Deuteronomy 4:9 “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”

Last winter’s sub-zero temperatures added meaning to the phrase, “Keep the home fires burning.”

It is an unspoken agreement in our home that whoever wakes up first or gets home first needs to gather the remaining embers into a pile and stock the stove full of more wood.

I have noticed that it is so much easier to get the fire going if you regularly feed the stove with dry wood. When you wait too long and the fire burns out, it is much harder to get it started again.

Bummer.

Knowing Jesus as your Savior brings a fire of faith and love for Him into your soul. As He works in your heart and strengthens you through difficult circumstances, the fire grows stronger and warmer. It is important to feed this fire through regular times in God’s Word and prayer.

In this way we follow God’s command to “be careful and watch ... closely.”

When you go a long period of time without conversing with God, it is easy to forget the things He has done for you. Steadily the memories fade away and slip from your heart.

The fire grows cooler.

God knew the importance of “keeping the home fires burning.”

That is why He warned the Israelites never to forget His miraculous deliverance from Egypt; and never to forget how they stood protected by clouds and deep darkness at the foot of a blazing Mount Sinai; and never to forget His law, which He had spoken with a powerful voice out of the mountain’s darkness.

He called them to remember His works by watching themselves diligently.

We are no different. Reading God’s Word and praying daily isn’t busy work. It is essential to feeding the fire of a vibrant, growing relationship with God. And when you “keep the home fires burning” spiritually, you never have to worry when the weather outside drops to freezing temperatures.

The radiant love of God will keep you warm in the storm.

I think I’ll go grab my Bible and put another log on the fire. Won’t you join me?

Sandra Sheridan is a Midwest wife and mother of five. She shares her messages to her children with Farm World. Visit her at www.VersesFromMama.blogspot.com