by Cynthia L Simmons | Sep 1, 2023 | Encouragement
In the wee hours of the morning on D-Day, June 6, 1944, a young paratrooper prepared to jump over France, supporting the troops invading Normandy. He checked his parachute and noted it was packed by a company near his hometown. He chuckled.
Wearing heavy gear, his squad sat all around him along the sides of the plane. “Hey, what gives?” One man asked. “Share the joke. We’re all nervous and could use a laugh.”
“I know this parachute will work,” the trooper answered.
“Really?” Another soldier said. “How can you be so sure?”
He pointed to the name tag on the chute. “Because my mother packed it. She works in the parachute factory.”
The warrior landed safely and performed his job well. After the war ended, he told this story.
I challenge you to be like that airmen’s mother. She had no idea her son would use a parachute she prepared, but she earned a reputation for excellence. It served her and her son well. With God’s help, strive to do your best with every task you undertake.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
Photo by Duncan Kidd
by Cynthia L Simmons | Sep 1, 2023 | Encouragement
“Holy Father, as we watch summer fade, we praise you for establishing the seasons and bringing autumn rains. We thank you for the food we harvest from the earth this time of year. May we continue to seek your face for wisdom this month. Strengthen us to share our faith with our family and the wider community. In the Name of Jesus we pray, Amen.”
CLICK HERE for your monthly encouragement so you can download the September 2023 Calendar Challenge.
by Cynthia L Simmons | Aug 1, 2023 | Encouragement
When I was about ten years old, my parents took us on a trip out west. We visited two brothers who served as missionaries to the Navajo Indians in New Mexico. Ron’s wife talked about how much her husband enjoyed pinion nuts that only grew in that area. We had never heard of them, but her glowing description left an impression on my parents. We left the missionary’s home to continue our vacation, but mother visited a local grocery store. She found a package of nuts and brought them to us in the car. We all expected to enjoy a treat before supper. Mom passed a handful of brown delicacies to each of us. I thought they resembled peanuts. However, I when I bit down, I found them very hard and bitter.
“These things are disgusting,” Mother said. “How on earth could Ron like them so much?”
As I chewed, I began to realize the problem. “Mom, the inside tastes a lot better than the outside.”
“What?” Mother said. “I assumed they were ready to eat, but I didn’t ask.”
“I think we are eating the hull as well as the nut,” I said.
We all had a good laugh as we began cracking open the outer shell. The nuts inside were quite tasty.
That day we learned that ignorance isn’t bliss. Fortunately, we didn’t suffer any serious injury, but that incident reminds me of the value of life-long learning, especially in spiritual matters.
Proverbs 1:5 says, “A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel (Prov. 1:5 NAS)…”
by Cynthia L Simmons | Aug 1, 2023 | Encouragement
Dear Heavenly Father, as our children and grandchildren return to school, we are reminded of our constant need of your wisdom and instruction. May we remember that ‘the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’ so that we may maintain a healthy respect for your holiness and dignity. Help us to value our family and especially our spouses that our marriages may reflect the beauty of Christ and the church. In the Name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
CLICK HERE for your monthly encouragement so you can download the August 2023 Calendar Challenge.
by Cynthia L Simmons | Jul 1, 2023 | Encouragement
In World War II, German tanks devastated the Russian countryside, and Russian technology couldn’t compete. Knowing that the underside of the tank was the most vulnerable, the military trained dogs to fight. When the dogs were hungry, the staff placed meat underneath tanks. The dogs associated a nice meal with the tank undercarriage. Trainers intended to attach bombs to dogs that would detonate when brushed by the tank.
However, battle conditions confused the dogs. Russian tanks sat still during their training, and the dogs balked at the constant movement and noise. Plus, the Russian tanks burned diesel, while Germans tanks used gasoline, which smelled different. Dogs ran toward the Russian tanks and blew them up. They also dashed into the Russian trenches with their bombs. Many of them got so flustered that they carried their explosives back to their trainers.
Just like the Russians, we face battle today, and we must use the right weapons if we expect to succeed.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
by Cynthia L Simmons | Jul 1, 2023 | Encouragement
Dear Abba Father, as we celebrate the birth of our great country, may we remember our wonderful heritage and praise you for the many men who gave their lives for freedom. In addition, may we continually bless Your Name for the freedom that comes from Your Word. We also beg for peace and grace in these troubled times. In the Name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
CLICK HERE for your monthly encouragement so you can download the July 2023 Calendar Challenge.
