If There Be Any Virtue, Think On These Things


I paused along the corridor and breathed a simple prayer, 

“Lord, help her have a better day today.

The pain in Mother’s body seems to worsen by the hour;

Help me to comfort her in some small way.”

 

She smiled wanly, took my hand and kissed it tenderly.

“I’ve had an awful night,” she whispered low.

I saw familiar worry lines carved deeply in her brow;

‘Twas hard to see my mother suffer so.

 

“I’ve been so very sick and also very frightened, too.

The devil has been here tormenting me.

He told me I’m not worthy to be called a child of God;

That Jesus never died on Calvary.”

 

I put my arms around her neck and wiped away her tears.

“There’s no way he can hurt you, Mother dear.

The devil is a coward and he picks on the infirmed.

But God’s eternal love casts out all fear.

 

“Let’s stake our claim in Jesus and resist the enemy.

We’ll concentrate our thoughts on Christ alone.

Let’s praise Him for salvation He provided full and free

By giving us full access to His throne.

 

“Let’s sing the songs of triumph, adoration, boundless joy

To Jesus who inhabits all our praise.

There’ll be no room for Satan to invade this hallowed room;

With thankful hearts, our hands to God we’ll raise.

 

We’ll plead the blood of Jesus over you while you’re alone

And dwell on things of good report and true.

We’ll focus on the honest things, the lovely and the pure*

And all the things that God has done for you.”

 

Then Mother raised her bony hand, a smile crept o’er her face.

 “There’s power in the blood” my Mother cried.

“All glory be to Jesus, Hallelujah for the cross!

He bore my sins and chose me for His bride.”

 

T'was just a few days later when the Lord called Mother home;

Her confidence and trust had been restored.

She left her earthly vessel full of victory and praise

By concentrating on her precious Lord.                           

 

*Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Philippians 4:8  KJV

 

Mariane Holbrook is a retired teacher, an author of two books, a musician and artist. She maintains a personal website at www.marianholbrook.com and welcomes your Emails at Mariane777@bellsouth.net.

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