"A student asked me whether I thought it was a problem that we tend to place missionaries on pedestals. My answer was that indeed we do, but servants of the Lord ought to be models of the truth they proclaim. Paul was bold enough to say, "Be followers of me" (l Cor 4:16).

At the same time let us always remember that the "excellency of the power" (2 Cor 4:7 AV) is never ours but God's. It is foolish to imagine that the missionary, or whoever the hero is, is sinless. God uses sinners--there is no one else to use.

Pedestals are for statues. Usually statues commemorate people who have done something admirable. Is the deed worth imitating? Does it draw me out of myself, set my sights higher? Let me remember the Source of all strength ("The Lord is the strength of my life," says Ps 27:1 AV) and, cheered by the image of a human being in whom that strength was shown, follow his example." Elisabeth Elliot

Help me be patient, Lord! My mind is a million places at once. I want to focus on You. OK, no I really want to focus on the million things, or I would have focused on You already... I am so glad You have been on my mind lately, and that talking to You throughout the day is getting easier. A few years ago, today would have seemed impossible. I am casting all my cares upon You. I want to meditate on them and therefore WORRY about them, but know I am to meditate on YOU. You will accomplish all things in the fullness of Your perfect timing. I submit to You my body and all it's cares, my mind, my heart, my soul, my spirit (however redundant any of those things are). I need Your guidance and timing for a weekday activity (MOPS, bible study, SOMETHING with childcare). I thank You for my hubby and how wonderful he was to let me go out last night by myself. I thank You that You helped Him through his meeting this morning. I pray that went well. I trust You for our dinner plans for the next several weeks - we have a lot of people to minister Your love to, so I know You are working it all out! I thank You that it's Wednesday again - my second favorite day of the week because we get to go to church again! I pray for Edward and Genevieve to have wonderful times in their classrooms: for Edward to continue to make friends and learn about You, for Genevieve to feel loved, for Michael and I to continue to make and strengthen connections. I trust You for our finances. For our plans. For our children.

Lord, it's all in YOUR hands. Keep reminding me that I need to keep putting it all back in Your hands as many times as I want to take it out with my own. I pray Your blessings over the minds, hearts, spirits, and bodies of each of my family members. Fill me with Your Spirit and let me overflow with it's bounty. I love You, Lord Jesus, Father God, and Counselor.