Dear Reader:

“When you are going through something hard and wonder where God is…remember the teacher is always quiet during a test.”

I have never forgotten this quote that I heard sometime during my teaching days. It has brought me such comfort when I am going through hard challenging times and let myself wonder why I can’t seem to find God when I need Him the most.

Then the other day, as I was straightening up some books I keep around the computer (my favorites) the tiny, thin volume of Archibald Rutledge’s “Life’s Extra’s” popped open to a page and at once I was comforted. Rutledge was sharing an observation he had made...”God does not love us with words; He loves us by giving us everything we need-in every way plus all His “Extra’s”…and then guiding us through our life back home to Him.”

Rutledge continues: “At any rate, I know that a thoughtful consideration of life’s extras has done more to give my faith in God actual conviction than all the sermons I ever heard.”

” My knowledge of theology is hardly more ample than that of a bushman of Borneo; but I am absolutely unshaken in my faith God created us, loves, and wants us not only to be good, but to be happy.” 

“He ministers to our bodies by the necessities that abound in the world; and to our spirits by the beauty that adorns creation. One has no difficulty in discovering, in the vast scheme of things, an extraordinary, an exciting, provision and prevision. As philosophy, I know not if this will stand; but I do know that a belief in it has brought me close to God. 

“Neither a day-dawning nor a sunset is really a necessity. It is one of life’s extras. It is a visit to an incomparable art gallery; and no one has to pay any admission fee. 

The human mind, proud and self-centered, maybe be inclined to reject this kind of proof of God’s love. But the human heart can hardly do so. And in things spiritual I do not know but that the heart is by far the better guide. ”

So until tomorrow…I love when I re-discover this special book each time. It is copyrighted 1928 and was given to mother by one of the “spinister” sisters she lived with when first coming to Fayetteville to work after Winthrop College. Miss Janie gave her the book and it was autographed by Archibald Rutledge…the most beloved book I have among my favorites…a special connection to mother.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

*Look what Anne sent me…a picture of her variegated morning glories…isn’t it beautiful?

Going to Ireland is one of Tommy and Kaitlyn’s “Life’s Little Extras”…this year they had a professional photographer “Into the Light” take pictures that show why following one’s dreams does take you ‘into the light.’