I am satisfied that God knew we would not know what we were doing. He meant for us to voluntarily trust Him by turning from our own ideas and opinions and placing our hand in His hand for guidance. He designed the thing so that we would absolutely need a guide.

The Lord doesn't do things under pressure. He just refuses to. We aren't going to help the Lord by trying to hurry things up a bit. The longer we try to "make it work," the longer the Lord leaves us alone with our problem.

Miracles do not proceed from my high ambition to do great work for Jesus. He took the little they had to offer and blessed it and broke it. Blessed and broken. How simple and humble are God's ways of working!

The first step to walking in faith in God is to renounce your unbelief.... When this is done, when we have been afflicted to the extent that we mourn and weep... then we will be inspired to believe the promises of God.... We will then count Him faithful who promised.

So God stirs our nests, and we weep and sob and cry—money gone, friends gone, church gone; nobody loves me. Then Jesus Christ stretches out one great wing, and we begin to take hold of Him, and then He moves out and up and away.

It is human to look and crave for something in sight that will help the Lord out. In time of need, if we can only find a little of something for God to begin on, we seem to be much better satisfied.

Don't you know that there are lots of times it is hard to be cheerful and kind? It is like a stormy winter day when plants don't want to grow.... But Jesus has a way for us to "sprout" on those stormy winter days.

"I don't think you really want this kind of doll, Precious. Even though it's cheap, it's not worth the money." Self-pity tears filled Precious' eyes. "But Mama... I love her, I really do. I don't care if she's got a broken finger. And I have the money... she's on sale...."

"I don't like waiting," Edward said. "Why can't we try the cookies now, Alice?" "They're not ready yet," his sister said, sliding the tray in the oven. Grandpa chuckled from his easy chair. "How about a story while we wait for them to bake?"

I think this little bunny has a good lesson to teach us. If we pulled a baby rabbit out of the pile of fur, it would be sure to crawl right back in. Even though it is only a tiny blind baby, it knows to stay where it is warm and safe.

"Does the devil talk to everyone?" he asked. "Why, yes," said Mother. "He will whisper bad ideas to anyone who will listen. But there are two voices. God's Spirit always tells us to do what is right. I hope my little boy will always listen to the right voice."

Jack did not listen. "Daddy, I need you!" he cried. He leaned forward in his car seat, but he couldn't reach Daddy. Panic made his heart beat faster. "Don't leave me, Daddy!" "I'm here, Jack." It was Daddy's voice, far, far away.

As the spirit of gloom filled the room, John took out his sword.... It was time to fight! "Don't be worried, Mother," he said quickly. "We prayed for you and I know God heard us. Remember that Jesus said, 'Believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.' "