Six years ago, we moved away from our home in my husband’s home town. We had lived in this particular home for 3 years (the longest we have lived anywhere). It was very hard to leave. The hardest thing about leaving was leaving the man next door.
Yes, you read that right. The man next door was our 79 year old landlord.
Yes, you read THAT right. He was our LANDLORD. I don’t know a whole lot of people who LIKE their landlord, let alone, miss him when they leave. But, this man was special. He was another grandfather tp our children, he was a sounding board for my husband and myself, and he was an inspiration in living the Word of God, no matter the circumstances.
I would wake up in the middle of the night, look out my window and see his light on. It was not uncommon for him to get up by 3 or 4 am and read in his Bible until morning’s light.
We still regularly talk to this man and I always walk away from our conversations encouraged. It is one of our conversations I want to share here…
After our usual chit-chatting about the children and my husband’s job, he said something profound…something I needed to hear. He said he knew NOTHING except for what the WORD OF GOD has taught him. He said he may know how to comb his hair and tie his shoes and how to cook, but those aren’t the things that REALLY matter. Now, this is a man who has been an officer in WWII, a professional photographer, a preacher, an avid antiques collector, a classical music buff, and a gardener extraordinaire. Yet, he knows NOTHING except for what the WORD OF GOD has taught him!
So often we neglect our daily Bible reading. We get edgy and harsh with the children. We feel uneasy and sad and don’t know why. We spend copious amounts of time focusing on ourselves.
In school, we’ve been learning about Unitarianism and Deism., Their faulty thinking is all the same…SELF is their answer ~ *I* can think through anything and arrive at the proper answer for ME ~ I don’t *need* God. While I would NEVER say this is what I believe, my actions were saying this. If I am not reading daily and learning through His Word, then I am basically saying that I can figure it out on my own.
But, guess what?
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Prov 1:7
I truly know NOTHING, except for what the WORD OF GOD has taught me!
So, what has your daily Bible reading been teaching you?
Amy Matthews says
Love, that’s what I’ve been learning. I am writing a blog series about it now. 1st post up today. I am learning that without love we are indeed-nothing!
Andrea says
Awesome and profound…indeed, I know “nothing” on my own! I praise GOD for those like this man…humble, gentle, loving, and willing to share a heart of Christ with those of us who need it most.
Hugs, blessings, and prayers, andrea
GapGirl says
Wow, so amazing. What a wonderful man!!! Thanks for posting. It was nice to read!
Casey says
Wow, what a wonderful post! God placed that man in you life for a reason, what a blessing!
Kelly says
A true blessing! Very lovely. I am new to your blog, just joined as your blog was recommended by someone at POM’s Connect MEme Monday!
http://thepursuitofmommyness.com/
Lyn says
Wow! Great post! It is such a blessing to have people like your landlord in our lives isn’t it? I am so thankful the Lord sends them our way.
Linda says
Your Landlord is a smart man! What a blessing for you to know such a man and have him for a friend.
And the best friend any of us can have is Jesus.
The way we get to know Him more is to read His Word, and to talk to Him in prayer.
I don’t know why we humans fail so often at doing those two things.
Thank you for writing this post and for reminding us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…and wisdom.
I want to know Him better! (:>)
Linda @ Truthful Tidbits
Sandi says
Love this post. So true!
Something I need to keep in mind everyday all day due to my tendancy to pride and sefl sufficency.
The word really meets our deepest needs.
And what a sweet gift of relationship.
Tiffany says
What a sweet post! How blessed you were to have that kind of land lord! God has been teaching me so much lately, that I would fill up this whole comment box. the biggest thing I am learning is to TRUST. We are going through some very big circumstances right now, and God is proving Himself to be oh, so faithful. You have a very lovely blog.
christinnjon says
Oh AMEN! I’m the same…though I don’t embrace that way of thinking, my actions, my mind sometimes says otherwise. 🙁 Especially as of late. I need to get back to the Book and stop pretending like I know it all.
Thank you for the reminder.
Angela says
Thanks for this encouraging post.