How to Handle Spilled Milk

Yet more bad news arrived at breakfast time, and after another miserable night in this prison of ice. Quarrels among the men broke out and spread. One fellow called another’s attention to something, which inadvertently caused his mug of milk to tip over and spill onto the ground. Gone. His meager bit of comfort had vanished into the thirsty snow. The upset mug was too much for him to take; he yelled at the man whom he blamed for the spill. The accused tried to defend himself, but the outraged man shouted him down. Finally, still clutching his empty mug, he lapsed into silence. He stared helplessly down at the greedy snow; he appeared as though he may weep over the loss. But suddenly, silently, the hand of the other man reached out to pour a portion of his own drink into the accuser’s mug. Then another man followed his lead. One after another, seven men quietly contributed, filling the man’s mug with milk—and perhaps, his heart with hope.

Lent and Lint

More and more, professing Christians do what is right in their own eyes. For example, some have now decided to follow Rome and observe Lent, which is never mentioned anywhere in the Bible. One could claim that because Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness, Lent emerged as a time churches observe. But does the Word of God instruct us to do so? No.

Some aspects of the traditions of men might appear to have a certain reasonableness to them, but that is beside the point: The Bible must be the only authority for faith and practice for the child of God.

Lent is like lint—a useless bit of fluff fit only for the trash can.

True North

When I heard it mentioned that Madawaska is the northernmost town in Maine, I immediately balked. But I study enough statistics that I had forgotten the correct answer. My husband and son agreed on Madawaska; I planned to prove them wrong.

 
One source I found gave the title to Madawaska, another to Fort Kent. Both sources seemed reliable, but only one could be right. Finally, I consulted a map and the truth became abundantly clear: Madawaska glared down at Fort Kent, proclaiming the right to that geographical distinction. I admitted to the fellows that I had been wrong.
 
When it comes to a source that will always be right, I turn to the objective Book that God has inspired and preserved: His Word.

Reckon It

One definition for reckon is this: “to regard or think of as.” So when dark clouds of negativity rain in my brain, I must recall Bible truth instead of believing the lies suggested by my stormy emotions. I must reckon it.

When my feelings have been hurt by somebody’s careless comment, for example, I must reckon it; I can reflect on Romans 8:28. Yes, even hurt feelings can turn out to be for my good. They can humble me, reminding me to watch my own remarks, since I have experienced the fact that words can hurt.

Easier said than done? Sure, but striving to think in accordance with Bible truth can override the flesh’s default setting, helping us to walk in the Spirit. With God’s help, our thinking can change for the good. Doubting this? Then reckon it.