THE SCHOOL OF LOVE
by F. B. Meyer

The key to the knowledge of the love of Jesus is not in singing rapturous hymns, nor in seeking to arouse intense emotion, but in quietly doing daily deeds of self-denial for His sake. Surely this is the way to sow ourselves as corns of wheat in the ground, while He measures the least act of love, not by the magnitude of the deed itself, but by the strength of the love which prompts it. It is astonishing how quickly we graduate in the school of love, when we begin to put in practice all we know.

THE CHARACTER OF PERFECT LOVE
by Kim Clement from The Sound of His Voice.

Slow to suspect, quick to trust
Slow to condemn, quick to justify
Slow to expose, quick to shield
Slow to reprimand, quick to forbear
Slow to belittle, quick to appreciate
Slow to demand, quick to give
Slow to hinder, quick to help
Slow to provoke, quick to consolate
Slow to resent, quick to forgive

ADAM'S PRAYERS
by Adam Puplava, 9

Dear God,

God, I just ask You to be with me tomorrow. Help me be good and put Your angels all around my bed and with me at school tomorrow.

And God, can you try and make sure that You're around tomorrow so I can give my cupcakes away at recess? So, I guess that's it. I can't remember everything tonight. If I forgot, then it's in it for You. Thank you, Jesus. I love You. You're the greatest.

[Editor's Note: After I tucked Adam into bed, I began to journal his sweet and sincere prayers. I was so touched by his simple trust in a living and loving God. It is a rich and pure faith I see. Rather than being his teacher, Adam has become mine. He has taught me to vividly see the ALMIGHTY in God. ]

"Pray For Me!"
   One Sunday in a Midwest city, a young child was "acting up" during the morning worship hour. The parents did their best to maintain some sense of order in the pew, but were losing the battle. Finally, the father picked up the little fellow up and walked sternly up the aisle on his way out. Just before reaching the safety of the foyer, the little one called loudly to the congregation, "Pray for me! Pray for me!"

"Dear Harold"
   A daddy was listening to his child say his prayer, "Dear Harold ..." At this, dad interrupted and said, "Wait a minute. How come you called God, 'Harold'?" The little boy looked up and said, "That's what they call Him in church. You know, the prayer we say, 'Our Father, who art in Heaven, Harold be Thy Name.'"

More Prayers
   A four-year-old prayed, "And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."

   A little boy named, Mike, prayed, "Now I lay me down to rest, and hope to pass tomorrow's test. If I should die before I wake, that's one less test I have to take."

   Another boy prayed, "Dear God, please take care of my daddy and my mommy and my sister and my brother and my doggy and me. Oh, please take care of yourself, God. If anything happens to you, we're gonna be in a big mess."

   A rabbi said to a precocious six-year-old boy, "So your mother says your prayers for you each night? Very commendable. What does she say?" The little boy replied, "Thank God he's in bed!"

   Johnny had been misbehaving and was sent to his room. After a while, he emerged and informed his mother that he had thought it over and then said a prayer. "Fine," said the pleased mother. "If you ask God to help you not misbehave, He will help you." "Oh, I didn't ask Him to help me not misbehave," said Johnny. "I asked Him to help you put up with me."

As a young mother I often felt stressed
and weary of what seemed a too difficult test.
But one morning I watched my three children at play
when His Spirit so gently came upon me that day.
And I saw once again what treasures I had
hope sprang up within me no need to feel sad.
I could see in my children a promise so true.
My understanding was opened ~ and then I knew.
I had planted a garden these three were my seeds.
I must nurture and water and keep out the weeds.
The joy would be watching my small garden grow
and believing the promise we reap what we sow.
How delightful ~ exciting! A garden to tend.
And a purpose in life, truly one without end.
There's Peapod and Rosebud and Corncob, my son.
A variety of good things oh, this would be fun.
I'll need a good home life without strife or toil
and that will serve as the nourishing soil.
They'll need special food to help them grow strong.
I'll feed them the Word, it will keep them from wrong.
But where will I get the water so dear?
It must come from His blood that was shed without fear.
The sunshine they'll need to help them grow tall
will come from the laughter inside of us all.

But the weeds in the world will try to destroy
and choke out the Life in my girls and my boy.
Oh God give me strength through fasting and prayer
keeping me ready and always aware.
With Your help, Father, I'll sweat and I'll cry
as I tend to my garden 'til the day that I die.
I'll pull up those weeds they'll not cover or bend
or cause any harm to the garden I tend.
You see, I remember how You meant it to be
when You created the Garden for Adam and Eve.
So together we'll nourish, love and protect
this beautiful garden so fine and select.

And the day when I must answer Your call
to come and give my account of it all
I'll fall to my knees and answer you true
of what I accomplished on Earth for You.
Dear Father, I know You are faithful and just
so hear me and judge me and do what You must.
I did not slay any giants of old.
Nor cast out the demons I wasn't that bold.
I did not build You a great ship of wood
nor call down Your fire without glory I stood.
I didn't build You a temple of gold
or tell of great things like the prophets of old.
Those that I witnessed to were few
nor did I change the world with my views.
All the gifts and talents You gave me were great
but I couldn't stop all the murders and hate.
I used all my gifts and energy there
in that beautiful garden You put in my care.
I carried and nursed and held and loved
and followed the example You sent from above.

So what did I do as I wandered below?
I planted a garden – come see how it grows!