AND look back at my tender years, I’ll often think about two sweet little ladies.

Selah.

Considering this tender age, it amazes me how much I remember about what I saw and what I felt. I may have been only three, certainly no more than four years old. These ladies were dressed nicely, wearing head scarves, beautifully perfumed…

And smiling continually!

I remember I sat playing: I had a large-sized purse and girlie toys. As I think about these two sweet little old ladies years later, I’ve learned (and I did know back then) that they were watching me. They watched me quietly play.

Selah.

I just kept to myself and we didn’t speak. But even then I knew they liked me. I now realize that they may have been thinking of their grandchildren (or great-grandchildren; right now I’m nearly as old as they were back sixty-six years ago and I have the blessing of a great-granddaughter.)

I like them. I saw them as sweet and kind older ladies; older ladies who appreciated beauty and dressed themselves with dignity and life.

Selah.

What I didn’t see back then, and for many years afterwards, was my physical beauty. I had very white/blonde hair back then, (naturally) blue eyes, and the precious innocence of youth… These ladies were enamored with my quiet and kind spirit, my physical beauty, and my well-mannered behavior. I could play without calling attention to myself, without making unreasonable demands. I was content…

If you’re thinking I’m bragging on myself, think again and read on.

At my senior age now of sixty-nine, and in fact, for many years, I know my worth. This knowledge didn’t come to me until I became, by choice, a child of God.

Back in my tender years, I was.

Upon learning (truly to my great shock) I was a sinner, my husband lead me to Jesus. I’ve never turned back and I never will.

My value is just the same now as when I was a very little blonde, blue-eyed girl with pale skin. Had I died before I was old enough to understand the Gospel, as an innocent child, I would have been welcomed into God’s eternal Kingdom because I was innocent.

If not, I would have deservedly gone straight to Hell because:

 

Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

 

Selah.

I am innocent again and was as soon as I surrendered my life, my will, my soul, my spirit and asked for forgiveness and acceptance from the LORD of lords and King of kings! Praise God!

WHAT I WANT FOR YOU:
I want you to recall the innocent you were as a child, a beautiful child! (May I recommend here that you read my SOB! articles?) Next, I want you to come to Christ. If you already are: grow in Christ. And either way, I want you to stay in Christ Jesus:

 

Hebrews 3:14
We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.

 

Take time today and every day to reflect on the beautiful, innocent, and precious children. God created each and everyone in His image and likeness: and it all starts in the womb.

Babies from every nation and culture are literally God’s possessions, precious possessions. And He will deal with anyone who harms them:

 

Psalm 139:13-16
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

 

Psalm 127:3-5
Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.

 

Matthew 18:1-6
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

 

There is great joy in the love of grand ladies!

 

 

Proverbs 31:10-31
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.

She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

 

Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.