Tag Archives: Cynthia Mendenhall

Prepped and Ready

VineWords Devotions and More

Hurricanes Ian and Nicole hit the Florida coast forty-three days apart in 2022. Since I experienced both, I quickly learned the importance of being prepped and ready with multiple backup plans. Pre-prepping for a hurricane requires collecting shelf-stable groceries, buying a large supply of safe water, fueling vehicles, and stashing some cash. Additionally, we needed all life’s important paperwork gathered and near us.  As an actual hurricane approaches, we move the outside furniture in. Dining umbrellas can become javelins. We … Continue reading →

Forgetting the Past

VineWords Devotions and More

I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. ~Philippians 3:13-14 NLT To work on forgetting the past, I carried sentimental gifts, collections, and other accumulations to my garage for a garage sale. My dark and threatening path through divorce brought me a God-appointed mentor. I had joked with … Continue reading →

Where Do You Live

VineWords Devotions and More

If asked, “Where do you live,” we could quickly provide our home address complete with zip code. We would probably hesitate, though, if asked where our heart resides. The answer could prove insightful if we paused and asked ourselves that question. My daughter had an opportunity to pick up some fresh star fruits from a friend and asked me to ride with her. We allowed the GPS to lead us along the route without much thought until our final turn. … Continue reading →

Replacement Parts

VineWords Devotions and More

My life changed with replacement parts.    I once walked up and down steps like a short-legged toddler, lumbering my right foot onto the step, then pulling the left foot onto the same step before advancing to the next one. But all that changed with one replacement part. Although no one can see the titanium and plastic contraption that replaced my original knee, they might notice my improved gait. After physical therapy, healing, and time, I now take stairs more … Continue reading →

Lost

VineWords Devotions and More

I took a small break and a deep breath as I looked at the mall map, searching for that circled star that would clarify my location, but I was lost.   I had walked in circles, looking for the one store that was the purpose of my trip. Somehow, I had become twisted and distracted, and before realizing it, my quick stop at the mall ticked toward a second hour. Nagging questions swirled in my mind: “Had the store moved? … Continue reading →

A Yellow-Pen Life

VineWords Devotions and More

Little did I know I was living a yellow-pen life.    “Aww, these are nice.” One daughter had gifted me my favorite journaling pens, and my oldest presented a full set of eight Bible marking pens. I held up a yellow one from each set and said, “Interesting.”  They both knew I enjoyed a lot of color in my life, and, quite honestly, yellow is one of my favorites. But, yellow pens? It only took one trial run to realize … Continue reading →

Wallflowers Can Dance

VineWords Devotions and More

I stepped outside my comfort zone, stepped into a Soul Dancing class, and discovered that wallflowers can dance.   Twice each week, I showed up in comfy shoes and a big smile, along with twenty-five to thirty other folks with varying levels of dancing ability. I’ve never thought I had natural rhythm, and I have had few opportunities to prove it. It was all I could manage to keep my right and left straight while counting continuously. I laughed a … Continue reading →