Thomas saw through my bag containing five tubes of peanut butter mini M&Ms meant for the grandkids’ Christmas stockings the day I bought them. His mama called him out with a grin, saying to me, “He’s a Sneaky-Peeker!” Later that same day, after celebrating a birthday party for Jesus, after opening his stocking and after …
Birds, Bees, and Fruit Trees
Water levels in the lake behind our house have risen a foot and a half in just a few days. The ground is saturated but it’s not a crisis. Spring is coming. We open valves to drop the lake level in winter for house maintenance. Sea walls and docks are built or repaired. Fallen trees …
Willing Stewards
“Is Ella coming outside?” Thomas asked as we emptied the new bag of sand into the sandbox. The tears welling up in my eyes as I replied surprised me. “Not today, buddy.” Jake was already loping around the yard, sniffing at spots where Ella rested the day before. The last six months have been difficult …
Pockets Filled With Holes
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 …
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 …
A Fitting Reply 