Today I’m pleased to introduce Margaret Watland, whom I met in May at the Northwest Christians Writers conference, where we had fun discovering our common bonds of writing, spending time with family, and following the Lord.
A farmer’s daughter from SE Washington, Margaret worked in banking for many years. She wrote her husband’s story, Recalling My WWII Experiences, published as a serial in The Colorado Lookout. She also contributed several short stories for The Bookshelf, by The Bookshelf Writers. Today she writes historical fiction. Her eldest daughter lives in Wisconsin, and her younger daughter and all her ‘grands’ and ‘greats’ live nearby in the greater Seattle area.
Margaret is the author of today’s guest post. I hope her insights will encourage you as they have me. Thank you, Margaret!
Bathroom Devotions
by Margaret Watland
Jeremiah 31:33…I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people.
I found this verse underlined in my (1967) Scofield Bible. In 1968 someone introduced me to Bible Study Fellowship, and I attended classes from 1968 through 1970. It was during those years that I began underlining verses. BSF changed my life because it taught me to read the Bible, and I heard God speaking to me through it.
In March of 1970 my first husband died at the age of thirty-three. God used BSF to prepare me to walk with Him down through the valley of death and, as a widow, out on a path to employment and life with my two girls.
The words from Jeremiah bless me whenever I read them. (The writer of Hebrews repeated them in Hebrews 10:16.) I like the New Living Translation version of Jeremiah 31:33...I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I am so thankful God has put His word deep within me. I need it to help me walk with Him every day.
Have you tried to have daily devotions but find your day too full to squeeze it in? If we don’t have time for God how can we teach our children about God? Where do we find time? For me, the earlier in the day, the better.
When I was a young mother I had my devotions in the bathroom. A small devotional booklet, Our Daily Bread, rested on the back of the toilet. In it there was a verse, an explanation, and a short prayer for each day. God used those few words to help me in my Christian walk.
I offer three suggestions to enhance your devotional time:
1. Memorize – When a verse is meaningful to you, memorize it. God will use that verse to teach you of Himself.
2. Meditate – Try to keep that lesson in your mind, to ‘think on it’ during the day.
3. Review – Just before bedtime pick up your devotional book and review the lesson of the day.
O Lord God, help me make time each day to read the Bible, to pray, and to memorize. Amen.
Posted on July 21, 2015
Norma Nill 
I have found that about the only privacy I have is in the bathroom; ‘a place to be alone with God and talk to him and let him speak to me. Thanks for your writing and encouragement.
I’m glad Margaret’s experience resonated with you, Janice. Your comment is a blessing!
This is from my sister. Good job, Margaret. Thank you for the idea of reading and praying in the bathroom. It also would be a good place to post scriptures and positive thoughts. My house has a “Joy” theme – Scatter Joy; Live Life Joyfully; Joy is in the journey; Joy for all who enter here. Katherine.W
Grandma, This idea is great for me. I have been needing just this advice. Thank you,
Judy
I remember getting to know Margaret during the late 60s and early 70s. She and my mom have been very close friends since that time, and Margaret has been like a second mother to me. Thanks for being such a Godly influence in my life!
Thank you, Margaret. You continue to inspire me with your faithfulness and courage!
Thank you Katherine (I like the joy motif idea), Judy, David, and Sarah for your wonderful comments! They’re bound to bless all who stop by and who’ve never met Margaret, as well as her and all know her.
Thank you Margaret, I’ve missed sharing Bible studies with your group and can’t wait for the restart coming up! Your words have helped me so much throughout all our Bible studies!!!
Thank you Norma and all contributors,
As each has said, this older one is blessed more than
words can express. To God be the Glory!
I appreciate your reading and commenting on Margaret’s blog post, Dad.