The most important and the most precious thing the pioneer had was his wagon. The wagon was his home. He slept in the wagon. It was the parlor or living room where he might read, pray, or play checkers.
Secondly, the wagon provided shelter from the elements; it kept out the wind, sleet, and sun. What lessons can we learn from the wagon? Don’t overload your home with unnecessary burdens. A marriage and family can only sustain so much. Don’t forget the provisions of love, kindness, gentleness, perseverance, humility. These are the knives and other implements that hung inside the wagon’s interior. Pioneers always had a can of grease at the ready to oil and moisten the axles and wheels of the wagon. Forgiveness is your oil in your family wagon.
The most important part of the wagon was the tongue. If the tongue broke, the wagon would be useless. The oxen would have nothing to pull. Similarly, our tongues set the course of our lives. It directs where we will end. The power of life and death are in the tongue. James tells us that "the tongue is set on fire by hell. With it we praise God and curse our brother made in His image. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself" (James 3:6).
We have all seen movies were the pioneers circled their wagons and fought the natives. A wagon became an instantaneous fort, a corral for the animals as well. The pioneers preferred oxen over mules or horses. The oxen were strong, but even so, a wagon could not carry more than 2000 pounds. Similar to the wagon, your family can only take so much stress. Your family needs more than just provisions, gifts; they require love, time, and listening. Be sure to protect your family from predators: overstimulation, lack of commitment, and too little quality time. The tongue stuck out a quite a bit in the front and onto it, the oxen were attached. Without the tongue, the wagon was useless, a dead heavy weight. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (I John 4:20).
May we always use our words to build up and not tear down. Your words of affirmation and love protect the hearts of those whom you hold dear. It protects the hearts of your family from predators which would seek their destruction. Unconditional love and words of comfort keep the home fires burning. Circle your wagon so to speak and corral the lost ones inside the warmth of your heart. Pull them close this season and use every implement you can find to protect what you value most.
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