thou art great, and thy name is great in might." Jeremiah 10:6.
| O Shenandoah! By Faith Alone |
| Widely varied in size and structure, picturesque houses of worship cling throughout generations to the Valley's hills and hollers. There's an echo of faith in everyday conversation and an ancient devotion steels Shenandoah residents in courage, humor and grace as they struggle with weather-related and man-made catastrophes. |
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"Fix It, Daddy"
By Eunice Soper Have you ever heard small children boasting, "My daddy is stronger than your daddy"? It is a comforting thing for a child to feel that his father is, of course, the strongest person in the world. Before many years pass, however, children realize that other men may be stronger physically, but dad -- and mother too -- are still pretty wonderful. Somehow children seem to act as if their parents can do almost anything. Because of this, parents have some impossible demands made upon them. A little boy presents a hopelessly shattered toy car. "Fit it, Daddy," he demands, fully expecting it to be done. An older girl sulks, "I don't see why it has to rain on our school picnic day." And she continues to be miserable all day. In reality she is asking father and mother to "fix it." "I can't see why I can't have a car. George has," storms early-teen John. Sighing, his hard-pressed parents try to explain about such things as finances, and driving licenses, and insurance, and the necessity for John to learn more responsibility first. Once more the parents are being asked to "fix it." Unfortunately parents aren't all-powerful. As much as they might like to, there are some things they cannot do. How the parent wishes he could give to his children the luxuries he cannot afford. How the parents of a sick or injured child wish they could heal that child -- or even bear the pain themselves in his stead. But that is something they cannot do. God only is all-powerful. He can do anything. No other being has such might as He. By His power He brought the world into being. By His power He keeps it operating. His power saves and keeps us. He is truly stronger than any friend on earth. But with all His awesome power, God has love for the simplest and weakest of human beings. Anyone in need can approach Him at any time. "There is none like unto thee, O Lord," and He will be our Friend if we will let Him.
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"There is none like unto thee, O Lord;
thou art great, and thy name is great in might." Jeremiah 10:6.
| Eunice Soper has written many devotional books, mostly for children. Semi-retired from professional service worldwide for the Seventh Day Adventist Church, she and her husband, Francis, radiate peace, strength and practical good-heartedness from their adopted home in the central Shenandoah Valley. |