We were supposed to have a blizzard. Instead, we had a sprinkle of snow to cover a thick layer of ice all over the roads. Understandably, the weather service has been much more zealous about predicting blizzards after the infamous April 30 blizzard of 2011 caught everyone off guard in its severity. Or the less infamous blizzard of March 11, 2011, where there was no warning whatsoever until the blizzard was already in full force. My brother-in-law was among the many who were stranded for hours along the highway, already stuck between giant drifts by the time the warning went out. I'm so glad it wasn't a bus day today, or I'd be creeping along at about 3 miles an hour, white-knuckled at the breathless speed.
Between the awful driving conditions, and having several members of the family suffering from various gastrointestinal upsets, I didn't suppose I'd make it to church. Instead, I'll take care of my sickies and listen to the wind howl furiously around the corners of the house, as it makes eerie flute sounds in the antenna up on the roof. It's a whole symphony at once.
Today's family thought involves getting along with each other.
The atmosphere surrounding the souls of fathers and mothers fills the whole house, and is felt in every department of the home. To a large extent parents create the atmosphere of the home circle, and when there is disagreement between father and mother, the children partake of the same spirit.
The Bible says, "A soft answer turns away wrath." It takes two to fight, so even if only one spouse is committed to upholding a heavenly atmosphere at home, that's enough. And how much more wonderful the home life will be if both will agree to let Jesus and his peace rule.
James, who was once one of the inflammatory Sons of Thunder, had this to say in the third chapter of his epistle:
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
God never asks us to do anything, but that He also gives us the power to do it. Let's ask His help in sowing the fruits of righteousness in peace.
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