Prodigal: This is taking forever.
Me: Patience, patience
This is from Ruskin
There’s no music in a “rest,” but there’s the making of music in it. And people are always missing that part of the life melody, always talking of perseverance and courage and fortitude, but patience is the finest and worthiest part of fortitude, and the rarest, too.
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Prodigal: The weather doesn’t look to inviting today.
Me: No, might be an inside day today.
This is a short video on Proverbs.
Proverbs 14:13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. (ESV)
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Me: This is a great game!
Prodigal: I am enjoying it.
This is from the book The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart by Charles Swindoll
True sports fans have an amazing ability to remember details, statistics, a little technicality of a rule….you know, stuff nobody really cares to hear about except another sports fan. Another characteristic of a fan is an indomitable sense of commitment or determination. Against incredible odds, sound logic, and even medical advice, sports fans will persevere to the dying end!
I’ve often wondered what would happen if people were as intense and committed and determined about church as they are about sports–or a number of other pastimes. This was reinforced some years back in a Moody Monthly piece which illustrated twelve excuses a fella might use for “quitting sports.” The analogy isn’t hard to figure out.
Every time I went, they asked me for money.
The people with whom I had to sit didn’t seem very friendly.
The seats were too hard and uncomfortable.
The coach never came to see me.
The referee made a decision with which I could not agree.
I was sitting with some hypocrites–they only came to see what others were wearing.
Some games went into overtime, and I was late getting home.
The band played numbers I had never heard before.
The games are scheduled when I want to do other things.
My parents took me to too many games when I was growing up.
Since I read a book on sports, I feel that I know more than the coaches any how.
I don’t want to take my children, because I want them to choose for themselves what sport they like best.
O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Psalm 8:9 (KJV)
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Prodigal: Sometimes we just need a prayer.
Me: Yes, a prayer is the only thing that will bring comfort.
This is from the book Praying Through Life’s Problems featuring Stormie Omartian
Lord, I give thanks to You in all things because I know that You reign in the midst of them. I know that when I pass through the waters, You will be with me and the river will not flow over me. When I walk through the fire, I will not be burned. Nor will the flame touch me (Isaiah 43:1-2). That’s because You are a good God and have sent Your Holy Spirit to be my Comforter and Helper in the midst of difficult times.
Lord, I wait for You today. I put my hope in Your Word and ask that You would fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit and wash away all anxiety or doubt. Shine Your light into any dark corner of my soul that needs to be exposed. I don’t want my impatience or lack of trust to stand in the way of all You desire to do in my life at this time. I realize that no matter how difficult life gets, as long as I cling to You I am moving forward on the path you have for me. Help me to wait on You and not grown impatient with my circumstances simply because my timetable does not coincide with Yours. Help me to understand Your ways and not give in to discouragement. Strengthen my faith to depend on Your perfect timing for my life. Help me to rest in You and be content with where I am right now. At the same time, I ask you to heal, restore, redeem, transform, and bring new life to my situation. Teach me what I need to learn and help me get beyond this time successfully so I can rise above the storm to Your place of perfect peace. Amen.
Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Prodigal: Little chilly today.
Me: Yep, time to sit by the fire.
This is a short video devotion on Proverbs
Proverbs 14:11 The house of the wicked will be overthrown, But the tent of the upright will flourish. (NKJV)
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
