GREAT TREASURES AWAIT YOU

Dear Abby (and Grant),

If I could bestow on you anything I desired for you in this lifetime, it would be something that the Bible says is "more precious than rubies." It is something that brings "riches and honor" to your life and who doesn't want that for their grandchildren? It is the gift that keeps on giving because it also brings "pleasantness and peace," "happiness," "safety," "sweet sleep," the knowledge of God," "length of days," "preservation," "promotion," "understanding," "life and health," and so much more!

Of course I am talking about "wisdom." All of these "jewels" come straight from the book of Proverbs. In Proverbs 2:6 we find that "the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding." God has given us His Word to guide us in the way of wisdom. We must choose for ourselves to go after it. As much as I want it for you, you have to choose it for yourself.

There are also dire consequences that come to those who refuse instruction and act out of their own understanding. Those people fall in line with ungodly people and their lives are needlessly turned upside down along with those who love them deeply. You can also read about them in Proverbs.

You must make the choice to follow after wisdom. If you will listen to the counsel of the parents God has so graciously given you, and go to His Word to give you wisdom, you will have nothing to lose and great treasures awaiting you! So many people love you and desire this for your lives. May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other.

Grammy

PEACE AND QUIET

Dear Abby,

I grew up in a home with two brothers and two sisters. I shared a bedroom with both sisters. We shared one small closet and had maybe two drawers each for clothes. There was one bathroom for seven people to share! I was always trying to find a place for peace and quiet. I never did like noise and still have a low tolerance for anything loud. I avoid large crowds especially the day after Thanksgiving when all of America is at the mall! (You may or may not be there yourself). I used to climb trees or go to my room at night when everyone else was watching television just to have peace and quiet.

Yours is a different world than mine. The world has become much noisier since my childhood. There are so many distractions now (also known as computers, iPads, iPhones, iPods, Kindle, etc.). It is much more difficult now than it was then to find a time in your life for quietness. Even in church you can hear a phone ring and occasionally someone will even answer it!

Abby, in order to have a quietness in your spirit, you will have to find some time away from distractions and noise. I have come to appreciate the place computers have in our world along with some of the above mentioned electronics. However, good things can become the enemy of great things. There are some things that are only to be obtained in a place of quietness. The Lord himself had to slip away from crowds to get alone and get refreshed. I am really concerned that all of these "distractions" are going to become escape hatches that take people completely away from reality. It is hard to hear the voice of God when we are tuning Him out with everything else.

If you are to come to recognize the voice of God speaking to you, you must allow yourself the luxury of getting away from entertainment and information overload. "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." (ISA. 30:15). May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other. I love you very much.

Grammy

CHOICES

Dear Abby,

I never cease to be amazed at some of the choices seemingly intelligent people make! Everyday that we are given on this earth, we wake up and begin the day with choices. The first one is to get out of bed, after that one choice follows the other until the day is over and we choose to go back to bed! Sounds silly, but true nonetheless. I found this clipping tucked inside of a book and thought it worth sharing with you.

I CHOOSE

Everyday I choose who or what will control me.
If I choose to sin, sin strengthens its control over me.
If I choose to obey my Savior Jesus Christ,
He will give me the power over the destructive power of sin.
Every moral decision determines who controls my life.
I choose my master. I belong to my choice.
Who will I choose today? (written by Cathy Maple)

Powerful words to ponder. May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other. I love you very much.

Grammy