Thomas is precious with his baby brother, Timothy. He has a special voice reserved for their conversations and thankfully, not at his usual volume. He wakes up wanting him and throughout the day, he wants to hold baby brother, with help, of course. He’s good for a few minutes of pure sweetness but when he’s …
Inseparable Word: Trust and Obey
In the weeks leading up to his baby brother’s arrival, Thomas was particularly attached to his mother, not wanting her out of his sight and often needing to hold her, as he so affectionately put it. She knew the separation would be difficult for him when the time came to go to the hospital, so …
A Clear Witness For Jesus
Why do we insist on making everything about us? We live in a very self centered culture. Each of our lives becomes a center like the sun with the lives and spheres of others gravitating in and out of our miniature systems. No wonder we are so prone to colliding and reacting, like an old …
Jesus In Me
How long have you known me? All your life? All my life? A few days, weeks, months, years, or only for a season? Much of your knowledge of me depends on our relationship to one another, but even more on your relationship to Christ. In families and within communities, there are degrees of relationship. I …
Invited By The Bride
When you’re invited to a wedding, where do you like to sit? If you’re close kin, your seat is usually reserved, but when you get to chose, do you sit close or near the back? Do you choose an aisle seat for a quick escape or so you can see the faces of father and …
What On Earth Are You Doing?
“What is he saying?” my husband asked. “Lightbulb bump,” our toddler grandson repeated. He had just heard me relay a message from his mother. The lightbulb in the guest bathroom is out, and the sun shades on the back porch were bumping all night in the wind. Would he change the bulb and roll up …
Eyes To See
New grand-babies means additional car seats and I believe in being prepared, so I used some of my Christmas bonus bucks to order the first one last week. It’s stored away in the guest closet and I have the bruises to prove it. When I hoisted the box chest-high to clear the footboard and stepped …
Light & Life
Newborn cries are a welcome relief to parents and caregivers alike when a baby is delivered into the world. A collective inhale and a sigh of exhale accompany the mother’s final push, but not before the baby takes his first breath. The whole room is waiting expectantly, and if anything prevents that all-important gasp, immediate …
Whatever You Want
Ophelia Rose was my daughter’s cat. Crating her was always tricky but she traveled well. She went on many vacations with our family, but she did not love the vet. When I opened the door to the veterinary office, her weight shifted to the rear of her crate and she would start hissing. They managed …
Leaning
“The beach is open, Lolly.” My two year old grandson’s voice turned his simple remark into a question. The sunshine betrayed the chill in the air. No doubt the water would be freezing, but we would definitely be dipping our toes (and more) in before the week was out! An hour before sunset last Saturday, …
A Fitting Reply 