A little girl told two of her friends of a young neighbor’s need for Christ.

One of the friends handmade a tract, using a plan of salvation she’d heard at school.

Together, the three of them talked to the neighbor, explaining her need for Christ, the salvation He provided, and how heaven could be her eternal home.

She prayed, accepting Jesus into her heart. When the exciting news was eagerly told to the first little girl’s mother, she talked with the young neighbor as well, saw that she understood, rejoiced with the angels.

More happy moments came as the story was given to the neighbor’s father, the grandparents, other neighbors.

Conversations were begun, opportunities to share faith were created, a nine-year-old life was forever changed….

….all because a little girl cared about her neighbor and wanted her to know Jesus.

Will we care today?

Thank you, Lord, that it didn’t rain. It was warm and humid, but not miserable.

Thank you for a husband who knows about outdoorsy things – like rowing a boat. If it was up to me, we’d still be paddling around in circles.

Thank you that I was the one who unknowingly stepped in a mound of fire ants – and that it wasn’t the girls. Our outing would still have been memorable, but for an unpleasant reason.

Thank you for the beauty of your creation – the swamp filled with cypress trees, the brightly-colored butterflies, the squawking parrot who entertained us all with his antics.

Thank you for our children; it’s because we desire interesting experiences for them that we make the effort to plan family activities.

And because they remembered to say “thank you” for the outing, I wanted to make sure I did the same.

Find others giving thanks at Gratituesday hosted by Heavenly Homemakers.

As I navigated the zoo that is Walmart on a Saturday afternoon, I crossed paths with a woman wearing a shirt that said, “I’m not a nag; I’m a motivational speaker.” I had to chuckle as I passed, thinking how nice it would be if nagging could truly be interpreted that way.

However funny the saying may be, it certainly points out a truth that I need to evaluate in my own life. Am I guilty of nagging my husband and my children?

According to the dictionary, nag means, “to annoy by constant scolding, complaining, or urging; to scold, complain, or find fault constantly.”

The words that I use with my husband should be those of encouragement and support, not complaining or fault-finding. As for my children, I can correct them with a loving attitude and without repeatedly harping on their offenses.