story.

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.

The family ate together at the table but the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.

When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.

"We must do something about Grandfather," said the son.
"I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor." So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.

There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.

He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?"

Just as sweetly, the boy responded,

"Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food when I grow up."

The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents that they were speechless.

Then tears started to stream down their cheeks.

Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days, he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

Children are remarkably perceptive.

Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb.

If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives.

The wise parent realizes that every day the building blocks are being laid for the child's future.

Let's be wise builders and role models.

~Author Unknown~

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