Nearly every Sunday for a decade, our younger son, the lone extrovert in a family of introverts, came into worship after Sunday school with one friend or another in tow, asking if he could come over after church. Has your friend asked his parents? No? Then we’ll make a plan for another time. End of …
Forgetfulness
Only a few months ago, almost two year old Thomas could be distracted from something simply by moving on to something else. As his vocabulary grows, his memory expands to include what you said he could do that you hoped he’d forget. We can go outside after we finish breakfast is quite literal for him. …
In Good Company
We started building our house in the spring of twenty-nineteen, as soon as the ground was dry enough to set the foundation. Our builder was good to his word and he finished in under a year. No one knew what early twenty-twenty held. I flew with my son on January twenty-first round trip to Houston …
Remember Mercy
In just a few short months, my grandson, Thomas, will be two. In the last week alone, he’s learned six new words. He’s finally realizing that not every baby picture is his cousin, Amelia. Many of them are him and he points to himself when he sees them. Today, he brought his mom a water …
Do You Hear That?
My digital photo frame was a gift from a dear friend who is now family. I’m not the only one who enjoys watching the pictures cycle through during mealtimes as it sits adjacent to the kitchen table. I was completely unaware that it could accept videos until one accidentally found its way in during a …
Called By Name
I remember being called Mrs. Ross as a newlywed and thinking Mrs. Ross is my mother in law. I readily identified as Paul’s wife but Mrs. Ross was a title that took some growing into. In fact, I commonly asked to be called Mrs. LeAnn because it seemed less formal and made it easier for …
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 …
A Fitting Reply 