My brother Claus was two years older than me.  So, he went to school when he was 5 years old, since his 6th birthday was within the time period allowed for him to go before 6. (September 10].  Even though I would not 'mess with his stuff', I was not finished with my 'competition' with him.  Yes, I even felt like he 'left me' to go to school.  But, the fun was just beginning.  I would participate with him, when Mother was helping him with his homework. 

My brother would come home and tell of all the fun he was having.  I felt left out of his life.  That is, until it was time to do 'homework'.

'Look  at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?' [Matthew 6:28 RVS]
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​I was feeling, left out.

Each day, we had our chores around the house.  Like piling up the wood on the back porch so that Mother always had wood for the kitchen stove and for the front fireplace.

Additionally, we had the chickens to feed, to gather the eggs, and to take care of our dog and cat.

We were responsible for keeping out personal things in order, putting away our clothes, toys and the like. 

We both did the dishes after supper, with our Mother's supervision.

From around 7 PM until 8:30 PM, it was 'homework', Bible Story time, bath and prayers and bedtime.    

I would sit under the table in the kitchen on my 'play quilt' with my dolls and tea-set while Mother and Claus were above on the table.  Often the lessons were 'reading', 'writing' and 'arithmetic'.  I relished the 'arithmetic' for it was memory work - 1 plus 1 equals 2; 2 plus 2 equals 4, etc.  This was all well and good, until the numbers began to get bigger and bigger.  And then, Claus would be a little slower in his memory.  Not to worry, Li'l Miss Tidy would come to 'the rescue', with the answer.  But, this would irritate my brother and throw him off track.  I could not understand this. I just wanted to help him. 
Mother was about to give me a lesson in 'learning to be quiet'. 

"When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child..." 1 Corinthians 13:11a.

No, this is not 'really' me, but, it is very close.  You see, I was a 'very', 'very' happy 'little child'.  Of course, up until a certain age, I can only take this on the words of those who were around me.  My aunts, uncles, older brothers and sister together with my Mom.  All said I was a 'happy-go-lucky', 'sweet baby'.

My mom and sister used to tell me that I would be lying in the 'crib' just laughing, and seemingly, 'in another world'.  I truly believe that the Lord does give His angels charge over His children, even when they are little. [Psalm 91:9-12]

I can remember my life from about the age of 4 years.  I was very joyful AND - mischievous, too.  For example, when I was around the house while my brother two years older than me was at school, I would always 'prefer' to be in his room.  That is - when no one was watching.  I loved playing with his Lionel train set.  Actually, often I really sort of 'messed it up', bending the 'straight' tracks where I thought there should be a curve, and 'little things' like that. [Humptf.]  Now, when he would find that 'someone' has been 'messing' 'with my stuff', do you think for one little moment that I would step up to the plate, to admit it was I, and to and ask him to forgive me. Did I can confess that I had not meant to bend the track, that I was just trying to make the 'route' more 'curvy' as I played with the set'??  No way!! Not a chance.  I was not even supposed to be 'meddling' with 'your brother's things' unless he is present and playing with you'.  Or, so my Mom had set the rule.  Egads! 
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No, I hate to burst your bubble, proverbially speaking.  We are all born with that 'rebellious spirit' alive and well.  Even at 4 years old, I was 'sneaky', 'stealing', 'lying', 'deceitful'.  And you would think that when I was 'confronted', 'asked directly' that I would feel 'fear', 'guilt', 'shame', 'remorse', or, 'repentance', right? 

Well, that was just not about to happen. No, even at 4 years of age, 'I was a survival of the fittest [liar]'. I, nor anyone else has to be 'taught' 'this fallen nature'.  It is there!!

​So, 'in survival mode', when Mom asked directly if I had been in my brother's room bothering his things, I would put my finger in my mouth, suck it, and be shaking my head, 'looking innocent' and 'looking' 'aghast' at the 'very thought' that someone would think that I would break Mom's specific directions to me not to do such.  
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Further, my 'big-big' brother, a teenager, would always come to my rescue and be telling Mom that 'surely 'Tidy' [my family's pet name for me] would not do this thing.  He had his way of making everyone think, 'how could such a little 'angel' have possibly done such a thing'??'  Oh, I was a 'regular' 'sinner' at the early age of 4 years of age.  And, I certainly had for a time, my earthly 'big-big' brother, fooled.  But, I would find later that I never had my 'Heavenly Big Brother, fooled at all!!  [Hint - no child is 'an angel'. For real.]
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How did my Mom, who 'seemed to have eyes in the back of her head', handle this 'mischief', 'this sin-bent' in her 'baby girl'?

​Wisely.  Even 'setting' a 'trap' so I would have no recourse but - 'to confess' 'the truth' and 'suffer the consequences.  For the next post. 

But, now, for you.  Remember your childhood.  Reflect.  Look at it for what it really was - embrass it.  Take any hurt left over to the Lord in prayer.  And, for this time, really leave it there.  Then, at the same time, thank Him for the things He will remind you that worked for your good, even though you did not think that it was good or for your good, at the time.  Just sit in His Presence and 'do have that little talk with Jesus'.  Are there things you do not understand?  Ask Him about them and He will either answer your question direct, or, give you more of Him, for your comfort, which is even better.  If you are 'saved', ask Him to 'renew you to the point where you first believed'.  If you are not 'in the faith of Jesus', you are still breathing.  It is not too, late. 
Visit any of the rooms, including the earlier posts in this room, you will find what is necessary for you to do - to 'come to the Lord'.

In a few days, I shall tell you about the 'lessons' I learned that changed me from a 'brat' to start 'trying' to 'consider others' ahead of myself.  Yes, this was occurring even at the ripe young age of 4 years.  My Mother's favorite Holy Bible Scripture was - yes, 'Train up a child in the way he[she] should go, And when he[she] is old he[she] will not depart from it.' [Proverbs 22:6]  Her second most used Scripture was like wise - 'As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.' [Joshua 24:15]  Interestingly, these are some of my very favorite ones, as well. 

May you be blessed as you 'listen for' and 'hear His Voice', 'notice His hand in nature', and 'circumstances in your life, today'; all for your very own, personal self, for the sake of Jesus Christ, for the Glory of God, for your good'.  Amen. Amen.    ​

EACH OF US, 'BORN OF A 'WOMAN IS A 'MIRACLE'.

NEVER, EVER, DOUBT THIS VERY FACT OF LIFE'.

FROM  THE 'VERY MOMENT' OF ​'CONCEPTION' , THERE IS A VERY 'REAL HUMAN BEING', BEING 'FEARFULLY AND WONDROUSLY CREATED' TO BECOME A 'FULL GROWN PERSON', WITH A VERY 'DEFINITE PURPOSE'  IN THE 'DIVINE PLAN' .
[Genesis 4:1, 18:9-15; Job 33:6, Psalms 94:9 139:13; Isaiah 29:16, 44;2, 49:1; Jeremiah 1:5, 10:16; Luke 1:36,41-42-44] 

GOD WANTS THE CHILD TO BECOME 'A CHILD OF THE LIVING AND CREATOR GOD', BEFORE AND AFTER 'SALVATION OCCURS. THEN, THROUGH THE 'CIRCUMSTANCES', all which are planned in advance by the loving and good hand of the Living Sovereign and Creator GOD, AND, THROUGH THE 'NURTURE' FROM HIS HOLY WORD, [THE HOLY BIBLE], AS THE CHILD GROWS UP, THE CHILD IS ABLE TO HEAR FROM THE LORD, AT HIS APPOINTED TIME.  THEN, BECAUSE OF GOD'S LOVE AND MERCY, THE CHILD, AT WHATEVER AGE, HEARS GOD CALL AND COMES WITH THE 'GIFTS' FROM GOD OF FAITH AND THROUGH REPENTANCE TO SALVATION BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. [ALL THE WORK OF GOD!]
[Genesis 3:15, 18:16-19; Exodus 2:2; Deuteronomy 6:1-10-[Ephesians 6:4]; 1 Samuel 1:27; Proverbs 22:6; Jeremiah 29:10-14 Matthew 3:9, Luke 3:8; John 5:40, 6:35, 37, 44, 10:10, 13:3, 14:3, 14:6, 14:18; Ephesians 2:1-10; 2 Timothy 3:10-17; Hebrews 1, 11, 12; 2 Peter 1:16-21 
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AT THE TIME OF 'SALVATION',  NO MATTER THE AGE, 'THE 'RECREATED' OR 'SPIRITUALLY BORN-AGAIN', 'PERSON' BECOMES FOREVER -  'A CHILD OF THE LIVING', 'CREATOR GOD'. PARDONED OF SIN, RECONCILED TO THE FATHER, BY AND THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.  It is like 'before' Adam disobeyed!  Supernatural 'fellowship' and 'intimate communion' with the Lord. FOR REAL!! [See Genesis 2]. 
​[Matthew 18:3; 19:14; 23:37; John 1:12; Romans 8:16, 21; Ephesians 5:1; Philippians 2:15; Hebrews 2:13; 1 Peter 1:14; 3:6; 1 John 3:1,10, 5:2]

PLEASE STOP.  CHECK THIS OUT FOR YOURSELVES.  BE SURE THIS IS - "AS IT IS WRITTEN", SO THAT YOU ARE NEVER, EVER DECEIVED. www.audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html

HAVING A 'RENEWED' OR 'RE-CREATED' SPIRIT, THEN THAT 'CHILD OF THE LIVING GOD', [NO MATTER THE AGE WHEN THIS HAPPENS'], BEGINS HIS OR HER -  'REAL LIFE', 'ETERNAL LIFE', IN 'THE FAMILY OF GOD'. THIS WAS NEVER, EVER POSSIBLE - BEFORE JESUS CHRIST WENT TO THE CROSS AND ROSE ON THE THIRD DAY!! NEVER!! 

THE 'CHILD' IS JUSTIFIED THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST'S WORK AT CALVARY, PARDONED OF ALL SINS, COMMITTED OR OMITTED THINGS, PAST AND PRESENT.  AND, WITH GOD'S GRACE EVER WORKING, ANY TIME IN THE FUTURE UPON REPENTANCE AND TURNING FROM SIN, AS THE HOLY SPIRIT BRINGS 'CONVICTION', WE CONTINUE TO BE 'CLEANED OF SIN'. THIS 'ESSENTIAL' PROCESS KNOWN AS 'SANCTIFICATION', CONTINUES BY THE GRACE OF GOD, THROUGHOUT ALL THIS LIFE. WHEN THE PERSON TAKES HIS OR HER LAST BREATH, GLORIFICATION OCCURS WHERE SIN IS NO LONGER PRESENT IN THE LIFE OF THE PERSON FOR ALL FUTURE ETERNITY.  A 'MIRACLE' BECAUSE ONLY THE CREATOR GOD CAN BRING IT TO PASS!!  HE THEREFORE IS TO BE GLORIFIED AND PRAISED!​