My youthful father transformed rugged acreage into a small working ranch. The five springs on the property helped him envision the land’s potential.
The Moved Coaster
When I saw the moved coaster, I smiled.
More than Just Making It
On my morning walk, I passed a neighbor walking the opposite direction. I greeted her and asked how she was doing. She paused and replied, “I’m making it.” I understood her response. Her life has become complicated because of her mother’s failing health.
Set Free!
My friend told me the story about her early Christmas present. Her mother bought a new car for her and her husband. At first I was struck by the generosity of this mother, but the rest of the story intrigued me more.
The Journey I Wouldn’t Choose
She finished reading the book and declared, “It was a journey I didn’t like being on.” Using that statement to describe a book is no big deal. But for many of us, that statement describes a complicated life situation that we can do nothing about. Many of us are on journeys we don’t like.
Never Alone
A few years ago, we had a most unusual Christmas day lunch. It was the “in-law Christmas,” and so, our girls and their families were coming the day after Christmas. I had been busy preparing food for the week and just didn’t have the energy to prepare another meal for Christmas day. Therefore, we went to eat at one of the few restaurants open.
The Good Lion
I wonder what it was like to be a recently freed Israelite slave preparing to receive God’s law in the wilderness. Can you picture the scene? Camped at the base of Mount Sinai in the middle of the desert, waiting anxiously to meet your Deliverer?
Fearless Love
When I was growing up, I was haunted by verses like John 14:21: He who has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. What is His command? To love the Lord Your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. (Matthew 22:37) These kinds of verses haunted me because deep down, I knew my obedience wasn’t fueled by love.
Don’t Go In The Gutter!
Suppose I decided to go bowling with a friend who wanted to play the game without the gutter guards. If you knew how bad of a bowler I am, you’d know I’d start sweating! Do you know the first thing that would start going through my mind?
Other Holiness
One of my seminary professors once described holiness simply as “other,” meaning that if you took the sum total of all your past experiences and drew a circle around them… Holiness would be in an entirely separate circle.
Waves of Joy
I’ve had migraines for as long as I can remember. My mom and I have a running joke that “it’s not really a migraine until your brain’s having a baby!” But that is more or less what it feels like… As if my brain, for no apparent reason, has suddenly taken it upon itself to give birth from inside my skull. I’m sure some of you beautiful, courageous ladies know EXACTLY what I’m talking about!
Here Comes the Bridegroom!
“I like it when it storms because we get to eat ice cream!” a neighbor child told my daughter. That is a little odd, I thought at the time.
Squirreled Away
While driving home from out of town, I received a text from my husband that said, “There’s a squirrel in a shoebox on the counter. If it’s dead when you get home, throw it into the woods.”
Fight the Good Fight
Down I fell, flat on my face! I was running downhill with my dog when suddenly she darted ahead. I hung onto the leash trying to slow her down. Instead, her momentum pulled me down until I was face down in the dirt.
Follow the Leader
I pulled into the rest area and looked around. The people I observed were as varied as the vehicles. Where were they all going? The adventurist in me began to imagine several possible scenarios.
What is that Smell?
“What is that smell?” my husband asked as we entered the resort where we were vacationing. “Whatever it is, I want it!” he exclaimed.
Prepare the Way – Christmas Traditions
I have to say I have already had a favorite Christmas memory for this year even though days away from the actual holiday. One would not think a seven-year-old boy would pay much attention to anything except presents at Christmas time, but sometimes little boys surprise you.
Prepare the Way – No Excuses
As we waited in our spot by the curb for the annual Christmas parade, our two-and-a-half-year-old grandson grew impatient. I tried to tell him about all of the cool lights and sights the parade promised, but to no avail. I could not believe it when he came up with an excuse for why he would not enjoy the event.
Prepare the Way – Christmas Pie
For some reason, at Christmas time we feel the need to prepare all sorts of decadent sweet treats. Homemade cookies, candy, cakes, and pies adorn kitchen cabinets and tables, many even used as gifts for friends and neighbors.
Prepare the Way – The Glory
Oh, how I love decorating for the Christmas season. It just fills my heart with joy. I have some cute Santas, but I really look forward to putting out my collection of nativities. Each different, they all depict baby Jesus in a manger, Mary and Joseph on each side. Some even include various animals.