It is easier to be kinder to our friends.... But the Lord has grace for us to get along with the people we do live with.... We may think, why does someone in my family always have to irritate me? But remember, that if we never had any trials we would never grow.

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.

God is always giving us trials that are open doors. Every single trial we have is a chance to be an example, to show someone what Christ was like. Oh, dear sisters, take those privileges to be examples seriously! They are so important!

Surely it is worthwhile to carefully review all the evidence that can be accumulated about these spiritual disasters.... God is able to open the eyes of our understanding that we may avoid the same errors where others have made shipwreck.

How many of us, when we had planned to have a day in town, but have to stay to watch our little siblings, say, "Sure, Mama, whatever works out is fine with me"? Or, when [some plan] doesn't work out... you don't even question why it couldn't be made to work?

Love "endureth all things." What?... Does God really have grace for me to love my little sister who cut two big holes in a cross-stitch that took two years to complete?!... If He loved [the Jews who crucified Him], can not I find grace in my heart to love her?

I have found His way is best in my own life. When I commit all my thoughts and ideas, hopes and plans to God, how beautifully He works all things out than if I struggle in my own strength!... The Lord had led to me to higher ground to see what really matters.

Now a handmaid's position in life is a very humble position.... they're the folks that are around to do whatever the mistress says to do.... It's not that she does great, big tasks all the time; it's the little things—I'm here; I'm ready for service; I'm at hand.

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.

We also each have the town in front of us that God calls us to walk in. What is the town? It is God's way. It seems dark, uncertain, not promising a light, easy life. It calls us to give up our choice things—the things, people, places that are most dear to our hearts.

I have just been thanking the Lord for helping me to choose Him completely in my youth and wait on the Lord for a companion. It surely pays! I was 29 before I married and the wait seemed so long then, but now it seems like nothing! I am so glad I waited on God.

Take everything to the Word of God and measure it to see whether it be of God or man. If it doesn't line up... then we know that it isn't truth. What better guide do we have than the Word of God? We cannot go wrong if we bring everything and measure it to the Bible.

My brother arrived, and I faltered between being fascinated and being enraged. At one point, disgusted by the lack of ability to "play"... and irritated by his crying, I earnestly and sincerely suggested to my parents, "Let's take that baby and throw him in the river!"

But Irene didn't listen. "Hurry now! Mom said she needed us to get the weeding done this afternoon. You can pick flowers later." Rosie turned quickly to hide the tears that were rolling down her cheeks. Irene didn't understand! It just wasn't fair!

As Daniel watched her turn sadly away, his memory verse came back to mind.... If Rosie had the new pole, he thought, I would want her to share with me. Daniel looked at his little fish and bit the corner of his lip. Jesus would want me to share.

Rosie felt a small smile creep onto her face. Maybe this would be fun after all! She quickly picked up a jar and looked at its dusty bottom. "And we must remember," she said, as most grown-up as she could, "that the king doesn't like one speck of dirt!"

As he helped his father get ready for the feast, Ethan kept wondering who the Rabbi was after all. While they were working on their booth, he got up the courage to ask, "Father, do you really think the Rabbi is the Messiah? Is he our conqueror, or not?"