 Do you know about founding father Noah Webster? He was a man who loved God and was passionate about living for Him, and helping others to as well. He loved to learn and ended up learning 20 languages. 20! He used his unique ability of understanding language to be about displaying God's character. (It seems he blended his Life Direction Circles well.) He persevered for 27 years in writing the dictionary for the glory of God so he says. He said things like "Education is useless without the Bible." and "In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed....No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people." His worldview/valuing Scripture above all else lead him to point to God in many words like when he was defining love, he knew it couldn't be separated from God writing in the dictionary, "The love of God is the first duty of man, and this springs from just views of his attributes or excellencies of character, which afford the highest delight to the sanctified heart. Esteem and reverence constitute ingredients in this affection, and a fear of offending him is its inseparable effect." And here's what he says in dedication of his life long work, the dictionary: "To that great and benevolent Being, who, during the preparation of this work, has sustained a feeble constitution, amidst obstacles and toils, disappointments, infirmities, and depression; who has borne me and my manuscripts in safety across the Atlantic, and given me strength and resolution to bring this work to a close, I would present the tribute of my most grateful acknowledgements. And if the talent which he entrusted to my care, has not been put to the most profitable use in his service, I hope it has not been ‘kept laid up in a napkin,’ and that any misapplication of it may be graciously forgiven.1 How incredibly inspiring! Someone who was willing to trust the Lord even though there was a chance of failure and unwilling to bury his talents. I feel so honored to even get to hear about people like Noah. Lord, thank you for Noah and his willingness to persevere for song long in using his unique abilities to make You known. Thank You for how You've gifted him and the inspiration and example he is for us 150 years later that writing is not about us. Oh Lord, give us perseverance to use our abilities for your glory even when it gets hard. Even when it seems doors are shut. Give us a relentless responsibility of stewarding the gifts you've given us for your glory. About Laura Laura, the creator and host of Missional Women is married and has six kids, two of whom are adopted. Laura and her husband have been missionaries since 2002 serving with Master Plan Ministries. Laura is the Staff Women's Development Coordinator and has discipled over 150 women, led over 30 Bible studies and speaks many times a year. Laura is an author and creator of ministry tools and resources. You can find her books and resources at the Missional Women store and connect with her on facebook,twitter, pinterest, youtube, instagram and her author site.
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