Trust written by Donna (Ensign) Woods

Recently, Madison, my 4 year old granddaughter, went shopping with me.

It was a miserably hot day, like we have had so many of this summer.

Seeking as much mercy from the heat as possible,

I parked the van at the far end of the parking lot,

under a tiny little shade tree.

As we exited the cool comfort of the store,

we stepped out of the comfort zone into the blazing furnace-like heat.

Maddy immediately slipped her tiny little hand into mine.

She boldly announced that she was walking all the way to the van with her eyes closed!

I glanced down, and sure enough, her eyes wer squeezed tightly shut,

pony tail bouncing with every step,

face turned up toward the sky

with a beaming smile on her precious little face.

She walked confidently, with big steps,

keeping stride right along side of me....

absolutely no hesitation, no fear...in total trust.

I said,"Oh Maddy do you trust ME to lead you safely ??"

"Do you trust ME to protect you from moving cars?...

and to prevent you from running into parked cars?"

"Do you trust ME to catch you if you stumble and start to fall????"
She smiled even bigger, turning her head towards me,

eyes still tightly closed and said,"YEP!!!"

My heart flooded with an emotion that no words can describe !!!

....For her to trust my love so completely, without doubts...

without fears...without hesitation...

To boldly and confidently take one step after another....

without "seeing" where she was stepping...

Not knowing what dangers or obstacles may block her way

or threaten her from the left or right....

My heart danced a joy only a mother or grandmother can know....

....And somewhere deep in my soul, I heard my Father God whisper....

"Take MY hand and trust ME as fearlessly as Maddy trusts you..."

My heart skipped a beat, as I recognized the voice of All Creation...

and I realized, once again, God was using a little child to teach me.

I was not leading Maddy....SHE was leading me !!!!

So many treasured lessons we learn from a child !!

I guess that is why God reveals His secrets to little children....

Why He wants us to come to Him as little children....

Why a little child will lead them...lead us...lead me.

Because only a child can trust with all their heart....

The harder I try to teach my grandchildren about the love of Christ....

the more THEY teach ME about the love of Christ....

".....Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,

for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these....

I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom

of God like a little child will never enter it."

Mark 10:14 & 15

It's not an Even Trade! by Theresa Zuber

“I’m trading my sorrows. I’m trading my shame. I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord.
I’m trading my sickness. I’m trading my pain. I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord.”

Recently during our Sunday morning corporate worship, Tina encouraged us to be sure that when we “trade” God our sorrows, our pain, our worries, etc., that we make sure we take back His joy, His comfort – since that’s what trading is all about! Psalm 55:22 tells us to cast our cares on Him!

Have you ever tried to just GIVE someone something expecting nothing in return? You may no longer have use for it and you just want to pass it on. Some people insist on keeping up their end of the “deal.” My dad’s like that. Rarely will he just let me bless him with something. Even if I give him leftovers, sometimes he will bring me some food (or something) back in return. You just can’t out give my dad.

Our Heavenly Father is just like that- even more so!! He asks for a tithe, not because He needs our money but He needs us to LET GO of it! He promises us in Malachi 3:10 that He will bless us more abundantly than we can imagine: blessings of all types – not just monetary. We serve – He rewards. We worship – He inhabits the praises of His people. We obey – He is faithful. Even when we fall short on our side of the “trade” – God still gives to His children out of His abundant love. 1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

Looking for a last minute Father’s Day gift? How about a Christian CD? Try Mark Schultz “Come Alive” , “WOW Hits 2010” which features various artists, or Phillips, Craig & Dean’s “Fearless.”

Little Wonders by Susan Shull

The most wonderful thing about a child is….don’t get me started! Children are miracles in skin. I knew this for sure the minute we had our own three sons. As soon as I laid my eyes on each of them, I was head over heels, filled to the brim, and overflowing with love. I also became like a tiger-willing to do whatever it took to keep them safe.

Now with my grandchildren, I see even more what absolutely precious beings they are. I know how quickly they will grow up and how important, essential, vital, and necessary it is that they be taught the word of God. They are so trusting and eager to learn and so innocent.
Our children live in a world getting more evil and scarier by the moment, and its leader Satan wants them. He is relentless, will do whatever it takes to get them, and has many helpers. Christian parents cannot leave their children’s souls to chance. Their most important responsibility in being good parents is to teach their kids about the love of their Heavenly Father.

We would never purposefully put our dear, sweet children in a cage of wild animals to be devoured, but that is exactly what is done when people who know better, because they were taught the truth, don’t bring their precious babies to church to learn about the eternal protection offered through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Of course, this important task can’t just be left to the church. Parents must also teach the Bible at home through their own study, their own words, and their own actions. What could possibly be more important?

Unfortunately, we can’t make our children accept Christ’s love and free gift of salvation, but how can they possibly accept it if they are never taught? Please don’t leave your child’s soul to chance.

A Mother's Tears - by Donna (Ensign) Woods

Much of life is seen through a Mother’s tears,
Flowing from the heart over the years.
Beginning with tears of joy, at her baby’s birth,
The most precious delight, found on Earth.
Followed by tears of prayer-filled fatigue,
As she struggles to meet each child’s need.
As the bus drives away on the first day of school,
Mom stands waving good-bye, in a tear-fed pool.
Her tears console many little heart-breaks,
Through many twisting turns each life takes.
When her child is hurting, tears fall as she prays
Asking God to heal them, as He blesses their days.
Flowing over disappointments, pain and fears…
Is a Mother’s love, reflecting through tears.
When teenagers seem to forget all that they learned,
A Mother cries tears, that frustration has earned.
Pacing the floors, she fights back tears late at night,
Prayer filled tears that combat the evil they must fight.
As children grow up and leave her home,
A Mother’s tears fall….when she is all alone.
Her tears remember each wonderful child…
And each little face that lovingly smiled.
Mother’s tears are often very hard to explain…
They are wrapped in joy, desperation and pain.
But a Mother’s tears always mean love….
Another gift, from God above!!!

What will be Your Legacy? By Theresa Zuber

I went to the bible to look up the word legacy; to see what God's word had to say about it. But I found nothing. It's just not a word used when God's Holy word is translated to English. However, I found this passage that I believe describes what kind of legacy God wants us to have. It's found in Deuteronomy 6: 4-9:
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Make sure that you leave your children more than posessions and memories. Leave them a legacy that will last them into eternity. Make sure they witness a life grounded in God and his word. A life led by the Spirit. A life, modeled after our Savior Jesus Christ.

Abba Father - I pray that you will help me to leave a lasting legacy of faith as an example to my loved ones. Help me to stay grounded in your word and focused on your path for me. I pray for my family that they, too, will seek you diligently, faithfully and tirelessly until we are all with you in heaven!

Tears of Change by Donna (Ensign) Woods

Much of life is seen through a Mother's tears,
Flowing from the heart, over the years.

Tears of change streak her face,
In every sad and happy place.

Beginning with tears of joy at her baby's birth,
The most precious delight found on earth !

Followed by prayer-filled fatigue,
As she struggles to meet each child's need.

...As the bus drives away on the first day of school,
Mom stands waving good-bye, in a tear-fed pool

Her tears console may little heart-breaks
Through the twisting turns each life takes.

When her child is hurting, tears fall as she prays,
Asking God to heal them, as He blesses their days.

Flowing over disappointment, pain, and fears...
Is a Mother's love, reflecting through tears.

When teenagers forget all they've learned,
A Mother cries tears, that frustration has earned.

Prayer filled tears combat the evil they fight.
As she paces the floor late at night.

As children grow up and leave her home,
A Mother's tears fall, when she is all alone.

Her tears remember each wonderful child
And each little face that lovingly smiled.

Mother's tears are often very hard to explain...
They are wrapped in joy, desperation and pain.

But a Mother's tears always mean love...
Another gift from God above !!!

The Healing Prayer by Donna (Ensign) Woods - A Grandma

Thankyou for being the God of mercy and love,
And for the multitude of blessings you send from above.

The suffering of children, we don't understand,
But, we know all is in control, of your mighty hand.

Today, I humbly come, to kneel at the throne.
To intercede for Madison, your precious own.

A beautiful child, she's one of your best.
So, for her, I put the power of prayer to the test.

As I kneel and pray, I knock at your door.
May she feel your presence as never before.

May the Holy Spirit guide me, as I prayerfully intercede,
And I ask that you supply, for her every need.

Place your healing hands upon her, this very hour.
Bless each cell in her body, with your awesome power.

Let her feel your healing, flow through each vein.
I empower this prayer, by your Son's holy name.

Strengthen her body, to have victory in trial.
Bless her with joy, that makes her smile.

I can't understand why she must endure so much.
Please bless her, with your healing touch.

Send angels to guard her, both day and night,
And equip them well, to aid in her fight.

Shield her Lord, from this vicious attack.
Drive out the cancer, don't let it come back.

Your Word says, "ask and you shall receive...."
I'm asking Lord...and I do believe....

Restore her health...Oh Lord, I pray.
I ask for your blessings today.

Heal her Lord, in your awesome way,
In Jesus name, I constantly pray.

Amen

I challenge each and every one of you to pray this prayer for Maddy and Elijah
.....and every child you know that has been diagnosed with cancer.

From the Mouth of Babes by Joyce Schafer

A year ago I had the privilege of witnessing patriotism at its finest. I attended my granddaughter’s PreK graduation. To hear these 4 year olds reciting the Pledge of Allegiance was guaranteed to put a lump in your throat. Then they proceeded to tell us how many stars and stripes were in the flag and what each stood for. These kids really knew their stuff! They also knew their songs, singing America the Beautiful and other patriotic favorites. They made their teachers, parents and grandparents proud that day.

I learned some important lessons that day. We have some great teachers in our school system. Even though today these teachers are not allowed to teach about God in the public schools, they can and do practice their faith. It shines through in the way they deal with the students, the parents and coworkers. We should thank God everyday for them.

I also realized that small children are like sponges. They soak up everything – whether it is clean or dirty. Anyone who has slipped up and said a bad word around a child knows it comes back to haunt them forever. We need to pray to God that we are a positive influence to these little ones everyday. The most important lesson I learned that day was God had a reason for telling the disciples to bring the little children to him. Children are so honest and open and ask the questions that adults are too embarrassed to ask. They believe what adults teach them at this age so it is a perfect time to teach them about this country and about God.

As we celebrate this 4th of July, share it with a child. Notice the sheer joy they have at being allowed to stay up past their bedtimes; share the wonder in their eyes when the fireworks light up the sky; and pay close attention to the way they trust someone bigger to protect them when the “big booms” come.

We really need to take a lesson from these little ones and remember we too have someone bigger to protect us from the “big booms” of the world. His name is Jesus and he will keep us safe in his loving arms. All we have to do is ask.