Christmas’ Unexpected Changes
But God kept them from recognizing him. ~Luke 24:16 NLT The news stung like a hornet against bare skin. Christmas’ unexpected changes had invaded our home and yearly tradition. For over a decade, my wife and I celebrated Christmas with our two children on Christmas day. We considered it a sacred tradition—and thought they did, too. We loved watching them—and later their children—open gifts we had purchased for them. But then, we got the news. Around mid-November, our daughter texted … Continue reading →
Don’t Be a Fence Straddler
Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” ~1 Kings 18:21 NLT At twelve, my grandfather learned about straddling the fence. The Choice When my grandfather was in middle school, his father died. In a time when women mainly worked at home and the man was the sole breadwinner, the family was in a precarious situation. … Continue reading →
Hearing the Horn
And Samuel replied, “Yes, your servant is listening.” ~1 Samuel 3:10 NLT Hearing the horn was vital. When it blew, we knew it was time to come home. As a child, I never knew the type of technology our current generation enjoys. My friends and I played the standard games—hide-and-seek, cowboys and Indians, Red Rover—but we also made up many games. Since our grandparents lived on a farm, my cousin and I were good at it. Cell phones hadn’t been … Continue reading →
When Change Arrived
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. ~Joshua 1:9 NLT When change arrived, my wife and I weren’t quite ready. The Change We knew the time would come when we’d have to care for our aging parents; we didn’t think we’d have to care for three at the same time. Things had worked out, so we could buy a home next door to … Continue reading →
Putting the Past to Rest
Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! ~2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT She ran from her past, but she couldn’t hide from it. She just couldn’t master putting the past to rest. Frances and her sister lived with an abusive father. Their mother died when they were both very young. Their father molested them sexually and drank continuously. Finally, child welfare intervened and placed them with an aunt. … Continue reading →
Living with Evil
But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. ~2 Timothy 3:13 NLT I knew by her expression we were living with evil. School had dismissed for Thanksgiving break. Knowing getting together with kids and grandkids would fill the break, my wife and I decided to spend my first day off with her ailing mom. Additionally, her mom wanted to do her Christmas shopping on Amazon and needed my wife’s help. After an … Continue reading →
Expect the Unexpected
You don’t know what the day will bring. ~Proverbs 27:1b NLT Quickly, we learned to expect the unexpected. The day was a normal in-service day at school. The principal hadn’t originally scheduled it but, due to a conference schedule change, had inserted one to accommodate parents who may have planned a long weekend for themselves and their families. The day began with instructions from our headmaster. For those who needed to, they were to work on curriculum guides. The following … Continue reading →
A Quiver Full
Children are a gift from the Lord. . . . How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! ~Psalm 127:3–5 NLT “Would you like to keep our kids, too, tomorrow?” The holiday season had arrived. I was out on Thanksgiving break, and our daughter was great with child. We had already kept her three kids for a day while she and our son-in-law shopped locally. She didn’t feel like going out of town and could only walk around … Continue reading →
Those Tricky Appearances
Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly. ~John 7:24 NLT Those tricky appearances can be . . . well . . . tricky. “Don’t take this the wrong way because I don’t mean it ugly, but where do you get your clothes from?” The conversation took place during one of our monthly birthday breakfast celebrations. As I prepared my plate, a teacher from the elementary section asked the question. She seemed hesitant even to ask, but I wasn’t … Continue reading →
Give Thanks
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. ~1 Chronicles 16:34 NLT He told them to give thanks . . . and they listened. The day was the Monday before our Thanksgiving break. The Upper School principal was to deliver the chapel sermon. The kids had heard him speak many times during the school year, but usually to correct them about some mischievous behavior, not share a sermon. This time, he would do the … Continue reading →
A Baby for Christmas
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~Isaiah 9:6 NLT Rarely did Santa bring Mom what she wanted for Christmas, but one Christmas, he did. Mom and her sister grew up the daughters of a dirt-poor farmer who attempted to eke out a living from the sandy soil near Vance, South Carolina. My … Continue reading →