Books are my favorite, the actual print and paper ones that smell new or like the shop where they were purchased. I’ve resigned myself to ebooks recently, however, in large part because I can read them on my phone whenever I have a minute without remembering to bring along reading material. I don’t love it, …
Gossiping the Gospel
Stories are easy to tell when you’re passionate about your subject. My grandchildren, for instance, bring me so much joy and laughter and they teach me much about myself and the world. I work harder at not telling just one more tale! I try to relate the highlights of our together days to Amelia’s mom …
No Family History
Three photos exist capturing five generations of my family. The first was taken when I was an infant and includes my mother, her mother, grandmother and great grandmother. The second was taken only two years ago when my grandmother met my first grandson, and the third last year when she met my first granddaughter. My …
Different By God’s Design
As a first time momma living in temporary housing with my husband and young son, I experienced one of the scariest feelings ever. What started overnight with a meal that disagreed with me ended with being taken by my husband to the emergency room with severe dehydration and food poisoning. The scary part was that …
Holding Onto Hope
My granddaughter is a year old and so full of life! Her parents call it energy. She’s a busy bee. She’s rarely ever still. She climbs everything and talks constantly. She and the Great Danes have an understanding. She’s the boss. She keeps up with her two year old cousin. She is so much like …
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 …
Arriving At The Destination
My grandson, Thomas, is almost two and he still struggles with car rides. He lives almost two hours away so in order to visit extended family, his parents must drive. His mom has tried everything to ease the trip for him but getting out of the car is really the only thing that helps. He …
On The Surface
Twice this week, my husband’s late evening fishing has been interrupted and the grandchildren and I have needed to rush inside as thunder and lightning announced a rapidly approaching storm. The winds picked up and I felt the droplets tossed about in the air before I heard the rain advancing across the surface of the …
Foot In The Door
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 …
Is Your Conscience Clear?
My daughter and I were venting when her husband rounded the corner. Had he heard what I’d just shared in confidence? I had spoken heatedly and from frustration rather than grace. I immediately regretted my words. I tasted them still on my tongue. It’s not the first time I’ve swallowed hard to choke down the …
A Fitting Reply 