Arla’s Change of Heart

I’ve become convinced that people often sense our spirits when we haven’t said a word. When our daughter Arla was small and needed to be disciplined, I scolded her until we were both upset. She went to her room and I went to my study wanting to calm my own spirit. I knelt down and prayed, “Jesus, give me the mind of Christ for Arla.” Suddenly I was filled with love for her. I was amazed at the tender compassion that simply overflowed in my heart.

Within moments, I heard Arla’s voice calling, “Mommy, I love you.”

Could it be she sensed my spirit? I began observing my family to see if they sensed how I felt without my telling them. Often I realized they sensed my inner feelings without my saying a word.

The wife usually sets the tone, the atmosphere in her home. “He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord” (Psalm 113:9). God is concerned that the mother have a happy spirit.

Thank You, Lord, for giving us access to the mind of Christ who is always kind and loving.

“Your beauty...should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight” (1 Peter 3:4).

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“When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule when she gives instructions” (Proverbs 31:26 NLT).

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