Christian Living

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“Think! Think about it” my mother used to say. I can hear her even now. Looking down, I see the wind blowing dried leaves around my feet. It is a cool October day, not unlike the days we spent together baking wonderful surprises for Daddy for when he got home. The house smelled like a feast for the senses with the aroma of cookies freshly baked, mixed with the fragrance of the roast chicken Mother was preparing for supper. The odors seemed to permeate every part of my being bringing a sense of peace and safety to my still maturing little heart.

These are memories that will live with me forever and are especially precious now that she is gone. I lean against the wind steadying myself on her grave stone. “Beloved wife and mother,” it reads. Yes, she was beloved. Daddy always called her “My beloved.” I loved that. There was love in our house.

Quite often she reminded me to think about the choices that were set before me, how I perceived the world, my feelings and my actions. She said it was imperative to my future that my thinking be connected with my spirit to translate to my soul. She said, “Always think before you act. Your very life and success on the earth depend on it. The Bible holds the key and the answer to your every need. Satan seduced Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to give away their rightful authority, but Jesus died on the cross to give the keys to you. Now it is your choice to receive His act of sacrifice. You must hide His Word in your heart. You must think and remember His solution for each situation.”

Her favorite verse to quote to me was Philippians 4:8. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (ASV) It was not always an easy thing to do, but as I disciplined my thinking according to these words, the process changed my life significantly to the good.

The wind changes direction. It is now coming from the north, bringing a sting to my legs and a chill through my all too light jacket. “Mom, I am glad that you are in heaven enjoying all that God created for His children in that amazing place. Now I must go home. I just stopped by to tell you that I have not forgotten your teaching and am imparting them to my girls.”

The years have passed all too quickly and I miss my mom terribly, but one thing will always be a part of me – the admonition to “Think, child, think!”

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