Summer's End

Our Minnesota family on their Virginia lake.

Reading the Pout Pout Fish!  One of my favorites!

August 29

Yesterday, we washed off all the beach toys and packed them up for the summer.  With the end of summer we also pack away hordes of memories made. Shiloh quiets without the little feet romping across her acreage, stirring frogs in the creek and gasping at how high they hop! The wild life probably relaxes a bit, sticking their heads out a little further now that the "little people" are gone.
Crisp golden leaves already scattered themselves across the sand on the beach. The seasons go so quickly.  God obviously knows that parents and grandparents need a rest after the pace of summer.

"The day is yours, and yours also the night; you establish the sun and moon. 

It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter."  

Psalm 74:16-17

 For many in our nation the end of summer is a reminder of hurricane season and Harvey has brought that threat into reality.  Today we open our hearts in prayer for relief to come quickly and we give thanks to the 1,000s of people who have mobilized themselves into action to aide in the process of comforting and encouraging those who have lost so much.  Even those of us far away can give in various ways and help.

Day Twenty-nine of Encouraging Your Husband

"A prudent man foresees evil, and hides himself; the simple pass on, and are punished."

Prov. 27:12

As you near the end of your Encouragement Challenge, take time to think about your husband's responses to the wickedness of the culture, the media, etc. Does your husband recognize and avoid evil? Does he regularly turn his back on pornography, sexual temptations, and the urge to lie and cheat? 

This is a valuable character trait. Like Joseph in the Old Testament, who fled from the wicked advances of Potiphar's wife, this takes an understanding that these kinds of sins are first and foremost, sins against God (Gen. 39:9). 

Praise your husband when he recognizes and turns his back on wickedness. If you can think of a circumstance where your husband stood for righteousness, remind him of that today—and express your gratitude.