Singing Comfort to Baby

Late yesterday afternoon, I brought grandbaby out on the front porch to see the pouring rain.   Our Vermont acres looks like an English garden, or an amazing view of an Ireland landscape.  The rain was soothing and quiet.

Baby is 9 months old and is teething.  He was fussy in the house. I wanted him to be distracted by the fresh air and pretty views.  He loves my front porch. 

I sang "Amazing Grace" to him, slowly and softly, while I paced the porch.  He was happy and content.  Then I rang the bell, which is right near the sliding door on the porch.  Baby looked at me with wide eyes and then smiled.  .  . A few minutes later, one of my sons appeared from the back yard, thinking I had called him.  We laughed.  I was just showing baby the fun things at the Estate.

I sang to baby some more, about faith in the Lord, and eternal matters.  He listened and looked at me, while we walked the porch and enjoyed the rain.

I remembered when all my children were babies. I always sang to them.  "Bringing in the Sheaves;" "Trust and Obey;" "Shall we Gather at the River;"  "When the Roll is Called up Yonder;" are some of the many hymns I sang to them, over and over, throughout their babyhood and growing up years. 

There is peace and joy when one's heart is at home.  There are heavenly matters to pass on to the next generation, from a quiet heart, who isn't distracted or overly busy with outside cares.

Teaching babies about our Heavenly Father, can easily be started with simple songs, and joyful hearts.  This is the most comforting thing to little souls.

Blessings
Mrs. White





For Home-keeping Inspiration, order my book - For The Love of Christian Homemaking. 


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Amazing Dedication

Somewhere, in the middle of the world,  a heavenly light shined down on a virtuous Mother.   The angels watched, as she walked the earth with amazing dedication to the Lord.

Through her life, temptations came, but could not take her away from her mission.  It all started one afternoon, when she shut off the television, put aside a magazine, and vowed to give up her collection of worldly fads.  Something had happened.  The things of earth had suddenly become dim. Her worldly interest had faded.  The former things of the heart had passed away.   All it took was one little, hesitant step toward the warmth of holiness, and she was overjoyed with a yearning for heavenly treasures.

In Scripture, we are told to follow the Lord with all our heart.  There is no room for other loves, or worldly ambitions.  There is no room for worldly pursuits, because that would take away the time and the heart from the focus of the mission.

We are told not to turn aside.  We are not to become distracted by the glitter or the entertainment in this world.  This too will weaken the loving heart and take us away from our mission.

All earthly pursuits that are not founded on a godly vision, will be but hay and stubble at the end of one's life.  

The holy war, for the virtuous mother, is to recognize the subtle distractions and to have the courage to ignore them.  It is a daily battle. One that makes one incredibly weary, unless one is constantly warming oneself by the beauty of Scripture, old time sermons, hymns and solid church fellowship.

What else do you think Susanna Wesley (1600's) meant when she said, regarding the spiritual training of her children,  "I have lived such a retired life for so many years.  No one can, without renouncing the world in the most literal sense, observe my method: and there are few, if any, that would entirely devote above twenty years of the prime of life in hopes to save the souls of their children."   Two of her nineteen children, went on to be famous ambassadors of the Lord. John Wesley was an amazing preacher.  His brother Charles wrote some of the most beautiful hymns one could ever hear.

How else could any of this happen without Amazing dedication?  Is it painful to say no to the world and all its glitter?  Of course!  Is it painful and wearisome to stay on that little narrow path? Certainly. But the discipline it takes to make the effort is rewarded and relieved, when the flood of peace and heavenly joy comes in to renew and regenerate the mother's spirit.

At the end of her life, when others look over the earthly possessions of the departed, they expect to find worldly goods to sort.  Instead they find a hymn book, and  a tear stained Bible (for the path is hard, but worth it). Everything else was gone.  Because by the time she reached the heavenly gates, all her interests and worldly cares had dropped away.   Leaving the beauty of a dedicated life that amazed the souls she left behind.

And this heroic legacy made many want to stand strong for this same cause, the cause of being a holy light in a corrupt world.  On that day thousands more virtuous mothers came along and filled her place on this earth.  This is amazing dedication because of the AMAZING GRACE and LOVE of our dear Lord.

Now let me ask you this. . .  . Are we really following him? Or are we like the toddler child who is constantly getting tangled in the weeds of the world?

The virtuous mother craved and loved the church. She loved her Bible above all things.  She observed daily religious duties for the sake of her soul. And these small efforts kept her on the holy path.  This is what made the light shine down from heaven.  And the angels watched and were blessed by her life.

Blessings
Mrs. White


Ideas for - A Happy Home.

The Classic Old Fashioned Housewife.

To Encourage the Mother of waywards - What Sundays Used to Mean to Housewives.



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Don't Let it Become a House of Sorrow

I was standing in my parlour, just standing there, in misery.  So many wonderful things were happening and then this.  It was another trial. One that brought tears of frustration and pain.  Mr. White and my boys helped us through it.  They were the protectors, and the problem solvers.  But I was still fearful and shaky.

John walked over to me. He is 15.  He opened his Bible and started to read Psalm 23.  Matt (19) had a hand on the door to go outside. He paused and listened.  Suddenly all was calm. None of it mattered anymore. We were comforted and soothed. We could move on.  We could forgive, offer grace and mercy, and let the Lord handle the trial.

Have you ever seen those medicine commercials for those suffering from depression? I often watch the people sitting in the chair, or not getting out of bed, and think, I would LOVE to do that! I would love to sit near  a window all day, staring out at the landscape, and not have to worry, or do anything.  And this is the temptation, when the whole world seems to be crashing down on us. However, these moments of suffering are passing. They don't last!  They are the dark night. We have to fight our way through them, using our weak flashlight (our positive attitude) until we make it to the dawn.

Every single home has troubles that come and go.  We will have calm times, and happy times, and joyful times.  Sadly, these may only last a few moments, but we have to hang on to them. We remember them, and reminisce about them, and bring them back, to get us through those other times.

Last night, I opened my hymnbook and sang with John. We sang, "Bringing in the Sheaves."  We sang it over and over again. Singing these old hymns remind us  that we will suffer in this life, but the reward will come.  Our work will last. It is important.  This is our comfort.

But please don't let the disappointments, financial worries, disagreements, or the sorrow for sins around us, bring down the gray hairs of sorrow on your homes.  Let them not be houses of mourning.  We have to do the work of smiling, laughing, joking and making light of things. We have to seek out the rainbows, and open the curtains to see the sunshine! 

Each moment, each morning, let all bitterness and grudges fall away. Start new with a smile and some love, and a heart of cheerful service.  Make your home a happy place, despite the trouble. If you do that, you will be the greatest wife and mother on this earth!

Blessings
Mrs. White


When Mr. White and I started our family, we took - A Vow of Poverty.

What My Aunt Taught Me - Manners Learned at the Finishing School.

Every Home Should Have - A Housewife on Duty.



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Simplicity of Old Fashioned Homemaking

We've all seen the busy housewife, who decorates and bakes and throws delightful parties.  She shops and she plans. She is so active in, an out of, the home, that many look at her and wonder where she gets her energy.  Most observe her life and despair of trying to mimic her!  She is her own star and she is unreachable!

There is another way.  It is the humble, basic way of simplicity.  It might look meager and poor. It might even look too easy.  But this way can be obtained by far more housewives, if they only realize it is okay to be simple.

There is a slowness to it. . . There is no ambition. . . It is the quiet servant - the meek one, who guides the home.  This housewife putters around the house and yard, cleaning and cooking in her own way. 

In the old days, oatmeal or porridge was the morning meal. Perhaps some bread and butter went with it.  No family was served processed, sugary cereal because it had not yet been invented.  Now today, can you imagine serving morning guests some oatmeal?  How many would balk at it?  But it is healthy and nourishing and warm and comforting!

A simple lunch of baked beans and biscuits with hot tea might be served during the afternoon break from chores.  This isn't a take out meal, or a fast food lunch. It isn't an elaborate planned out menu item.  It was what was available in the pantry.

Domestic occupations were not about planning elaborate events for the home. The simple duties were for the comfort of the family and basic survival. The laundry, the sweeping, the mopping, the cooking, the dusting were all on the normal agenda at home.   The homemaker would put on her housedress and apron and be "on duty" for the day. She was there to tend to the home and family.  She was not the 'event planner' or the one to spoil the children by gratifying their every worldly "want."

There is something very basic and very lovely about an old time homelife.  Bible reading and family prayers were done morning and evening. The family would have afternoon prayers with the noon meal.  They would break from their labor to worship the Lord.  Thoughts of heaven, eternal rest and joy were the ambition.   The focus was on the journey home and the blessed example they could leave to those around them.

Many of us crave this kind of life, but we are often tripped up and confused by what goes on in our culture.  A routine of homelife, the act of ironing or washing floors in the quiet of the morning (while praying or singing old time hymns) can help keep us grounded.  Are we not pilgrims and strangers on this earth?  May the Lord help us avoid acting like the "stars" of this world.

Blessings
Mrs. White

Remembering - A Humble Parlour as a School of Theology.

A Modest, Struggling Life - Living Without Credit Cards.

After a Difficult Illness - "Dear Kitchen."


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Then Sings My Soul Book 3 - Review

Book - Then Sings My Soul Book 3: The Story of Our Songs: Drawing Strength from the Great Hymns of Our Faith

Author - Robert J. Morgan

Publisher - Thomas Nelson

Pages - 290

This is such a lovely book! The artistic quality is charming - including a peaceful cover, vintage-style pages, and it is packed with stories and songs and inspiration!


Robert describes the history of music in worship. He explains the beauty of singing the psalms, the stories behind old hymns and their writers, and describes the emergence of new songs by new generations. He really brought to light for me how important the writers of worship song and hymns are to our lives!

Personally I own several hymn books and read and sing from them often. But Robert's book gives me a history behind the music.  He talks about:

- Biblical Hymns
- Ancient Hymns
- Medieval Hymns
- German Hymns
- English Hymns
- Gospel Songs and American Hymns
- Contemporary Praise and Worship Music.

He clearly shows that, through the years, the music has weaved a story of our faith. He traces time- periods and events, like in Martin Luther's day (and his song "A Mighty Fortress is our God"), about what was going on when a song came from that era. 

Here are a couple of examples:

" 'Bringing in the Sheaves' was composed by the 'Singing Evangelist,' Knowles Shaw, who was later to perish in a train wreck in Texas."(page 51)

" Civilla Durfee Martin, an evangelist's wife, wrote "His Eye is On The Sparrow" after she and her husband stayed with an infirmed couple in New York, who told her that the secret of their optimism was remembering that 'His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.' "  (page 51)

You'll also find several of the hymns, with notes, so you can play and sing them yourself.  The stories and descriptions in this book are fascinating and would make an excellent devotional book for family reading time.

*Disclosure - I received this book for review purposes.*

To find out more about my commercial breaks, please see my disclosure page.

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Designed to Comfort Us

Sometimes when I drive my teenagers on an errand, we stop at a little store at the corner of an intersection. Across the street is a large church.  We can hear a gentle sound of hymns being played from the church bells. It is lovely. The sound calms my nerves. It soothes me. It takes my mind to heavenly things, and off my daily troubles. I am grateful to them. I wonder if they know it is a blessing to those walking by?

Sometimes I leave my Bible on the kitchen table, or the hutch counter.   When I am busy doing chores, I absentmindedly notice it and touch the cover. It slows me down for a moment, and turns my thoughts off this difficult life.

The Church, The Bible, Prayers, and Religious Duties are all designed to comfort us. They are there so we can take a break from the constant, stressful demands in this life. How would we ever survive without them? Wouldn't the light and the salt be removed? How, then, can we ever consider the neglect of these essential duties?

blessings
Mrs. White

The Hidden Lesson - What Sundays Used to Mean to Housewives.

The Way it Was -  The Old Sunday Dinner.

Are you one of these? - Brave Mothers who Walk into Walls.

When I am gone - These Things Will Comfort My Children.




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The Old Vintage Hymn Book

The other day, during my homemaking break, I sat down to read my old hymn book. It was published in 1989. Instead of reading (or singing) all the familiar ones I knew, I started reading through the words of new ones.

As I read, I was reminded of when my children were little. I vividly remember Amy (possibly 4 or 5 years old at the time) sitting on the couch, with a hymn book in her hand. She was just sitting there, reading through the hymns. No one told her to do this. It was a precious sight.

Years ago, in my Father's library, I picked up his old hymn book. The cover is tattered and worn. It is filled with old hymns I never even heard of. But the words were so very precious to read!

While I was reading my hymn book this week, I found some very dear words:

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"Out of the ivory palaces
Into a world of woe,
Only His great eternal love
made my Savior go."

- From "Ivory Palaces" by Henry Barraclough

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"There's a church in the valley by the wildwood,
No lovelier spot in the dale;
No place is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the vale."

- From "The Church in the Wildwood" by William S. Pitts

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"O the friends that now are waiting,
In the cloudless realms of day,
Who are calling me to follow
Where their steps have led the way;
They have laid aside their armor,
And their earthly course is run;
They have kept the faith with patience
And their crown of life is won.

They are calling, gently calling,
Sweetly calling me to come,
And I'm looking through the shadows
For the blessed lights of Home."

- From "The Lights of Home" by Fanny Crosby

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"Lead me gently Home, Father, Lead me gently Home,
When life's toils are ended, and parting days have come;
Sin no more shall tempt  me, Ne'er from Thee I'll roam,
If Thou'lt only lead me, Father,
Lead me gently Home.

Lead me gently Home, Father, lead me gently,
Lest I fall upon the wayside, Lead me gently Home."

- From "Lead me Gently Home, Father" by Will Thompson

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"By and by when I look on His face, Beautiful face, thorn-shadowed-face;
By and by when I look in His face, I'll wish I had given Him more.

More, so much more.  More of my life than I e'er gave before -
By and by when I look on His face, I'll wish I had given Him more."

 - From "I'll Wish I Had Given Him More" by Grace Reese Adkins

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"Shall I empty handed be When beside the Crystal sea
I shall stand before the everlasting throne?
Must I have a heart of shame As I answer to my name,
With no works that my Redeemer there can own?"

- From "Shall I Empty Handed Be?" by N. A. McAulay and Maud Frazer

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"I've wandered far away from God,  Now I'm coming home;
The paths of sin too long I've trod, Lord, I'm coming home.

Coming home, coming home, Never more to roam.
Open wide Thine arms of love, Lord, I'm coming home."

 - From "Lord, I'm Coming Home" by William J. Kirkpatrick

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"There's a dear and precious Book, Tho' it's worn and faded now,
Which recalls those happy days of long ago;

When I stood at Mother's knee, With her hand upon my brow,
and I heard her voice in gentle tones and low.

Blessed Book, precious Book, On thy dear old tear-stained leaves I love to look;  Thou art sweeter day by day, As I walk the narrow way That leads at last to that bright Home above."

 - From "My Mother's Bible" by M. B. Williams

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Blessings
Mrs. White

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