thoughts by Muriel Hanson Archives - Thoughts about God

How many Re-Washes

admin — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 08:01:53 +0000

Pammy, our four-year-old, had volunteered to wash the dinner dishes. She performed the task swimmingly, all right, in a sink billowing with suds. But in the process she disproved the validity of claims made by manufacturers of a certain dish detergent. It takes more than suds to get dishes clean!

Washing dishes in one thing, and something I don’t mind. But re-washing is something else, and I found myself waiting for her to go off to bed before I undertook the task. I did not want to let her know at her tender age that her “help” is not really as much as she thinks it is. (How much easier just to go ahead and do the dishes myself in the first place!)

When I was a child I remember being told that dishwater is great for healing minor cuts and scratches on the hands. I’ve discovered since then that dish water is great for other things too. In fact, there’s nothing like it for giving a mother time to think, to analyze situations and feelings.

It wasn’t only re-washing dishes that bothered me. Remaking the children’s beds, re-picking up after they had put away their playthings, to re-hanging their clothes straight and evenly on the hangers. It was all much the same and all somewhat annoying, though I realized how necessary this learning process is for young children. Perfection is a long road and takes a heap of practice and experience.

My hands still busy in the dishpan, I was asking the Lord to help me overcome this bit of annoyance, or impatience, when an enlightening but sobering thought came to mind.

Isn’t this process much like what the Lord has been doing for me ever since I first accepted Him as my Savior?

Hasn’t He umpteen times had to intervene and redo my efforts at living the Christian life according to His pattern?

I thought of a mountain of failures behind me. Every single one. He has forgiven me Every time I have fallen…, He has lifted me up again and has whispered encouragement for another try.

Dishes done, I went to my Bible. Verse after verse spoke of God’s patience, forgiveness, long suffering. I found nothing to indicate that my failings ever tempt Him to give up on me and take things out of my hands so He can do them right without me!

These days re-washing dishes, or re-making beds, or whatever I find myself redoing after my children no longer serves to aggravate me. Rather, these tasks have come to be my moments of re dedication.

For they always remind me now of what my Lord is daily doing for me in so many ways!

“You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you; hear my prayer, O Lord, listen to me cry for mercy. In the day of all my trouble I will call to you for you will answer me” (Psalm 86:5-7 NIV).

by Muriel Hanson
Used by Permission

Full Armor

admin — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 08:01:45 +0000

I believe that the Bible exhorts us to specific protective measures for specific areas of vulnerability

I was sitting in my rocking chair, dreamily looking down the street, when I thought I saw some sort of a little Martian, a weapon in his hand, teetering around on unseasoned earth legs right off some UFO.

I got to my feet to get a better look, and I recognized two-year-old Dale, who lives about four doors down. In his hand was a pint-sized hockey stick, and what was making him move so oddly was his full hockey regalia. Helmet, shoulder pads under bulky sweatshirt, knee pads, padded shorts, and padded gloves. Everything that a hockey player wears, all scaled-down size—with the incongruous addition of a corner o a diaper protruding under his hockey pants!

This is hockey country (Canada). Any street, any school yard (ice not necessary), or packed ice arenas. There’s grave concern over possible injuries, and much is done to prevent such. Protective equipment is provided commensurate with risk of bodily damage.

The Bible warns about the real warfare that is going on, not in sports arenas – the spiritual kind. “Put on the whole armor of God . . .train up a child in the way he should go . . . . young man, cleanse your ways . . . remember now the creator in the days of your youth . . . your adversary . . . as a roaring lion . . ..”

There’s scant attention paid to this kind of danger, though movies such as Exorcist have scared many into frightened recognition. When a physical life is in danger, there is groundswell of concern and earnest prayer. But what about the spiritual danger, the eternal peril that faces every human being outside of Christ?

I believe that the Bible exhorts us to specific protective measures for specific areas of vulnerability—from the diaper stage on up. Let’s be concerned to give our children (or Sunday School class) the right gear as they grow up and move into heightening battles with the enemy of their souls.

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day . . . and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:13,17).

By Muriel Hanson
Used by Permission
from Salt and Honey, WinePress Publishing

Three Uncomfortable Words

Devotionals — Sun, 23 May 2021 08:03:39 +0000

When a boy seems to be having an attack of conscience, however small the twinge, his mother draws from her own experience to suggest a cure.

Although I was not sure that his teacher felt she needed it, I felt my ten-year-old did and so I suggested that he apologize to her.

“I don’t like apologizing,” Kent objected, his head down. “It feels too stupid.”

“It’s supposed to feel stupid. When you feel guilty and ashamed at the same time it can’t feel comfortable, not when you see that you were wrong.” I could have added that a sincere apology has a unique effect to self-pride—it elevates while it humbles. But I hoped he would find this out for himself.

When he left the house I was not at all sure he was convinced that he should apologize. I had not said he had to.

That evening when he came home, however, I knew instantly that he had.

“I talked to her and said I was sorry.”

“Feel better?”

“Yes.” A light toss of his head and a quick grin on his face told me that he was a bit embarrassed, but happy.

“See?” I couldn’t help but add. The look he gave me as he sailed out of the room said he got the message.

It has been said that the three most difficult words in the English language are, “I am sorry.” It hurts to apologize and we want to put it off, temporarily or even permanently.

But the law God has built within us makes this procedure a boomerang. We succeed in losing the one thing we desperately try to preserve; self-esteem.

The habitual compounding of this sort of behavior often succeeds in another direction. It makes us more prone to actions or words for which we need to apologize.

How many good people have nursed a grudge for years, and how many good churches have been stunted in growth and blessing because someone has been too proud ask for forgiveness, or even to go half way?

These three little words become amazingly comfortable when spoken in genuine sincerity. More than one revival has found its seeds in a simple, “I am sorry.”

Even here the Scriptural principle holds. “It is more blessed to give than to receive!”

“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man has a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” Colossians 3:13

By Muriel Hanson
Used by Permission
From: Honey and Salt, Wine Press Publishing

When the Sparkle Goes

admin — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 08:01:25 +0000

While situated temporarily in a house that boasted three bathrooms, it seems so effortless and such sheer joy to keep the sinks sparkling after the rough cement slab we had used in Japan. I could not imagine that such a task could ever become drudgery!

But now this was another day! A surplus of sinks and bathtubs was not the source of my satisfaction. It’s just that now beautiful sinks are so commonplace!

Really, when one stops to think about it, this is much the story of life in general in this materialistic world of ours. It makes little difference whether it is a new hat, a new car, a new house, or a new position. In and of itself, the newness soon loses its sparkle and its attraction, and the object may in time become “old fashioned.”

Scripture reminds us that it is also possible to lose our “first love” for the Lord. In fact, it is more than possible—it’s inevitable—unless one is careful to keep looking to God and His Word rather than to embrace the ceaseless changes that swirl around us.

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abide in the vine, no more can you except you abide in me” John 15:4

“Yesterday, today, forever, Jesus is the same. All may change but Jesus never! Glory to His name.”

by Muriel Hanson
Used by Permission

Muriel Hanson: Salt and Honey, Wine Press Publishing

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The post When the Sparkle Goes can be found at Thoughts about God.