Christian Devotionals and Scripture Applied to Everyday Life

Most of us live within the confines of the ordinary. We get up each morning, make our bed, eat our breakfast, brush our teeth, do our work, come home, go to bed, and wake up to do it again the next day. With a few variations the regular events of our lives become a well-worn path of comfort to some and frustration to others. But sometimes as we go about our ordinary rituals, an extraordinary moment occurs - sometimes God shows up in a mighty way!

Christmas is a time for music. Very early in the season holiday tunes blast from the radio, in the stores, and in our homes. Christmas concerts abound in all sorts of venues. The joyful sounds put us in the Christmas spirit and heighten the excitement of a much-anticipated day of celebration. Last night we attended the Cedarville High School choir and band concert. As usual the talent of our students and music directors produced an auditory treat. The wide variety of music spoke of Santa Claus, Snow Flakes, Trips down Candy Cane Lane, and more.

Trust is something that everyone everywhere displays in one way or another. When I sit down on a chair, I trust that it will not break. When I eat my food, I trust it isn’t contaminated. When I dial my cell phone, I trust I will reach the person on the other end. Even though I don’t understand the mechanics of all these things, I have confidence that everything will be fine. But when it comes to putting my life on the line, I carefully consider the integrity, strength, and ability of the person to whom I will entrust my greatest possession.

What is life worth anyway? Abigail recently came home with some memorization homework. In studying the Shakespearean play, Macbeth, she was asked to memorize some famous quotes. As I helped her practice the above quote I couldn’t help thinking of another famous person, the rich and wise King Solomon, who also pondered similar thoughts.

Times of waiting are just a part of life. No matter who you are or what you are doing, there will always come a time when something in your life ends and you are forced to wait for something new to start. It is not always a comfortable process, but we would do well to master it. I wish I could be more like our German Shepherd, Cherokee. No, I don’t want to sleep in a cage or smell like she does when she’s been out in the rain. But I would love to have her ability to trust her master.

Recently, I have taken up a new hobby. It is not a hobby I necessarily wanted to adopt; nevertheless, it became necessary. Each autumn, when the temperature becomes colder, I notice evidence of tiny visitors throughout the house. I am not particularly fond of these pesky intruders, but old farmhouses regularly have their share of these pests. Unfortunately, this year there have been more visitors than usual - hence, my new hobby. I have become a trapper and I specialize in mice.