The last of the sunset was quickly slipping below the tree line when we finally made it outside. Each evening we feed the fish at the edge of the lake behind our house. As my husband and I stood watching after spreading the bits of food across the water, the larger bluegill began breaking the …
Labor Pains
I delivered our first baby, a son, before cell phones, instant messaging, text and email. My husband was enjoying a required educational seminar over dinner with his chief in surgery and fellow residents and interns when my water broke. He was all the way across town from our new home where we’d moved only six …
Life and Peace
What informs my thoughts? It’s a question I had to ask myself as I struggled to find sleep one night this week. I had simply scrolled my social long enough to reply to several comments and wish a few happy birthdays. There, in a birthday post, was a tiny tidbit of information I wished I …
What Joy!
Pure joy! A most apt description of grandchildren now that I have them. So many people, friends and strangers alike, told me how wonderful this tertiary generation would prove to be but before they came into the world, before I held them and knew them, I simply could not comprehend. The capacity of my heart …
I’m Here!
“Lolly’s here, baby,” I whispered. “Mama, Dada,” he repeated, sleepily. “Mama’s sleeping. Daddy’s sleeping. Lolly’s here,” I gently intoned. He stirred, not quite awake but restless. I leaned close to his ear and hummed Jesus Loves Me as I ran my fingers through his hair. He sighed and began to breathe more slowly and steadily. …
Good Grief!
Grief is often expressed with tears, but not always. Silence. Depression. Anger. Resolve. Inaction. All are very real responses in our grieving, but are we ever grieved as followers of Christ by disregard for God and His Word? Do we mourn the fate of the lost? Do I remember being separated from God by my …
What Dominates Your Thoughts?
So much rain! The ground is saturated and oozes with every step. I remember my own hesitation to take my kids outside to play when they were small. Mud doesn’t bother children, just the adults who have to clean their clothes. Whether or not I took them outside depended a lot on the previous day …
It’s For You
I remember buying our first cordless phone set with one extension for the master bedroom upstairs. Before that, our telephone was attached to the wall in the kitchen and the receiver was attached to that by a longish curly cord, which was great for fiddling with while you chatted, but annoying when you needed to …
Passionate Commitment
Same dress, same hair, same smile, she shared the stage with the others, but she sat while they stood. She had my heart before I knew her name, just like my grandchildren. I enter a room with my heart extended. I can’t help it. I used to think I simply had a soft spot for …
Special Privilege
It’s officially December and Christmas is only a few weeks away. Yet December twenty-fifth would pass like any other day unless I choose to observe its significance and celebrate it. Since it falls on a Sunday, I will attend a worship service at my local church and share a meal with family, but between now …
A Fitting Reply 