To live a holy life may seem as impossible as the idea pictured on a poster of a small sleepy cat nestling inside a box. On the outside is the picture of a tiger. The caption reads, “When you dream, dream big.” There is no way that the little kitten will become a tiger-cat without some drastic mutation. God’s command, though, to be holy is not an impossible command.

One of the most loving things my husband did for my mother caused her much pain. Some friends had joined us for a steak dinner, and suddenly mother left the table. Daniel noticed she didn’t immediately return, so he followed her into the kitchen. He saw she was turning blue and realized some steak was caught in her throat. He immediately began the Heimlich maneuver as one of the guests dialed 911. Her fragile ribs were injured, but the steak was dislodged. Although she had sore ribs for a few days, she did not complain. What did sore ribs matter? She was alive!

“Remember, Susan, you can’t tell your mother,” Uncle Vern reminded her as they left the barn.

As usual Susan’s mother hardly noticed when she came into the house. Susan was full of questions, but she didn’t know how to ask them. Her parents were both too busy for her to get their attention. She thought that the person who came nearest to loving her was Uncle Vern.

“When did you decide to come for the weekend to celebrate our aunt’s birthday?” I asked my cousin.

Faith gives joy. I have this entry in my journal from several years ago: “I asked the Lord for a special Word to rest my faith in today as I wrote. Immediately came the words of an old song: ‘Can I doubt His tender mercies who through life has been my guide.

“How did you keep from despairing during my two years of spiritual highs and lows? a friend asked. Through God’s grace she had gained spiritual stability and now was trying to help another new Christian. Watching the new convert stumble, she wondered how to keep from despairing.

"Simon! Are you asleep?" Jesus asked Simon Peter. "Couldn't you stay awake and watch with me even one hour? Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you" (Mark 14:37-38 NLT).

I was surprised to learn that the first official act of the first American Congress in 1774 was to read Psalm 35 and pray. That prayer was not a superficial one, as we would expect to hear in a public gathering today.