Normally, I do not discuss the quotes with the kiddos prior to writing them, but I do write them while they are getting ready. Today, Number 3 was talking about one of her classes where they get to debate controversial topics, and as we were talking about that, I found her quote, “Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.” – Aleksander Solzhenitsyn. Initially, I really liked it. But the more I thought, and the more we discussed it, the more complicated it became. I expressed my unease with the quote with…”All men are created equal.” – Declaration of Independence. She countered with, “All animals are created equal, but some are more equal than others.” – Animal Farm. Needless to say, it got complicated, and I am not sure where I land on it. Anyway, I hope you guys talked to your kids about frogs, grass, or chickens.
As a reminder, Lunch Box Quotes are notes I include in the kids’ lunches every day. Number 1 gets a text, but 2-4 get a handwritten napkin. And we are in 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. I am intermittent fasting with 1 meal per day, no alcohol, and no social media/news after 6 p.m.
Visual credits to: Featured image – @KnightspurHouse Quotes: @USDOL @realcountry1953 @Rothmus @1FlowState
Quotes:
1. “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.” —George Washington, 1789
2. “There’s no lonelier place on earth for a man to be than separated from God.” – Johnny Cash
3. “Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.” – Aleksander Solzhenitsyn
4. “Humble enough to know that I can be replaced. Wise enough to know that nobody else is like me.” – Unknown
21 Days of Prayer and Fasting – Day 4
Psalm 51; Genesis 4:6-7
Note: (These notes are a combination of the notes from my Bible, the study guide, and my thoughts. Mostly, though, they are the work of others, just rearranged.) None of us are outside the temptation to fail. “Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” At some point, we all fail. I know my sin. However, no sin is too great to be forgiven. While God forgives us, he does not always erase the natural consequences of our sin. All sin hurts us and others, but it offends God because it is a rebellion against His way of living. Right conduct can only come from a clean heart and spirit. ‘Restore to me the joy of your salvation.’ On the other side of forgiveness, God is able to take what is broken and use it for good. What is the condition of your heart? Is it humbled or hardened?
Fasting: Yesterday was unexpectedly hard. I have previously fasted for longer periods, but the headache yesterday was real. Even with that, not checking my phone in those moments between activities was the hardest. While the title of this says I am on day 4, the reality is I am only just beginning day 3. This is clearly the place in my life I need the most work.
Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
-Amen
Sources:
Heavy,is the weight of command. pic.twitter.com/cTGqW1C71C
— ᛭ Ian ᛭ (@KnightspurHouse) November 21, 2025
“It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.” —George Washington, 1789 pic.twitter.com/i4i9HLJvfk
— U.S. Department of Labor (@USDOL) December 27, 2025
“There’s no lonelier place on earth for a man to be than separated from God.”
-Johnny Cash pic.twitter.com/Wk6D1puKxJ
— VintageCountryMusic (@realcountry1953) December 22, 2025
— Rothmus 🏴 (@Rothmus) December 19, 2025
15 Deep Lines That Will Make You Think:
— Flow State (@1FlowState) May 14, 2025