It’s no use! The stain is not coming out. I had splurged on the outfit for our daughter to wear to a special end of third grade grandmother-mother-daughter tea party. The event was so special and Caroline had experienced her first chocolate fountain, something she would later request for her wedding reception. The top she …
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 …
Pour Out Your Heart
The baby monitor’s dual display makes it easy to see who’s awake. The side of the screen outlined in red is registering sound, but before my eyes are fully opened, I’m unsure who’s cries I’m hearing. My grandchildren, like my own children, are close in age and their tiny voices sound very much the same …
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 …
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 …
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 …
When a Miracle Isn’t What You Need
I’m home recovering from knee surgery. The wind is blowing and it’s chilly outside for the first of May. It’s quiet today, a perfect day for rest. Why is it that I can see half a dozen things I could be doing instead? I had plans to drive up to my daughter’s today to help …
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 …
Where Evil Flourishes
I have been faithfully married to my husband for nearly 32 years. I strive to serve others and lead by example. My encouragement and generosity is well-known in my community. I avoid profanity and alcohol, and I make every effort to honor my parents. Much like the rich, young ruler, I can say I have …
Let Him Speak
“Ba” is my grandson’s multipurpose word. He uses it for names and words he knows but cannot yet say. His mom understands most of his cues because she sees him in their personal context. She knows what he knows and can quickly translate. Did you know that the Spirit of God intercedes for us in …
A Fitting Reply 