The Recital

VineWords Devotions and More

I would rather have been riding my bike. The moment of truth came as my name was called. I took my seat on the piano bench and play the song I had practiced many times. This was the moment! I would either see my instructor beam with pride, or cringe. The thought that my family, and practically half the town’s population was in attendance didn’t offer much comfort. I focused on what my instructor whispered to me as I placed the sheet music on the rack, “If you happen to hit a wrong note, just keep playing through the song.”

That is much easier said then done. …

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Billy Got My Goat

VineWords Devotions and More

For round two, I decided if I couldn’t entice Billy, my strategy would be to pick up one of the kids. Let your imagination go wild here. The players are: a 60+ year-old woman, several agile, three-month-old kids, and one over-sized Billy goat who had some very effective horns. …

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Kindness Matters

VineWords Devotions and More

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ~Colossians 3:12 NIV It’s that time of year when it’s cold enough for crystal flakes of snow to fall from the sky, covering the landscape in a picturesque blanket of white. It’s also a time to remember that kindness matters.   Despite its beauty, snow has challenges. Travel can be difficult. As I did, I met a lady who graced me with … Continue reading →

Sifted as Wheat

VineWords Devotions and More

We may wonder where God is in all of this, but He has not abandoned us, Beloved.  He is still here.  His hand of mercy limits the shaking.  The enemy is not allowed to touch even one hair on our heads without God’s permission (see Luke 21:18).  So, if God is allowing us to be sifted, while it is unpleasant and often painful, we can rest assured that the shaking will be for our ultimate good.  We need to cling to Him and trust Him through it (see Genesis 50:20). …

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Got It but Didn’t Want It

VineWords Devotions and More

By the second day, he had figured out work was involved in this school thing. I dropped him off in his room and listened to him scream as I walked away. Although he soon quieted down, he was no more ready to go to school the following day than he had been the second day. He got what he wanted, but didn’t want it when he got it. …

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The Penny

VineWords Devotions and More

While I was sitting on a bench in the park, I noticed the penny on the pathway.   SEE THE PENNY As people hurried by, no one gave that penny a second glance. It was, after all, only a penny–small and insignificant and not worth the time to stop and pick it up. Staring at the penny, I thought, By the world’s standards, I am not much different than that penny. To the government, I am known as a social … Continue reading →

Dancing Shoes

VineWords Devotions and More

Pretend you’re a little girl, age four-and-a-half. Yes, “and-a-half” is important when you’re that age. At this time, you are learning to love Jesus. You love to run, bounce on couches, and play bowling with Daddy where you and your brother get to be the pins and a giant bean bag is the bowling ball. Yes, you’re an active girl. Your hair is golden with hints of red and your locks are shoulder-length. You are taking dancing classes. You learn to pirouette, point your toes, jump, and twirl… The teacher who you’re learning from loves Jesus. Then it happens…

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Looking into the Mirrors of God

VineWords Devotions and More

You can build an infinity mirror by holding a mirror that faces another mirror. (I held a hand mirror and aimed it at my bathroom mirror.) Look closely inside the larger mirror’s reflection and notice the cascading images of mirrors reflected in the hand-held mirror that stretch to infinity. Although someone may not see your hand-held mirror, the proof of its existence rests in its many reflected images in the larger mirror. …

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