It’s a tough old world, isn’t it? We always hear people on our television say, “You must stand up,” so we stand up and we wonder what does it mean? We can’t do it all, and when we try to bring some food to the homeless folk, we are told the food has bacteria in it or some other scary thing! And when we bring some tracts telling them about Jesus we are trying to push them into our religion, so we give up. We try to help, but everything we do is wrong.

An auctioneer once stood up to ask for bids on an old, battered violin. “One dollar, three dollars, who will give me four?” No one answered him. An old man,sitting in the back of the room, got up and walked down to where the auctioneer was holding the old violin.

”’I plan to show you that music does not come from the shape of the instrument but from the soul.’ He picked up the violin and began to play. Beautiful music began to flow from that old violin. When he finished playing, the auctioneer said again, “What will you give for this violin?’  A man said.” One thousand!” A woman quickly called out,”two thousand.” and the fight for the old violin, which turned out to be a Stradivarius violin was on.

Maybe we should turn everything over to God. He made everything you see, so he will see that everything turns out just the way he wanted it to be. If he tells you to do something, just do it.

Acts 16, in our Bibles, tells us that one day Paul and Silas were thrown into prison after being beaten with rods. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God. The other prisoners were listening too. Yes, they were singing praises to God even though they were beaten and were now in prison just for preaching about Jesus. Did God hear them? Oh yes, he tore down the prison bars so everyone could get out! Only  Paul and  Silas didn’t move, nor did the other prisoners! They waited until someone came to see what had happened. These were just two men, but if everyone gave praise to God, he will take care of all the work that needs to be done in our country today.

Why don’t we try that? If there is just a few of us he will fix all of our troubles and all we have to do is praise and sing to him.

 

When my husband died my four kids got together and decided that one of the kids would have to live with me. The decision was made and one day Ron arrived. I wasn’t happy that any of my kids felt that I couldn’t manage things in my big house alone, but I have to admit it is nice to have him here, and there are many things I  can’t handle alone. He made his home in the three bedrooms and bath my kids used to occupy, and I have the family room and craft room along with my bedroom and bath. We share the kitchen. But there is one room left, the living room. It just seems to be there. It sits there looking beautiful, always ready for company. I guess it divides his home from mine.

Yesterday was Ron’s birthday and one of the things he wanted was a coloring book, and I was really surprised! He does editing books and the podcast many of you have watched. If you haven’t watched it you should. It is titled “Ron’s Amazing Stories” on the internet. His friend and fellow podcaster made a coloring book depicting some of his stories. Ron thought that was a good idea so that’s why he asked for one. I was amazed, and couldn’t see him sitting at his desk coloring! I have been wanting a coloring book for adults for quite a long time so I ordered one when he ordered his. So, for his birthday you could find us diligently coloring in our books! And, it is fun!

So if your husband or grown up son asks for a coloring book, even if he seems to be like my son, just get it for  him! This coloring book is definitely for men and women, especially those who have seen his stories on the internet. And, the coloring will be a wonderful activity for you too. It is something I never thought I would do again. but I remember coloring in books when I was a little girl. I liked it then and I like it now.