Leslie's Little Devotional

Ecclesiastes 3 tells us: “ To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” April 27 th marked the end of one season of life and the beginning of another. Our oldest daughter, Shelby married the most amazing young man that day. After months and months of preparation and planning, the day finally arrived.   As if to further punctuate the change of season, even the weather changed to spring that day. The previous months had been cold, blustery, and even snowy. However, we awoke that morning to the loveliest spring day. Two families and many friends gathered together to celebrate Shelby and Kevin’s marriage. All of us, dressed in our best and wearing joyful smiles witnessed the radiant bride meet her handsome groom.   It was a time to laugh, to dance, to embrace, and to speak. It was a time of peace, and most of all a time of love. As I review the pictures of the happy day, the ancient words of Solomon ring true. I’m so very grateful ...

What comes to mind when you hear the words “attitude adjustment”?   I must confess the term has been on my mind and heart lately.   Everyday I stumble across some little tidbit pertaining to attitude, sometimes in the strangest places.   Over the years I’ve learned these things are not a coincidence and the Lord is continually using my circumstances to teach me something.   As “attitude” has been in the forefront of my mind, I decided to study up on the subject.   Being a Scrabble addicted, word lover I typically begin my studies by consulting Noah Webster.   Noah says to adjust is “to bring into proper relationship”.   That definition immediately sent my thoughts to the idea of bringing my attitude into a proper relationship with God’s Word and His will.   Romans 15:5-6 tells us: May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one ...

                The day began well. I woke up, grabbed a cup of coffee and my Bible and spent some quality time in the Word. Then I set some praise and worship music to shuffle on my iPod while doing some housework.   After I was done, I grabbed my car keys and headed to the store to pick up a few things. I turned on the radio and began to sing along with one of my favorite worship songs. There I was, headed down the road, praising the Lord and it happened. Out of nowhere, a car cut me off and proceeded in front of me at 20 miles per hour.   Before I knew it my hands were raised, not in worship, but rather in frustration.   My song of praise was replaced with a tirade directed at the oblivious slow poke in front of me.               With no route of escape on a one lane road, I followed my tortoise-like offender all the way to the g...

                                                                                   There was an old woman who lived in a shoe. She had so many children; she didn’t know what to do.   That nursery rhyme always made me roll my eyes. I used to wonder why anyone would choose to live in a shoe. I also wondered why on earth she had so many kids. I figured she had to be out of her mind.             I just wasn't one of those girls who went all "ga ga" over kids.  As a teenager when all my friends were babysitting, I did my best t...

             Yesterday I blogged about “the road less traveled”. One of the roads less traveled that I am currently on is reflected in our decision to homeschool our three youngest children.   Sometimes as I travel this road I feel like a modern day “Dorothy”, except that my slippers aren’t always ruby. Anyone who has seen my shoe closet can attest that as I travel “somewhere over the rainbow” I have a few dozen shoes representing every color of the rainbow.             Each day my three companions (Carly, Matthew & Jacob) and I, along with our trusty basset hound, travel the yellow brick road in search of wisdom. While pursuing wisdom we also are seeking to develop their hearts and give them the courage it takes to persevere in life.             Traveling this road is a joy and an adventure. As we ...

My husband, Randall, took the picture of the snowy path I’ve posted along with today’s blog. As I looked at it I couldn’t help but be reminded of the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost. It ends with these words:                                     Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.                            I started thinking about the less traveled roads I’ve taken in my life. There have been many times I’ve felt the Lord’s prompting to exit the well-traveled road I’ve been on and take a detour. Sometimes those less traveled roads have brought relief from the hectic road I was traveling. Other times the road...