If Jacob was gifted cash for his birthday, he knew what he wanted before he ever reached the store. If he received a gift card, he was usually bargaining with his dad before the party was over, ready to trade it for cash because he already had the money spent. As my dad said of …
Arriving At The Destination
My grandson, Thomas, is almost two and he still struggles with car rides. He lives almost two hours away so in order to visit extended family, his parents must drive. His mom has tried everything to ease the trip for him but getting out of the car is really the only thing that helps. He …
Like a Child
My daughter and my sister are kid magnets. Children single them out in public places as approachable. A little one may come right up and start a conversation or latch onto them unexpectedly, surprising them and the parents or caregivers. It’s definitely how God wired them as they both chose teaching as a vocation, but …
The Sun Is Setting
Daylight lasts much longer this month and thank heavens for a few extra hours to enjoy God’s creation, but once the sun goes down, it becomes instantly cooler. I prefer this early evening light and landscape to early mornings, always have. Watching the sun drop behind the tree line, veiled by clouds, is the most …
The Final Word
Our Thomas has started saying his own prayers. His momma told me about how he folded his hands like the father and son in his bedtime storybook once she had finished with her prayer and started saying MaMa, DaDa, A (for Amelia) and on through his list of people and things for which he is …
Steward Well
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 …
Start At The Beginning
Have you read through the entire Bible? My first attempt was in November, 1996. I know this because I planned to start by reading the shortest books first. Apparently, I lasted almost a week and then my dates marked in the table of contents disappeared. I still have the Bible I used and it has …
Long Suffering
Though one is ten months younger, both of my grandchildren have hit the tantrum phase hard. Having been given a choice once or twice, their little psyches have begun asserting their own wills quite forcefully in almost every situation. Squeals echo from the almost two year old while the almost one face drops and throws …
Déjà vu
You know you’ve thought about it at least once, maybe even once this week. If you’re a believer in relationship with your Heavenly Father, God, through the work of His One and Only Son, Jesus, and if you’re reading your Bible with any regularity, then you’ve noticed current events too strikingly similar to events described …
Hard Headed
You need to call Dad now, she chided, unable to hide the uneasiness in her voice. I’ll be fine once you get me home, I replied, not entirely convinced myself but determined to tough it out. My right knee has given me problems most of my life, catching, for lack of a better word, usually …
A Fitting Reply 