I have a very lovely stone fireplace in my home that I never use. It’s not broken. It’s not complicated to use either. There’s a convenient little switch on the wall next to the stonework and if you walk over close enough to peek behind the first log, you’ll see the pilot light flickering day …
Guard the Truth
More and more junk gets through the spam filter into my email box these days. Some brilliant minds are programming the filters while others are designing ways to bypass them. It’s frustrating for my train of thought to be interrupted by a seemingly legitimate bill or notice only to find a string of unknown addresses …
Nothing Is Certain, Or Is It?
In my experience, babies sleep through the night when they are ready and each child is different. Like us, they have good days and not so good days, but one thing I’ve learned and I try to encourage my girls with this truth- appreciate, even celebrate each milestone, just don’t depend on it. Even the …
Each New Generation
Why is it true of human nature that we put off things we dread, choosing every possible option to busy ourselves until the dreaded thing is upon us? Taxes. Essays. Doctors. Mopping. What is true of trivialities is also true of essentials. We take stock at the start of a new year and resolve to …
Promises Long Kept
As I contemplate taking down my Christmas tree, I think of the bare spot it will leave behind. I can arrange the furniture as it was before carving out a space for the tree but the twinkling lights and aromatic greenery speckled with red and white checkered or lacework angels, snowflakes, and nativity scenes will …
Where Are You Tonight?
The shepherds were watching their flocks the night that Christ was born. The wise men were far to the east when the Christ star appeared, doing whatever wise men do. Joseph and Mary were crowded into a stable in Bethlehem for a census decreed by an emperor who was merely concerned about his tax base, …
Quickly Met Need
I have vivid memories of a night during the elementary years for my three children when I stood at the edge of the parking area behind our church, tears threatening to spill over, as a train ran its track only a few yards away. Its noise was the only thing loud enough to muffle the …
All I Want For Christmas
I lose track of my phone more often these days. I check my email less frequently. I scroll social media less often and more quickly, scanning for birthdays and baby pictures. I don’t have dementia (at least I don’t think so!) I have grandchildren! It’s so much easier to put a pause on my devices …
Obedient To The Call
I’m used to God living and moving freely inside my head. He has unimpeded access to my thoughts and knows my words before I speak because I surrendered my life to Him in Christ and His Holy Spirit abides in me. His work in this season of my life involves my learning to let Him …
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 …
A Fitting Reply 