Tuesday’s Devotion: Happy the Home

Deuteronomy 11:18-21 You shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and fix them as an emblem on your forehead. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,  so that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the Lord swore to your ancestors to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth.

I saw a news story today reporting that a teenager had killed his mother and sisters. That should make us all extremely sad even as we try to continue processing the horror of what happened in Sandy Hook. The scripture I chose tells parents to teach their children about God. I won’t be so naive as to say Jesus is always the answer.  Even strong faith sometimes cannot overcome mental illness.  Yet I believe it can certainly help and strengthen the family. Some children go down the wrong path, not because they are insane but because they are insecure.  They haven’t been raised in a loving environment.  Our late son, Glenn suffered from bipolar disorder which triggered drug and alcohol dependency as he tried to regulate mood swings.  I don’t know how any of us could have gotten through all the stress that caused without God’s continuous presence and strength.   Let us each ask God to help us love and care for our children and grandchildren and other young ones in our life.  I’m sharing the words with you of the hymn, “Happy the Home When God is There” by Henry Ware, Jr.  They are good words.  Have a great day.
Paige

Happy the home when God is there,
And love fills every breast;
When one their wish, and one their prayer,
And one their heav’nly rest.

Happy the home where Jesus’ Name
Is sweet to every ear;
Where children early speak His fame,
And parents hold Him dear.

Happy the home where prayer is heard,
And praise each day does rise;
Where parents love the sacred Word
And all its wisdom prize.

Lord, let us in our homes agree
This blessèd peace to gain;
Unite our hearts in love to Thee,
And love to all will reign.