Small Beginnings

From Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss...

Another Sunday and all at church except my darling Una, who keeps watch over her mother.  These Sundays, when I have had them each alone in turn, have been blessed days to them and to me.  Surely this is some compensation for what they lose in me of health and vigor.  I know the state of each soul, as far as it can be known, and have every reason to believe that my children all love my Savior and are trying to live for Him.  I have learned, at last, not to despise the day of small things, to cherish the tenderest blossom, and to expect my dear ones to be imperfect before they become perfect Christians.


Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.
~ Zechariah 4:10


This verse has been one of my favorites in recent years.  It's such an encouragement at this stage of life!

There Is Manna in Narnia

In The Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis, the lovable, simple but profound Cabby says some wise things. Like when Aslan is creating Narnia (but they don't yet understand anything about Aslan or Narnia), Uncle Andrew is ranting and raving about the perceived injustices that Jadis has done to him; but Digory, Polly, and the Cabby are awestruck by the majesty of what is happening all around them.

"Oh stow it, Guv'nor, do stow it," said the Cabby. "Watchin' and listenin's the thing at present; not talking."

It made me think of these verses:

Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.

~ Zechariah 2:13

But I have stilled and quieted my soul;

like a weaned child with its mother,

like a weaned child is my soul within me.

~ Psalm 131:2

And another quote from the Cabby that made me smile:

"Glory be!" said the Cabby. "I'd ha' been a better man all my life if I'd known there were things like this."

However, as it is written:

"No eye has seen,

no ear has heard,

no mind has conceived

what God has prepared for those who love him."

~ 1 Corinthians 2:9