Seeking Emmanuel. God with us. How I longed to know His presence in my life. With the passing of my grandmothers, I asked God for a double-portion blessing. Both of my grandmothers were strong women of faith and prayer warriors. I wanted God’s glory to shine in my life, too. Couldn’t I ask the same of the Lord, like Elisha? When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken … Continue reading →
When traveling a winding trail in life, remember God does have a plan for you. He will make sure you reach your preordained destination.
Continue reading →A bold fundraiser for our mission team was fast approaching, and I doubted the outcome. What once seemed like a great idea now felt questionable. Would enough people come? Would the sale generate enough money to help with our plane tickets? Had I thought out the details and covered my steps? I worried about worry. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. ~1 Peter 5:7 NLT The Anxiety I looked for ways to distract … Continue reading →
Looking “I didn’t see it, Gra’ma,” my grandson said. One summer, I kept two of my grands for two days. Our family took two cars to visit my dad at the nursing home. The twenty-five-minute drive through the countryside revealed a treat in the trees. One of the formations held the caricature of a dinosaur, my grandson’s favorite. “Look for the mailbox with a wagon wheel and black-eyed Susans,” I said. “It’s all in knowing where to look.” Many, O … Continue reading →
Lesson Plans I rushed home to prepare the lesson. Tonight’s class would be ready for chapter eleven in our book, and I hadn’t finished collecting my thoughts. My style facilitates discussion more than a lecture, so I rely on questions to prepare the conversation. But what I thought would be a lesson for my class was a lesson for the teacher. I turned to the study guide in the back of the book and paused at the Ebenezer story. How … Continue reading →
Jumping in Praise Surrounded by third and fourth graders, my heart swirled in their chatter. Vacation Bible School was in full swing, and so were their bodies. Jumping up and down to the music, clapping their hands, and following the motions of the leader, they sang, “Pra-i-se Him!” Watching their faces beam with enthusiasm, I was caught up in the joy. How the Father must love to hear the praise of children. Out of the mouth of babes and nursing … Continue reading →
To Know I live in the need-to-know camp. As a child, I wanted to be in the know when adults conversed and the family made plans. I wanted to be the first to tell others when big news hit. It was delightfully sweet to have firsthand information and juicy gossip. As an adult, I’m finding the more I know, the less I know. Life is complicated and doesn’t provide nice pat answers. I wonder if things are elusive by design, … Continue reading →
I have eyes to see the wonders around me. So, I often play a game with my grandchildren to get them to notice the world God orchestrated. It begins with “Ridley, Ridley, Ree, I see something you don’t see.” One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. … Continue reading →
Every day is Sunday in my house. My ninety-year-old father rises to find his Sunday clothes—dress shirt, nice pants, suit jacket, feet clothed with hospital skid-proof socks tucked into his dress shoes. Dad anticipates the opportunity to go to church. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.” ~Psalm 122:1 NKJV Dementia has messed with Dad’s daily perceptions but has not diminished his desire to spend time in the Lord’s house. … Continue reading →
Stand firm, unshakable, excelling in the work of the Lord as always, because you know that your labor isn’t going to be for nothing in the Lord. ~1 Corinthians 15:58 CEB A Good Day Most of my days feel like a mundane day rather than a good day. As a caregiver for my dad, I have become mostly housebound, and the walls threaten to cave in around me. Some days we play a card game. But Dad’s mind gets confused … Continue reading →
